Report Result

TRP-03-158-05

Karla Lechtenberg (Polivka), Ronald Faller, John Rohde, Jim Holloway, Dean Sicking

PUBLICATION DATE

2005-03-08

ABSTRACT

A wide variety of traffic controlling devices are used in work zones, some of which are not normally found on the roadside nor in the traveled way outside of the work zones. These devices are used to enhance the safety of the work zones by controlling the traffic through these areas. Due to the placement of the traffic control devices, the devices themselves may be potentially hazardous to both workers and errant vehicles. The impact performance of many unique work-zone traffic control devices is mainly unknown and to date limited crash testing has been conducted, under the criteria of National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report No. 350, Recommended Procedures for the Safety Performance Evaluation of Highway Features. The objective of the study was to evaluate the safety performance of a portable sign support through full-scale crash testing. One full-scale crash test was conducted on a ground-mounted, single-post portable sign support to determine its safety performance according to the Test Level 3 (TL-3) criteria set forth in the NCHRP Report No. 350. The impact on the portable sign support resulted in unacceptable safety performance. Following the unacceptable performance of the sign support, developmental and compliant bogie tests were conducted on a modified design. The bogie test impacts resulted in acceptable safety performance according to the TL-3 criteria. The result of the crash tests were documented, and conclusions and recommendations pertaining to the safety performance of the work-zone traffic control device were made.

KEYWORDS

Highway Safety, Portable Sign Supports, Ground-Mounted Sign Post, Single-Post, Work-Zone Safety, Roadside Appurtenances, Crash Test, Compliance Test

REPORT

TRP-03-158-05.pdf