Research Pays Off: Automated Speed Enforcement Slows Down Drivers in Work Zones

More than 7,000 crashes occur annually in highway work zones in Illinois, causing approximately 2,000 injuries. The number of work zone fatalities in the state reached a peak of 44, including 5 workers, in 2003. In 2004, Illinois passed the Automated Traffic Control Systems in Highway Construction or Maintenance Zones Act, authorizing speed-radar photo enforcement (SPE) in work zones on highways. The objective was to improve speed limit compliance and work zone safety. SPE significantly reduced the speeds of cars and trucks by 3 to 8 mph in work zones. The success of SPE in Illinois led to similar initiatives in Maryland, Oregon, and Washington. The Research Advisory Committee of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials recognized "Speed Photo Enforcement in Illinois Work Zones" as a high-value research project at the regional level.

• Record URL:
  http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/trnews/trnews277rpo.pdf
• 
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/07386826
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved
• Authors:
  • Tobias, Priscilla
• Publication Date: 2011-11

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 29-31
• Serial:
  • TR News
  • Issue Number: 277
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0738-6826

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automated enforcement; Cameras; Crash injuries; Fatalities; Speed control; Work zone safety
• Uncontrolled Terms: Photo enforcement; Speed cameras
• Geographic Terms: Illinois
• Subject Areas: Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors; I60: Maintenance; I73: Traffic Control; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01362325
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Feb 3 2012 3:54PM