Comprehensive Study on CMV Safety Using ITS in Work Zones on Freeways and Arterials

Jeihani, Mansoureh; Khadem, Nashid; Taherpour, Abolfazl; Kabir, Muhib; Ardeshiri, Anam · 2023 · ROSA P / Morgan State University. Urban Mobility & Equity Center

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Summary

This study addresses the heightened safety risks Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMVs) face in highway work zones, where factors such as larger vehicle size, slower acceleration, and expanded blind spots increase crash susceptibility. Motivated by the lack of comprehensive evaluations of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and emerging technologies in this context, the research aims to assess the impact of various warning measures—specifically static signs, ITS devices, Connected and Autonomous Vehicle (CAV) technologies, and Autonomous Vehicle (AV) technologies—on CMV operator driving behavior. The researchers employed a driving simulator environment to evaluate these countermeasures. Over 50 participants drove a simulated network featuring three distinct work zones: a highway with two lanes closed, a highway with one lane closed, and an arterial with one lane closed. The experimental design included 20 scenarios that varied traffic patterns, lighting conditions (daytime, nighttime), and weather (dry, rainy, foggy). The study analyzed specific driving metrics, including vehicle speed, brake use, throttle application, longitudinal jerk, and lateral movement, to determine how different warning systems influenced driver responses. The findings indicate that the presence of any signs or warnings significantly improved driver behavior compared to scenarios with no warnings. However, the type of warning system dictated the nature of the response. Static signs elicited more reactive behavior from drivers. In contrast, ITS and CAV technologies encouraged proactive responses, allowing drivers to adjust their behavior earlier and more smoothly. Furthermore, when AV technology was introduced, CMVs demonstrated a quicker return to normal driving conditions regarding speed adjustment and lane changing after passing through the work zone. The study also noted that heavy traffic and adverse weather conditions, such as rainy nights, exacerbated the challenges of navigating work zones, though advanced technologies mitigated some of these risks. The significance of this research lies in its demonstration that integrating CAV and AV technologies into CMVs serves as a valuable tool for enhancing highway safety, particularly within work zone areas. By shifting driver behavior from reactive to proactive, these technologies can help reduce the severity and frequency of crashes involving large trucks and buses. The study provides empirical evidence supporting the deployment of advanced warning systems and autonomous features as effective countermeasures for the unique safety challenges posed by CMVs in construction zones.

Key finding

Intelligent transportation systems and connected/autonomous vehicle technologies encourage proactive driving responses and faster recovery to normal driving conditions in work zones compared to static signs.

Methodology

simulator

Sample size: 50

Provenance

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

Topics

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• work zones
• emergency work zone conspicuity
• perceptual countermeasures

Information type

What kind of knowledge this paper contributes, grouped by family — independent of topic (what it is about) and method (how it was studied).

• Applied Guidance: countermeasure evaluation
• Empirical Findings: crash risk outcomes, observational prevalence