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88 CHAPTER 4: Conclusions and Suggested Research 4.1 Conclusions WZITs provide an opportunity to prevent and mitigate vehicle intrusions into roadway work zones. As a result, WZITs provide an opportunity to prevent work zone crashes and, as a result, eliminate driver and worker injuries and fatalities. The potential for WZITs to greatly improve safety in work zones, and the successes that have been achieved from their implementation so far, motivate further investigation, adoption, and implementation of these technologies. The present study identified 28 potential WZITs that could be used to improve worker and motorist safety in a roadway work zone. These technologies can be used to: warn workers and drivers of a potential intrusion; provide a barrier to prevent an intrusion; detect and alert drivers and workers during an intrusion; and protect workers and drivers following an intrusion. Of the 28 technologies, 15 WZITs are considered to be mature and ready to use on roadway projects. These technologies, along with their availability status, include: 1. Connected and autonomous vehicles [research and development] 2. Automated equipment with TMA [research and development] 3. Mobile barrier [available] 4. Automated flagger with intrusion alert [available] 5. UAS for signage [research and development] 6. Intrusion alert system with equipment-mounted sensor (e.g., AWARE) [research and development / some applications available] 7. Intrusion alert system with cone/barrel-mounted sensor (e.g., SonoBlaster) [available] 8. Intrusion alert system with networked cone/barrel-mounted sensor (e.g., Intellicone) [available] 9. Intrusion alert system with pneumatic tube sensor (e.g., WAS) [available] 10. Intrusion detection with Bluetooth [research and development] 11. Intrusion detection with computer vision and ranging (e.g., SmartCone) [research and development] 12. Queue warning system with networked cone/barrel sensor (e.g., iCone System) [available] 13. Dynamic/changeable message sign and speed enforcement [available] 14. Wearable lighting (e.g., Halo Lightâ¢) [available] 15. Smart watches/bracelets [research and development] Although these WZITs have shown significant potential, knowledge of technologies that could be used for preventing and/or mitigating work zone intrusions is limited across the industry. Results from the survey conducted indicated that approximately half of the WZITs that are available are not well known by half of those knowledgeable about roadway construction. In addition, over half of the DOTs and industry organizations surveyed indicated that their organization does not currently use WZITs on roadway projects. For those organizations that use one or more of the WZITs, more than 50% use DMS and wearable lighting.
89 To increase adoption throughout the industry, greater effort and resources are needed to educate industry personnel about the available WZITs. As noted above, additional resources outside of specific projects may need to be allocated by state DOTs for a technology awareness/training program to support the adoption process. The program should target those WZITs for which there is a low level of familiarity within DOT and contractor personnel. Figure 3.4 can be used to suggest which WZITs to focus on based on the present level of familiarity. One factor that impacts the desire to adopt a WZIT is its effectiveness in preventing and mitigating work zone intrusions. The findings reveal that individuals who have experience using WZITs view many of the available WZITs as highly effective. Those rated high in terms of effectiveness include positive protection measures (e.g., automated equipment with TMA, and mobile barrier), as well as selected intrusion detection and alert systems (e.g., automated flagger with intrusion alert, UAS for signage, equipment-mounted IAS, and intrusion detection with computer vision and ranging). These WZITs are capable of performing different functions associated with an intrusion. However, preventing and mitigating work zone intrusions requires performing a variety of functions before, during, and after an intrusion occurs. Therefore, given the present limitations of each of the technologies, fulfilling all of these functions requires implementation of a suite of diverse WZITs rather than one single WZIT. Successful development of new WZITs and enhancement of current WZITs require, in part, an understanding of the factors that are considered important when technology owners/users decide whether to adopt the technology. Importantly, the technology must reliably perform the function that it is designed for. Technology-based factors are held as the top priority. The technology must also meet the needs and resources of the organization and have support from upper management within the organization. Following adoption, operations-based strategies are viewed as the most essential to ensure successful implementation of the adopted WZITs. Information extracted from the literature review, industry-wide survey, and interviews involving employees from six state DOTs (Alabama, California, Colorado, Minnesota, Oregon, Texas, and Virginia) and one contractor were utilized to develop six case examples highlighting the technology characteristics, application and usage details, implementation plan, and user evaluation of WZIT effectiveness. The case studies indicate that most WZITs are promising and could be used to improve worker safety in roadway work zones. However, the case studies also highlighted the need for additional regulations and standards (guidelines/requirements) to support the effective implementation of WZITs. The research team developed a guide to support the implementation of WZITs on roadway maintenance and construction projects. The guide contains critical information on work zone safety and intrusions, a catalog summarizing the potential applications of different WZITs, and a description of a practical web-based DSS developed by the researchers. The DSS was created using Googleâs Webapps feature, and consists of two sections - the selection criteria section and the applicable technologies section. The selection criteria section consists of a group of selection drop boxes that enable the user to specify various constraints or conditions that they would like the technology to meet. By specifying such technology requirements, the DSS presents the technologies that meet the requirements.
90 Finally, the researchers evaluated the usefulness and effectiveness of the research products (WZIT guide and DSS) using insights from SMEs. Results received from the evaluation process indicate that the products are easy to understand and should provide value to contractors and DOT employees involved in roadway operations. The study provides a comprehensive synthesis and evaluation of technologies that prevent and/or mitigate intrusions into work zones. The practical insights gained are applicable to the construction and maintenance work performed by all DOTs. It is expected implementing the results and products of the research, and by paying close and continued attention to the protection of workers and prevention of work zone intrusions, further motorist and worker injuries and fatalities can be eliminated. 4.2 Suggested Research This research identified a few gaps in existing literature and practice that warrant further investigation. Opportunities for future WZIT research are described below: ⢠First, there is a need to encourage research focused on assessing the effectiveness and feasibility of using WZITs. Although FHWA and state DOTs have supported some studies on WZITs, there is little to no empirical information on the effectiveness and utility of several emerging WZITs, e.g., intrusion detection with computer vision and ranging; UAS for signage; autonomous equipment; head-mounted AR display; wearable lights; and smart vests. One or more measures of effectiveness should be established and evaluated for each WZIT. The measures should be unambiguous, and highly relevant to the technology and to the DOTâs definition of effective. Responses received from participants in this study indicate that providing information on the effectiveness of WZITs in different work zone conditions will go a long way in convincing contractors to implement these technologies. Data used to evaluate effectiveness should be related to the specific locality where the WZIT is utilized. What works well in one state DOT or DOT region may not be as effective in another state DOT or DOT region due to differences in local practices, resource availability, roadway conditions, DOT and contractor capabilities, and other impacting factors. Using local data will enable adopting the optimum WZIT for a locality. ⢠Second, future studies should include assessment of the direct impact of WZITs on worker safety. That is, rather than solely depending on indirect measures of impact, researchers should experimentally examine the risk reduction attributable to each WZITs. This task could be achieved through a longitudinal study or simulating work operations in a controlled environment (immersive reality, for instance) followed by observation on live projects. ⢠Results from the study indicate that few WZITs provide multiple functionalities. Technologies with multiple features and technical attributes are more attractive to contractors and DOT employees. Vendors should endeavor to develop technologies with multiple functionality/features. For instance, technologies that warn motorist/drivers and workers simultaneously are more attractive than technologies that warn only workers. Moreover, very few WZITs have predictive capability, i.e., the ability to estimate intrusion likelihood and impact, and then make a decision about how to proceed. Developing technologies that accurately predict the potential of an intrusion, while considering the
91 roadway, traffic, and work zone characteristics is fundamental to proactive safety management. Also, WZITs should be designed to withstand the different environmental conditions present in work zones. ⢠The lack of regulations and guidelines to support the use of WZIT is a critical concern. While the MUTCD provides guidance on how to implement traditional traffic control devices, there is no guideline or regulation supporting the implementation of intrusion alert technologies. FHWA should consider incorporating intrusion alert technologies and other emerging WZITs into the MUTCD. Including these devices in the MUTCD will provide guidance which would encourage and grow the development and implementation of intrusion alert technologies and other emerging WZITs. ⢠Training workers on the use of WZITs was highlighted as a key factor that could encourage the adoption and successful implementation of WZITs. However, there are limited training materials on how to use certain WZITs, such as intrusion alert devices and automated equipment, in different work zone conditions and operations. Previous studies indicate that workers are exposed to significant safety risks when installing, moving, and removing traffic control devices. Providing effective training materials and safety risk assessment tools would equip workers to handle the inherent constraints associated with using WZITs in differing work conditions. ⢠Results from discussions with several state DOTs and contractors indicated that in most cases, a combination of WZITs would be needed to successfully mitigate the different intrusion risks workers are exposed to in roadway work zones. However, there is limited information on how to combine these technologies in such a way that safety and productivity are optimized. Therefore, future research could investigate developing tools for supporting the optimal integration of WZITs. ⢠Finally, few studies have provided information on the return on investment or cost effectiveness of WZITs. Information on the financial implications of using WZITs plays an important role in the choice to use the technology in a work zone. Although it is challenging to quantify the benefits associated with using WZIT, it is important for FHWA and state DOTs to invest in studies that provide some information on the financial implication of using these technologies.
