Institute for Transportation

Description

This one-hour presentation, co-sponsored by the Smart Work Zone Deployment Initiative (SWZDI) pooled fund, summarizes recently completed research for SWZDI that investigated methods for improving the effectiveness of speed feedback trailers (SFTs) when used as a speed management strategy in lane closures. The research methods included a literature review, a survey of state departments of transportation (DOTs), and field evaluations conducted at several work zones. The findings were synthesized to provide recommendations on methods for optimizing the deployment of SFTs in work zones.

Speaker Bio

Dr. Timothy Gates is a professor within the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Michigan State University. Dr. Gates’ research focuses broadly on improving the understanding of road user behavior and how this behavior is influenced by aspects of the roadway environment, including infrastructure, technology, weather, and other road users. His work has helped influence transportation policy decisions and has led to the development of various manuals, guidelines, and other decision support tools to improve transportation engineering practice. Dr. Gates is a handling editor of the Transportation Research Record of the Transportation Research Board (TRB). He is also a member of the Standing Committee on Road User Measurement and Evaluation of TRB and is past chair of the Standing Committee on Traffic Control Devices.