Work Zone ITS

Work zones present safety challenges to both travelers and workers. Using ITS in work zones, however, can help ease the frustration and prevent crashes. Intelligent Transportation Systems apply advanced technologies to optimize the safety and efficiency of the existing transportation network. ITS applications in work zones have been found to be effective in providing traffic monitoring and management, data collection, and traveler information.

ITS technologies increasingly are being used to anticipate and mitigate congestion caused by highway work zones. These technologies provide ways to better monitor and manage traffic flow through work zones and increase safety for both workers and road users.

The use of ITS technology in work zones such as portable camera systems, highway advisory radios, variable speed limits, ramp metering, traveler information, merge guidance, and queue detection information is aimed at increasing safety for both workers and road users and ensuring a more efficient traffic flow. ITS technologies for work zones is an emerging area; these technologies provide the means to better monitor and manage traffic flow through and around work zones. Minimizing the impact of work zone delays through technology has a positive impact on safety, mobility, access, and productivity.

(a) Safety. ITS work zone applications increase safety by providing drivers with advance notice of the presence of work zones and associated traffic conditions, such as slowed or stopped traffic ahead.
(b) Mobility. ITS applications in work zones improve mobility by providing drivers with traffic condition information so that drivers can adjust routes or travel times.

Where incidents are anticipated to cause significant congestion, an ITS application may be deployed in advance. ITS technologies can improve incident detection, response, and clearance in work zones; this is particularly important because traffic capacity often is reduced in work zones, and incidents in these areas cause even greater congestion and increase the potential for secondary crashes.

Work zone ITS elements should be identified early in the strategy development process and included in the preliminary estimate so they can be designed along with the other traffic control elements. For large mobility projects that have existing freeway cameras already in place, temporary ITS features (temporary poles, portable systems, etc.) may be necessary to ensure that the network can be maintained during the construction, especially if existing camera locations are in conflict with staging areas.

In locations that do not have existing camera locations but have significant construction projects planned, portable ITS systems may be a good opportunity to bring ITS architecture to the route.

WSDOT Work Zone ITS information:

Historical use of work zone ITS in Washington

Work Zone ITS National workship in St. Louis, 2005

WSDOT Work Zone ITS (24k,ppt)

Links to work zone ITS information:

WSDOT Design Manual Chapter 810.11 Work Zone Intelligent Transportation Systems

FHWA ITS in Work Zones fact sheet

AASHTO Transportation Implementation Group (TIG) - ITS in Work Zones

US DOT - Intelligent Transportation Systems

ITS America

Smart Work Zone Deployment Initiative

US DOT - ITS Joint Operations Resource Guide

Minnesota DOT

Maryland State Highway Association

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