Studies to Assess the Impact of Nighttime Work Zone Lighting on Motorists

This report describes the methodology and results of analyses performed to assess the impact of work zone lighting on motorists. Field studies were conducted to provide insight into how drivers’ eyes react to typical temporary work zone lighting configurations in Texas compared to standard lighting situations (i.e., no lighting and standard fixed lighting). Researchers also conducted closed-course studies to evaluate the impact of various work zone lighting scenarios upon the ability of drivers to detect low-contrast objects (e.g., debris) and workers. The findings from these studies, as well as information from a literature review and review of other state agency specifications, were used to develop work zone lighting guidelines for nighttime operations that considered both worker and motorist needs.

• Record URL:
  • http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/0-6641-1.pdf
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Project Title: Assessment of the Impact of Nighttime Work Zone Lighting on Motorists. Report date: October 2012; Published: May 2013.
• Corporate Authors:

  Texas A&M Transportation Institute

  Texas A&M University System
  3135 TAMU
  College Station, TX  United States  77843-3135

  Texas Department of Transportation

  Research and Technology Implementation Office, P.O. Box 5080
  Austin, TX  United States  78763-5080

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Finley, Melisa D
  • Ullman, Gerald L
  • Miles, Jeffrey D
  • Pratt, Michael P
• Publication Date: 2013-5

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Edition: Technical Report
• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 84p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automobile drivers; Field studies; Guidelines; Highway safety; Lighting; Methodology; Night visibility; Work zone safety; Work zones
• Geographic Terms: Texas
• Subject Areas: Construction; Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor; I85: Safety Devices used in Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01483045
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA/TX-13/0-6641-1, 0-6641-1
• Contract Numbers: 0-6641
• Files: TRIS, ATRI, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jun 4 2013 11:05AM