Evaluation of Work-Zone Safety Using SHRP2 Naturalistic Driving Study Data

A number of factors have been noted in the research as contributing to work zone crashes. Driver factors have not been as well studied since they are difficult to determine from crash data, but it is largely believed that the main contributors are inattentive driving, speeding, and other unsafe driver behaviors, such as following too closely. A number of countermeasures have been utilized by agencies to get drivers’ attention and encourage safe work-zone driving. However, the information is limited about which countermeasures are the most effective, given that driver behavior in work zones is not well understood. The naturalistic driving study (NDS) data collected by the Second Strategic Highway Program (SHRP2) offers a rare opportunity for a first-hand view of work-zone safety-critical events. Using these data, actual driver behavior can be observed. Additionally, using forward roadway views, researchers can make a determination as to whether the events were actually work zone related. The goal of this research is to more fully investigate work-zone safety using the unique data available with the SHRP2 data. In particular, the analyses address the role of speed and distraction in work-zone crashes and near crashes. The goal is to determine how drivers negotiate work zones and determine the factors present when safety-critical situations arise as compared to normal work-zone driving. Results from earlier work suggest that the impact of speed, driver distraction, work-zone configuration, and roadway characteristics can successfully be included in the analyses.

• Record URL:
  http://intrans.iastate.edu/mtc/index.cfm/research/project/project/82188836

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $50000
• Contract Numbers:

  DTRT13-G-UTC37

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Midwest Transportation Center

  Iowa State University
  2711 S Loop Drive, Suite 4700
  Ames, IA  United States  50010-8664

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  Washington DC,   United States  20590
• Managing Organizations:

  Iowa State University, Ames

  Institute for Transportation
  2711 South Loop Drive, Suite 4700
  Ames, Iowa  United States  50010-8664
• Performing Organizations:

  Iowa State University, Ames

  Center for Transportation Research and Education
  2711 South Loop Drive, Suite 4700
  Ames, IA  United States  50010-8664
• Principal Investigators:

  Hallmark, Shauna

  Smadi, Omar

• Start Date: 20160301
• Expected Completion Date: 20180630
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automatic data collection systems; Crash causes; Crash data; Distraction; Driver errors; Road construction; Speed; Work zone safety
• Subject Areas: Construction; Data and Information Technology; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01618659
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Midwest Transportation Center
• Contract Numbers: DTRT13-G-UTC37
• Files: UTC, RiP
• Created Date: Dec 2 2016 1:35PM