Automated active work zone notification system

This paper describes an innovative automated active work zone notification system, developed to increase driver awareness to the activity within work zones. The system harnesses the geospatial data and communication capabilities of existing smartphones and in-vehicle Bluetooth technologies to automatically deliver audible messages to drivers as they approach and drive through active work zones. It is comprised of a driver application, a worker application, and a back end management console which includes a web interface as well as a database to store active data and manage designated work zone information. A prototype of the system has been developed. Various foreseeable technical challenges and possible solutions are discussed. The use of the automated active work zone notification system is anticipated to increase compliance with work zone speed zones, thereby increasing the efficiency of traffic flows and decreasing the occurrence of collisions within work zones. © 2014 Taylor & Francis Group.