Construction, maintenance and utility activities on highway facilities can lead to significant disruption of traffic. This study developed a planning process that highway agencies can use to objectively select the most effective work zone traffic control strategy for each project. Seventeen state and local agencies were reviewed for information concerning existing practices in work zone planning. It was found that work zone traffic control strategies were selected mostly on the basis of subjective judgment. Using existing and new data collected in this study, quantitative procedures were developed for estimating accidents, delays, stops, fuel consumption, operating costs, air pollution, and cost of traffic control. Case construction costs were presented. This Technical Report describes the research performed and the significant results of the study. Separate chapters deal with: 1, introduction; 2, work zone evaluation process; 3, estimation procedures; and 4, sample problems. Two appendices contain: a) selected tables from highway capacity manual; and b) work zone data sheet.
Abstract