NCHRP 20-7
Proposed Research Needs Statement
Subcommittee on Systems Operations and Management
Chairperson Scott Rawlins, Nevada DOT
National Traffic Incident Management Coalition
Chairperson John Corbin
March 27, 2009
Research Needs Assessment for Roadside Worker and Vehicle Visibility
BACKGROUND / NEEDS STATEMENT
In 2007, there were 835 work zone fatalities; this figure represents 2 percent of all roadway
fatalities and 7 percent of the total number of fatal occupational injuries for the year. Over four
out of every five-work zone fatalities were motorists. In addition, there are over 40,000 injuries
in work zones.
The visibility of vehicles and personnel at roadway emergency, incident, construction, and
maintenance zones remains a key area of disparity among incident response disciplines at the
state, regional, and local level.
In a time of increasing scrutiny on research funding, a national effort to capture the current
knowledge base related to vehicle and personnel visibility at planned and unplanned events on
roadways is prudent. The National Traffic Incident Management Coalition (NTIMC) is
implementing the National Unified Goal (NUG) for Traffic Incident Management; which is
responder safety, safe quick clearance, and interoperable communications. Within this NUG
framework, the National Incident Management System (NIMS) provides a common framework
for command and communications during emergency incidents. Lacking is a common
understanding and agreement on a framework optimizing the visibility of roadway emergency
responders, workers and vehicles within emergency and work zones.
To avoid redundancy and maximize efficiency of limited funds for research; the project would
develop a multidisciplinary research program, and maintain accountability for progress towards
meeting the recommended program. Emergency responder and roadside worker safety could be
enhanced through the identification of more consistently effective roadside visibility techniques,
technologies, and tactics. In addition, the safety of highway travelers will be improved as
secondary crashes are avoided.
LITERATURE SEARCH
A brief literature search was performed. Selected references are attached.
RESEARCH OBJECTIVE
The objective of this research is to develop:
 a multidisciplinary, national research program to develop a framework for visibility of
roadway emergency responders, workers and vehicles within emergency and work zones
similar to the existing NUG framework for command and communications,
 a research implementation roadmap, plan and schedule to develop the framework,
 research project accountability tracking methods and measures for achieving the
framework.
WORK TASKS
Tasks anticipated in this project include the following:
1. Literature review and synthesis of completed and active research on visibility of vehicles and
personnel at construction, maintenance, and emergency scenes. Human factors research for
workzones should be included.
2. Develop a strawman research roadmap and program for roadside worker, responder safety,
and conspicuity.
3. Conduct a 1-2 day workshop to identify gaps, needs, and opportunities within the strawman.
4. Summarize a final research roadmap and program to guide efforts within NCHRP, SHRP2,
USFA, as well as state, regional, and local research programs.
Follow on.
Complete 1-year and 2-year implementation status reports within SSOM leadership and the
NTIMC to maintain accountability for progress.
URGENCY
Completion of this research will allow for effective and coordinated use of SHRP2, NCHRP, and
USFA funds allocated for use over the next few years. The NTIMC and the NUG provide
mechanisms by which multidisciplinary incident response stakeholders have agreed collaborate;
a coordinated research agenda and measures of accountability will take advantage of the recent
momentum gained.
FUNDING REQUESTED AND TIME REQUIRED
It is estimated that this research will take 9 months to complete and will require $90,000.
Task/Month
1
2
3
4
May
June
July
Project Timeline
Aug
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
April
CONTACT PERSONS
John Corbin
Bureau of Highway Operations
4802 Sheboygan Avenue
Madison, WI 53707-7986
608-266-0459
John.corbin@dot.state.wi.us
Brett Graves
1710 SAIC Drive
M/S T1-12-3
McLean, VA, 22102
703-676-6794
Brett.o.graves@saic.com
Larry Orcutt
California Department of Transportation
P.O. Box 942873
Sacramento, CA, 94273-0001
916-654-8877
larry_orcutt@dot.ca.gov
Selected Results of Literature Search
Graham, J. L., Migletz, J., Loumiet, J. R., Hinch, J., Stout, D., and Lerner, N. (Unpublished)
Maintenance Work Zone Safety. Available at http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/shrp/SHRP89-001.pdf
Stout, D., Graham, J., Bryant-Fields, B., Migletz, J., Fish, J., Hanscom, F. (1993) Maintenance
Work Zone Safety Devices Development and Evaluation. Available at
http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/shrp/SHRP-H-371.pdf
MacLeod, E. N., and Chiarella, M. (1994) Automated Vehicle for Enhanced Work Crew Safety.
Available at http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/shrp/SHRP-H-676.pdf
Christianson, K., Greenhouse, D., Cohn, T., Kim, R. Y., and Chow, C., (2008). Work Zone Safety
Improvements Through Enhanced Warning Signal Devices. Available at
http://www.path.berkeley.edu/PATH/Publications/PDF/PRR/2008/PRR-2008-03.pdf
Arditi, D., Shi, J., Ayrancioglu, M., and Lee, D-E. (2003) Nighttime Construction: Evaluation Of
Worker Safety Issues. Illinois Institute of Technology. Available at
http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/24000/24800/24804/VD-H2_FY00_01.pdf
Bryden, J. E., and Mace, D. (2002) NCHRP Report 476, “Guidelines for Design and Operation
of Nighttime Traffic Control for Highway Maintenance and Construction.” Washington, DC:
TRB, National Academics. Available at http://trb.org
Sant, Brad (May-June 2007) High-Tech Work Zones. Transportation Builder Vol.19 No.3. P.1316
Hass, Karen (2006) Example Strategies for Building Stronger State Traffic Incident Management
Programs. National Traffic Incident Management Coalition. Available at
http://www.transportation.org/sites/ntimc/docs/Institutional%20Models.pdf