United States Department of Transportation
i
Investigation of truck mounted attenuator (TMA) crashes in work zones in Virginia.
-
2015-10-01
[PDF-1014.87 KB]
Details:
-
Creators:
-
Corporate Creators:
-
Corporate Contributors:
-
Subject/TRT Terms:
-
Publication/ Report Number:
-
Resource Type:
-
Geographical Coverage:
-
Corporate Publisher:
-
Abstract:Truck mounted attenuators (TMAs) are deployed on shadow vehicles in work zones to mitigate the effects of errant
vehicles that strike the shadow vehicle, either by smoothly decelerating the vehicle to a stop when hit head-on or by redirecting
the errant vehicle. The purpose of this study was to investigate crashes involving TMAs in work zones in Virginia. The
objectives of the study were (1) to review trends over the last 3 to 5 years in crashes involving TMAs including a measure of
traffic exposure such as the frequency of work zones using TMAs; and (2) to identify the causal factors of crashes in work zones
where TMAs are involved.
An email survey of Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and contractor staff was administered to obtain
information on the opinions of field forces with regard to the use of TMAs in work zones and their safety in mobile and lane
closure operations. Crashes involving TMAs from 2011-2014 in Virginia were compiled and analyzed.
Based on the survey results, driver inattention/behavior, road geometrics/sight distance, mobile operations, and not
following the Virginia Work Area Protection Manual are possible contributing factors for TMA crashes. TMA crashes increased
from 2011-2014, and most of these crashes occurred on the interstate. A majority of TMA crashes occurred in VDOT’s Northern
Virginia, Hampton Roads, and Richmond districts. A typical TMA crash involved a contractor TMA vehicle that was struck from
the rear by a male driving a passenger vehicle. TMA crashes accounted for less than 1% of all work zone crashes in Virginia
from 2011-2014. There is no clear-cut solution to resolving TMA crashes. Although they represent a small number of crashes
compared to the overall number of work zones crashes, most of them affect at least two people: the motorist striking the TMA
vehicle and the TMA operator.
The study offers a number of recommendations to reduce the incidence of TMA-involved crashes. First, VDOT should
require TMA operator training. Second, VDOT’s Traffic Engineering Division should share the information with regard to TMA
crash experience with the VDOT regions, with particular emphasis on the regions with the highest number of crashes. In addition,
VDOT’s Traffic Engineering Division should review the benefits of having the first TMA vehicle in a travel lane straddling the
lane, as opposed to being fully in the lane, and the spacing of TMA vehicles near ramps during mobile operations. Finally,
VDOT should consider working with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles and/or others on media and outreach campaigns
for distracted driving and include mobile work zones for safer work zones.
-
Format:
-
Funding:
-
Collection(s):
-
Main Document Checksum:
-
Download URL:
-
File Type:
