Communications and Education
To reduce public anxiety and frustration, it is important to sustain effective communications and outreach with the public regarding road construction and maintenance activity and potential impacts. This also increases the public’s awareness of such activity. Lack of information is often cited as a key cause of frustration for the traveling public; therefore, the agency should identify and consider key issues from a public outreach and information perspective.
Figure 6 shows the average rating by question for 2005 and 2006 for the Communications and Education section. Table 9 shows the actual values along with the percent change in average rating from 2005 to 2006 for each question. The average ratings increased for two of the five questions in this section. The scores in this section have consistently been the highest in the WZSA and remain so this year, even with small decreases for three questions.
Figure 6. Results for Communications and Education Section
| Section | 2006 | 2005 | Change | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
4.5.1 |
11.3 |
11.1 |
0.1 |
1% |
4.5.2 |
11.4 |
11.7 |
-0.3 |
-3% |
4.5.3 |
11.3 |
11.7 |
-0.4 |
-3% |
4.5.4 |
12.2 |
12.5 |
-0.2 |
-2% |
4.5.5 |
9.1 |
8.8 |
0.3 |
3% |
4.5.1 Does the agency maintain and update a work zone web site providing timely and relevant traveler impact information for type I, II, and III projects to allow travelers to make effective travel plans? Forty-seven agencies (94%) implement the use of a web site to provide traveler impact information on projects to allow travelers to make more effective travel plans. Several agencies noted that they provide some sort of web site for travelers and commented that it could range from project specific information on separate websites to one website with statewide information on construction activities. One agency noted the use of hourly and daily updates to the information, while others cited the desire to provide real-time information in the future.
4.5.2 Does the agency sponsor National Work Zone Awareness week? This was one of the highest scoring questions on the WZ SA. Most agencies (92%) sponsor National Work Zone Awareness week. Some agencies have no formal campaign but still support the program. For the agencies that commented, the examples ranged from multiple group collaboration to simple press releases. Other examples include local memorials, national memorial displays, work zone safety awareness conferences, and sponsorship collaboration with FHWA, utilities, and local and national associations.
4.5.3 Does the agency assume a proactive role in work zone educational efforts? Most agencies (94%) are developing educational materials to inform and educate the public community on work zone safety. This question was one of the highest scoring on the WZ SA, with many agencies not only implementing this strategy but also performing assessment of their work zone educational efforts. Most agencies that provided comments cited the use of educational efforts from public service announcements to high school driver’s education programs. A couple of agencies commented that they partner with and utilize the LTAP centers to offer work zone educational programs.
4.5.4 During type I, II, and III project construction, does the agency use a public information plan that provides specific and timely project information to the traveling public through a variety of outreach techniques (e.g., agency website, newsletters, public meetings, radio, and other media outlets)? Almost all agencies (96%) use a public information plan to provide specific and timely project information to the traveling public through a variety of outreach techniques. Some of these techniques include publishing information on the agency’s web site and providing information to media outlets. Other techniques include work zone map media, public relations managers, radio, TV, newspaper ads, telephone hotlines, and public information centers. This question was the highest scoring question on the WZSA (along with question 4.4.7), indicating that the use of public information plans is widespread and is a well-established practice in most agencies.
4.5.5 During type I, II, and III projects, does the agency use ITS technologies to collect and disseminate information to motorists and agency personnel on work zone conditions? Forty agencies (80%) use ITS technologies to collect and disseminate work zone information. Many agencies use dynamic message signs and portable changeable message signs to give the traveling public specific and timely project information. Some agencies may incorporate ITS into the work zone plan. A few agencies stated that they utilize existing ITS for work zones in urban areas. Some agencies noted use of highway advisory radio and more advanced technologies and systems, such as the dynamic lane merge system.
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