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Innovative Work Zone Traffic Control and Technology

Innovative Work Zone Traffic Control and Technology. Mike Fontaine Virginia Transportation Research Council Making Work Zones Work Better Workshop. Work Zone Problems. Capacity reduction Increased queuing Delays Safety Crash rate increases 7 to 119 percent Rear end crashes most common

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Innovative Work Zone Traffic Control and Technology

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  1. Innovative Work Zone Traffic Control and Technology Mike Fontaine Virginia Transportation Research Council Making Work Zones Work Better Workshop

  2. Work Zone Problems • Capacity reduction • Increased queuing • Delays • Safety • Crash rate increases 7 to 119 percent • Rear end crashes most common • Speeding is often a factor

  3. Objective • Describe techniques that could improve safety and/or operations in work zones • DOT controlled • Portable • Cost effective

  4. Devices Covered • Worker garments • Rumble strips • Radar drones • Speed displays • Late merge

  5. Worker Garments • Potential camouflage problem • Evaluated 5 garments • Field testing inconclusive

  6. Worker Garment Evaluation • Luminance (brightness) • Contrast ratio • Concrete • Asphalt • Vegetation • Equipment • Orange TCDs

  7. Garment Assessment • Solid fabric garments performed best • Highest luminance • Best contrast against variety of backgrounds • Concerns about comfort in Texas • Proposed TxDOT vest was the best of the mesh vests • Does not meet new ANSI standard

  8. TxDOT Vest Before & After

  9. Temporary Rumble Strips • Reduce speeds • Increase driver awareness

  10. Temporary Rumble Strips • ¼ inch thick neoprene strips • 4 inches wide • Adhesive backed • 2 sets of 6 strips installed on work zone approaches • 18-inch spacings

  11. Rumble Strips Results • Evaluated at 2 sites • 1-2 mph reduction in car speeds • 3-4 mph reduction in truck speeds • Not reusable • Lengthy installation time (40 minutes) • Noise concerns

  12. Radar Drone • Emits K band radar signal • Intended to simulate enforcement • 1 mile range • Approx. $400

  13. Radar Drone Results • Evaluated at 3 sites • 2 mph speed reduction • Easy to use • Effectiveness may decline over time

  14. Speed Display • Provides motorist feedback on speeds • Radar drone effect • $10,000

  15. Speed Display Features • 24-inch LED display • Strobe alert • Worker alert siren • Battery powered

  16. Speed Display Results • Evaluated at 4 sites • 5 mph reduction in average speeds • 10-30% reduction in number of vehicles exceeding speed limit • Easy to set-up and remove

  17. Changeable Message Signs with Radar • Message only displayed to speeders • 5 mph reduction maintained for 4 months

  18. Lane Closure Issues • Problems stemming from lane closures • Reduced capacity • Increased travel times • Increased driver frustration • Aggressive driving and queue jumping

  19. The Late Merge Concept • Late merge • Utilize all approach lanes to merge point • Shorter queues • Possible improved throughput • More equitable distribution of delay

  20. Late Merge Applications • Pennsylvania • First deployments • Wide deployment on freeways • Texas • Tests in Dallas/Fort Worth • Freeways • Virginia • Tests on primary roads

  21. Late Merge

  22. Pennsylvania Late Merge

  23. Pennsylvania Late Merge

  24. Virginia Late Merge

  25. Virginia Late Merge

  26. Late Merge • Benefits • Up to 15% increase in throughput • 75% fewer forced merges • 30% reduction in lane straddles • Reduced queue length • Potential Limits • Approach taper at high speeds under low volumes • Driver understanding • Use on roads with > 2 lanes

  27. Summary • A number of tools are available to improve work zone safety and operations • Improved worker visibility • Reduced speeds • Increased flow

  28. Questions? Mike Fontaine Michael.Fontaine@VirginiaDOT.org (434) 293-1909

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