Study the Effectiveness of ODOT’s Initiatives in Construction Work Zone Safety
Work zone safety is a critical concern for transportation agencies, as work zones present numerous hazards such as narrowed lanes, lane shifts, and the presence of construction equipment. Speeding in construction work zones can lead to crashes that result in both fatalities and injuries for construction workers and drivers. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) has implemented various initiatives, including variable speed limits, Smart Work Zones, and the "Operation Hard Hat" program, to enhance work zone safety. However, the effectiveness of these initiatives and the factors influencing drivers’ compliance with speed limits in work zones require further investigation. This research project aims to evaluate the effectiveness of ODOT's current initiatives in promoting safe work zones and to identify the key factors that affect drivers' compliance with speed limits within these zones. The project will also address inconsistencies in how speed limits are applied across different districts and contractors, to develop clear, consistent guidance and policy to improve work zone safety statewide. The research will be carried out through the following tasks: (1) Conduct a kickoff meeting with the ODOT traffic division to gain a deeper understanding of the agency’s current practices and identify the agency’s additional needs; (2) Conduct a comprehensive literature review focusing on best practices and existing research related to work zone safety and driver speed compliance; (3) Administer surveys to a diverse sample of drivers to gather insights into their perceptions and experiences with traffic control devices in work zones; (4) Collect data related to different initiatives from ODOT, including traffic data, crash reports, and work zone characteristics; (5) Perform data analysis to identifying leading factors affecting drivers’ speed compliance and effectiveness of various initiatives in promoting work zone safety; and (6) Prepare a final report and provide recommended best practices in work zone safety. The impacts of this research are expected to be significant. By identifying effective strategies to improve driver compliance with speed limits and by standardizing speed limit applications across the state, this project will contribute to the creation of safer work zones on Oklahoma highways. Safer work zones will reduce the likelihood of accidents, injuries, and fatalities, leading to lower economic and social costs associated with work zone incidents. Additionally, improved safety will enhance worker morale and productivity, minimize traffic congestion, and reduce travel time and fuel consumption for drivers. Ultimately, this research will support ODOT in completing construction projects on time and within budget, with fewer disruptions and delays caused by accidents.
- Record URL:
Language
- English
Project
- Status: Active
- Funding: $65,000.00
-
Contract Numbers:
CY2-OSU-09
69A3552348306
-
Sponsor Organizations:
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology
University Transportation Centers Program
Department of Transportation
Washington, DC United States 20590 -
Managing Organizations:
Southern Plains Transportation Center
University of Oklahoma
202 W Boyd St, Room 213A
Norman, OK United States 73019 -
Project Managers:
Dunn, Denise
-
Performing Organizations:
Oklahoma State University, Stillwater
School of Civil & Environmental Engineering
Stillwater, OK United States 74078 -
Principal Investigators:
Li, Joshua
Shan, Yongwei
- Start Date: 20241001
- Expected Completion Date: 20250930
- Actual Completion Date: 0
- USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Best practices; Speed control; Speed limits; State departments of transportation; Work zone safety; Work zone traffic control
- Geographic Terms: Oklahoma
- Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01941671
- Record Type: Research project
- Source Agency: Southern Plains Transportation Center
- Contract Numbers: CY2-OSU-09, 69A3552348306
- Files: UTC, RIP
- Created Date: Jan 1 2025 1:28PM