• 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
  • Newsletter
  • Contact
  • X
  • 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
    • Work Zone Safety and MobilityTransportation 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
  • Public Awareness
  • Events
  • About
  • Contact
  • Search
Publication

Improving Regulatory Speed Limit Management in Texas Work Zones

Author/Presenter: Finley, Melisa; Theiss, LuAnn; Trout, Nada; Ullman, Gerald
Abstract:

This project summary report summarizes the research performed in Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Project 0-5561. TxDOT’s procedure for determining whether a reduced regulatory speed limit is warranted in work zones considers many conditions and factors. An improved understanding of the relationship between these conditions and factors and motorists’ perceptions of the need to reduce their speed could improve the speed limit selection process. In addition, state law instructs TxDOT and highway contractors to remove or cover reduced regulatory speed limit signs in work zones whenever no hazards warrant the reduced speed limit. However, for short-term work zone speed limits, the daily installation/removal or uncover/cover process is frequently not accomplished. This study recommended changes to the current procedure for determining regulatory speed limits in Texas work zones. It also recommended the use of electronic speed limit (ESL) signs and flexible reflective roll-up static work zone speed limit signs to help better manage short-term work zone speed limits.

Publisher: Texas Transportation Institute
Publication Date: 2008
Full Text URL: Link to URL
Publication Types: Books, Reports, Papers, and Research Articles
Topics: Intelligent Transportation Systems; Speed Control; Speed Limits; Traffic Signs; Variable Speed Limit Systems; Work Zones

Copyright © 2025 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