Evaluation of Photo Speed Enforcement (PSE) in California Work Zones

Exceeding the speed limit in highway work zones is a safety problem for highway workers and the traveling public. Adherence to the posted speed limits can provide safety benefits by reducing the number of accidents and the potential casualties and injuries resulting from those accidents. Some states have enacted laws and have adopted the use of automated Photo Speed Enforcement for highway work zones. This research was intended to evaluate existing practices and available technologies and perform testing to establish guidelines and recommendations for the equipment and the configuration for its deployment in California highway work zones. The main research question addressed in this research is the following: Can PSE technology be configured for implementation in highway work zones in California such that it be an effective deterrent to speeding, resulting in improving work zone safety for highway workers and the traveling public? In this research, testing was performed both in a controlled environment as well as in actual highway work zones. The performance of some of the existing PSE technologies, the parameters determining the effective ulilization of this technology, and the magnitude of the speeding problem were evaluated. The results suggest that exceeding the speed limits is a major problem in California highway work zones and that using PSE is a viable option for improved work zone safety. Furthermore, important parameters for the effective utilization of PSE technology are Identified, and a concept of operations for the potential deployment of this technology is recommended.