00458080

Component

http://onlinepubs.trb.org...trr/1985/1035/1035-008.pdf

https://scholar.google.co...udek&publication_year=1985

The results of field studies conducted in Texas to evaluate selected methods of slowing work zone traffic to acceptable speeds are presented. The studies were performed at six work zone sites, including two rural freeway sites, one urban freeway site, one urban arterial site, and two rural highway sites. The following work zone speed control methods were studied: flagging, law enforcement, changeable message signs (CMSs), effective lane width reduction, rumble strips, and conventional regulatory and advisory speed signing. The study results indicate that flagging and law enforcement are effective methods for controlling speeds at work zones. The best flagging treatment tested reduced speeds an average of 19 percent for all sites, and the best law enforcement treatment reduced speeds an average of 18 percent. In contrast, the best changeable message sign and effective lane width reduction treatments tested each reduced speeds by only 7 percent. An innovative flagging procedure, a police traffic controller, and a stationary patrol car were found to be the most effective treatments on most highway types. A circulating patrol car and rumble strips were found to be ineffective treatments for controlling work zone speeds. Although conventional regulatory and advisory signing was found to be ineffective in reducing work zone speeds, conventional speed signs are an essential component of any work zone speed control effort.

Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Traffic Safety in Maintenance and Construction Operations.Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved

01419426

pp 66-78

1985

Transportation Research Record

0309039517

Print

Figures (9) ; References (7) ; Tables (9)

Field studies; Flaggers; Measures of effectiveness; Reduction (Chemistry); Regulatory signs; Rumble strips; Speed control; Speed signs; Traffic lanes; Traffic law enforcement; Variable message signs; Width; Work zone traffic control

Effectiveness

Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; I73: Traffic Control

TRIS, TRB

Sep 30 1986 12:00AM

• BRIDGE DECK REHABILITATION DECISION MAKING
• DECISIONS IN SELECTION OF MAINTENANCE LEVELS OF SERVICE
• FLOW CHARACTERISTICS AT FREEWAY LANE CLOSURES
• GUIDELINES FOR POSITIVE BARRIER USE IN CONSTRUCTION ZONES
• OPERATIONAL AND SAFETY IMPACTS ON FREEWAY TRAFFIC OF HIGH-OCCUPANCY VEHICLE LANE CONSTRUCTION IN A MEDIAN
• OPTIMAL REHABILITATION FREQUENCIES FOR HIGHWAY PAVEMENTS
• PAVEMENT ROUTINE MAINTENANCE COST PREDICTION MODELS
• POTENTIAL IMPACT OF SPEED REDUCTION AT FREEWAY LANE CLOSURES: A SIMULATION STUDY (ABRIDGMENT)
• SELECTION OF WORK ZONE CHANNELIZING DEVICES USING THE VALUE ENGINEERING APPROACH (ABRIDGMENT)
• Setting Maintenance Levels for Aggregate Surface Roads (Discussion and Closure)