Driver's comfort level in construction zones with reduced transition taper length: case study for Pakistani conditions

There are no detailed specifications for work zone (WZ) traffic control plan in Pakistan whereas MUTCD in the US provides for very detailed traffic control plans for WZs. Pakistan needs to develop its specifications by adopting in-practice standards to its conditions. This study aims at analysis of comfort level with reduction in taper length in Pakistani WZ conditions. A web based survey was conducted with 108 participants to assess drivers’ comfort level if taper length is reduced on motorways and highways by 0%, 10%, 29%, 30% and 40%. It focused on people having driving experience in Pakistan and US. It was concluded that age was a significant factor for 20% and 30% reduction in the taper length for motorways and for 10% reduction for highways. Driving experience in Pakistan was a significant factor for 30% and 40% reduction for motorways but not for highways. People from higher age groups and people having Pakistani driving experience of more than 10 years were over represented in uncomfortable category. Province of residence in Pakistan was a significant factor for 10% and 20% reduction on taper length on motorways and for 20% and 40% reductions on the highways. State of residence and driving experience in the US were not significant factors. For reductions up to 20%, majority of drivers was either in “comfortable category” or in “neither comfortable nor uncomfortable category”. However, for 30% reduction majority was in “uncomfortable category”. Average comfort level for respondents on motorways is greater than that on highways for reduction up to 30%. A 20% reduction in taper length brings the average comfort level to 3.108 for motorways and 2.891 for highways, whereas a value of 3 indicates “neither comfortable nor uncomfortable”. A 30% reduction in taper length brings the average comfort level to 2.439 for motorways and 2.241 for highways. Finally, a reduction of 25% in taper length is recommended for motorways and highways and it is suggested to study this recommendation in Pakistani work zones at those sites where the safety of motorist is not compromised.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Civil Engineering

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2011

Author dc:creator

• Khan, Riaz A.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Benekohal, Rahim F.

• Work zone
• Taper Length
• Pakistan

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2011 Riaz A. Khan

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/26134

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/26134