An increasing number of roadway rehabilitation projects are using nighttime construction schedules. Factors involved in the decisions to employ nighttime construction schedules were examined in a study of state highway agencies. The study consisted of a survey concerning the various parameters that were considered when nighttime construction schedules were required in construction contracts. State personnel familiar with nighttime construction projects were asked to describe particular aspects of projects that were different as a result of the night schedule. In addition, a survey was conducted with construction contractors who had experience with nighttime construction projects. Results show that the overriding factor for a nighttimeschedule that is contractually required is the unacceptably high traffic congestion that would result from daytime roadway work. On nighttime projects, of particular concern is safety and traffic control. Although worker scheduling is made more difficult at night, several contractors indicated that they elected to use nighttime scheduleseven when not contractually required to do so. These contractors noted that task scheduling is easier at night and that material deliveries are more readily made at night. However, for all parties involved in the process, safety tends to be the overriding concern. This paper appears in transportation research record no. 1282, Transportation construction 1990.
Abstract