A recent analysis of crash data in North Carolina revealed that 33 percent of all crashes and 44 percent of fatal crashes are speed-related, i.e., speed was indicated as a contributing factor for at least one of the drivers involved. Speeding is present in work zone crashes as well, especially on primary highways. Lower speed limits commonly apply in work zones, where motorists often encounter narrower travel lanes, uneven pavement, and the presence of workers and their equipment. To combat speeding in work zones, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) uses signs such as `Give 'em a brake' and signs indicating substantial speeding fines. This one-year study had two objectives: (1) to identify the extent of speeding in work zones by collecting spot speed data on various classes of highways; and (2) to determine the characteristics of work zone crashes that involve speeding. This was accomplished by coding available crash data. The two objectives were totally independent, i.e. the speed data and crash data were not associated with the same work zones. The work zone literature can be divided into two categories to emphasis: (1) crash studies and modelling; and (2) countermeasure evaluations. A number of such publications are reviewed. (A)
Abstract