Open to Closure

This article discusses the state of the art in work zone safety in the United States (US). It describes how work zones are places where, perhaps more than anywhere else on the road network, mobility and safety are strongly linked. Historically, field crews and contractors wanted vehicles in work zones to move as slowly as possible. The article shows how the industry is starting to see a shift in such thinking with the realization that excessive delays or slow-downs not only affect traveler mobility but also gives rise to more instances of road rage and other undesirable behavior. Back in the early 2000s, the USDOT’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) decided that it was essential that state and highway agencies design and implement work zones which give adequate consideration to the traveler. As a result, the Work Zone Safety and Mobility Rule (Subpart J) was established. Subpart J decrees that state transportation agencies have a policy in place to consider and mitigate the safety and mobility impacts of work zones. Subpart J decrees that state transportation agencies have a policy in place to consider and mitigate the safety and mobility impacts of work zones. If there are to be significant delays as a result of work zone activity, a transportation management plan needs to be developed that encompasses the work zone itself, public information, diversions to other routes and modal shifts as appropriate. Since implementation of the Rule in 2004, state transportation agencies have worked steadily to comply, which has led to an overall improvement in the mindsets of both the public and private sectors.

• Record URL:
  http://www.itsinternational.com/features/article.cfm?recordID=4633
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/35183091
• Authors:
  • Ullman, Jerry
• Publication Date: 2011

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: 2p
• Serial:
  • ITS International
  • Volume: 17
  • Issue Number: 3
  • Publisher: Route One Publishing Limited
  • ISSN: 1463-6344
  • Serial URL: http://www.itsinternational.com

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Labor force; Mobility; Road construction; Traffic control devices; Traffic safety; Work zone safety; Work zone traffic control
• Subject Areas: Construction; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; I73: Traffic Control;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01345620
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 26 2011 12:36PM