BACKGROUND
Annually, hundreds of lives are lost in crashes within the vicinity of roadway construction and maintenance work zones (ARTBA, 2020). Traveling motorists routinely fail to identify and react judiciously to warning signs associated with maintenance of traffic in highway work zones. Smart work zone technologies use innovative strategies to minimize work zone crashes and technological applications to dynamically manage work zones. Further, there are new approaches being tested and used across the country to effectively alert or warn motorists to comply with the work zone traffic control information. These include the use of new and innovative technologies for intelligent transportation systems (ITS) for dynamic management of work zone traffic impacts such as queue and speed management as well as crowdsourcing applications that provide guidance to travelers. Data collection techniques involve the use of cellular location data and feedback to monitor traffic queuing and suggest alternate routes. Research is needed to identify best practices in leveraging technology to assist the traveling public in navigating roadway maintenance or construction work zones.
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this research are to: (1) evaluate innovative and adaptive technologies that are attention-capturing and enhance work zone safety and mobility; (2) evaluate the use of crowdsourcing applications and data analytics for dynamic work zone devices and in-vehicle notifications for traffic management; and (3) develop a guide for the application and management of innovative work zone technologies.
STATUS
The research is complete. The final report has been published as NCHRP Research Report 1142: Innovative Approaches to Enhancing Safety and Efficiency in Work Zones: A Guide.
