Analysis of Speed Profiles and Evaluation of Dynamic Signs in Kansas Work Zones

Cunningham IV, Jack R; Anderson, Samantha M; Fitzsimmons, Eric J.; Nye, Benjamin G. · 2021 · ROSA P / Kansas Department of Transportation. Bureau of Research

archive: archived pipeline: cataloged verified

Get this paper ↗ (full text — opens at the source; we link to it, we don't host it)

Summary

This study addresses the persistent safety challenges in roadway work zones, where motorists frequently fail to comply with reduced speed limits, contributing to fatalities and significant economic losses. Motivated by data indicating that vehicle speed is a primary factor in work zone crashes—which cost the construction industry up to $3.5 billion annually—the research evaluates the effectiveness of dynamic speed signs in reducing vehicle speeds. The study also investigates methodological approaches for analyzing speed data, specifically comparing individual vehicle tracking against aggregate data evaluation. The research was conducted across three distinct work zones in Kansas between September 2017 and December 2019. Work Zone 1 served as a control site to test a computer program designed to trace individual vehicles through the zone. Work Zones 2 and 3 were equipped with dynamic speed signs to assess their impact on driver behavior. Data collection involved traffic counters placed at various points within each zone to capture speed profiles during both daytime and nighttime conditions. The methodology compared the efficacy of the computer-based vehicle tracing method against overall data evaluation techniques. Additionally, the study analyzed speed compliance across different vehicle classifications, including passenger cars and tractor-trailer trucks. The findings revealed that evaluating overall vehicle data was more effective for determining speed profiles than using the computer program to track individual vehicles. Regarding the dynamic speed signs, both Work Zones 2 and 3 demonstrated reductions in vehicle speeds after the signs were installed. However, the speed reductions in Work Zone 3 were more effective, bringing vehicle speeds closer to the posted speed limit compared to Work Zone 2. The analysis of vehicle types indicated that passenger cars were the most likely to exceed work zone speed limits, followed by tractor-trailer trucks. These results highlight that while dynamic signs can influence driver behavior, their effectiveness varies by location and vehicle type. The significance of this research lies in its contribution to work zone safety management and traffic control strategies. By demonstrating that dynamic speed signs can reduce speeds, particularly when calibrated effectively as seen in Work Zone 3, the study supports the implementation of such technologies to mitigate crash risks. Furthermore, the methodological conclusion that aggregate data evaluation is superior to individual vehicle tracking for this type of analysis provides guidance for future traffic engineering studies. The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions, as passenger vehicles remain the primary group violating speed limits, suggesting that enforcement and signage strategies should prioritize this demographic to enhance overall work zone safety.

Key finding

Dynamic speed signs effectively reduced vehicle speeds in Kansas work zones, with passenger cars being the most frequent violators of speed limits.

Methodology

field_study

Provenance

The full processing record for this entry. Every stage of this paper's journey through the pipeline is logged — what ran, with which tool and model, how many attempts it took, and when it last completed. Discovered via bulk_ingest_rosap on 2026-05-23 (6 acquisition events logged).

Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-10; verification: verified.

Topics

Ranked by relevance to this paper. Hover a topic for its definition.

• work zones
• speed management
• speed choice
• perceptual countermeasures
• emergency work zone conspicuity