MOVABLE BARRIERS FOR HIGH-TRAFFIC WORK: SAFETY ON THE HIGHWAY

Work zones in the U.S. result in a large number of fatalities, injuries, and other accidents each year. The Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) specifically addresses this problem and the need to provide positive protection in work zones while providing adequate work space and minimizing traffic delays. This article discusses the implementation by many jurisdictions in the U.S. and Canada of Movable Barrier Technology (MBT) to improve safety, capacity, and efficiency during recent reconstruction projects. MBT is a type of positive separation technology that has the ability to provide positive protection continuously both to road users and construction workers while responding to traffic flow conditions and construction needs. MBT's flexibility allows it to be moved quickly and safety to open and close traffic lanes as required by varying work zone activities and traffic volumes. Design and construction of MBT systems, examples of successful use in various locations, and the minimal impact on lane closures and other benefits of MBT are described.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/1606878
• Corporate Authors:

  Public Works Journal Corporation

  200 South Broad Street
  Ridgewood, NJ  United States  07451
• Authors:
  • Rathbone, D B
• Publication Date: 2000-2

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Photos; References;
• Pagination: p. 28-30
• Serial:
  • Public Works
  • Volume: 131
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: Hanley Wood
  • ISSN: 0033-3840
  • Serial URL: http://www.pwmag.com

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Barriers (Roads); Crashes; Fatalities; High volume roads; Highway safety; Injuries; Temporary barriers; Traffic control devices; Traffic delays; Work zone safety; Work zone traffic control; Work zones
• Identifier Terms: Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century
• Subject Areas: Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Safety and Human Factors; I61: Equipment and Maintenance Methods;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00789505
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 23 2000 12:00AM