Innovative Approaches to Enhancing Safety and Efficiency in Work Zones: A Guide

Work zones may present imminent safety hazards for roadway workers as well as passing motorists due to several factors, including driver distraction, changes in traffic patterns, narrowed rights of way, and general congestion. In addition to safety concerns, work zones, although necessary for roadway construction and maintenance activities, present mobility issues and frustrations for traveling motorists, accounting for 10 percent of overall congestion and 24 percent of unexpected freeway delays. This report provides an overview of use cases in Smart Work Zone (SWZ) technology, emerging technologies in each of the use cases, pros and cons of SWZ technologies, best practices for emerging technologies in SWZs, and additional resources to support efforts in improving work zone safety and mobility.