work zone safety & mobility

Work Zone Safety & Work Zone Safety & MobilityMobility

Dave Holstein, AdministratorDave Holstein, Administrator

ODOT Office of Traffic EngineeringODOT Office of Traffic Engineering

[email protected]@dot.state.oh.us

614-644-8137614-644-8137

Excerpts from a Presentation Excerpts from a Presentation

Given at the Montana Regional Work Zone Rule Given at the Montana Regional Work Zone Rule Workshop in April 2006Workshop in April 2006

Linking Safety and CongestionLinking Safety and Congestion

In OhioIn Ohio 43% of all Interstate crashes happen on 12% of 43% of all Interstate crashes happen on 12% of

the Interstate system.the Interstate system.

19% of all NON Interstate crashes happen on 2% 19% of all NON Interstate crashes happen on 2% of the NON Interstate system.of the NON Interstate system.

When overlaid against Ohio’s congested When overlaid against Ohio’s congested locations the 12% (IR) and 2% (NON IR) are an locations the 12% (IR) and 2% (NON IR) are an almost exact match to the congested locations. almost exact match to the congested locations.

Congestion causes crashesCongestion causes crashes

Linking Safety and CongestionLinking Safety and Congestion

Historical WZ crash analysis in Ohio Historical WZ crash analysis in Ohio shows that congested work zones shows that congested work zones CAUSE CRASHES.CAUSE CRASHES.

Much of ODOT’s WZ processes revolve Much of ODOT’s WZ processes revolve around identifying work zone capacity around identifying work zone capacity needs and determining constraints to needs and determining constraints to providing that necessary capacity.providing that necessary capacity.

Why Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) Why Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) is Important in Ohiois Important in Ohio

35th in geographical size35th in geographical size 10th largest highway network10th largest highway network 5th highest volume of traffic5th highest volume of traffic 5th highest volume of truck traffic5th highest volume of truck traffic 4th largest interstate network4th largest interstate network 2002 NCAA Football Champions2002 NCAA Football Champions

Why MOT is Important in OhioWhy MOT is Important in Ohio

Need to comply with the new Federal Need to comply with the new Federal Regulations on Work Zone Safety and Regulations on Work Zone Safety and Mobility (23 CFR 630 –Subpart J)Mobility (23 CFR 630 –Subpart J)

October 2007 DeadlineOctober 2007 Deadline


Because We Can Make a Difference

# Construction Projects vs. WZ Total Crashes

5854

8039

6808

7409

6389

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

01 02 03 04 05

Year

# Pr

ojec

ts

5000

5500

6000

6500

7000

7500

8000

8500

# W

ork

Zone

Cra

shes

# Awarded # LPA Projects WZ Total Crashes

Construction Cost Awarded by ODOT vs. WZ Total Crashes

5854

8039

6808

7409

6389

$0

$200

$400

$600

$800

$1,000

$1,200

01 02 03 04 05

Year $

$ M

illio

ns

5000

5500

6000

6500

7000

7500

8000

8500

# W

ork

Zone

Cra

shes

Awarded Amount LPA projects WZ Total Crashes


In addition to mobility, safety, and In addition to mobility, safety, and economic reasons for good work zone economic reasons for good work zone processes……………processes……………

Our Governor got REALLY mad when Our Governor got REALLY mad when he was stopped in a work zone!!he was stopped in a work zone!!

ODOT’s WZ Process in Terms of the New ODOT’s WZ Process in Terms of the New Federal WZ RegulationsFederal WZ Regulations

Historical WZ Crash DataHistorical WZ Crash Data

630.1008 State Level Processes and 630.1008 State Level Processes and ProceduresProcedures

““Shall use field observations, wz crash data….”Shall use field observations, wz crash data….”

““Shall continually pursue improvement of wz Shall continually pursue improvement of wz safety and mobility by analyzing work zone safety and mobility by analyzing work zone crash and operational data from multiple crash and operational data from multiple projects….”projects….”

Why did we do the analysis?Why did we do the analysis?

ODOT is embarking on the largest construction ODOT is embarking on the largest construction program(s) in our history program(s) in our history

Director was concerned about the impact our work Director was concerned about the impact our work zones will have on crashes zones will have on crashes

Question - Are the ODOT work zones causing more Question - Are the ODOT work zones causing more accidents?accidents?

- - If so,If so, can we do more to limit the increase?can we do more to limit the increase?


Historical Crash AnalysisHistorical Crash Analysis

THE KNEE JERK REACTIONTHE KNEE JERK REACTION

““Well of course we have more crashes in Well of course we have more crashes in work zones. Narrow lanes, barriers next to work zones. Narrow lanes, barriers next to lanes, and on… and on…. and on….”lanes, and on… and on…. and on….”

Historical crash data analysis showed Historical crash data analysis showed there were things we could do better!!there were things we could do better!!





WZ Crash Rate=1.68

NON WZ Crash Rate Rate= 1.04

ODOT’s WZ Process in Terms of the New ODOT’s WZ Process in Terms of the New Federal WZ RegulationsFederal WZ RegulationsHistorical Crash AnalysisHistorical Crash Analysis

NON WZ Crash Rate Rate =1.19

WZ Crash Rate=2.02



Drilled deeper into dataDrilled deeper into data

Logged and analyzed hundreds of work Logged and analyzed hundreds of work zone crashes. Looked for “abnormally” zone crashes. Looked for “abnormally” high concentration of crashes.high concentration of crashes.

Analysis showed need for new/revised Analysis showed need for new/revised specifications & processesspecifications & processes



Results –Results –

Geometrics - The “abnormally” high Geometrics - The “abnormally” high concentrations of crashes showed there concentrations of crashes showed there were major geometric contributing factors were major geometric contributing factors to Ohio’s work zone crashes:to Ohio’s work zone crashes:

(a) Inadequate ramp merges(a) Inadequate ramp merges

(b) Inadequate off-ramp capacity(b) Inadequate off-ramp capacity

(c) Insufficient paved shoulders(c) Insufficient paved shoulders

ODOT’s WZ Process in Terms of the ODOT’s WZ Process in Terms of the New Federal WZ RegulationsNew Federal WZ Regulations


Ramp Merges – Created new standards for work Ramp Merges – Created new standards for work zone on-ramp merges. Merges are now required zone on-ramp merges. Merges are now required to be detailed in plans. (now explicitly looked at to be detailed in plans. (now explicitly looked at in MOTAA)in MOTAA)

Paved shoulders – Created “desired/minimum” Paved shoulders – Created “desired/minimum” cross section that requires a 2’ paved shoulder cross section that requires a 2’ paved shoulder (now used in Maintenance of Traffic Alternative (now used in Maintenance of Traffic Alternative Analysis (MOTAA) and detailed design)Analysis (MOTAA) and detailed design)

Off-Ramp-Capacity – Now explicitly looked for in Off-Ramp-Capacity – Now explicitly looked for in MOTAA.MOTAA.



Historical wz crash analysis will be Historical wz crash analysis will be performed every two years seeking performed every two years seeking additional “lessons learned”.additional “lessons learned”.

Policies/standards/specifications will Policies/standards/specifications will be changed as necessary to keep be changed as necessary to keep problems from happening again.problems from happening again.



Hot off the presses – 2006 Historical Hot off the presses – 2006 Historical Data Analysis has started…..Data Analysis has started…..

Emphasis on Fatalities and Fatal Emphasis on Fatalities and Fatal Crashes…..Crashes…..

Preliminary Information follows…..Preliminary Information follows…..


2006 Historical Crash Analysis2006 Historical Crash Analysis

New Emphasis Areas??



Of the total 110 fatal WZ crashes; 22 Of the total 110 fatal WZ crashes; 22 involved pedestrians as the victim (20%). involved pedestrians as the victim (20%).

18 of the 22 pedestrians were construction 18 of the 22 pedestrians were construction workers (82%).workers (82%). 5 of the 18 were construction related vehicle 5 of the 18 were construction related vehicle

running over the worker. running over the worker. 4 of the 18 were workers being inside the travel 4 of the 18 were workers being inside the travel

lane. lane. 8 of the 18 were vehicles speeding, running off 8 of the 18 were vehicles speeding, running off

the road or driving through a coned off lane and the road or driving through a coned off lane and striking a worker.striking a worker.

1 of 18 included a vehicle hitting a bucket truck 1 of 18 included a vehicle hitting a bucket truck and the worker fell outand the worker fell out

ODOT’s WZ Process in Terms of the New Federal WZ ODOT’s WZ Process in Terms of the New Federal WZ RegulationsRegulations



2006 Historical Crash Analysis2006 Historical Crash Analysis 17 of the fatal crashes were caused by vehicles 17 of the fatal crashes were caused by vehicles

not stopping when traffic was stopped in the not stopping when traffic was stopped in the traveling lanes (15%).traveling lanes (15%).

11 of the 17 were on Interstate routes. 11 of the 17 were on Interstate routes.

3 of the 17 during morning peak hours 3 of the 17 during morning peak hours 3 of the 17 occurred during the evening peak hours3 of the 17 occurred during the evening peak hours 6 of the 17 occurred at night (9:30 pm to midnight) 6 of the 17 occurred at night (9:30 pm to midnight)

2 of the 17 occurred midday2 of the 17 occurred midday 3 of the 17 occurred due to vehicles not stopping for 3 of the 17 occurred due to vehicles not stopping for

equipment in the travel lane.equipment in the travel lane.

We’re not supposed to have backups?!?!?!We’re not supposed to have backups?!?!?!

??? What the heck were we doing at this time of night?????? What the heck were we doing at this time of night???


2006 Historical Crash Analysis2006 Historical Crash AnalysisP

roblems?

Problem

s?


Real Time WZ Crash DataReal Time WZ Crash Data

630.1008 State Level Processes and Procedures630.1008 State Level Processes and Procedures

““Shall use field observations, wz crash data….”Shall use field observations, wz crash data….”

““Shall continually pursue improvement of wz Shall continually pursue improvement of wz safety and mobility by analyzing work zone safety and mobility by analyzing work zone crash and operational data from multiple crash and operational data from multiple projects….”projects….”


Real Time Crash AnalysisReal Time Crash Analysis Candidate projects identified in winter.Candidate projects identified in winter.

Coordinate w/local enforcement to have WZ crashes put Coordinate w/local enforcement to have WZ crashes put aside for pickup twice/month. PHYSICALLY PICKING UP aside for pickup twice/month. PHYSICALLY PICKING UP CRASH REPORTS IS THE ONLY METHOD THAT HAS CRASH REPORTS IS THE ONLY METHOD THAT HAS WORKED.WORKED.

Data base application automatically sorts crashes into ½ Data base application automatically sorts crashes into ½ mile segments (geo – locate).mile segments (geo – locate).

Compared to historical “non-construction” frequencies.Compared to historical “non-construction” frequencies.

““Problem” locations investigated.Problem” locations investigated.


Real Time Crash AnalysisReal Time Crash Analysis

-This slide targeted to the computer -This slide targeted to the computer enthusiastsenthusiasts

Data input into Access data base through data entry Data input into Access data base through data entry form.form.

Crash trends are sorted and analyzed using pivot Crash trends are sorted and analyzed using pivot tables/charts.tables/charts.

Individual queries created for each wz in Access data Individual queries created for each wz in Access data base file.base file.

Excel (using visual basic coding) hits data base file and Excel (using visual basic coding) hits data base file and runs queries to refresh charts and graphs with latest runs queries to refresh charts and graphs with latest data.data.

WARNING



System is set up by start of construction System is set up by start of construction season.season.

Once Set-up, the ONLY thing needed Once Set-up, the ONLY thing needed done is to input new crash data.done is to input new crash data.

ALL CHARTS, GRAPHS, & DATA ARE ALL CHARTS, GRAPHS, & DATA ARE GENERATED AUTOMATICALLY WITH THE PUSH GENERATED AUTOMATICALLY WITH THE PUSH OF A BUTTON – VERY COOL ……….OF A BUTTON – VERY COOL ……….

ODOT’s WZ Process in Terms of the New ODOT’s WZ Process in Terms of the New Federal WZ RegulationsFederal WZ RegulationsReal Time Crash AnalysisReal Time Crash Analysis

Main Screen



Click to Access Data Entry Screen



Crash Report Data Entry FormCrash Report Data Entry Form


Real Time Crash Analysis Real Time Crash Analysis

WZ 3 Month Crash Total =48

(Big Problem)

Non WZ Avg # of Crashes = 31

(7 months)

Mile 16.2 – 16.99

Application OutputsApplication Outputs


Real Time Crash Analysis Real Time Crash Analysis

Application OutputsApplication Outputs

work zone safety & mobility

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