Use of Signage and Blue Tubular Markers to Improve Access to Businesses during Construction

The study evaluated two non-standard traffic control devices intended to assist motorists in locating business accesses during highway construction. The devices, blue tubular markers and blue signs that read “Temporary Business Access” were used on two Oregon Department of Transportation projects in 1999 and 2000. The blue markers and business access signs were used to indicate open accesses during driveway, curb, and sidewalk construction. Analysis of traffic count data taken for the first project yielded inconclusive results about the effectiveness of the business access signs; however, when surveyed, both motorists and businesses found the signs useful. The second project supplemented the “Temporary Business Access” signs with blue tubular markers. Traffic counts at four typical business sites provided evidence that businesses were not significantly impacted during construction when the blue markers and signs were used. In a telephone survey, fifty percent of the businesses and the majority of motorists indicated the devices helped in locating the driveways. Based on the results of the research, the continued use of blue markers and business access signs on an experimental basis is recommended.