Highway Accidents in Construction and Maintenance Work Zones

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.