WHAT'S A WORK ZONE?

The Federal Highway Administration is currently involved in an effort to develop a standardized definition of work zone. Ultimately, this effort will allow researchers the opportunity to assess the current state of work-zone safety and to recommend possible countermeasures to eliminate or mitigate safety problems. Representatives of six interested groups met in Washington, D.C., in November 1998 and agreed they were comfortable with the following proposed definitions, along with a list of inclusions and exclusions. A work zone is an area of a trafficway with highway construction, maintenance, or utility-work activities. A work zone is typically marked by signs, channeling devices, barriers, pavement markings, and/or work vehicles. It extends from the first warning sign or flashing lights on a vehicle to the End of Road Work sign or the last traffic control device. A work zone may be for short or long durations and may include stationary or moving activities. A work-zone accident is a traffic accident in which the first harmful event occurs within the boundaries of a work zone or on an approach to or exit from a work zone, resulting from an activity, behavior, or control related to the movement of the traffic units through the work zone.