Planning the Deployment and Layout of Smart Work Zone Systems on Roadway Projects

Abstract

This paper presents the development of a novel model for determining the need for deploying smart work zone (SWZ) systems on roadway projects and generating layout designs for all recommended SWZ systems. The model was developed in sequential phases that were designed to identify all relevant work zone factors affecting traffic mobility and safety, analyze mobility and safety needs for each SWZ system based on quantitative and qualitative work zone factors, determine the overall mobility and safety needs of each SWZ system, and develop a layout design for the use of recommended SWZ systems in the work zone. A case study of an Illinois work zone was analyzed to illustrate the use of the model and demonstrate its unique capabilities. The results of this analysis illustrate the original contributions of the developed model including its novel methodologies for (1) determining the need for SWZ systems based on specific roadway conditions; (2) integrating analytical models to assess the impact of work zone conditions on quantitative mobility and safety factors such as queue length and predicted number of crashes; (3) identifying the need for deploying SWZ systems on roadway projects based on the overall impact of quantitative and qualitative work zone mobility and safety factors; and (4) generating practical layout designs for all deployed SWZ systems during roadway construction projects. These original and practical capabilities of the developed model were validated using a case study, and they are expected to support Department of Transportation (DOT) planners in their efforts to deploy SWZ systems on roadway projects to improve traffic mobility and safety. The safety benefits of these SWZ systems were reported by several state DOTs to reduce rear end collisions by up to 70%.