A biomechanical analysis and evaluation of highly mobile longitudinal work zone barriers.

摘要

Between 2001 and 2005 the number of persons killed and injured in motor vehicle accidents in highway work zones averaged 1,068 and 40,000 per year, respectively. Approximately 85% of the fatalities were vehicle occupants, leaving the remaining 15% to be pedestrians, many of which were highway workers. While adequate protection is available for workers in long-term work zones, until recently, positive protection was not available to protect workers in short-term work zones. The development of highly mobile barriers (HMB) has met this need. The purpose of this research was to evaluate and develop ways to improve work zone safety for those working in the work zone. This was accomplished through work zone injury analysis, evaluation of three types of HMBs, and development of objective methods to aid in work zone safety planning.;Epidemiological and statistical analyses were performed on work zone injury data. Trends in work zone injury frequency and severity were identified. Additionally, work zone parameters found to have a significant effect on injury severity (via logistic and Poisson regression analysis) were combined to create the Risk Index, a metric capable of measuring and comparing the risk of injury at work zones. The parameters included in the Risk Index were work zone duration, location, worker activity type, and time of day.;Three HMBs, the Balsi Beam, steel barriers, and water-filled barriers, were evaluated by their ability to protect workers and reduce risk in short-term and temporary highway work zones. Simple dynamic models were created for the HMBs using multi-, rigid-body approximations. Crash tests were simulated to assess the validity of each model in estimating barrier deflection. While the simulated barrier deflection was conservative compared to measured deflection, the dynamic models offer an acceptable tool for work zone protection evaluation. Following validation, additional simulations were performed to illustrate the potential uses of the models.;The combination of injury and behavior data provides a thorough evaluation of the costs and benefits associated with HMB protection. Such an analysis is an important part of risk assessment, as it provides the means for objective decisions regarding HMB placement and work zone safety planning.