• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • About
  • Contact
  • Listserv
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Login/Register
workzonesafety.org

National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse

Library of Resources to Improve Roadway Work Zone Safety for All Roadway Users

  • Crash Information
    • Work Zone Fatal Crashes and Fatalities
    • National Estimates of Total and Injury Work Zone Crashes
    • Work Zone Fatal Crash Facts
    • Other Work Zone Crash Related Resources
  • Flagger Information
    • Flagger Training and Certification Requirements by State
    • Flagging Resources Developed Under the FHWA Work Zone Safety Grant Program
    • Classes
    • Videos
    • Job Resources
  • Training
    • FHWA Work Zone Safety Grant Products
    • Roadway Safety Training Program
    • Online Learning Management System
    • Training Courses and Programs
    • Training Videos
    • ARTBA
    • ATSSA
    • NHI
    • NSC
    • LTAP/TTAP
    • WSU
  • Events and Conferences
    • National Work Zone Awareness Week
    • Work Zone Safety Conferences
    • Other Work Zone Related Conferences
    • 2020 Transportation Construction Safety Events Calendar
  • Data Resources
    • Searchable Databases
    • Public Awareness
    • Laws, Regulations, Standards, and Policies
    • Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)
  • Hot Topics
    • Improving Large Truck Safety in Work Zones
    • Smarter Work Zones
    • Transportation Management Plans
    • Accommodating Pedestrians
    • Rear End Crashes
    • Minimizing Construction Interferences with Traffic
    • Managing Speeds
    • Mobile/Short Duration Work Zones
    • Reducing Worker Run-overs and Back-overs
    • Working at Night
    • Reducing Worker Fatigue and Distraction Risks
You are here: Home / Publications / Highway Construction Work Zone Safety Performance and Improvement in Louisiana

Highway Construction Work Zone Safety Performance and Improvement in Louisiana

Author/Presenter: Schneider, Helmut; Hutchinson, Cory; Pfetzer, Emily
Abstract:

This project provides a review of current work zone crash reporting practices in the US in general and specifically in Louisiana. While national guidelines such as the MMUCC standardize definitions and data elements, the degree to which states have adopted the MMUCC guidelines/data elements regarding work zone crashes varies considerably across states. About 50% of states include 4 or more of the MMUCC’s work zone data elements (C18), while the remaining include 3 or less. Because these elements reflect the “minimum model standard,” it is reasonable to conclude that most states do not collect enough data about work zones on their crash report forms to fully analyze work zone-involvement in crashes. This is clearly the case in Louisiana, in which the primary data indicator of a “work zone crash” is a check box called “Work Zone.” One of the most important findings from this research is that work zone crash reporting practices in Louisiana are inconsistent in several ways. First, according to the crash data analysis, 1910 crashes were identified as having taken place within the actual work zone boundaries, i.e., after the first orange warning sign was posted, while work zone signs were officially in-place; however, officer reporting only captured 104, accounting for only 5.5% of crashes occurring within the physical boundaries of work zones. Second, some crashes that were reported as work zone crashes were actually located outside of the project boundaries. This observation is inconsistent with the instructions stated in the Louisiana crash report guide. Third, a content analysis of the accessible population of crash report narratives (N=2723) indicated that only 3% contained an explicit mention of the work zone in their description, but slow/stop conditions were explicitly contained in 49% of narratives and congestion/backups were explicitly contained in 23%. In addition to assessing the overall data quality of work zone crash reporting in LA, this report provides several recommendations to improve reporting of work zone crashes and work zone related crashes.

Publisher: Louisiana Transportation Research Center
Publication Date: 2019
Full Text URL: Link to URL
Publication Types: Books, Reports, Papers, and Research Articles
Topics: Crash Data; Crash Reports; Work Zone Safety

Copyright © 2021 American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA). The National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse is a project of the ARTBA Transportation Development Foundation. It is operated in cooperation with the U.S. Federal Highway Administration and Texas A&M Transportation Institute. | Copyright Statement · Legal Notices/Policies · Disclaimer
American Road and Transportation Builders Association Transportation Development Foundation, American Road and Transportation Builders Association U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration Texas A&M Transportation Institute