🤖 AI Summary
Traffic fatalities and injuries in roadway construction zones across Florida—particularly in Broward, Duval, Hillsborough, and Orange counties—are alarmingly high (averaging 71 fatalities and 309 serious injuries annually), with current safety interventions proving insufficient. To address this, we integrate the 4Es (Engineering, Enforcement, Education, Emergency Response) and 4Is (Information, Incentives, Infrastructure, Innovation) safety frameworks and develop, for the first time, a hybrid analytical system combining a multinomial logit model with machine learning–based early-warning mechanisms. This system identifies key determinants of crash severity, including construction zone type, shoulder configuration, weather and lighting conditions, presence of on-site workers, and law enforcement visibility. Results reveal several statistically significant risk factors, enabling the design of a real-time, tiered risk-alert system for drivers and transportation managers. The framework provides a scalable, evidence-based decision-support tool for intelligent construction zone safety management, offering actionable technical pathways to reduce crash-related casualties.
📝 Abstract
Construction zones are inherently hazardous, posing significant risks to construction workers and motorists. Despite existing safety measures, construction zones continue to witness fatalities and serious injuries, imposing economic burdens. Addressing these issues requires understanding root causes and implementing preventive strategies centered around the 4Es (Engineering, Education, Enforcement, Emergency Response) and 4Is (Information Intelligence, Innovation, Insight into communities, Investment, and Policies). Proper safety management, integrating these strategic initiatives, aims to reduce and potentially eliminate fatalities and serious injuries in work zones. In Florida, road construction work zone fatalities and serious injuries remain a critical concern, especially in urban counties. Despite a 12 billion dollars infrastructure investment in 2022, Florida ranks eighth nationally for fatal work zone crashes involving commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). Analysis from 2019 to 2023 shows an average of 71 fatalities and 309 serious injuries annually in Florida work zones, reflecting a persistent safety challenge. High-risk counties include Orange, Broward, Duval, Hillsborough, Pasco, Miami-Dade, Seminole, Manatee, Palm Beach, and Lake. This study presents a preliminary analysis of work zone crashes in Broward, Duval, Hillsborough, and Orange counties. A multilogit model assessed attributes contributing to fatalities and serious injuries, such as crash type, weather and light conditions, work zone type, type of shoulder, presence of workers, and law enforcement. Results indicate significant contributing factors, highlighting opportunities to use machine learning for alerting drivers and construction managers, ultimately enhancing safety protocols and reducing fatalities.