Countermeasures to Reduce Truck-Mounted Attenuator (TMA) Crashes: A State-of-the-Art Review
To support worker and driver safety, this study conducted a comprehensive literature review to identify methods of enhancing TMA visibility, improving work zone configurations, and ensuring worker safety. To increase TMA recognition, this study observed that the use of a 6-to-8-inch wide yellow and...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-05-01
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| Series: | Future Transportation |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7590/2/2/24 |
| _version_ | 1797487245277528064 |
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| author | Olugbemi Mosunmola Aroke Ikechukwu Sylvester Onuchukwu Behzad Esmaeili Alejandra Medina Flintsch |
| author_facet | Olugbemi Mosunmola Aroke Ikechukwu Sylvester Onuchukwu Behzad Esmaeili Alejandra Medina Flintsch |
| author_sort | Olugbemi Mosunmola Aroke |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | To support worker and driver safety, this study conducted a comprehensive literature review to identify methods of enhancing TMA visibility, improving work zone configurations, and ensuring worker safety. To increase TMA recognition, this study observed that the use of a 6-to-8-inch wide yellow and black inverted ‘V’ pattern of retroreflective chevron markings, sloped at a 45-degree angle downward in both directions from the upper center of a rear panel is effective in alerting drivers to work zones. This study also recommends applying amber and white warning LEDs, which flash in an asynchronous pattern at a 1 Hz frequency and are mounted against a solid-colored background for a 360-degree view visible at least 1500 feet from the work zone. In addition, a work zone vehicle configuration consisting of a lead, buffer, and advance warning truck with a buffer space between 100 and 150 ft is suggested to reduce the risk of lateral intrusions and TMA roll-ahead. In parallel, workers should wear high-visibility vests noticeable at a minimum distance of 1000 feet and headwear with at least 10 square inches of retroreflective material. Some intelligent transport systems are also suggested to enhance TMA recognition and potentially minimize work zone fatalities. Application of the recommended guidelines will potentially improve current practices and significantly reduce the occurrence of TMA crashes in construction and maintenance work zones. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T23:45:54Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-88fe13e1216f4e0493826dbb01d051cb |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2673-7590 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T23:45:54Z |
| publishDate | 2022-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Future Transportation |
| spelling | doaj.art-88fe13e1216f4e0493826dbb01d051cb2023-11-23T16:43:55ZengMDPI AGFuture Transportation2673-75902022-05-012242545210.3390/futuretransp2020024Countermeasures to Reduce Truck-Mounted Attenuator (TMA) Crashes: A State-of-the-Art ReviewOlugbemi Mosunmola Aroke0Ikechukwu Sylvester Onuchukwu1Behzad Esmaeili2Alejandra Medina Flintsch3Sid and Reva Dewberry Department of Civil, Environmental and Infrastructure Engineering, George Mason University, Nguyen Engineering Bldg., Suite 2622, Fairfax, VA 22030, USASid and Reva Dewberry Department of Civil, Environmental and Infrastructure Engineering, George Mason University, Nguyen Engineering Bldg., Suite 2622, Fairfax, VA 22030, USASid and Reva Dewberry Department of Civil, Environmental and Infrastructure Engineering, George Mason University, Nguyen Engineering Bldg., Suite 2622, Fairfax, VA 22030, USAVirginia Tech Transportation Institute, Virginia Tech University, 3500 Transportation Research Plaza, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USATo support worker and driver safety, this study conducted a comprehensive literature review to identify methods of enhancing TMA visibility, improving work zone configurations, and ensuring worker safety. To increase TMA recognition, this study observed that the use of a 6-to-8-inch wide yellow and black inverted ‘V’ pattern of retroreflective chevron markings, sloped at a 45-degree angle downward in both directions from the upper center of a rear panel is effective in alerting drivers to work zones. This study also recommends applying amber and white warning LEDs, which flash in an asynchronous pattern at a 1 Hz frequency and are mounted against a solid-colored background for a 360-degree view visible at least 1500 feet from the work zone. In addition, a work zone vehicle configuration consisting of a lead, buffer, and advance warning truck with a buffer space between 100 and 150 ft is suggested to reduce the risk of lateral intrusions and TMA roll-ahead. In parallel, workers should wear high-visibility vests noticeable at a minimum distance of 1000 feet and headwear with at least 10 square inches of retroreflective material. Some intelligent transport systems are also suggested to enhance TMA recognition and potentially minimize work zone fatalities. Application of the recommended guidelines will potentially improve current practices and significantly reduce the occurrence of TMA crashes in construction and maintenance work zones.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7590/2/2/24truck-mounted attenuatorsrear-end crasheswork zone protectionsmart TMA recognitionintelligent transport systemsautonomous mobility |
| spellingShingle | Olugbemi Mosunmola Aroke Ikechukwu Sylvester Onuchukwu Behzad Esmaeili Alejandra Medina Flintsch Countermeasures to Reduce Truck-Mounted Attenuator (TMA) Crashes: A State-of-the-Art Review Future Transportation truck-mounted attenuators rear-end crashes work zone protection smart TMA recognition intelligent transport systems autonomous mobility |
| title | Countermeasures to Reduce Truck-Mounted Attenuator (TMA) Crashes: A State-of-the-Art Review |
| title_full | Countermeasures to Reduce Truck-Mounted Attenuator (TMA) Crashes: A State-of-the-Art Review |
| title_fullStr | Countermeasures to Reduce Truck-Mounted Attenuator (TMA) Crashes: A State-of-the-Art Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Countermeasures to Reduce Truck-Mounted Attenuator (TMA) Crashes: A State-of-the-Art Review |
| title_short | Countermeasures to Reduce Truck-Mounted Attenuator (TMA) Crashes: A State-of-the-Art Review |
| title_sort | countermeasures to reduce truck mounted attenuator tma crashes a state of the art review |
| topic | truck-mounted attenuators rear-end crashes work zone protection smart TMA recognition intelligent transport systems autonomous mobility |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7590/2/2/24 |
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