This presentation will cover the application of ITS in freeway work zones. In light of the challenges posed by conflicts between vehicular traffic and work activities in freeway construction zones, the introduction of a smart work zone system has become increasingly relevant. The smart work zone system leverages computer, communication, and sensor technologies in freeway transportation management. Dr. Zhao will go over different types of smart work zone systems and their deployments. The focus of this presentation is to take a closer look at how smart work zone systems, particularly advance queue warning systems, perform in practice and to comprehensive assess their effectiveness in driver compliance, as well as the overall impact on work zone efficiency and safety.

Dr. Li Zhao is a Research Engineer in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. She graduated with a Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2017. Dr. Zhao’s research interests lie in intelligent transportation systems, traffic safety and operation, driver behavior, transportation equity, traffic flow theory, and data mining, simulation, and modeling. She is a registered professional engineer and has led multiple state and federally funded research projects.