• 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

Work Zone Ahead: Reduce Speed

Author/Presenter: Fors, Carl
Abstract:

Nationally, 30% of all work zone fatality accidents involve excessive speed. Speed Measurement Laboratories Inc. (SML) conducted an analysis of four different work zones in Nebraska, Kansas, New Mexico, and Texas (one work zone in each state) to help officials learn how best to achieve reductions in vehicle speeds at work zones. The study found that speed reduction in approaching work zones is due to lane closure visibility and not speed limits. This also is true when no lane closure is present but the work zone is well marked in advance of the work-zone activity. The further away the notification, the better the speed reduction. People drive the speed they feel comfortable with regardless of the posted speed limit if enforcement is not present. When a motorist sees a work zone with a lane closure, they slow down out of self-preservation and not the speed limit. Next to having police officers in the work zone or radar speed trailers at the entry point, the best method of slowing work-zone traffic is visibility of the work zone.

Source: Roads & Bridges
Volume: 38
Issue: 1
Publisher: Scranton Gillette Communications, Inc.
Publication Date: January 2000
Notes: The clearinghouse has a copy of this item.
Publication Types: News and Other Non-research Articles
Topics: Speed Control

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