Determination of Encroachment Conditions in Work Zones

BACKGROUND There were 96,626 crashes in roadway work zones in 2015. This equates to one work zone crash every 5.4 minutes. Every day, 70 work zone crashes result in at least one injury, and every week, 12 work zone crashes result in at least one fatality. Previous research regarding work zone encroachments indicates that there is a higher frequency of fatalities in work zone crashes than nonwork zone crashes (National Work Zone Clearinghouse). Thus, work zones may be an area where significant safety improvements can be made. While current data suggest that work zones have a higher risk for crashes and fatal injuries, data on the impact conditions associated with work zone crashes is poorly documented. More data is needed to identify areas for improvement in the design of work zones and the safety barriers used therein to improve safety in work zones for the traveling public and highway workers. If encroachments for work zones are different than nonwork zones, designers will be able to balance the use of temporary features and optimize the use of public funds by using less expensive barriers. This research is needed to support updates to the Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH), the Roadside Design Guide (RDG), and the Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). OBJECTIVE The objective of this research is to evaluate work zone encroachments and develop guidance to improve safety for workers and the traveling public in roadway work zones. The guidance should address all aspects of work zones from planning (including when to use positive protection) through implementation, and be useable by any entity involved in the life cycle of the work zone. The research should address areas of interest related to work zone encroachments and safety on all roadway types, such as, but not limited to, the following: - Review and define encroachment conditions in work zones; - Review methods to collect encroachment data in work zones; - Develop a data collection plan for work zone encroachments; - Collect and evaluate work zone encroachment data; - Analyze driver behavior in work zone encroachments; - Review state work zone management practices; - Assess the applicability of MASH guidance for work zone application and propose modifications; - Based on the results, develop methods to improve the collection of encroachment data; - Develop guidance to address encroachments and improve safety in work zones; and - Develop methods to validate the safety and effectiveness of the guidance. RESEARCH PLAN The NCHRP is seeking the insights of proposers on how best to achieve the research objective. Proposers are expected to describe research plans that can realistically be accomplished within the constraints of available funds and contract time. Proposals must present the proposers' current thinking in sufficient detail to demonstrate their understanding of the issues and the soundness of their approach to meeting the research objective. A kick-off conference call with the research team and NCHRP shall be scheduled within 1 month of the contract's execution. The work plan must be divided into 2 phases. Each phase must be organized by task, with each task described in detail. Phase 1 will consist of information gathering, culminating in the submission of an interim report describing the work completed in the Phase 1 tasks, a first draft of the guidance, and an updated plan for the Phase 2 peer exchange to review the draft guidance with state representatives. There must be an interim meeting with NCHRP to discuss the results of Phase 1. Work on Phase 2 tasks will not begin until the updated work plan is approved by NCHRP. Phase 2 shall consist of the peer exchange and the development and submission of the draft final guidance. Note: The costs for the peer exchange, including invitational travel for 30 state attendees, shall be included in the detailed budget for the research. NCHRP will cover costs associated with hosting of the peer exchange as well as the cost of travel for NCHRP panel members. The final deliverables, at a minimum, will include: (1) guidance to improve safety in work zones; (2) a final report documenting the entire project and incorporating all other specified deliverable products of the research; (3) an electronic presentation of the guidance that can be tailored for specific audiences and is suitable for training; (4) recommendations for additional research; and (5) a stand-alone technical memorandum titled “Implementation of Research Findings and Products” (see Special Note B for additional information). Note: Following receipt of the draft final deliverables, the remaining 3 months shall be for NCHRP review and comment and for research agency preparation of the final deliverables. Status: Research underway.

Record URL:
Supplemental Notes:
- Contract to a Performing Organization has not yet been awarded.

Language

English

Project

Status: Active
Funding: $500,000
Contract Numbers:
Project 03-134
Sponsor Organizations:
National Cooperative Highway Research Program

Transportation Research Board
500 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC United States 20001

Federal Highway Administration

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC United States 20590

American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)

444 North Capitol Street, NW
Washington, DC United States 20001
Project Managers:
Rogers, William
Start Date: 20190620
Expected Completion Date: 20211220
Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

TRT Terms: Barriers (Roads); Data collection; Freeways; Traffic crashes; Work zone safety; Work zone traffic control
Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

Accession Number: 01669534
Record Type: Research project
Source Agency: Transportation Research Board
Contract Numbers: Project 03-134
Files: TRB, RiP, USDOT
Created Date: May 21 2018 3:07PM