Abstract
A prototype work zone interconnected flashing warning hics. light system was tested in this thesis research that was conducted in coordination with an ongoing research project by the Texas Transportation Institute (TT1) for Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). Prior to full-scale field testing, proving ground studies were conducted at the TTI Proving Ground facility with 59 subjects to determine if this system encouraged motorists to leave a closed lane without causing confusion and its likely effectiveness in encouraging earlier lane-changing upstream of a lane closure compared to a standard lane closure. The studies simulated a work zone with a left lane closure. The following treatments in conjunction with an arrow panel were examined at two approach speeds, 30 mph and 65 mpb: 1) no lights, 2) steady-burn lights, 3) steady-burn lights with a flash rate of 60 lashes/min., 4) no lights with a flash rate of 17 flashes/min., and 5) no lights with a flash rate of 60 flashes/min. Compared with the standard lane closure, the warning light system did not encourage earlier lane-changing upstream of the lane closure. The reactions of the subjects showed that the system did encourage subjects to leave the closed lane without causing confusion. The subjects' ranking of the five treatments studied from the best treatment to the worst treatment: Steady-burn lights with a flash rate of 60 flashes/min.; Steady-burn lights; No lights with a flash rate of 17 flashes/min; no lights with a flash rate of 60 flashes/min; and no lights
Finley, Melisa Dayle (1999). Study of an interconnected flashing warning light system for work zone lane closures. Master's thesis, Texas A&M University. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /ETD -TAMU -1999 -THESIS -F56.