Crash Risk Analysis in Highway Work Zones: A Predictive Model Based on Technical, Infrastructural, and Environmental Factors

Sofia Palese, Margherita Pazzini, Davide Chiola, Claudio Lantieri, Andrea Simone and Valeria Vignali ()
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Sofia Palese: Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials (DICAM) Engineering, University of Bologna, Viale del Risorgimento 2, 40136 Bologna, Italy
Margherita Pazzini: Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials (DICAM) Engineering, University of Bologna, Viale del Risorgimento 2, 40136 Bologna, Italy
Davide Chiola: R&D and Innovation, Movyon S.p.a., 50013 Firenze, Italy
Claudio Lantieri: Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials (DICAM) Engineering, University of Bologna, Viale del Risorgimento 2, 40136 Bologna, Italy
Andrea Simone: Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials (DICAM) Engineering, University of Bologna, Viale del Risorgimento 2, 40136 Bologna, Italy
Valeria Vignali: Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials (DICAM) Engineering, University of Bologna, Viale del Risorgimento 2, 40136 Bologna, Italy

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 13, 1-20

Abstract: Road infrastructure is the foundation of the predominant modes of transport, and its effective management is crucial to meet mobility needs. Although necessary for reconstruction, maintenance, and expansion projects, roadworks produce negative impacts, resulting in further risk for workers and drivers and failing to ensure sustainable development. The objective of this paper is twofold: Firstly, investigate the contributing factors to the occurrence of crashes in roadworks. Secondly, develop a model to estimate crash numbers in these areas. The results, which could support municipalities at the planning stage and implement policies for safe and sustainable development, are achieved by examining 121 sites, where 549 crashes occurred, and 25 contributing factors. The variables are divided into three categories: technical characteristics of the site, infrastructural, and environmental. Besides the conventional variables, a risk-increasing factor is calibrated. It assesses the impact of roadworks according to the manoeuvres imposed and the number of lanes. Consistent with previous findings, several variables related to the work zone layout, traffic conditions, infrastructure, and surrounding environment are correlated with the crash number. After performing a further statistical analysis, a multiple linear regression model, statistically significant (0.000) and suitable for accurately estimating the possible number of crashes (R 2 adj = 0.41), is determined.

Keywords: roadworks; highways; crash analysis; risk evaluation; work zone (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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