An evaluation of work zone safety technologies in Texas.
Childress, Texas, United States
Use of Innovative Traffic Control Devices to Improve Safety at Short-Term Rural Work Zones
Summary Information
This project summary report highlighted the findings of a two-year project that evaluated the impacts of work zone safety technologies deployed at multiple high-speed rural work zones in Texas, within TxDOT's Childress District. During the first year of operations (September 1998 to August 1999) a combination of several technologies were evaluated at nine different highway maintenance work zones. During the second year (September 1999 to August 2000), the most effective technologies were redeployed and evaluated at eight additional work zones. The analysis considered traffic speeds, the number of vehicle conflicts, and worker and driver comments.
DEVICE | FINDINGS | RECOMMENDATION |
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Speed display trailers |
Reduced percentage of vehicles exceeding the speed limit Positive worker comments |
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Portable dynamic message signs (DMS) |
When DMS were active, there was a 1 to 2 mi/hr reduction in average speed. |
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Fluorescent yellow-green worker garments. |
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