Design of an Alternative Work Zone Attenuator Device

Roadway work zone accidents, while not that common, usually end in tragedy. Currently, mobile attenuators are attached to state-owned dump trucks and operated by highway workers to lessen the impact when accidents occur. These vehicles are put into harm's way to act as a first line of defense and typically when they are involved in an accident, they are damaged and taken out of service. This is very crucial in the months leading up to winter, as these vehicles are also responsible for snow and ice removal in Ohio. For this reason, it is necessary to develop a specification for a replacement work-zone attenuator device, in place of the dump trucks. The goals of this project are to research the applicability of other types of low-cost devices already on the market and develop a specification for a device that will be able to perform the functions of the dump truck. Potential results of this research are: (1) This research will show safety, economic, and efficiency benefits to Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT). (2) ODOT plans to utilize the specification developed under this project to achieve lower risks to our valued snow and ice removal equipment, at a statewide level. (3) The findings developed by this research have the capability of changing the way that work zone impact attenuators are utilized throughout the state. (4) ODOT plans to review the reports and specification. The specification will be advertised in a manner consistent with departmental policies. All documentation received as part of the advertisement will be reviewed to identify benefits to ODOT from a cost perspective.

• Record URL:
  http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/Planning/SPR/Research/reportsandplans/Lists/Final%20Reports%20All/AllItems.aspx?View={7D4D0273-6FC5-48A5-AD17-9CC3A7E83DA0}&FilterField1=State%5fx0020%5fJob%5fx0020%5f%5fx0023%5f&FilterValue1=136137

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Completed
• Funding: $104931
• Contract Numbers:

  34891

  111462

  136137

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Managing Organizations:

  Ohio Department of Transportation

  Research Program
  1980 West Broad Street
  Columbus, OH  United States  43223
• Project Managers:

  Martindale, Jill

• Performing Organizations:

  Transportation Research Center, Inc.

  10820 State Route 347
  East Liberty, Ohio  United States  43319
• Principal Investigators:

  Mandokhot, Mohit

• Start Date: 20210105
• Expected Completion Date: 20220305
• Actual Completion Date: 20220305

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternatives analysis; Crash cushions; Dump trucks; Equipment design; Snow removal; Specifications; Truck mounted attenuators; Work zone safety; Work zones
• Geographic Terms: Ohio
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01759539
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Ohio Department of Transportation
• Contract Numbers: 34891, 111462, 136137
• Files: RIP, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Dec 2 2020 11:52AM