• 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 2021
    • Work Zone Safety Conferences
    • Other Work Zone Related Conferences
    • 2021 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 / Speed Reduction Effects of Drone Radar in Rural Interstate Work Zones

Speed Reduction Effects of Drone Radar in Rural Interstate Work Zones

Author/Presenter: Benekohal, Rahim F.; Resende, Paulo T. V.; Zhao, Weixiong
Abstract:

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of using drone (passive or unmanned) radar guns on vehicle speeds in construction zones. Experiment 1 was an exploratory study to find the immediate (less than an hour) effects of using one drone radar gun. Experiment 2 was conducted for a longer time period (a few hours) to evaluate the effects of using one drone radar gun. Experiment 3 evaluated the effects of using two drone radar guns and their lasting effects on vehicle speeds. Experiment 3 was divided into three one-hour time intervals. This method was used to determine the lasting effects of drone radar. Data analysis included the comparison of mean speeds, speed distributions, percent exceeding a given speed, and net speed reductions. The immediate effects of using one radar gun (Experiment 1) were 8-10 mph speed reductions; however, such reductions should not be considered typical effects of radar signal transmission because of the exploratory nature of Experiment 1. Experiment 2 showed that using a radar gun was not effective in reducing vehicle speeds when drivers knew it was drone radar. Experiment 3 indicated that the use of two radar guns increased the effectiveness of drone radars, since drivers were not sure whether the signals were from a police radar or drone radar. The two radar experiments reduced truck speeds by 3-6 mph and car speeds by 3 mph, and the radar effects did not diminish over time. In Experiments 1 and 3 the percentage of vehicles with excessive speeds inside the work zones decreased when radar signals were transmitted. Furthermore, the decreases in Experiment 3 were sustained over a period of time.

Publisher: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Publication Date: March 1992
Notes: The clearinghouse has a copy of this item.
Publication Types: Books, Reports, Papers, and Research Articles
Topics: Drone Radar; Rural Highways; Speed Control; Work Zones

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