Characteristics of construction-zone accidents

This study was undertaken to improve the safety of highway construction zones in New Mexico. The authors examined construction-zone accidents in New Mexico for a 3-year period. In contrast to the traditional technique, which relies solely on the accident record system, they utilized the locations and durations of construction activity on rural state highways. The record system was then used to identify accidents at these sites during the period of construction as well as during the identical period in the previous year. In comparison with the prior year, accident experience increased by 26% during construction. Contingency tables were used to compare the driver, roadway, and environmental characteristics of accidents before and during construction. At the 5% level of significance, the only parameter that differed between the two periods was the road surface condition, which was dry more often for accidents during construction. However, there was a moderate overrepresentation of accidents involving multiple vehicles, rear-end collisions, large trucks, and the contributing factors of following too close and improper lane changing. The authors also identified deficiencies in the accident record system that result in a substantial understatement of crash experience in construction zones.