Sight Distance Requirements at Lane Closure Work Zones on Urban Freeways

Richards, Stephen H.; Dudek, Conrad L.

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Sight Distance Requirements at Lane Closure Work Zones on Urban Freeways

1981-04-01
By Richards, Stephen H. ; Dudek, Conrad L.

File Language:

English

Details

Creators:

Richards, Stephen H. ; Dudek, Conrad L.
Corporate Creators:

Texas Transportation Institute. Texas A&M University
Corporate Contributors:

Texas State Department of Highways and Public Transportation ; United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Highway Administration
Subject/TRT Terms:

Arrows (Signals) Freeway Operations Lane Closure Maintenance Sight Distance Signs Traffic Control Work Zones
Publication/ Report Number:

FHWA/TX-81/29+228-7
Resource Type:

Tech Report
Geographical Coverage:

Texas ; United States
Edition:

Interim: September 1977- April 1981
Corporate Publisher:

Texas Transportation Institute. Texas A&M University
Abstract:

This report presents the findings of field studies conducted to evaluate the effects of sight distance to lane closures at urban freeway work zones. These studies investigated the interaction of sight distance with traffic volume and various work zone traffic control features (e.g., advance signing and arrowboards). The studies were/conducted at 16 maintenance work zones of freeways in Houston, Dallas, Ft. Worth, San Antonio and Corpus Christi, Texas. The studies revealed that as sight distance to a lane closure decreases, more and more drivers are "trapped" in the closed lane at the taper area. Also, sight distance is more critical as traffic volumes increase. Based on the study findings, a minimum desirable sight distance of 1500 feet was recommended for lane closure work zones on freeways. The studies also suggested that advance signing for lane closures is only partially effective. Arrowboards were found to be effective traffic control devices for lane closures where the sight distance is adequate, as they encourage early lane changing.
Format:

PDF
Funding:

2-18-78-228
Collection(s):

US Transportation Collection
Main Document Checksum:

urn:sha-512:61cd48a32f51e49f6882e64b4f5bd3936efbfe77f654f20a7fac1d2132a19ca9e650702992ec67da61e60a368cec8f92ede8d3adec692c9bed24f3ab0c520564
Download URL:

https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/85682/dot_85682_DS1.pdf
File Type:

[PDF - 926.13 KB ]

File Language:

English

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