URBAN ARTERIAL WORK ZONE GUIDELINES

The safety impacts of work zones on urban arterials were assessed by comparing pre-construction and during-construction accidents in several different categories at three study sites. Statistical analysis of the accident data indicated that there is an overall increase in accident frequency and accident rate in an urban arterial work zone. The arterial construction appears to have caused a statistically significant increase in the number of accidents occurring at or near intersections and driveways. Weekday traffic volumes and travel times were collected at each site. The data showed a wide variation in the traffic volumes and therefore, the traffic control plan should be prepred to accommodate traffic volumes which are comparable to pre-construction volumes. Motorist surveys were conducted in the vicinity of the study sites. Surveys revealed that drivers are more concerned with issues such as the length of the project, duration of construction, and travel delay than they are with traffic control devices. The capacity of an arterial lane closure and the impacts of a lane closure on traffic signal operation were also evaluated.