Intelligent Work Zone System and Connected Vehicle Technologies to Reduce Crashes in Roadway Construction Area

Even though a lot of countermeasures have been implemented in construction area (or called work zone), there are still many crashes in work zone reported in the United States. Angle and rear-end crashes account for about 35 % in total in work zones, the major causes of which are drivers’ failure to follow the speed limits and traffic controls on lane merging. Another cause is the presence of large trucks that obstruct the sight of other vehicles in the relatively narrow construction zone areas, which could lead to multi-vehicle collisions. Conventional work zone warning technologies are mostly well defined in the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Device (MUTCD), and include:
A. Flagging,
B. Traffic signs,
C. Pilot car,
D. Arrow panels with portable message signs,
E. Channelizing devices / barricades, and
F. Lighting.
Recently, the Intelligent Work Zone (IWZ) systems are developed combining the functions of
a. detection,
b. system monitoring,
c. system communication,
d. system analysis,
e. data management, and
f. dynamic information,
which is able to predict and provide motorists with real-time information (travel time, delay or speed) on a freeway work zone, so as to better inform motorists on all useful information.

The connected vehicle (CV) technologies are developed to enable vehicles to communicate with each other and with the roadside infrastructure. The measures of effectiveness of the work zone warning system include the measurement of relevant operational factors, and the reduction in the occurrences of negative effects. It is recommended deploying and testing all possible intelligent technologies, especially the CV technologies for even smarter control of traffic movement in roadway work zone areas.