|
From Tech Transfer Newsletter, Spring 2008
» printer-friendly
Resources from the Transportation Library: Safety in Work Zones
By Rita Evans, Reference Librarian, Institute of Transportation Studies Library
Websites, Reports, and Evaluations
FHWA Safety: Work Zones
Visit website
Comprehensive portal to federal information as part of the National Highway
Work Zone Safety Program (NHWZSP). Addresses topics such as planning and design,
speed management, policy and statistics.
National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse
Visit website
Provides a library of information relating to work zone safety. Resources include
legal text, crash data, research reports, news, products, and training opportunities.
A Guide for Reducing Work Zone Collisions
Volume 17 of Guidance for Implementation of the AASHTO Strategic Highway
Safety Plan, NCHRP Report 500
Download PDF (4.3M)
Outlines strategies tied to specific objectives such as improving work zone
design practices and improving driver compliance with work zone traffic controls.
Focuses on low-cost, short-term treatments.
Workzone Safety Improvements through Enhanced Warning Signal Devices
UC Berkeley PATH research report, UCB-ITS-PRR-2008-3
Download PDF (2.7M)
Reports on improved emergency warning light intended specifically for Caltrans
work zone vehicles. The lights improve visibility and conspicuity and uniquely
identify Caltrans maintenance vehicles.
Improve Safety of Workers during Highway Construction and Maintenance
Kentucky Transportation Center, 2007, 130 pages
Download PDF (564K)
Contains specific recommendations from KYTC and contractors to improve safety,
including providing two-way radios, closed cab tractors and first aid training;
using LED stop signs and better nighttime lighting; and changing law enforcement
policies.
Highway Work Zones: Smart and Smarter
Better Roads, June 2007, pages 54-70
Describes how technology such as lasers, GPS, dynamic message signs, real-time
information and camera law enforcement improves work zone safety. Includes
examples of specific applications from a number of state DOTs.
Fatal Accidents in Nighttime vs. Daytime Highway Construction Work
Zones
Journal of Safety Research, April 2007, pages 399-405
Finds evidence that nighttime construction is more hazardous than daytime.
Recommends establishing an efficient work zone accident reporting system.
Making Your Work Zone Safer With Internal Traffic Control Plans
HMAT, May 2007, pages 22-25
Suggests techniques to improve safety including keeping workers separated from
equipment, reducing vehicle backing, and implementing an effective traffic
control plan.
Environmental, Driver and Vehicle Risk Analysis for Freeway Work Zone
Crashes
ITE Journal, January 2008, pages 26-30
Identifies a number of significant risk factors including roadway geometry,
cloudy weather, age, gender, lighting conditions, and driving under the influence.
Suggests countermeasures such as increased law enforcement and lowering speed
limits in work zones.
Evaluation of ITS Technologies in Rural Work Zones
Montana State University, April 2006
Download PDF (4M)
Reports on the design and testing of a system to provide real-time delay information
to
motorists in a rural two-lane undivided highway work zone with a lane closure.
Use of Police in Work Zones on Highways in Virginia
Virginia Transportation Research Council, December 2003
Download PDF (636K)
Finds the use of police to be effective in reducing speeds and improving safety
in work zones. Includes recommendations regarding training, the development
of a standard agreement for use with local police agencies, promotion of maximum
fines for speeding in work zones, and use of protective clothing by law enforcement
personnel.
Training
Flagging Traffic at Work Zones
Visit website
Tech Transfer offers low-cost training for flaggers. Intended for work crews
from public agencies, utilities, contractors, and others in the public right
of way, our 4-hour workshop covers setting-up, operating, and taking down safe
and effective flagging operations. This Cal-OSHA compliant training is delivered
at your location on your schedule for your crew. Training may be customized
to meet your needs.
Multimedia Resources
The Technology Transfer Program's multimedia training library contains more than 700 videos, CD-ROMs, and links to streaming media to help educate
you and your staff. Browse our selection.
The resources listed below are available from the video library.
About the UC Berkeley Transportation Library
Most of the items listed in this article are available from the UC Berkeley Transportation Library. Visit the Library homepage for
more information about the library or to request access.
Employees of California public sector transportation agencies at
the local, state, and regional levels, including federal agencies located in
California, are eligible to request anything in the transportation library's
catalog for free. The library will even provide up to 50 pages of photocopies
of articles from journals, trade magazines, or conference reports, or scan
and e-mail the requested material.
Top of Page
|
