Evaluation of Innovative Traffic Safety Devices at Short-Term Work Zones

The objective of this study was to investigate and evaluate the usage and effectiveness of innovative traffic control devices that can be used in short-term work zones. Any device to be used in short-term work zones should command the respect of drivers, be durable, have an easily understood meaning, be low cost, be quick and easy to install and remove, and be reusable.

This study was conducted in three sections: a literature review of previously published research, a nationwide usage survey, and a field test for a selected device, portable plastic rumble strip (PPRS).

PPRSs, which have been tested on a closed course, were found to be a device potentially suitable for use at short-term work zones. This field study was to investigate the effects of the PPRSs and drivers’ response to them at three short-term maintenance work zones in Kansas. The results showed that the effect of PPRSs in speed reductions was more significant on cars than on trucks. The PPRSs reduced car speeds by 4.6 to 11.4 miles per hour. They also created 5.0 to 11.7 miles per hour mean speed reduction for trucks, but the reductions were only at two test sites. It was observed that 30 to 80 percent of truck drivers activated their brakes (indicated by brake light illumination) when they approached the PPRSs. In addition, about five percent of car and truck drivers swerved around the PPRSs. This indicates that additional signage or other supplemental traffic devices would be needed when the PPRSs are implemented.