Improving Work Zone Delineation on Limited Access Highways

The purpose of this study was to investigate vehicle guidance through work zones by evaluating the effectiveness of two primary components of traffic control relative to delineation. First, a comparison of the steady-burn lights now used on top of temporary concrete barriers was made with experimental reflectorized panels. Second, the addition of closely spaced, raised pavement markers as a supplement to the existing pavement markings was evaluated. The study was limited to work zones on Interstates and four-lane highways. The results of this investigation have led to the recommendation that (a) steady-burn lights on temporary concrete barricades should be replaced with reflectorized panels fabricated with high-intensity sheeting and placed along the tangent sections only and (b) closely spaced, raise pavement markers should be used as a supplement to existing pavement striping in areas where the roadway alignment changes.