USA Banner
  U.S. flag
              An official website of the United States government Here's how you knowOfficial US Government Icon
              **Official websites use .gov**A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
            Secure Site Icon
              **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                  A **lock** ( A locked padlock ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 
 U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation
 Search DOT
            Search
                    About FHWAFHWA Organization
                Headquarters Offices
                Field Offices
                Strategic Plan
                Business Opportunities
                Staff Directories
                Careers
                Highway History
                Contact UsProgramsAcquisition Management
                Civil Rights
                Federal Lands Highway
                Infrastructure
                Innovative Program Delivery
                Operations
                Planning, Environment, and Realty
                Policy
                Research, Development, and Technology
                Safety
                Browse by TopicsResourcesCore Highway Topics
                Federal Aid Essentials
                Automation
                Complete Streets
                Laws and Regulations
                Policy & Guidance Center
                Section 508
                Publications and Statistics
                Professional Development
                National Highway Institute
                Resource Center
                Accessibility Resource Library
                FHWA Research LibraryNewsroomPress Releases
                Speeches & Testimony
                Photos
                Videos
                Media ContactsMenu FHWA Highway Safety Programs Home
                        Safety
                        Safety Data Analysis & Tools
                        Road Safety Audits


            
            In This Section
        Safety Data Analysis & Tools
                Crash Modification Factor Clearinghouse
                Roadway Safety Data Program (RSDP)
                                Overview
                Data Driven Safety Analysis
                Data Management
                Safety Data Analysis Tools
                Local Data Integration
                Technical Assistance
                Case Studies
                Training
                Resources
                Highway Safety Manual (HSM)
                Model Inventory of Roadway Elements (MIRE) and FDEs
                Systemic
                                Overview
                Why Systemic
                Training
                Resources
                Road Safety Audits
                                Overview
                Benefits
                Legal Issues
                Steps of Conduct
                Training
                Resources
      
   Contact Us
      Becky Crowe
      
                    
            Program Contact
      
                    
            Office of Safety Programs
      
                
    **Email:**rebecca.crowe@dot.gov**Phone:** (202) 507-3699
    If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
                
                Summary of RSA Report: Illinois Interstate 54 Work Zone
rsa-samplerpts55.pdf (24.75 KB)
    
    
          Project Data

**Date:** July 30-31, 2007

**RSA Team and Participants:**

Dave Piper – Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Bureau of Safety Engineering (BSE)
Dennis Whitehead – IDOT BSE
Brian Copple – Illinois State Police (ISP)
Heidi Liske – Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)

**Background:**
The RSA was conducted on Interstate 55, between portions of US 6 and Weber Road. The focus of the RSA was to identify opportunities for safety improvements during construction activities and in work zone areas. Throughout the study, the RSA Team examined several risk factors that impact traffic safety on Interstate 55, including exposure, probability, and consequence. The RSA was conducted over a two-day period with a team that was comprised of law enforcement, transportation, and other local officials.

**Because of the changeable nature of a work zone, the RSA decision making process was accelerated to include discussion and acceptance of certain items at the close out meeting.**

**RSA Process:**
The RSA was performed by conducting field studies along construction sites and work zones on Interstate 55. Specifically, the areas of study were located on Interstate 55, between US 6 and Weber Road. In addition, the RSA Team also examined crash history reports and statistics from several areas along the Interstate. This data was reviewed and synthesized by the RSA Team to help identify safety issues or concerns. The data was also used to identify roadway countermeasures that will help improve traffic safety.

**RSA Stage:**Existing Road (reconstruction projects)

Major RSA Findings

**Issue**: Speed**Location**: Work Zones on Interstate 55, between portions of US 6 and Weber Road**Description of Safety Issue:**
One of the biggest safety issues along this portion of the Interstate is vehicle speed. In many instances, drivers travel through the work zones in excess of the legal speed limit. This is a major safety concern for both drivers and individuals who may be working along this portion of the Interstate or work zone. As a result, the RSA Team rated this issue as a high risk rating.**Suggestion:** The RSA Team recommended that the quality and number of speed signs be improved. It was also recommended that there be a greater State Police presence along this portion of the Interstate and a photo enforcement van should be utilized. As a long term recommendation, the RSA Team believes a speed management policy should be established and enforced.

**Issue**: Speed Signage**Location**: Work Zones on Interstate 55, between portions of US 6 and Weber Road**Description of Safety Issue:**
The RSA Team noted that there are an insufficient number of speed signs along this portion of the Interstate. In addition, there is a lack of speed limit notification between some of the lane shifts. The RSA Team also noted that some of the existing speed limit signs lack consistent font type and retroreflectivity levels throughout the work zones. The RSA Team scored this issue as a moderate risk.**Suggestion:**
The RSA Team recommended that additional speed signage be added throughout the work zones, including stretches of highway where lane shifts occur. It was also recommended that the overlay panels on the speed limit signs be updated so the font and retroreflectivity are consistent and easy to read.

**Issue**: Shoulder Hazards**Location**: Work Zones on Interstate 55, between portions of US 6 and Weber Road**Description of Safety Issue:**There are several areas along this portion of the Interstate that have excess debris or hazardous objects on the side of the roadway. This debris or roadway material often gets blown or knocked onto the Interstate, impacting a driver’s ability to operate their vehicle safely. The RSA Team scored this issue as a moderate risk.**Suggestion**: The RSA Team recommended that scheduled garbage patrols be implemented to help remove debris along the Interstate.

**Issue**: Vegetation Blocking Signs**Location**: Work Zones on Interstate 55, between portions of US 6 and Weber Road**Description of Safety Issue:**There are several areas along this portion of the Interstate where overgrown vegetation has obstructed the views of traffic signage, including speed limit, work zone, and lane shift signs. As a result, this may prevent drivers from viewing or complying with Interstate traffic signs while driving. The RSA Team scored this issue as a moderate risk.**Suggestion**: The RSA Team recommended that obstructive vegetation be trimmed or removed to increase traffic signage visibility.

**Issue**: Low Guardrail**Location**: Work Zones on Interstate 55, between portions of US 6 and Weber Road**Description of Safety Issue:**There are several areas along this portion of the Interstate that have low guardrails. During a traffic incident, the existing guardrails may not adequately prevent vehicles from leaving the roadway. As a result, this may increase the severity of traffic accidents. The RSA Team scored this issue as a moderate risk.**Suggestion**: The RSA Team recommended adding guardrail delineation. In addition, the RSA Team also suggested that crashworthy guardrails be tested and implemented during design stages.

**Issue**: Stage I - Narrow Lanes**Location**: Work Zones on Interstate 55, between portions of US 6 and Weber Road**Description of Safety Issue:**There are several areas along this portion of the Interstate that have narrow lanes. The RSA Team scored this issue as a moderate risk.**Suggestion**: Ensure effective and accurate striping for this portion of the Interstate.

**Issue**: Narrow Shoulders**Location**: Work Zones on Interstate 55, between portions of US 6 and Weber Road**Description of Safety Issue:**There are several areas along this portion of the Interstate that have narrow shoulders. As a result, this may restrict drivers from pulling off the roadway after a traffic accident or during vehicular malfunctions. The inability to use the shoulder during these types of situations may cause lane blockages or excessive traffic delays. It may also increase the level of roadway exposure for individuals. The RSA Team scored this issue as a moderate risk.**Suggestion**: The RSA Team recommended guardrail delineation. It was also recommended that effective and accurate stripping be maintained along this portion of the Interstate.

**Issue**: Coordinated Work Zone Signage**Location**: Work Zones on Interstate 55, between portions of US 6 and Weber Road**Description of Safety Issue**: There are several closely adjacent work zones along this stretch of highway that do not have coordinated signage. As a result, it may be difficult for drivers to know when they are entering or leaving work zone areas.
The RSA Team scored this issue as a moderate risk.

**Suggestion**: As a long term recommendation, the RSA Team recommended the development of a policy and/or standards to address this issue

Other RSA Findings

The RSA also produced several other findings. These include conflicting pavement markings, lack of “trucks use left lane” signage, sign clutter, adverse super elevation, lack of dual display signage on southbound approaches, and confusing type 3 barricade signals. These findings, however, received low – minimal risk ratings from the RSA Team. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

**Federal Highway Administration**

1200 NEW JERSEY AVENUE, SE

WASHINGTON, DC 20590

202-366-4000Subscribe to email updates
                    About
  

        
              About FHWA
                Careers
                Org Chart
                Staff Directories
                Work with UsPrograms
  

        
              Acquisition Management
                Civil Rights
                Federal Lands Highway
                Infrastructure
                Innovative Program Delivery
                Operations
                Planning, Environment, and Realty
                Policy
                Research, Development, and Technology
                SafetyPolicies, Rights, Legal
  

        
              About DOT
                Accessibility
                Budget and Performance
                Civil Rights
                FOIA
                Information Quality
                No FEAR Act
                Office of Inspector General
                Privacy Policy
                USA.gov
                Web Policies and Notices
                Web StandardsNews & Events
  

        
              Newsroom
                Press Releases
                Speeches & Testimony
                Media Contacts
                Connect with Us