Talking Freight – Work Zone Design and Large Trucks

The reconstruction and rehabilitation of U.S. interstate highways and other major and minor roadways that are part of the overall roadway system network often require work zones that allow the necessary work to take place without totally closing the roadways to vehicular traffic. Completing the reconstruction and rehabilitation work is critical for keeping the roadways in a state of good repair and allowing the roadways to promote economic vitality through serving the people and companies who utilize the roadways. However, work zones can also create challenges for drivers, particularly drivers of large vehicles such as commercial freight trucks, due to the limited space Departments of Transportation and public works departments have to work with within the highways’ rights-of-way, and reduced number of lanes some work zones must have. Understanding how work zones can be designed to maintain the efficient movement of large freight transportation vehicles while functioning within the restricted right-of-way space available and ensuring DOT and public works staff can safely work within the work zones can provide significant benefits for all work zone users.

Truck Crash Trends in Work Zones — What, Where, and What
This presentation will share analyses of work zone crash data involving large trucks, key trends, areas of overrepresentation, and possible causal factors that could then be met through appropriate work zone management strategy modifications and other possible countermeasures.
–       Jerry Ullman, Texas Transportation Institute

Best Practices for Large Trucks in Work Zones
This presentation will provide an overview of FHWA’s Work Zone Management Program, best practices used nationwide to accommodate large trucks more safely in work zones, and a quick overview of the Smarter Work Zones Initiative under the Every Day Counts — Three Innovations.
–       Martha Kapitanov, FHWA Office of Transportation Operations