Development of Design Guidance for Smart Work Zone Systems

Smart work zone (SWZ) systems are designed to provide real-time roadway information to better inform motorists, encourage them to take alternate routes, reduce their frustrations, reduce roadway congestion, and enhance safety for motorists and workers. These SWZ systems have been recommended by multiple federal agencies as part of the Intelligent Transportation Systems program with the overall goal to improve transportation safety, mobility, and efficiency. Despite these reported benefits, there is little guidance on standardizing the need for and deployment of SWZ systems to maximize safety and mobility. This report presents the findings of a research project funded by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to provide additional research and recommendations to IDOT on standardizing the deployment of SWZ systems. The objectives of this project were to (1) conduct a comprehensive literature review to gather and analyze current practices and latest research studies on SWZ systems including their deployment on varying types of roadway projects, (2) perform a survey to gather and analyze feedback from other state DOTs on their experiences in utilizing SWZ systems, (3) develop a SWZ feasibility assessment tool that can be used by DOT planners to determine the need for deploying SWZ systems on roadway projects and generate layout designs for all recommended SWZ systems, and (4) create guidance for utilizing the developed SWZ feasibility assessment tool to illustrate its user-friendly interface and practical capabilities in identifying the need for deploying SWZ systems and generating their layout designs for IDOT projects.