Work zones, unfortunately, have an outsized and adverse impact to traffic safety and congestion. Almost 900 people died because of work zones in 2023—a 50% increase over the previous decade[1]. And, work zones are responsible for 24% of all traffic congestion nationally, costing society $38.9 billion annually[2].
Transportation agencies are attacking these statistics with INRIX data and analytics to monitor work zones in real-time, detect problems before they escalate, and improve traffic safety for travelers and vulnerable roadside workers.
Key Performance Indicators Worth Monitoring
Successful work zone management requires tracking specific metrics that directly impact both safety and mobility.
Safety Impact Metrics:
- Incidents: INRIX categorizes incidents by type (construction, crashes, dangerous slowdowns, and events) with precise location data and severity levels.
- Queue formation: Real-time detection of dangerous end-of-queue locations where rear-end crashes are most likely to occur.
Mobility Impact Metrics:
- Travel time through and around work zones
- Queue length and duration
- Congestion levels with spatial and temporal analysis
- Travel speeds
INRIX Solutions for Every Metric
INRIX has easy-to-use data solutions providing every one of these key metrics:
- The INRIX Incidents API integrates directly with ATMS platforms, categorizing incidents from multiple detection sources including connected vehicles, mobile devices, and road sensors.
- The Dangerous Slowdown Feed pinpoints high-risk queue endpoints, updated in real-time to enable proactive safety measures.
- INRIX Speed & Travel Time data is available through APIs, dashboards, and the Roadway Analytics platform.
- Congestion charts are available to understand both spatial and temporal impacts, with visualization tools that transform big data into actionable insights
Visualization Tools for Actionable Insights
Beyond providing impactful data, visualization tools transform these metrics into intuitive, actionable insights that agencies can use to respond to work zone challenges. INRIX Roadway Analytics gives transportation agencies powerful visualization capabilities that make complex traffic patterns immediately understandable.
- Speed Profile Heatmaps display traffic speeds along roadway segments using color gradients to represent congestion. These visuals allow officials to quickly identify when and where congestion occurs in work zones.
- Queue Length Charts track vehicle queues, which pose critical safety concerns in work zones. In some states, commercial vehicles are involved in over 87% of back-of-queue fatal crashes[3], making queue detection and management essential for work zone safety.
DOT Success Stories
Transportation agencies across the country are implementing data-driven approaches to work zone management with impressive results. Here are a few examples:
Ohio DOT
ODOT uses INRIX data for all aspects of their work zone monitoring, including:
- Monitors real-time speed data (blending sensors with INRIX data) integrated directly into their ATMS.
- Processes 79 million daily INRIX speed records.
- Uses volcano-gram visualizations to catch congestion issues immediately after work zone changes.
Their “volcano-gram” shows the intensity and spread of congestion in work zones, resembling a volcano with congestion “building up” as vehicles approach. Using INRIX data, these visualizations help DOT work zone coordinators identify mobility impacts and adjust traffic management strategies in real time.
Iowa DOT
- Deployed ITS tools in 28 high-traffic work zones[4]
- Smart arrow boards continuously report location and status (498,358 activations analyzed across 18 states from January 2023-August 2024)
- All equipment seamlessly integrates with statewide TMC’s ATMS
- Uses INRIX data for real-time traffic monitoring and dynamic messaging
PennDOT
A PennDOT study evaluated over 15,000 crashes using INRIX Congestion Events and found:
- 7% of reportable crashes were detected by INRIX/Waze combined
- INRIX detected crashes 7 minutes after occurrence (vs. 13 minutes for traditional systems)
- INRIX was first to detect 49% of high-congestion crashes
Key findings that drove action:
- 65% of secondary crashes occurred with no TMC awareness of the initial crash
- 75% of secondary crashes had queues present for 15+ minutes before impact
- 40% of secondary crashes occurred 2+ miles from the work zone
PennDOT’s response included:
- Creating a crowd-sourced incident dashboard for operations staff
- Expanding TMC hours during high-congestion periods
- Deploying cameras and DMS in identified “blind spots”
- Implementing virtual smart work zone technology in their ATMS
Results: 23% reduction in secondary crashes after implementing INRIX-powered monitoring improvements.
Integrated Solutions for Comprehensive Work Zone Management
Monitoring is essential, but the real value comes when monitoring insights drive improvements. INRIX supports targeted solutions that enable transportation agencies to not only detect work zone issues but respond to them effectively.
TMC and ATMS Integration
INRIX integrates with all major ATMS platforms, enabling TMCs to:
- Monitor emerging issues through customizable dashboards and alerts
- Coordinate response with construction personnel
- Manage traffic dynamically via message signs and variable speed limits
- Distribute real-time information across all channels
Smart Work Zone Partnerships
INRIX partners with leading smart work zone equipment manufacturers to power:
- Queue Warning Systems: Using INRIX dangerous slowdown data to trigger warnings
- Dynamic Travel Time Displays: Showing accurate delays based on INRIX speed data
- Automated Work Zone Reporting: Connected arrow boards and equipment that report status while using INRIX data for traffic conditions
- Dynamic Merge Systems: Optimizing traffic flow at lane closures based on real-time congestion
Commercial Vehicle Safety Alerts
Through partnership with Drivewyze, INRIX dangerous slowdown data triggers in-cab alerts for truck drivers approaching stopped traffic. Active in 15 states, this system saw 151% growth in monthly alerts and 96% growth in trucks receiving alerts in 2024[5].
Economic Benefits of Data-Driven Monitoring
Implementing effective work zone monitoring systems delivers a clear ROI:
- Strategic placement of traffic monitoring systems can reduce rear-end collisions by up to 45% in active work zones[6].
- Queue warning systems have shown a reduction of up to 70% in rear-end collisions in successful applications[7].
- Even modest improvements in traffic flow can yield substantial benefits. A 5% reduction in peak traffic volumes due to improved diversion strategies can reduce delays by 20-30%[8], saving fuel and reducing emissions.
Recent Innovations
The field of work zone monitoring continues to evolve, with several recent innovations showing promise:
Work Zone Data Exchange (WZDx)
INRIX supports this standardized approach for sharing harmonized work zone data across platforms, enabling consistent safety alerts regardless of navigation system.
Connected Work Zone Equipment
Smart arrow boards and other devices now transmit real-time location and status updates, which combine with INRIX traffic data to provide comprehensive work zone awareness.
Conclusion: Transforming Work Zone Management
Real-time data has transformed work zone monitoring from reactive to proactive. By leveraging INRIX’s traffic data solutions, transportation agencies can identify safety risks before crashes occur, manage congestion more effectively, and quantify construction impacts with precision.
The integration of INRIX data with TMCs, ATMS platforms, and smart work zone systems enables real-time response to changing conditions while protecting vulnerable roadside workers and travelers.
Ready to improve your work zone monitoring strategy?
Contact us at sales@inrix.com or visit inrix.com/products/traffic to learn more.
[1] https://highways.dot.gov/newsroom/fhwa-urges-drivers-stay-alert-ensure-highway-workers-get-home-safely-part-national-work
[2] https://www.workzonebarriers.com/work-zone-crash-facts.html
[3] https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/jtrpaffdocs/31/
[4] https://publications.iowa.gov/52209/
[5] https://inrix.com/press-releases/drivewyzes-smart-roadways-slowdown-alerts-2024/
[6] https://www.itskrs.its.dot.gov/2020-b01510
[7] https://www.roadsafetraffic.com/services/smart-work-zones/
[8] https://www.vtpi.org/tdm/tdm96.htm