• 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
  • Join Listserv
  • Contact
  • Twitter
  • 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
    • Transportation 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
    • COVID-19 Guidance
  • Public Awareness
  • Events
  • About
  • Listserv
  • Contact
  • Search
Publication

Managing Public Communication Strategies in Accelerated Highway Construction Projects

Author/Presenter: Minooei, Farzad; Sobin, Nathaniel; Goodrum, Paul M.; Molenaar, Keith R.
Abstract:

An increase in traveling demands has urged state transportation agencies (STAs) to shorten highway construction project duration, using a variety of accelerated construction techniques and strategies. However, accelerated highway construction projects may impact communities in terms of traffic congestion, safety issues, and other public inconveniences. Effective communication with community stakeholders about these potential inconveniences can provide an opportunity to highlight innovative accomplishments and increase trust between STAs and the traveling public. Therefore, as some studies have shown, effective management of outreach strategies is a key success factor of accelerated construction projects. One of the main goals of this study is to gauge the effectiveness of public outreach tools and strategies in meeting different communication goals, including traffic avoidance, increasing driving awareness, decreasing impatient behavior, and building trust with the public. These tools range from traditional, low-tech methods, such as town hall meetings and static traffic signage, to high-tech methods, such as websites and social media. The data for this research is based on a survey of 71 experts from 40 different STAs. Statistical analyses (analysis of variance) indicate that the effectiveness of outreach tools vary significantly in achieving different communication goals during the construction phase of accelerated highway projects. In addition, the results allowed us to find the most appropriate outreach tools and strategies based on project characteristics and target audience. The findings of this research can help STAs and other public administrators to better manage their outreach activities during the accelerated construction projects.

Source: Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board
Volume: 2672
Issue: 26
Publisher: Transportation Research Board
Publication Date: May 11, 2018
Full Text URL: Link to URL
Publication Types: Books, Reports, Papers, and Research Articles
Topics: Construction Management; Outreach; Road Construction

Copyright © 2023 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