DETAILED STUDY OF ACCIDENT EXPERIENCE IN CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE ZONES

The objective of this study was to identify means by which improved traffic control can improve traffic safety in work zones. The accident data base (1982-86) was derived from the coded information stored in the computerized data bank of the Ohio Department of Highway Safety. (The department has since been renamed the Ohio Department of Public Safety.) Coding errors and unreported accidents were recognized as limitations of the data base. Statistical analysis of statewide aggregate data failed to identify cause-and-effect relationships between accident characteristics and traffic control. The study was expanded to include the review of individual accident reports at nine construction sites. This approach proved very effective. The accident reports, which always included a sketch and a description of the event, often indicated that specific traffic control procedures and standards needed to be improved. It has become clear to the researchers that certain types of accidents at a given work zone can suggest specific problems with traffic control plans and/or with the implementation of the plans. Monitoring work zone accidents as they happen is of course the best way to recognize and eliminate problems. In fact, independently from this study, a Work Zone Task Force of the Ohio Department of Transportation that included engineers with intimate knowledge of work zone traffic control practices based on field experience has already recommended improvements in traffic control standards and practices.

• Record URL:
  http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1995/1509/1509-006.pdf
• Record URL:
  https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=DETAILED+STUDY+OF+ACCIDENT+EXPERIENCE+IN+CONSTRUCTION+AND+MAINTENANCE+ZONES&author=T.+Ha&author=Z.+Nemeth&publication_year=1995
• Availability:
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• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper appears in Transportation Research Record No. 1509, Maintenance Management and Safety. 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:
  • Ha, Tae-Jun
  • Nemeth, Zoltan A
• Publication Date: 1995

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 38-45
• Monograph Title: Maintenance management and safety
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 1509
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Construction sites; Crash data; Crash reports; Traffic safety; Work zone traffic control
• Geographic Terms: Ohio
• Subject Areas: Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors; I60: Maintenance; I73: Traffic Control; I80: Accident Studies;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00715614
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309062055
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Jan 19 1996 12:00AM