SPEED CONTROL THROUGH WORK ZONES: TECHNIQUES EVALUATION AND IMPLEMENTATION GUIDELINES. FINAL REPORT

This report presents the implementation and evaluation of four techniques for improving the effectiveness of speed zoning in construction areas on multi-lane freeways. The techniques are (a) the flagging procedure of the "Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices" (MUTCD), (b) the use of the MUTCD flagging procedure as well as motioning motorists to slow and pointing at a nearby speed limit sign with the free hand of the flagger, (c) a marked police car with cruiser lights and radar active, and (d) a uniformed police officer standing to control traffic. Each of the techniques were applied continuously on six-lane freeways for a period of 10-15 days. The results of the analysis indicate that all four techniques can derive significant reduction in traffic speed through highway construction zones. The flagging methods were effective in construction areas where one lane remained open to traffic. The law enforcement methods demonstrated a stronger speed reduction capability, particularly when the lane closures result in two or more lanes open. The construction projects used for the field data collection required speed reduction from the regulatory 55 mph to an advisory 45 mph. Although the law enforcement techniques were determined to be effective, their implementation requires a high degree of administrative coordination and cooperation involving police departments, highway officials and construction contractors. A User Guide on speed control in work zones is provided in Appendix B.

• Record URL:
  • http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/safety/87004/87004.pdf
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  Daniel Consultants, Incorporated

  8950 Route 108
  Columbia, MD  United States  21045

  Dudek & Associates

  2301 Oxford
  Bryan, Texas  United States  77802

  Bellomo-McGee, Incorporated

  410 Pine Street, SE
  Vienna, VA  United States  22180

  Federal Highway Administration

  Office of Implementation, HRT-20, 6300 Georgetown Pike
  McLean, VA  United States  22101
• Authors:
  • Noel, E C
  • Dudek, C L
  • Pendleton, O J
  • McGee, H W
  • Sabra, Ziad A
• Publication Date: 1987-2

Media Info

• Pagination: 46 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Flaggers; Freeways; Guidelines; Measures of effectiveness; Police traffic direction; Police vehicles; Radar; Signs; Speed control; Work zone traffic control
• Identifier Terms: Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
• Uncontrolled Terms: Effectiveness
• Old TRIS Terms: Flagging
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; I73: Traffic Control;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00472091
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Federal Highway Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA-IP-87-4
• Contract Numbers: DTFH61-85-C-00163
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Jul 31 2001 12:00AM