2013 Session: 339

• Enhancing Work Zone Travel Time Estimation Using Smart Work Zone Data
  Abstract: An increasing number of transportation agencies around the states have considered and/or implemented the smart work zone (SWZ) concept where sensors are deployed upstream of a lane closure to detect queue conditions and provide advanced warning to approaching travelers via portable changeable message sign (PCMS). The travel time monitoring technology such as Bluetooth-based identification matching may also be deployed in conjunction with queue detection system at the SWZ. This paper extends the utility of data collected from SWZ where both queue and travel time monitoring technologies are present to improve the accuracy of travel time estimation and estimate travel delay. The proposed algorithm utilizes historical and real-time traffic conditions collected from SWZ to estimate queue length and travel time when SWZ is active. The algorithm was evaluated and calibrated using a VISSIM simulation test bed for the southbound direction of a 29-mile segment along I-35 corridor from Hillsboro to Waco, Texas. Researchers simulated speed sensors and Bluetooth technology characteristics using VISSIM Vehicle-to-Device (Car2X) technology for the purpose of the algorithm evaluation. The evaluation results indicated that the proposed algorithm, once calibrated with historical data, can provide significant improvement in real-time travel time and delay estimation especially where the volume-to-capacity (v/c) ratio regularly exceeds 1.0 (unsteady queue condition).
  Authors: Songchitruksa, Praprut; Middleton, Dan
  Authors: Songchitruksa, Praprut; Middleton, Dan
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Maintenance and Preservation; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors
  Session: 339
  Paper Number: 13-0989
• Integrated Approach for Work Zone Planning in Pavement Maintenance of High Traffic Roads
  Abstract: In the context of project level pavement management, planning maintenance and rehabilitation interventions on roads tends to be a complex process, particularly whenever high traffic flows are present. This paper describes a methodology developed in order to support the decision-maker while planning this type of interventions. The methodology relies on two key stages. At first, a computer model generates the set of feasible options concerning working plant layouts and schedules, and combines them in order to include all the options for the intervention’s planning and undertaking. It takes in consideration, besides other elements, the type of maintenance or rehabilitation intervention to be carried out, traffic characterization and site features. There are three different attribute types intended to characterize each alternative of the intervention: agency cost, works’ duration and the delay faced by users. Each intervention can be evaluated in such a way that the decision-maker may obtain a set of feasible and established alternatives. Subsequently, a multiple-criteria decision model is used to compare all the alternatives included in the previously obtained set using to the mentioned criteria (cost, duration and delay) according to the weights that correspond to the decision-maker preferences. The capabilities of the described methodology are illustrated by two case studies corresponding to two freeway stretches located in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area where a standard intervention is considered. The computation of the feasible alternatives set for the intervention allowed the comparison between them, based on the mentioned attributes and, consequently, on the results of the multiple-criteria decision model.
  Authors: Morgado, João; Neves, José
  Authors: Morgado, João; Neves, José
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Maintenance and Preservation; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors
  Session: 339
  Paper Number: 13-1210
• Cost-Estimate Model for Transportation Management Plan Strategies for Highway Construction Projects
  Abstract: Highway rehabilitation projects frequently cause road congestion and increase safety concerns while limiting access for road users. State Transportation Agencies (STAs) are challenged to find safer and more efficient ways to renew deteriorating roadways in urban areas. To better address the work zone issues, the Federal Highway Administration published updates to the Work Zone Safety and Mobility Rule in 2007. One of the rule¡¯s major elements is to develop and implement Transportation Management Plans (TMPs). TMP cost for a road project is generally considered a high-cost item and, therefore, must be quantified. However, no tools or systematic modeling methods are available to assist agency engineers with TMP cost estimating. The research in this paper included reviewing TMP reports for recent projects regarding TMP practices and inputs from the district TMP traffic engineers in the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). The researchers collected Caltrans highway project data regarding TMP cost estimating. Then, using Construction Analysis for Pavement Rehabilitation Strategies (CA4PRS) software, the researchers performed case studies and proposed a TMP strategy selection and cost estimate (STELCE) model for highway projects. The proposed model was validated through the actual highway projects in California. Although the proposed TMP STELCE model was developed based on Caltrans TMP practices, other STAs may adopt this model in their TMP processes after adequate adjustments reflecting their requirements. Finally, the authors recommended that a more detailed step-by-step TMP strategy selection and cost estimate process be included in the TMP guidelines to improve the accuracy of TMP cost estimates.
  Authors: Kim, Changmo; Lee, Eul-Bum; Pyeon, Jae-Ho; Ellis, Ralph D.; ShakerNia, Akbar
  Authors: Kim, Changmo; Lee, Eul-Bum; Pyeon, Jae-Ho; Ellis, Ralph D.; ShakerNia, Akbar
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Maintenance and Preservation; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors
  Session: 339
  Paper Number: 13-3098
• Dynamic Lane-Based Signal Merge Control Model for Freeway Work Zone Operations
  Abstract: Traditional merge control strategies cannot yield expected effectiveness under heavy traffic conditions at freeway work zones because inevitable traffic conflicts resulted from complex merging and lane-changing maneuvers could increase the potential of traffic accidents, induce stop-and-go movements, and degrade the operational efficiency. This paper presents a dynamic control model to optimize the signal operations of a new merge system, the lane-based signal merge (LBSM), which uses lane-based signals or variable signs to give drivers in different lanes the right of way to proceed through the open lane(s) in a work zone area. The control objective is to maximize the work zone throughput. Genetic algorithm is employed to solve the model. Results reveal that the proposed method yields promising work zone operational performance under heavy traffic conditions.
  Authors: Liu, Yue; Mao, Jing; Yu, Jie
  Authors: Liu, Yue; Mao, Jing; Yu, Jie
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Maintenance and Preservation; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors
  Session: 339
  Paper Number: 13-3219
• Schedule Optimization for Renewal Projects in Urban Networks
  Abstract: In this paper we develop a mathematical decision model and solution algorithm to schedule work zone constructions in planning. The model is designed to measure the mutual-interacting traffic impact and delay resulted by work zone disruption in the network. Several construction strategies interested by stakeholders are discussed, including daytime and nighttime construction modes, sequencing precedence, seasonal variation effect of demand, etc. The proposed algorithm applies a heuristic to evaluate traffic delay, in which a k-shortest path method is encapsulated to analyze traffic diversion among a set of alternative routes in the network. A numerical example is analyzed on a real-life network, with a conclusion of fairly good solution quality of the proposed methodology.
  Authors: Zheng, Hong; Nava, Eric Joseph; Chiu, Yi-Chang
  Authors: Zheng, Hong; Nava, Eric Joseph; Chiu, Yi-Chang
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Maintenance and Preservation; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors
  Session: 339
  Paper Number: 13-4104
• Injury Outcomes and Costs for Work Zone Crashes
  Abstract: The main objective of this research was to quantify the injury outcomes and develop reliable and comprehensive injury costs for work zone crashes based on crash type (rear-end, head-on, etc.) and crash severity (KABCO scale). A three-step methodology was used to quantify the comprehensive crash costs. All crashes in Wisconsin between 2001 and 2010 that were marked with a construction zone flag were identified and used in this analysis. The Wisconsin Crash Outcome Data Evaluation System (CODES) database provided comprehensive injury costs based on the injury types and severities suffered by participants in study crashes. KABCO and Maximum Abbreviated Injury Score (MAIS) ratings were similar for PDO and Possible Injuries. A vast majority of non-incapacitating and incapacitating injuries sustained minor or moderate injuries only suggesting that use of KABCO needs to be reconsidered. The calculated comprehensive costs for crash types with sufficient sample sizes were found to be up to 105%, 35%, and 50% larger than the default Federal Highway Administration values for incapacitating, nonincapacitating, and possible injury crashes, respectively. Injury crash costs for different crash types varied significantly, indicating that developing crash-specific costs could result in more accurate benefit-cost analysis for the implementation of countermeasures.
  Authors: Coburn, John S.; Bill, Andrea R.; Chitturi, Madhav V.; Noyce, David A.
  Authors: Coburn, John S.; Bill, Andrea R.; Chitturi, Madhav V.; Noyce, David A.
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Maintenance and Preservation; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors
  Session: 339
  Paper Number: 13-4123
• Freeway Work Zone Lane Change Model
  Abstract: Lane changing and merging occurs more frequently in work zones than other roadway conditions due to mandatory and discretionary lane changes. The increased driver workload during lane changing in work zone area can impact the safety of work zones and lead to crashes. Although the configuration of the work zone has a significant impact on the number of lane changes that occur in the work zone, the operational performance of the roadway within the work zone also has an impact. The objective of this research was to develop a lane changing model that estimates the probability of lane changes occurring within a work zone. The research also sought to calibrate the current Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) weaving model to determine the potential use of this model in estimating the number of lane changes in a work zone. Using field data collected by cameras in a work zone area, an ordinal regression model was developed to estimate the probability of lane changes in the work zone. Lane change models were developed for upstream, within and downstream of the work zone. The significant variables are more speed related than flow related variables. The results are useful in understanding how traffic operations can be managed to reduce lane changes and also for use in simulating lane change behavior in work zone conditions.
  Authors: He, Yang; Daniel, Janice R.
  Authors: He, Yang; Daniel, Janice R.
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Maintenance and Preservation; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors
  Session: 339
  Paper Number: 13-4193
• Integration of Crash Report Narratives for Identification of Work Zone-Related Crash Classification
  Abstract: The poor state of the United States infrastructure coupled with the backlog of repair and replacement within the National Highway System will result in an unprecedented amount of work zones. Traffic Management Plans and safety in these crash-prone areas will be even more critical moving forward. These ever changing roadway environments are frequently dynamic, mobile and unpredictable for drivers and often jeopardize construction workers and motorists themselves. To preserve highway safety and mitigate traffic congestion, trends of work zone crash factors must be analyzed to provide designers of work better information on how to minimize crashes and improve overall safety. Crash reporting accuracy in regard to proper attribute labeling is crucial in probing the underlying issues of work zone crashes. Varying definitions and inconsistent classification standards may lead to mislabeled crashes and inaccurate datasets of work zone related crashes to analyze. This research assessed the accuracy of work zone crash identification through a comparison of work zone indication fields versus narrative reviews on police crash reports. The results identified both the percentages of crashes that were identified as work zone crashes that may not have been as well as those that were not identified as work zone-related despite occurring in a work zone. As part of the analysis, a model of parameters for automating work zone identification was developed using terminology from crash report narratives.
  Authors: Swansen, Erica; McKinnon, Ian Andrew; Knodler, Michael A.
  Authors: Swansen, Erica; McKinnon, Ian Andrew; Knodler, Michael A.
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Maintenance and Preservation; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors
  Session: 339
  Paper Number: 13-4919
• Development of Speed-Flow Curves for Highway Work Zones with Speed Limit of 45 mph and 55 mph
  Abstract: This paper develops speed-flow curves for highway work zones with speed limit of 45 mph and 55 mph. The study used eight data sets with free flow conditions and two data sets with congestion conditions to establish the curves for ideal and non-ideal work zone conditions. Ideal conditions refer to a work zone with ideal geometric characteristics and no other speed reducing factors such as work activity and police presence. The non-ideal speed-flow curves for speed limit of 45 mph and 55 mph are respectively associated with police presence and speed monitoring display in the work zones.It turned out that the shape of the 45-mph curves is different than that of the 55-mph curves. Especially, regression analysis of the eight free flow data sets (three with speed limit of 45 mph and five with speed limit of 55 mph) showed that the slope of the free flow lines is significant for speed limit of 45 mph. On the other hand, a horizontal line can be considered for speed limit of 55 mph since most of the slopes are statistically insignificant. In addition, the paper develops a methodology to estimate capacity and operating speed. The methodology considers the effect of non-ideal conditions as reductions in free flow speed and establishes a curve based on the reduced free flow speed. To establish the curve, one can use the look-up tables provided in this study without going through the curve fitting process. An example problem was solved to show how to use the look-up tables.
  Authors: Ramezani, Hani; Benekohal, Rahim F.; Avrenli, Kivanc A.
  Authors: Ramezani, Hani; Benekohal, Rahim F.; Avrenli, Kivanc A.
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Maintenance and Preservation; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors
  Session: 339
  Paper Number: 13-5017
• Simulation-Based Evaluation of Dynamic Queue Warning System Performance
  Abstract: Microscopic traffic simulation was used to evaluate various design alternatives of a dynamic queue warning system at a freeway work zone with lane closure. The objectives were to (1) assess the expected performance and reliability of a dynamic queue warning system deployed at a freeway work zone lane closure, (2) evaluate the sensitivity of the system’s performance on key design parameters; and (3) determine the most appropriate settings for these parameters. Various combinations of the following design parameters were studied using microscopic traffic simulations:• Speed thresholds - for queue detection and warning message selection,• Aggregation interval - for averaging vehicle speeds at each sensor location• Update interval – for updating messages based on PCMS• Detector spacing – distance between speed sensors deployed upstream of the lane closure• PCMS location – defined by their distance to the lane closure.As expected, the queue warning systems with half-mile detector spacing can more accurately detect the end-of-queues than those with 1-mile detector spacing. It was also found that the queue detection and queue length estimation accuracy of the system was not sensitive to the speed thresholds in the 25-35 mph speed range. Therefore, based on safety considerations, 35 mph is recommended as queue detection threshold. The recommended threshold for “slow traffic” messages in freeway applications is 55 mph. The recommended speed aggregation interval is 5 minutes.
  Authors: Pesti, Geza; Chu, Chi-Leung; Charara, Hassan; Ullman, Gerald L.; Balke, Kevin N.
  Authors: Pesti, Geza; Chu, Chi-Leung; Charara, Hassan; Ullman, Gerald L.; Balke, Kevin N.
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Maintenance and Preservation; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors
  Session: 339
  Paper Number: 13-5086
• Crash Frequency Modeling for Highway Construction Zones
  Abstract: Throughout the country, work zone safety issues have received considerable attention in recent years due to increasing work zone crashes along numerous highway renovation and reconstruction projects. In general, previous studies were able to consider limited number of contributing factors mainly due to the limitations in data availability. The main goal of this paper is to remedy this major problem related to data availability and estimate improved models using data from multiple sources. Work zone project drawings, crash database and straight line diagrams are used to create an integrated work zone safety database. Work zone crash data is plotted in time and space to validate, locate and adjust work zone related information. The negative binomial regression approach is used as the appropriate model to predict crash frequency within these work zones. Traffic volume is adjusted for daytime and night time conditions in terms of hourly distribution of daily traffic. The duration-based and period-based models are also developed to address relationship between potential factors and to predict crash frequency on work zones in terms of property damage only (PDO) and injury crashes. Compared with previous frequency models, additional parameters such as number of lanes closed and speed reduction are used. These additional factors identified as significant can help traffic engineers to further improve safety of work zone projects.
  Authors: Ozturk, Ozgur; Ozbay, Kaan; Yang, Hong; Bartin, Bekir
  Authors: Ozturk, Ozgur; Ozbay, Kaan; Yang, Hong; Bartin, Bekir
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Maintenance and Preservation; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors
  Session: 339
  Paper Number: 13-4555
• Integrated Approach for Work Zone Planning in Pavement Maintenance of High Traffic Roads
  Authors: Morgado, João
  Authors: Morgado, João
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation; Poster
  Subject: Maintenance and Preservation; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors
  Session: 339
  Paper Number: 13-1210
• Schedule Optimization for Renewal Projects in Urban Networks
  Authors: Zheng, Hong
  Authors: Zheng, Hong
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation; Poster
  Subject: Maintenance and Preservation; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors
  Session: 339
  Paper Number: 13-4104
• Injury Outcomes and Costs for Work Zone Crashes
  Authors: Coburn, John
  Authors: Coburn, John
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation; Poster
  Subject: Maintenance and Preservation; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors
  Session: 339
  Paper Number: 13-4123
• Crash Frequency Modeling for Highway Construction Zones
  Authors: Ozturk, Ozgur
  Authors: Ozturk, Ozgur
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation; Poster
  Subject: Maintenance and Preservation; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors
  Session: 339
  Paper Number: 13-4555
• Risk Management Process for Very-Short-Duration Work Zone Operations
  Authors: Seedah, Dan
  Authors: Seedah, Dan
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation; Poster
  Subject: Maintenance and Preservation; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors
  Session: 339
  Paper Number: 13-1365
• Freeway Work Zone Lane Change Model
  Authors: He, Yang
  Authors: He, Yang
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation; Poster
  Subject: Maintenance and Preservation; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors
  Session: 339
  Paper Number: 13-4193
• Freeway Work Zone Lane Change Model
  Authors: Daniel, Janice
  Authors: Daniel, Janice
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation; Poster
  Subject: Maintenance and Preservation; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors
  Session: 339
  Paper Number: 13-4193
• Integration of Crash Report Narratives for Identification of Work Zone-Related Crash Classification
  Authors: McKinnon, Ian
  Authors: McKinnon, Ian
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation; Poster
  Subject: Maintenance and Preservation; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors
  Session: 339
  Paper Number: 13-4919
• Risk Management Process for Very-Short-Duration Work Zone Operations
  Authors: Kolahdoozan, Sami
  Authors: Kolahdoozan, Sami
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation; Poster
  Subject: Maintenance and Preservation; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors
  Session: 339
  Paper Number: 13-1365
• Crash Frequency Modeling for Highway Construction Zones
  Authors: Yang, Hong
  Authors: Yang, Hong
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation; Poster
  Subject: Maintenance and Preservation; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors
  Session: 339
  Paper Number: 13-4555
• Risk Management Process for Very-Short-Duration Work Zone Operations
  Abstract:

  Very short duration maintenance operations last for 15 minutes or less and usually involve operations such as removing an object from the roadway (either on the pavement or adjacent shoulder) or pothole patching. These activities have the potential to interrupt traffic flow and can pose a safety risk for both workers and drivers. Specific guidance of very short duration operations are undocumented and workers tend to use their own judgment in making critical time sensitive decisions. Identifying risk factors in very short duration operations (VSDOs) helps maintenance workers make better judgment about the condition of VSDOs and make more informed decisions on whether to conduct an operation as a VSDO or not. This study seeks to present a risk management process that enables maintenance workers to identify work zone hazards for very short duration operations and improve their judgment about work zone conditions and hazards. Multiple scenarios illustrating the risks are presented, and related safety recommendations are also discussed.

  Authors: Wang, Li; Kolahdoozan, Sami; Seedah, Dan; Leite, Fernanda; Machemehl, Randy B.
  Authors: Wang, Li; Kolahdoozan, Sami; Seedah, Dan; Leite, Fernanda; Machemehl, Randy B.
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Maintenance and Preservation; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors
  Session: 339
  Paper Number: 13-1365