Impact of the construction area layout on road safety in urban work zones

Despite the crucial role that work zone configurations play in traffic safety, there is a limited understanding of work zone configuration from the perspective of construction area layout within urban work zones impacts overall safety. This study addresses this gap by examining the critical influence of construction area layout on lane-changing, driving behavior passing by the construction area, and driving stability. Construction area layout was reflected by the position of heavy equipment in this study. A driving simulator experiment was conducted with 26 participants (14 males and 12 females) to simulate real-world urban work zone scenarios and assess the impact of construction area layout on safety. The experiment also considered two key safety-related independent variables: driver gender and ambient light condition. To evaluate driver behaviors and identify safety–critical patterns, parametric survival modeling, Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), and regression analysis were employed. The findings highlight the significant impact of the construction area: (1) the construction area layout whereby heavy equipment was positioned closer to the center of the work zone (Position 2) prompted drivers’ merging distance to be 14.6% longer, underscoring the importance of heavy equipment at the start of the work zone (Position 1), and (2) Position 2 enables drivers to pass the work zone with a higher speed to pass by the construction area. The driver gender and ambient light condition can also have a significant effect. For example, the increased longitudinal velocity was observed during nighttime, suggesting a need for enhanced visibility and speed control. Male drivers tend to pass by the construction area with a more stable longitudinal velocity than female drivers. These findings are significant for improving work zone safety through careful consideration of construction area layout design, enhanced ambient lighting condition, and strategic safety interventions for specific groups. These insights offer valuable guidance for improving safety and operational efficiency in urban work zones, reducing the risk of accidents, and safeguarding both drivers and construction personnel.