Identification of Over-Represented Parameters for Work Zone Crashes in Alabama, Michigan, and Tennessee

Much roadway maintenance and construction work takes place in the presence of traffic, which is often traveling at high speeds. A reasonable goal is for work zones to pose no greater safety risks for motorists than non-work zone areas. Another is to minimize safety risks for workers due to exposure to traffic. Paying attention to the differences in work zone and non-work zone crash characteristics can help to direct safety enhancement efforts. This paper discusses not only characteristics that occur with the highest frequency, but also those that are over-represented or under-represented in work zone crashes when compared to non-work zone crashes. Work zone crash data in Alabama, Michigan, and Tennessee were reviewed and found to have many common characteristics.