This study sought to evaluate three existing Work Zone Intrusion Alert (WZIA) technologies: Intellicone; Advanced Warning and Risk Evasion (AWARE); and the Worker Alert System (WAS). Intellicone is an impact-activated system that utilizes traffic cone mountable sensors and Portable Site Alarms (PSA). AWARE is a radar-based warning system that marks a vehicle as an intruder if it is traveling at a speed higher than the speed limit. One version of AWARE, the Sentry, was evaluated; it consists of a sensor unit with a radar, LEDs, an alarm, and personal alarms (called Worktraxs). WAS is a pneumatic sensor-based technology with a pneumatic trip hose sensor, signal transmitter, Portable Alarm Case (PAC), LEDs, and Personal Safety Devices (PSDs). 

A two-phased evaluation approach was used to assess the  technologies. Controlled tests were conducted in November 2019 along a section of TN-14; these systems were evaluated on system accuracy, efficacy, and coverage. Live tests occurred in December 2019, August 2020, and December 2020 along TN-195 in Williston, Fayette County and various locations in Shelby County.

SYSTEM COST  

To estimate the life cycle cost of each system, researchers used a hypothetical work zone 1,000 feet long and on a highway with a 45-mi/h speed limit. The predicted useful life of all technologies was assumed to be one year, with zero salvage value at the end of their useful life. The assumed interest rate was seven percent.

Cost estimates for three alternative systems are summarized below.