Evaluation of an Electronic Safety Perimeter System for Kansas Temporary Work Zones

Highway agencies have recognized that crashes occurring at work zones due to errant vehicles is a serious safety concern for both the driver and work crew. Positive protection on hazardous or long-duration temporary work zones provides a safe means of escape or a lateral buffer space for work crews. However, not all temporary work zones require positive protection leaving sometimes only a shadow vehicle or plastic channelizers to separate open traffic and workers. Work zone perimeter protection devices have been tested and used since the 1990s with limited and/or inconclusive results. Limitations identified by previous research studies have indicated that false-positive alarms, poor communication technology or improper training has led to the discontinued use or poor results of such devices. This research study aims to evaluate a safety perimeter system designed to detect errant vehicles striking a channelizer and immediately alert work crews in both short and long work zone operations. It is expected that with advancements in technology that a proof of concept study and field demonstration will provide potential safety benefits for temporary work zones in Kansas.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Completed
• Funding: $60000.00
• Contract Numbers:

  DTRT12-G-UTC07

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Research and Innovative Technology Administration

  University Transportation Centers Program
  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Performing Organizations:

  University of Kansas, Lawrence

  Transportation Research Institute
  2117 Learned Hall, 1530 W 15th Street
  Lawrence, KS  United States  66045
• Principal Investigators:

  Schrock, Steven

  Fitzsimmons, Eric

  Mulinazzi, Thomas

• Start Date: 20130701
• Expected Completion Date: 0
• Actual Completion Date: 20141231
• Source Data: RiP Project 34774

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Temporary barriers; Traffic control devices; Traffic crashes; Work zone safety; Work zone traffic control; Workforce
• Uncontrolled Terms: Lane buffers; Perimeters
• Subject Areas: Construction; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01487959
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Mid-America Transportation Center
• Contract Numbers: DTRT12-G-UTC07
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Jul 24 2013 1:01AM