Truck Drivers’ Concerns in Work Zones: Travel Characteristics and Accident Experiences

A study was conducted to determine truck drivers’ concerns about traffic control in work zones (WZs) and to identify the locations of accidents and risky driving situations. A statewide opinion survey of 930 semitrailer drivers was conducted. The survey contained questions about driver/vehicle characteristics, assessment of WZ traffic control devices, accident and difficult driving situations, and suggestions for improving traffic flow and safety in WZs. The findings on travel characteristics and accident experiences of the truck drivers are discussed. About 90% of truck drivers consider traveling through WZs to be more hazardous than nonwork zone areas. About half of them want to see an advance warning sign 5 to 8 km (3 to 5 mi) ahead of WZs. The drivers do not have a clear preference between one-lane closure and median crossover configurations. About two-thirds of them think the speed limit of 89 km/hr (55 mph) is about right, but one-fourth believe it is too fast. Nearly half of them would exceed a speed limit of 72 km/hr (45 mph), and nearly one-fifth would drive at least 8 km/hr (5 mph) faster than the speed limit. About one-third said the flaggers are hard to see, and about half said that directions given by flaggers were confusing sometimes or most of the time. About three-fourths of the drivers indicated that the arrow boards were too bright. For most of the drivers, WZ signs are clear and not confusing, but 14% disagreed. About one-fifth of the truck drivers said some signs should be added to the WZs. A relatively small percentage of truck drivers (6. 1%) said they had had accidents in WZs. About one-third of the accidents were in the advance warning area, and about two-thirds were in the transition area. The accident experiences were significantly related to the experience of bad driving situations but not other driver/truck characteristics.