IMPROVING TRAFFIC CONTROL EFFECTIVENESS IN COMPLEX WORK ZONES

SUMMARY Based on a review of data collected from subject drivers during the first year of the project, the majority of driver confusion and anxieties in traversing complex work zone layouts appear to be due to deficiencies in properly addressing the concepts of positive guidance at the work zone. Researchers critiqued current TxDOT procedures regarding the field implementation and monitoring of traffic control at complex work zones, and have determined a need for increased emphasis and a consistent approach to applying the positive guidance process during and after field implementation of the traffic control plan developed for the work zone. Four critical steps are identified as particularly useful to field personnel once work zone traffic control is installed at a project, and periodically through the duration of the project. These steps are: • hazard visibility assessment, • expectancy violation determination, • information load analysis, and • information needs specification. Researchers have developed guidelines for applying the positive guidance procedure as a field inspection and review of newly installed or modified traffic control at potentially complex work zones. These guidelines represent a combination of existing positive guidance documents and results of the first-year studies of test drivers in actual complex work zone locations in Texas.