Write Up:

Safe and efficient travel for the public through work zones is crucial which is why crews in work zones are expected to conduct operations safely. MoDOT makes every effort to inform the public to pay attention, slow down, move over, buckle up and drive without distractions to increase the safety of workers and travelers. MoDOT’s goal is zero fatalities in work zones, and only through continued efforts from MoDOT, the contracting industry and the driving public can that goal be accomplished. Continual improvement in planning, strategies and technologies are employed, and it’s is up to MoDOT staff to deploy the proper tools in all work zones.

There was one reported work zone fatality on the state system in the fourth quarter of 2020.  It occurred on the interstate, which became a pattern 2020. Twelve of the 16 fatal state system work zone crashes this year occurred on the interstate. As part of the standard interstate work zone package, MoDOT has begun requiring rumble strips as an additional alert to motorists that they are entering a work zone. There were three  fatal crashes on the local system in the fourth quarter of 2020. The work zones had no impact on any of these crashes, and only one occurred when workers were present. 

Poor driver behavior remains a primary factor in these fatal crashes, which proves difficult for MoDOT to control.  Community outreach and public awareness campaigns, such as Buckle Up Phone Down, are very helpful, but ultimately, MoDOT is dependent upon the driving public to make good choices when driving in work zones. The challenges for MoDOT remain many, with changing driver behaviors at the top.

Purpose of Measure:

This measure tracks the number of traffic-related and non-traffic-related fatalities, injuries and overall crashes occurring in work zones on state-owned and off-system roadways.

Measurement and Data Collection:

Missouri law enforcement agencies submit a vehicle accident report form to the Missouri State Highway Patrol to be entered into a statewide traffic crash database. The database automatically updates MoDOT’s crash database system, which is part of the Transportation Management System. MoDOT staff query and analyze this data to identify work zone related crash statistics. Missouri State Highway Patrol prioritizes entry of the crash reports by fatality, serious injury and property damage only.

The target for this measure is updated quarterly. This target is established by projecting a 10% improvement over a five-year average.