QuickZone is a work zone delay estimation software program developed by the United States Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) designed to quantify work zone impacts in terms of queues, user delay, travel behavior and costs. FHWA contracted with Mitretek Systems, a non-profit scientific and engineering research corporation, contracted to develop QuickZone. In 2001, the Nova Scotia Department of Transportation and Public Works acquired a beta version of QuickZone from Mitretek Systems to beta-test and provide feedback on various aspects of the look, feel and use. QuickZone is one of the first analytical tools that allow for quick and flexible estimation of impacts to motorists due to roadway construction. QuickZone allows users to 1) Quantify corridor delay resulting from capacity decreases in work zones; 2) Identify delay impacts of alternative project plans; and 3) Support tradeoff analyses between construction costs and delay costs. The software support all four phases of the project development process including policy, planning, design and operation. The Nova Scotia Department of Transportation and Public Works has been using QuickZone software to help analyze a number of construction projects where traffic delays were expected to have a significant impact on its highway users. In addition, the Department has been a key partner in development process by providing feedback to the software developers to help them improve the software and its application. This paper will address three topics. First the paper will describe the development of the software, its intended uses and the role of the Department in the software development process. Second, the paper will outline several case studies from Nova Scotia where QuickZone has been used to assist in the planning of highway improvement projects. Finally, the paper will provide some guidance on how QuickZone can be applied in other Provinces throughout Canada.
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