Design Considerations for Trucks in Work Zones

In an Eastern state a 3. 8 mi (6. 2 km) work zone had 14 accidents during a project duration of 120 days. Eleven of the 14 accidents occurred at temporary crossovers where traffic was routed onto or off the opposing roadway. All eleven accidents involved trucks that lost control and struck and sometimes penetrated the portable concrete barrier placed on both sides of the temporary roadway. The purpose of this paper is to describe work zone features, examine how trucks operate in work zones with specific geometric features, examine common truck accident types in work zones, and finally to specify work zone design considerations that can aid trucks operating in work zones and lessen the hazard posed by trucks in work zones.