Evaluation of Modified Work Zone Traffic Control Devices at Business Accesses

Modified work zone traffic control devices at business accesses were evaluated on two Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) projects in 1999 and 2000. In Sweet Home, Oregon, on the Sweet-Home WCL – Foster Dam Rd. Section project, blue “Temporary Business Access” signs were used at business accesses during driveway, curb, gutter and sidewalk construction. In Pleasant Hill, Oregon, on the Goshen – Pheasant Lane Section project, blue Temporary Business Access signs and blue tubular markers were used to delineate accesses to business during construction.

The analysis of traffic count data taken at business accesses in Sweet Home before and during construction yielded inconclusive results. The effectiveness of the Temporary Business Access signs could not be determined from the results of the traffic count data. However, results of telephone surveys of motorists and businesses in Sweet Home demonstrated the usefulness of the Temporary Business Access signs. Twelve of 14 businesses said the presence of the Temporary Business Access signs helped customers locate their driveways. Additionally, 242 of 371 motorists surveyed noticed the signs, and 83% (171) indicated the signs helped them locate the business access.

The traffic count data for four business sites in Pleasant Hill provided some evidence that businesses were not significantly impacted when blue tubular markers and Temporary Business Access signs were used during periods of construction activities at their accesses. The seven-day counts that were recorded between April 1999 and October 2000 demonstrated little difference between regular traffic volumes and construction traffic volumes with blue makers and signs. In the survey of 12 businesses in Pleasant Hill that had blue tubular markers and signs placed at their accesses, 6 of them said the markers and signs helped customers locate the driveways. 381 motorists who live along the OR Route 58 corridor were surveyed; 62% (237) of them had noticed the blue tubular markers and signs. Of the 62% who noticed the blue tubular markers and signs, 78% (185) felt these devices helped them locate the driveways to the businesses.

Based on the results of the research, the continued use of blue tubular markers and business access signs is recommended.