SafeSpeed: Enhancing Work Zone Safety Through Speed Enforcement / Impact of Work Zones on Crash Occurrence: A Texas Case Study

Work zones are essential for maintaining and improving road infrastructure. However, their presence can alter traffic conditions and increase the risk of crashes. This research project applies a causal inference method—Regression Discontinuity Design—to examine the impact of work zones on crash risk using multiple data sources from Texas, US. The findings indicate that work zones significantly increase crash risk. Multiple robustness checks confirmed the consistency of this effect. Further heterogeneous impact analysis revealed that the risk is more pronounced on road segments with lower traffic volumes, higher speeds, and shorter work zones. These results highlight the need for targeted safety policies, including enhanced safety measures in low-traffic areas, improved speed management within work zones, and be]er design strategies for shorter work zones.