Night Construction Work on Highways May Jeopardize Road Workers

With the country’s aging highway infrastructure, and the inability to build new roads to keep pace with increased traffic, night work has become the trend. But moving to nighttime construction to avoid congestion is not necessarily a trade-off for motorist and worker safety. Texas A&M University has conducted a study for the Federal Highway Administration about the safety of night work zones and the safety impacts on businesses and also residents. The institute also is finalizing a report for the National Cooperative Highway Research Program to compare the safety of daytime and nighttime work zones. The two reports will help decision-makers determine which projects are most appropriate for night work, and help them make sure drivers and workers are as safe as possible.