Design of Construction Work Zones on High-Speed Highways

This report explores an approach for the selection of an appropriate construction work zone type; offers suggested guidance for the design of geometric features, including horizontal and vertical alignment, cross-sectional features, and barrier placement; and examines a variety of ancillary features such as drainage systems, lighting, and surface type. The contractor’s final report on the research activities used to develop NCHRP Report 581 has been published as NCHRP Web-Only Document 105. As part of the research associated with this activity, a work zone prediction model and user’s guide was created to help estimate free-flow vehicle speeds through two types of construction work zones on four lane freeways–single lane closures and median crossovers.