ITS Concept of Operations: End of Queue Warning System for Work Zone

A significant number of crashes occurring in work zones are end of queue crashes. Since 2011, end of queue crashes resulted in 9 fatalities in Minnesota. It is important that drivers are aware of slowed or stopped traffic ahead in work zones to be prepared to stop safely and reduce end of queue crashes. On top of reducing end of queue crashes, advanced warning of slowed or stopped traffic ahead can detour traffic out of the work zones and ease congestion through that area. The traffic entering the work zone can be slowed to increase safety for the workers present in the work zone as well. Minnesota Department of Transportation is working to improve safety in work zones and to reduce end of queue crashes. A Concept of Operations will clearly convey the fundamental needs and concept of the systems. This Concept of Operations details ways of improving the current systems in place. It documents the needs of the noted stakeholder groups, describes an operational concept from the stakeholder perspectives, outlines systems components, and presents common operational scenarios for this challenge.