Research In Progress: Identifying Effective Lighting Arrangements for Nighttime Work Zones, TPF-5(438), 2025

(2025) Research In Progress: Identifying Effective Lighting Arrangements for Nighttime Work Zones, TPF-5(438), 2025. Transportation, Department of

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Abstract

Current roadway lighting is designed specifically to provide illumination for vehicles and pedestrians in support of residential street and highway operations. However, the illumination levels are usually less than 20% of what is required for work operations and do not take nighttime construction operations into consideration. Many state Departments of Transportation (DOT) use some form of nighttime work zone lighting based on the national standards and or technical reports to conduct construction and maintenance activities on or near the travel portion of the road system. However, in the past 10 years, light emitting diode (LED) technology has evolved and the illuminance of lighting sources has been increased; the resources for nighttime lighting design from the lighting guidelines are in need of improvements and updates. Therefore, this proposal is prepared to provide State DOTs, construction organizations, and contractors with a list of recommendation of nighttime lighting arrangements for improvements of workers’ visibility in nighttime work zones as well as to supplement informed knowledge about construction lighting setups and update relevant lighting design guidelines to improve constructors’ visual performance and safety.