WTI

Evaluation of ITS Technologies in Rural Work Zones (Showcase Evaluation #12)

Primary Investigator Contact Information

External Project Contact(s)

Report(s)

1. Evaluation of ITS Technologies in Rural Work Zones
   1. Manju Kumar, Doug Galarus, Sean Graham, Christopher Strong
   2. 4254544_Final_Report.pdf

Project Objective

To explore applicable ITS solutions for rural highway work zones and to develop a prototype system for real-time delay estimation and information dissemination for a two-lane highway work zone with a lane closure where a pilot car manages traffic.

Project Abstract

Work zones on rural two-lane highways can impose inconveniences on travelers through unexpected, long delays due to lane closures. These delays can increase driver stress and frustration, potentially affecting driver behavior within and after the work zone, which could impact the safety of workers and other motorists. One way to reduce driver frustration is to provide real-time information on the length of delays that motorists can expect as they approach a work zone. This information could take the form of a countdown timer that reflects about how long the wait is before being able to proceed through the work zone. This project will develop a prototype system to estimate the real-time delay and information dissemination for a two-lane highway work zone with a lane closure for which a pilot car manages traffic

Task Descriptions

1. Literature Review
   1. Review relevant literature to identify ITS systems and other technologies/strategies that have been employed or evaluated related to traveler information or speed management in work zones throughout the country.
2. Proof of Concept Integration
   1. Integrate various communications options (Task 5) with the algorithms (Task 6) and tested system components (Task 7) in a full system.
3. Assess Communication Options
   1. Identify communication options which could be used to support the traveler information component of this system. This task will include a literature review and some testing of communications methods in rural highway canyons where wireless communications networks are poor and line-of-sight capabilities are often absent.
4. Develop Delay Algorithm
   1. Develop algorithms for estimating expected delay for vehicles queued before entering a work zone. This will include programming of the algorithm.
5. Develop System Concepts and Requirements
   1. Development of system concepts and requirements that can facilitate completion of a proof of concept for providing real-time delay information in pilot car-controlled work zones. A system concept is a brief description of how the system will work.
6. Prepare Final Report
   1. A final report will describe the proof of concept and make recommendations for where the system should be field tested and what requirements should govern the field test to maximize the opportunities for success.
7. Project Management
   1. Overall project management activities that will assist in promoting communication between project sponsors and the research team.
8. Acquisition and Testing of System Components
   1. Purchase and test components for their ability to integrate into the proposed system. The goal will be to test the algorithm with this technology to make sure the devices display accurate delay estimates.
9. Conduct National Survey
   1. A survey will be conducted to learn more about other states’ practices in using ITS technologies to control speed in work zones. Every state DOT and many non-DOT transportation agencies will be interviewed, and responses will be entered in a database to allow queries under different categories.

Milestones, Dates, Schedule

Student Involvement

True

Relationship to Other Research Projects

True

Technology Transfer Activities

True

Transportation Research Board Keywords

work zone delays, traveler information

Partners

Caltrans DRI