ROADWORKS! When roads are to be coned off, what's the most logical way to do it?

Question

Roadworks causing two lanes to go into one can be a nightmare for drivers - but do they have to be? Is there an optimum way to do this? Are there any mathematical models for roadworks flow planning?

Answer 1

If you mean what is the optimum way of keeping the traffic flowing, then traffic should be directed to use both lanes until the point when they start to merge, at this point they should merge in turn.

Delays are caused by people queuing in, say, the nearside lane too early and then getting frustrated by people "overtaking" in the offside lane. This usually leads to a lorry driver blocking the offside lane, causing the tailback to extend back up the road further.

Merging in turn requires common sense and consideration - two things sadly lacking on our roads today, but is being used more frequently now.

Answer 2

I have never come across a mathematical model however most roadworks are signed coned and gaurded using chapter 8 of the traffic signs manual, also I'm not against it too many people I have known have been killed working on the highway but over recent years health and safety has meant that just closing the lane the men are working in is no longer good enough there has to be a buffer zone between them and the traffic, this has also meant that on normal 2 way roads to do work means a road closure has to be put on, progress in safety but not in minimising delays.

Answer 3

When a single lane is being worked on the next lane has to be coned of to ensure the safety of the men doing the roadworks. They are some dangerous/stupid drivers out there who do consider the safety of others.

Answer 4

My highway has been coned for 2 months. i pass out in any respect instances of the day yet have by no skill seen any artwork underway. once I arrived living house at present at 4pm one guy replaced into sitting interior the council van observing ladies in short skirts. (I stay opposite a ladies' college) Shouty dad- your answer is appropriate!

Answer 5

same basic principle used to calculate flow rates ; however to get a good flow would require traffic speed to be raised and this encroaches on to the safety aspect of driving. i used to think there was no thinking behind it but now I've returned to uni as a civil engineering student i realise there is a lot of effort put into road transport.

Answer 6

State, city, and county roads all have a different set of standard construction practices. There is supposed to be consistency on each level.