Ramos López, Ivelisse M.

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    Evaluación del comportamiento de los conductores y su relación con la seguridad de los trabajadores en zonas de construcción en autopistas usando un simulador de conducción
    (2022-05-20) Ramos López, Ivelisse M.; Valdés-Díaz, Didier; College of Engineering; Cruzado-Vélez, Ivette; Molina-Bas, Omar; Perdomo-Rivera, José L.; Department of Civil Engineering; Álvarez, Jaquelina E.
    Construction work zones cause changes in the geometry of roads that generate potential safety concerns for both workers and drivers. Signs and traffic control devices are placed to inform drivers about these temporary changes on the road. The number, position, and form in which these elements should be placed on the road are established by the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). Although the current signage has been used for a long time, dangerous incidents are reported that sometimes culminate in crashes that may affect both workers and drivers. The primary objective of the research presented in this document is to improve workers' and drivers' safety in work zones. To achieve this objective, the behavior of drivers and the interpretation of signs were studied both in the current situation and when implementing changes in the configuration and signage used in work zones. Two studies using mixed qualitative and quantitative methods were conducted to collect data on the knowledge, interpretation, and perception of work zone safety from a sample of 427 authorized drivers, 11 contractors, and project managers. The information obtained was used to develop signage alternatives and arrangements of traffic control devices that were subsequently evaluated using a driving simulator. In the driver simulation study, the behavior of 32 drivers was evaluated in terms of the average speed, lateral position, and acceleration noise in a highway work zone area with the presence of heavy equipment and workers. The implementation of a modified configuration of the work zone area, with new signs, added traffic control devices, and starting at a greater distance from the work zone area, was studied. The new configuration showed a significant reduction in speed before the transition area and significant stability in the lateral position in the transition area compared with the actual configuration established by the MUTCD. These results represent an improved driver behavior in the work zone. The new configuration reduces the variability in the speeds and the number of conflicting maneuvers with greater anticipation of the transition area. Consequently, providing greater safety to both workers and drivers.