Assessing the Critical Factors Influencing Worker Safety in Roadway Work Zones

Ongoing roadway construction and maintenance activities are essential for sustaining and improving infrastructure. Nonetheless, work zones in the United States continue to experience concerning frequencies of occupational and traffic accidents. Previous research highlighted multiple factors influencing work zone safety, yet their relative impact and importance remain unclear. This study addresses this gap following a multistep methodology. First, 32 safety factors were identified through an extensive literature review in a previous study. Second, a survey was administered among 298 professionals from diverse backgrounds, with an average of 17.75 years of construction experience and 13.78 years of work zone experience, to assess the importance of identified factors on worker safety. Third, data reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha, and survey responses were evaluated to uncover experts' perceptions regarding the criticality of factors affecting worker safety. Lastly, clustering analysis was utilized to group the recorded levels of work zone safety factor criticality. Survey results indicate that driver-related factors, such as drivers' level of attention and unsafe driving, are perceived as most critical to worker safety in work zones. Conversely, factors associated with motor vehicles, conditions of construction equipment, and technological sophistication are perceived as the least critical. Findings from the clustering analysis revealed three groups of factors with varying levels of criticality, where the most critical group comprised driver, work, and design-related factors. The findings of this study contribute to guiding state DOTs and safety practitioners in enhancing their safety practices and culture with a focus on worker-centered perceptions. Additionally, this analysis identifies key areas for future research that are vital for improving worker safety in work zones. These include exploring underexplored factors, such as driver impairment, level of attention, and clarity of signage and markings, among others.