RES2023-24: Informed Safety, Mobility and Driver Comfort Enhancement Practices for Work Zones

Informed Safety, Mobility and Driver Comfort Enhancement Practices for Work Zones

This study leverages high-fidelity observational data to analyze driver behavior and vehicle dynamics within work zones (WZs) on Tennessee’s interstate highways, aiming to evaluate critical aspects of safety, mobility, and driver comfort. Data were collected over several months from global positioning system (GPS), IMU sensors, and video recordings on commercial vehicles traveling through two active WZs on I-40 near Jackson, Tennessee. By using precise, sensor-based measurements of speed, acceleration, heading, and lane position, this research offers a detailed, real-time perspective on how WZ conditions influence driver behavior. The observational data reveal distinct patterns, such as increased speed variability and frequency of lane changes within WZs, which are indicative of driver discomfort and potential evasive actions. The analysis also shows that specific WZ configurations, including barrier placement and lane narrowing, impact driver response differently across locations, underscoring the importance of tailored Temporary Traffic Control (TTC) strategies. This study suggests that by leveraging high-fidelity data, traffic management can adopt more adaptive measures—such as dynamic speed feedback and improved visual guidance—to enhance safety and driving experience in WZs. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of driver-vehicle interaction under varying WZ conditions, offering valuable insights for future WZ design and management.

• Record URL:
  • https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/tdot/research/final-reports/2023-final-reports-and-summaries/RES2023-24%20Final%20Report%20Approved.pdf
• Record URL:
  • https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/tdot/research/RES2023-24%20Summary.pdf

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Completed
• Funding: $99,999.00
• Contract Numbers:

  RES2023-24

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Tennessee Department of Transportation

  James K. Polk Building
  Fifth and Deaderick Street
  Nashville, TN  United States  37243-0349
• Managing Organizations:

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Project Managers:

  Culwell, Clay

• Performing Organizations:

  University of Memphis

  Center for Intermodal Freight Transportation Studies
  3815 Central Avenue
  Memphis, TN  United States  38152
• Principal Investigators:

  Mishra, Sabyasachee

• Start Date: 20221201
• Expected Completion Date: 20240531
• Actual Completion Date: 20241130
• Subprogram: Highway Performance Management System (HPMS)V8
• Subprogram: Work Zone Management

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Behavior; Comfort; Commercial drivers; Lane changing; Operating speed; Vehicle dynamics; Work zone traffic control; Work zones
• Geographic Terms: Tennessee
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01941723
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Tennessee Department of Transportation
• Contract Numbers: RES2023-24
• Files: RIP, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jan 3 2025 12:03PM