• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
Logo

Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse

Library of Resources to Improve Roadway Work Zone Safety for All Roadway Users

  • About
  • Join Listserv
  • Contact
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Work Zone Data
    • At a Glance
    • National & State Traffic Data
    • Work Zone Traffic Crash Trends and Statistics
    • Worker Fatalities and Injuries at Road Construction Sites
  • Topics of Interest
    • Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety
    • Smart Work Zones
    • Transportation Management Plans
    • Accommodating Pedestrians
    • Worker Safety and Welfare
    • Project Coordination in Work Zones
  • Training
    • Flagger
    • Online Courses
    • Toolboxes
    • FHWA Safety Grant Products
    • Certification and
      Accreditation
  • Work Zone Devices
  • Laws, Standards & Policies
    • COVID-19 Guidance
  • Public Awareness
  • Events
  • About
  • Listserv
  • Contact
  • Search
Publication

Highway Accidents in Construction and Maintenance Work Zones

Author/Presenter: Pigman, Jerry G.; Agent, Kenneth R.
Abstract:

Statewide accidents in which road under construction was listed as a contributing factor were documented for the period 1983 through 1986. Accident data and traffic control devices used at 20 case study locations were analyzed. Accident data at these locations for a 3-year period before construction were compared with accident data for the period during construction. Approximately 500 accidents per year were reported as occurring in work zones for the period 1983 through 1986. In general, work zone accidents are more severe than other accidents. There are high percentages of rear end and sideswipe accidents; following too close is the most frequently listed contributing factor. There is a high percentage of accidents involving trucks. The analysis of 19 case study locations revealed that at 14 sites the accident rates during construction exceeded those before construction. Of the 14 sites, 10 had rates during construction that exceeded statewide averages and six exceeded statewide critical rates. Similar characteristics (types of accidents and contributing factors) were found to exist at the same study locations when compared with statewide work zone accidents. Traffic control at case study sites was generally found to be in conformance with specified standards.

Source: Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board
Volume: 1270
Publisher: Transportation Research Board
Publication Date: 1990
Full Text URL: Link to URL
Publication Types: Books, Reports, Papers, and Research Articles
Topics: Crash Analysis; Crash Data; Traffic Control Devices; Truck Crashes

Copyright © 2023 American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA). The National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse is a project of the ARTBA Transportation Development Foundation. It is operated in cooperation with the U.S. Federal Highway Administration and Texas A&M Transportation Institute. | Copyright Statement · Privacy Policy · Disclaimer
American Road and Transportation Builders Association Transportation Development Foundation, American Road and Transportation Builders Association U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration Texas A&M Transportation Institute