01506655

Component

https://doi.org/10.3141/2458-07

Researchers conducted a closed-course study to evaluate the impact of work zone lighting on the ability of drivers to detect low-contrast objects and workers wearing high-visibility vests. Three lighting conditions were set up: no lights (dark or base condition); a portable, trailer-mounted light tower; and a portable balloon light. The dark scenario treatments confirmed that a worker wearing a retroreflective vest could be detected at significantly longer distances than a low-contrast object (a box, a target, and a tire). Researchers also confirmed that drivers tended to overdrive their headlights, especially in rural, dark scenarios. Compared with the results for the dark scenarios, the results for the illuminated roadway section showed that properly installed temporary work zone lighting could increase the distance at which workers and low-contrast objects could be detected. The results also confirmed that improper positioning of portable light towers had a negative impact on the distance at which workers and low-contrast objects could be detected and supported the theory that direct illumination by portable light towers could visually wash out workers and thus could make them more difficult to detect.

01552937

14-3093

English

Bullough, John D

pp 56–64

2014

Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board

9780309295499

Print

Figures (9) ; Photos; References (12)

Highway safety; Night visibility; Occupational safety; Protective clothing; Road construction workers; Roadside hazards; Rural areas; Street lighting; Visibility; Work zone safety; Work zone traffic control

Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor; I85: Safety Devices used in Transport Infrastructure

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Jan 27 2014 3:04PM

• Analysis of Expected Crash Reduction Benefits and Costs of Truck-Mounted Attenuator Use in Work Zones
• Drivers’ Smart Assistance System Based on Radio Frequency Identification: Enhanced Safety and Reduced Emissions in Work Zones
• Dual Microwave Radar Vehicle Detection System at Four-Quadrant-Gate Railroad Grade Crossing
• Evaluation of Cost-Effectiveness of Steady-Burn Warning Lights in Work Zones
• Human Factors Issues of Accidents at Passively Controlled Rural Level Crossings
• Human Perceptions of Vehicle Turning Intention: Overall Performance and Contributory Factors
• Impact of Design and Construction on Quality, Consistency, and Safety of Traffic Control Plans
• Investigation of Train Warning Times and Gate Violations
• Lane Bias Issues in Work Zone Travel Time Measurement and Reporting
• Method for Road Lighting Audit and Safety Screening at Urban Intersections
• Photometric Evaluation of Steady-Burn Warning Lights in Work Zones
• Safety Evaluation of Illuminance Transition at Highway Tunnel Portals on Basis of Visual Load
• Use of Fixation Heat Maps to Evaluate Visual Behavior of Unfamiliar Drivers on Horizontal Curves