Deploying and Operating Smart Work Zones Likely Avoided Between 0.1 and 5.0 Crashes per Month in Texas.
Study Aimed to Determine Why Some Smart Work Zone Deployments in Texas Have Been More Effective than Others.
Statewide, Texas, United States
Improving Smart Work Zone Deployments in Texas
Summary Information
Smart Work Zones (SWZ) have been shown to have traffic safety and mobility benefits when and where they are needed, properly designed, implemented, and maintained. However, there have been both positive and negative experiences as the technology migrates from research to implementation. The objective of this study was to determine why some SWZ deployments in Texas have been more effective than others and how the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) current processes for incorporating SWZs into projects should be modified. Researchers interviewed TxDOT, contractors, and SWZ vendor staff, conducted operational and safety analyses of SWZ systems at a sample of projects, and reviewed contract management documentation related to SWZ deployments from 2021 to 2022.
METHODOLOGY
The study extracted crash data from the TxDOT Crash Records Information System (CRIS) for several months at each work zone site and correlated crash times with times when INRIX indicated queue presence through its probe speed data. This data was then used to estimate the number of crashes that were likely avoided using SWZs. The researchers also conducted interviews and reviewed contract management documentation.
FINDINGS
- The safety analysis showed that between 0.1 and 5.0 crashes per month (1.0 and 60.5 per year) were likely avoided by deploying and operating SWZ systems.
- Further analysis suggested that the systems avoided between 0.1 and 2.8 injury or fatal crashes per month per project (1.0 and 33.2 per year).
- The researchers also recommend that TxDOT offer training about SWZ systems to project engineers and/or establish SWZ mentorship program within TxDOT along with making modification to the Project Development Process Manual, PS&E Preparation Manual, and Construction Contract Administration Manual.
