00962107

Component

https://doi.org/10.3141/1824-06

http://scholar.google.com...ared&publication_year=2003

Research was conducted to identify the potential of fluorescent orange sheeting, innovative message signs, and changeable message signs with radar for reducing speeds in highway work zones. The study investigated the effect of each strategy immediately after implementation (immediate effect) as well as several weeks after implementation (novelty effect). In addition to the overall effect of each strategy on all vehicles, the study included the effect on specific vehicle types during various lighting conditions. The researchers collected traffic data before, immediately after, and 2 or 3 weeks after implementation of each strategy (3 consecutive weeks for the changeable message sign). They collected data upstream of the temporary traffic-control zone, in the advance-warning area, and adjacent to the active work area. The researchers used various statistical tests to evaluate the significance of speed changes from phase to phase and adjusted vehicle speeds with the upstream speed changes over time. The study indicated that fluorescent orange sheeting and innovative message signs help reduce speeds at highway work zones (with diminished influence over time). Moreover, both strategies influence vehicle speeds more during the day than at night. Drivers of passenger vehicles tended to decrease their speeds more than did truck drivers. Changeable message signs with radar significantly reduced the vehicle speeds in the immediate vicinity of the sign and did not demonstrate a novelty effect.

This paper appears in Transportation Research Record No. 1824, Highway Maintenance Safety, Support, and Services.

English

p. 44-53

2003

Transportation Research Record

0309085578

Figures (3) ; Photos (1) ; References (8) ; Tables (7)

Automobile drivers; Before and after studies; Fluorescence; Orange; Radar; Sign sheeting; Speed control; Truck drivers; Variable message signs; Work zone traffic control

Innovative message signs; Novelty effect

Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Operations and Traffic Management; I60: Maintenance; I73: Traffic Control

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Aug 19 2003 12:00AM

• CAPTURING EFFECTS OF MAINTENANCE PRACTICES IN HIGHWAY ASSET VALUATION: REPLACEMENT-COST APPROACH VERSUS BOOK-VALUE METHOD
• CASE STUDY OF HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT: OHIO'S COUNTY WORK PLANS
• COMPUTERIZED EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT METHODOLOGY
• DEPLOYMENT OF SMART WORK ZONE TECHNOLOGY IN ARKANSAS
• DEVELOPING UPDATED MINIMUM IN-SERVICE RETROREFLECTIVITY LEVELS FOR TRAFFIC SIGNS
• DIVERSION FROM A RURAL WORK ZONE WITH TRAFFIC-RESPONSIVE VARIABLE MESSAGE SIGNAGE SYSTEM
• EVALUATION OF PERFORMANCE OF PERMANENT PAVEMENT MARKINGS
• GUIDELINES FOR APPLICATION OF PORTABLE WORK ZONE INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS
• MORE EFFECTIVE WINTER MAINTENANCE METHOD FOR CYCLEWAYS
• NIGHTTIME VISIBILITY AND RETROREFLECTANCE OF PAVEMENT MARKINGS IN DRY, WET, AND RAINY CONDITIONS
• PERFORMANCE MEASURES FOR WINTER OPERATIONS
• PREDICTING WEATHER AND ROAD CONDITIONS: INTEGRATED DECISION-SUPPORT TOOL FOR WINTER ROAD-MAINTENANCE OPERATIONS
• RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WINTER ROAD-SURFACE CONDITIONS AND VEHICULAR MOTION: MEASUREMENTS BY PROBE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM
• SPACING OF LAW ENFORCEMENT PULLOUT AREAS IN HIGHWAY WORK ZONES
• THEORETICAL APPROACH TO PREDICTING TRAFFIC QUEUES AT SHORT-TERM WORK ZONES ON HIGH-VOLUME ROADWAYS IN URBAN AREAS