Evaluation of Work Zone Split Traffic Symbol Sign Final Report

Effective signage that is easily understood facilitates safe driving through a work zone. While the guidance for work zone signage in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) is suitable for many conditions, there may be instances where alternative signage may be more effective at enhancing safety. This project evaluated the use of alternative signage for closure of a middle lane in a freeway work zone on a bridge rehabilitation project on I-170 in St. Louis, Missouri. The alternative signage displays the lane arrangement in a single sign, while the MUTCD recommends using two signs to direct the movements to the left and the right sides of the work area. The evaluation of the alternative signage included stakeholder and driver surveys, operational and safety analyses, and the collection and analysis of field videos to assess driver behavior. The full report for this project is available online at https://intrans.iastate.edu/app/uploads/2018/08/work_zone_split_traffic_symbol_sign_w_cvr.pdf