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Smart Work Zones: Enhancing Safety and Mobility with Technology

Smart Work Zones (SWZs) utilize technology to monitor and report traffic operations, providing real-time feedback and information to motorists. Portable and automated, SWZs improve safety and mitigate congestion in work zones while collecting data for performance reports and planning.

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Smart Work Zones: Enhancing Safety and Mobility with Technology

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  1. What is Work Zone ITS? • Work Zone ITS, also know as Smart Work Zones (SWZs), is use of technology to increase safety and mobility • Portable combinations of equipment used to monitor and report traffic operations • Typically consist of four components: • Detection and surveillance equipment • Central processing systems • Dissemination outlets (message boards, website) • Ancillary systems (power and communications)

  2. Characteristics of Smart Work Zones • Real-Time: Obtain and analyze traffic flow data in real-time to provide information to motorists on a frequent basis • Portable: Allows for equipment deployment along the roadside as needed and adjustments as project progresses • Automated: Data collection and information dissemination with minimal human interaction • Reliable: Must provide accurate and reliable information to avoid misinforming motorists in work zones

  3. Overview of Smart Work Zone Dissemination Outlets Websites, 511 Detection and Surveillance Equipment Internet Web Interface Central Processing System Ancillary Systems

  4. Why should we use Smart Work Zones? • Proven track record • FHWA’s “Work Zone Safety and Mobility” Rule requires DOTs to gather traffic operations and safety data to monitor performance • SWZs are a tool to provide real-time feedback to the DOT and the road user • Involves management of impacts to improve motorist and worker safety and mitigate congestion

  5. What do they do? • SWZs provide real-time traffic management and video coverage of the work area/key traffic decision points • Mobility Applications: capability to ensure an efficient flow of traffic through the work zone, minimizing the congestion through traffic diversion and providing travel/delay times • Safety: capability to minimize the number and severity of traffic-related incidents, injuries and fatalities, and asset damage in the work zone • Planning and Monitoring: capability to collect work zone data in order to develop performance reports, allocate enforcement patrols, refine guidance for allowable working hours, and evaluate throughput capacity

  6. Smart Work Zone ITS Equipment • Portable Changeable Message Signs (PCMS) • Portable Camera Trailers • Probe Data • SWZ Operating System • Speed Feedback Boards • Radar/Doppler Sensors • Bluetooth Sensors

  7. Benefits of Real-Time Data • Ability to better inform motorists of traffic conditions and reduce their frustrations • Encourage alternate route selection through informed travel time decisions • Reduce lane-drop congestion to promote free flowing traffic merges • Detect and clear incidents more quickly which helps to prevent/reduce secondary incidents • Manage speed limits to help make work zones safer for highway workers and motorists

  8. Variable Speed Limit Systems • Issue: many states struggle with how to get motorists to reduce speeds through the work zone • Need statutory authority to reduce limits • Need to define time to when workers are present requiring reduction • Solution: Variable Speed Limit systems can be deployed to allow DOTs to dynamically reduce speed during active construction Tip: When using VSL system, it is helpful to use beacons to signify there is active work

  9. Variable Speed Limit: Utah • Goal: Improve safety for construction personnel and the traveling public within construction work zones through significant reductions in traveler speed within the boundaries of active work zones • Reduce travel speeds (85th percentile) during active construction • Reduce speed differentials Source: UT DOT

  10. Utah System Components • Portable VSL (PSVL) Signs • Portable Variable Message Sign (PVMS) • Mainline detection by lane • Wireless communication

  11. Utah System Results • Beaver Ridge Climbing Lane • Original posted speed: 80 mph • Dropped speed to 65 mph at start of work zone • 85th percentile of 70 mph • 45 mph allowed during structure work • 85th percentile of 51 mph • Speed Harmonization +/- 12 mph Source: https://www.workzonesafety.org/files/documents/SWZ/webinar6_slides.pdf

  12. End of Queue (EOQ) Warning System • Used to alert motorists of slow or stopped traffic before they reach the end of queue • Helps to prevent rear-end crashes before they happen Tip: When using EOQ systems, it is recommended that you estimate the potential queue to determine sensor equipment needs

  13. End of Queue Warning System: Texas • Used to alert drivers to traffic conditions (e.g., stopped traffic, slowing traffic) ahead • Reduce the number and severity of rear-end crashes • Avoid drivers being surprised by stopped or slowing traffic

  14. Texas System Components • Sensors • Portable changeable message signs (PCMS) • Cameras • Rumble strips

  15. Texas System Results • Across approximately 200 deployment nights: • Total crashes reduced 18 to 45% • Crash cost reductions between $6,600 and $10,000 per night Source: ARTBA Work Zone Safety Consortium, Innovative End-of-Queue Warning System Reduces Crashes Up to 45% https://www.workzonesafety.org/files/documents/training/courses_programs/rsa_program/RSP_Guidance_Documents_Download/RSP_EndOfQueueWarning_Guidance_Download.pdf

  16. End of Queue Warning System - Illinois DOT • Multiple-fatality crash involving seven vehicles occurred in the queue of Illinois DOT project • Deploy warning system to increase safety by reducing crashes and fatalities

  17. Illinois System Components • 73 PCMS (1 per mile each direction and at cross roads) • 56 Doppler Speed Sensors • 6 mile lead in each direction

  18. Illinois System Results • Compared 2010 and 2011 Construction Years for 5 projects along I-55 • Only looked at rear-end accidents because that is what system was setup to reduce Source: Ted Nemsy, Work Zone ITS Overview Webinar January 30, 2014 https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/wz/webinars/itsoverview013014/nemsky/index.htm

  19. Travel Time Systems • Drivers provided information about current travel conditions; can be used to encourage diversion Tip: When providing travel time point-to-point, use current time to show last update

  20. Delay Systems • Drivers provided information about current travel conditions • In some cases, you cannot provide travel times between point-to-point locations, but offer motorists details on the travel time through the work zone to provide them an opportunity to seek an alternate route Tip: Requires less detection equipment which brings cost of system down – but still provides Real-Time information

  21. Speed Reduction Warning System • Alerts motorists of travel speed reductions due to the presence of slow moving traffic ahead • Helps to prevent unsafe lane changes or side-swipe/rear-end crashes Tip: Speed Reduction System is better suited when volumes are lower and reduced speeds are likely

  22. Dynamic Merge System: Early Merge • Effective for longer passing zones and lower traffic volumes • The early merge is intended to encourage aggressive drivers to merge into the open lane sooner than they would with traditional static lane closures Tip: Works well for light, free-flowing traffic

  23. Dynamic Merge System: Late Merge • Helps reduce excessive speed, speed variability and driver distraction, which are major issues for work zone safety  • Encourages all drivers to remain in their lanes until they reach the defined merge point MERGE HERE / TAKE TURNS MERGE AHEAD / USE BOTH LANES STOPPED TRAFFIC AHEAD / USE BOTH LANES Tip: Works well for heavy, stop & go or slow moving traffic

  24. Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE)* • Excessive speed, speed variability and driver distraction are major issues for work zone safety • Use of law enforcement is one of the effective means at increasing speed limit compliance Tip: ASE helps to deter speeding when workers are present but also mitigate the lack of available details *Check state & local statues to ensure status before implementing

  25. Automated Speed Enforcement: Maryland • Improve safety for workers and travelers • Decrease travel speeds through work zones • Decrease crashes, fatalities and injuries in highway construction areas

  26. Maryland System Components • Signage • Speed display trailer • Speed cameras

  27. Maryland System Results • ASE implementation has significantly increased work zone safety • Up to 80 percent reduction in speed violations • 50 percent reduction in fatalities since program inception 3 years ago

  28. Call to Action • Research more information about a particular technology • Will it work for you? • Work Zone Intelligent Transportation Systems Implementation Guide • Innovate.atssa.com • Work Zone Safety Clearinghouse • Work zone ITS solution not available in your area • ATSSA state advocacy days • Attend ATSSA Fly-In • Use work zone ITS • It works and there are proven benefits

  29. For Further Information More smart work zone technologies used successfully by other states can be found on the ATSSA and National Work Zone Clearinghouse websites: • Innovate.atssa.com • www.atssa.com/Training • www.workzonesafety.org/swz • www.workzonesafety.org/swz/webinars/

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