...source of traveler dissatisfaction, according to research by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

The FHWA study, Moving Ahead: The American Public Speaks on Roadways and Transportation in Communities (FHWA-OP-01-017), reveals that highway users tend to view roadway repairs and associated work zones as one of the major causes of traffic delays. The report states that one of the key steps to increase user satisfaction with highways is to reduce work zone delays. Accurately predicting such delays and planning effective construction phasing and detour routes can help reduce driver frustration.

Although no single analysis tool is ideal for all work zones, the software program QuickZone is one of many solutions in highway agency's toolbox. Released by FHWA in 2002, QuickZone can help State departments of transportation (DOTs) and metropolitan planning organizations estimate the impact of work zone activities on traffic flow. Since 2002, State and local transportation agencies and construction contractors have used the inexpensive software program to estimate costs, traffic delays, and backups due to work zones and to compare the effects of mitigation strategies. An enhanced QuickZone 2.0 debuted in 2005. Now the program is poised to be even more beneficial as State and local agencies move to comply with the revised Work Zone Safety and Mobility Rule, which took effect in October 2007. (See "Revised Work Zone Rule")

Work Zones and Congestion

The growing congestion on U.S. highways is well documented. According to The 2007 Urban Mobility Report by the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI), "Congestion caused urban Americans to travel 4.2 billion hours more and to purchase an extra 2.9 billion gallons of fuel for a congestion cost of $78 billion" in 2005.

Unlike congestion caused by routine heavy traffic during daily peak travel periods, nonrecurring events generally result in unexpected travel delays. According to FHWA, work zones account for about 482 million vehicle hours of delay--24 percent of nonrecurring congestion and 12 percent of total congestion.

Work zones have adverse impacts on traveler and worker safety. In 2005 nearly 2.7 million people were injured and 43,443 people died on the Nation's roads. In 2006 there were 1,010 work zone fatalities, and each year, more than 40,000 people are injured in work zone-related crashes.

There are broader implications as well. Work zone impacts can extend beyond the physical location of the construction itself to affect safety and mobility miles away.

The trend toward longer and longer periods of peak congestion complicates the picture. TTI's The 2007 Urban Mobility Report indicates that annual delay for the peak-period traveler increased from 14 hours in 1982 to 38 hours in 2005 (48 hours in large cities). Ever higher traffic volumes on many highways make it difficult to perform work in or near travel lanes during much of the day because of the impacts posed to workers and the...

NOTE: All illustrations and photos have been removed from this article.



More articles from Public Roads
Spotlight on transportation planning: FHWA and FTA are partnering to r..., November 01, 2007
A new look at sensors: FHWA's updated Traffic Detector Handbook descri..., November 01, 2007

Looking for additional articles?
Search our database of over 3 million articles.

Looking for more in-depth information on this industry?
Search our complete database of Industry & Market reports by text, subject, publication name or publication date.

About Goliath
Whether you're looking for sales prospects, competitive information, company analysis or best practices in managing your organization, Goliath can help you meet your business needs.

Our extensive business information databases empower business professionals with both the breadth and depth of credible, authoritative information they need to support their business goals. Whether it be strategic planning, sales prospecting, company research or defining management best practices - Goliath is your leading source for accurate information.