Implementing Speed Reductions at Specific Interstate Work Zones from 65 MPH to 35 MPH

Interstate preservation projects are commonly conducted at night and often require working in close proximity to ongoing traffic. Vehicle speed and speed variability in work zones is inextricably connected to the work zone design and the selected traffic control devices. To provide guidance on how to effectively and efficiently reduce traffic speeds, the Oregon Department of Transportation conducted a research study to investigate the impact of selected traffic control devices on vehicle speed within highway paving project work zones. The research centered around two case studies on multi-lane paving projects in Oregon. On each case study, the researchers implemented multiple traffic control devices (portable changeable message signs (PCMS), radar speed display, police officer presence, tubular markers and drums on both sides of travel lane) and evaluated their impact on vehicle speed, construction productivity, cost, and motorist and worker safety. A police officer parked on the site was found to effectively reduce traffic speeds and should be used if available and feasible. The research findings also suggest using a combination of temporary reduced speed limit signs, radar speed monitoring display, and PCMS on both trailers and rollers. Further research is needed to validate the research findings and better identify the advantages of one traffic control device over another.

• Record URL:
  http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/Programs/ResearchDocuments/SPR-751_SpeedReduction-Appendices.pdf
• Record URL:
  http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/Programs/ResearchDocuments/SPR751_SpeedReductions.pdf
• 
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Appendices are published under separate cover: http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/TD/TP_RES/docs/Reports/2013/SPR-751_SpeedReduction-Appendices.pdf
• Corporate Authors:

  Oregon State University, Corvallis

  School of Civil and Construction Engineering, 101 Kearney Hall
  Corvallis, OR  United States  97331-2302

  Oregon Department of Transportation

  Research Section
  555 13th Street NE
  Salem, OR  United States  97301

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Gambatese, John A
  • Zhang, Fan
  • Vahed, Ali Moghaddam
• Publication Date: 2013-2

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 126p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternatives analysis; Case studies; Interstate highways; Paving; Speed control; Speed limits; Traffic control devices; Work zone safety; Work zone traffic control
• Geographic Terms: Oregon
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; I73: Traffic Control;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01484721
• Record Type: Publication
• Contract Numbers: SPR 751
• Files: TRIS, ATRI, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jun 21 2013 9:27AM