BACKGROUND

In 2020, 857 fatalities and 44,000 injuries occurred in work zones across the country. When adverse driving behaviors (excessive speeding, tailgating, aggressive driving, distracted driving, confusion, etc.) occur in work zones, their consequences are often magnified due to restricted geometrics and unexpected changes in operating conditions or travel patterns in and around those zones. Mitigating such behaviors requires a broad range of engineering, education, and enforcement strategies tailored to the unique operating characteristics in work zones. 

There is an urgent need for research to evaluate existing strategies and identify innovative strategies that are both effective and scalable to reduce adverse driving behaviors in work zones.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this project is to develop guidelines and decision-making tools to enhance road safety in work zones by addressing adverse driving behaviors.

Accomplishment of the project objective will require at least the following tasks.

TASKS

 PHASE I—Preliminary Research

Task 1a. Conduct a comprehensive literature review on state-of-the-art and state-of-the-practice technologies and programs aimed at mitigating adverse driving behaviors in work zones. The review shall include published and unpublished research conducted through the NCHRP; the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA); and other national, international, state, and pooled-fund sponsored research.

Task 1b. Develop and execute a survey to inform the evaluation of strategies for Phase II and identify additional strategies not covered in Task 1a. Target respondents shall include:

• Transportation agencies (minimum of 20 responses, at least 10 of which from state departments of transportation)
• Transportation stakeholders such as law enforcement agencies, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the American Automobile Association (AAA), the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA), state departments of motor vehicles (DMVs), AARP, etc. (minimum of 25 responses)

The responses shall be solicited from diverse geographic regions. All surveys must be reviewed and approved by the NCHRP before distribution. A roster of potential candidates shall be provided along with the survey.

Task 2. Synthesize the results of Tasks 1a and 1b to identify the knowledge gaps related to the project objective. These gaps shall be addressed in the final product or the recommended future research as budget permits.

Task 3. Propose methods and prioritization criteria to evaluate strategies for reducing adverse driving behaviors in work zones, to be executed in Phase II. The proposed methods shall consider at least:

1.   Both conventional and innovative strategies, including technologies, educational initiatives, and outreach programs tailored to reduce adverse driving behaviors in work zones. 

2.   The effectiveness of strategies in reducing adverse driving behaviors in work zones under various roadway types.

PHASE II—Guideline Development

Task 5. Execute methods according to the approved Interim Report No. 1. 

Task 6. Provide a prioritized ranking and identify strategies that demonstrate the greatest potential for reducing adverse driving behaviors in work zones. The NCHRP will approve the strategies for quantitative analysis and implementation.

Task 7. Quantify the effectiveness of the NCHRP-approved strategies (at least five for each roadway type) to reduce adverse driving behaviors in work zones. It is expected that the contractor will use driving behavior evaluation tools such as simulation, augmented reality, etc.

Task 8. Identify potential work-zone sites for field implementation to verify the effectiveness of selected strategies for NCHRP approval.

Task 9. Prepare an annotated outline of the guidelines and the prototype of decision-making tools for NCHRP approval. 

Task 10. Develop actionable guidelines and decision-making tools to help transportation professionals effectively implement strategies to reduce adverse driving behaviors in work zones, including communication tools for outreach and stakeholder engagement.

Task 11. Prepare Interim Report No. 2 that documents Tasks 5 through 11 and provides an updated work plan for the remainder of the research, to be submitted no later than 13 months after approval of Phase I. The updated plan must describe the process and rationale for the work proposed for Phase III. 

PHASE III—Field Implementation and Final Products

Task 12. Conduct field implementation at the approved work zone sites (minimum of two sites) from Task 8 to test, verify, and document the effectiveness of recommended strategies to reduce adverse driving behaviors. 

Task 13. Prepare the final deliverables, which shall include:

• Research report that documents the entire research effort and validated actionable guidelines, with an executive summary
• Findings from the field implementations
• Decision-making tools to help agencies reduce adverse driving behaviors in work zones
• Fact sheet summarizing the recommended strategies to reduce adverse driving behaviors in work zones
• Media and communications materials (presentation, graphics, press releases)
  
• Stand-alone technical memorandum titled "Implementation of Research Findings and Products". 
  

STATUS: A research contractor has been selected for the project.  The contracting process is underway.