Work Zone Safety

In this project task, researchers analyzed, both quantitively and qualitatively, data collected from different work zone sites. These analyses were performed to evaluate the effectiveness of implemented smart work zone (SWZ) applications and law enforcement (LE) at different work zone types in terms of average vehicle speed, speed variance when needed, percent of sudden deceleration (i.e., braking), and percent of sudden lane change (i.e., transition from a closing lane to a through lane). The pilot implementation sites for SWZ applications and LE included six work zones on arterial roadways in the Tampa Bay area in Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District 7 (D7). Quantitative data analysis was performed based on speed sensors to collect vehicle spot speeds, vehicle classification, and traffic count by lane. Qualitative data analysis was performed based on video recording observations with GoPro cameras. The research team analyzed hundred hours of speed data and reviewed selected video data on driving behaviors approaching work zones. These data were processed for quantitative analysis (speed data) and qualitative analysis (video data). The analysis results indicated that in many test scenarios the vehicle speeds can be significantly reduced and driving behaviors can considerably be improved by deployment of SWZ applications and LE for different work zone types, maintenance of traffic (MOT), characteristics of traffic, and geometric attributes of the arterial roadways. This project was awarded as Arterial Work Zone Safety, 2021 National Roadway Safety Award in the Infrastructure & Operational Improvements.