In light of the accident risk in these areas, one should not skimp on funds for equipping and operating road work zones.
Guidelines for designing and equipping road work zones, as well as traffic signs should be standardised as far as possible on a European level, so that motorists are not faced with new, unfamiliar circumstances in each country.
A standard analysis of accidents at road work zones throughout Europe is needed, so that these findings can be used for the safe installation of a road work zone. Special consideration must be given here to how motorists perceive the road work zone and the burden on motorists driving through the road work zone. Sufficient funds should be earmarked for accident research in this field.
Planners and operators:
Install traffic signs showing the reason for, length and duration of the road work in advance of the road work zone, in addition to several signs showing the remaining length of the road work zone, so that motorists can prepare themselves for what is ahead.
The traffic signs in advance of the road work zone and those along the road work zone should have a similar design in order to avoid confusing motorists.
Lane reductions and tapers should be announced well in advance and repeatedly.
Install bumps ahead of critical areas, such as steep taper zones in advance, so that motorists can reduce their speed in time.
Additionally mark lane routing within the taper area, for instance, using reflecting guiding beacons with arrows or curve signs and additional reflective markings, so that traffic lanes can still be clearly identified at night.
Remove all road markings on the former traffic lane, at least in critical areas, such as in taper areas, so that motorists can clearly recognise the travel path.
Effectively separate two-way traffic. This means not just using guiding beacons, but also mobile safety barriers made of steel or concrete that prevent vehicles from colliding head-on with traffic in the opposite lane.
Install emergency phones in lay-bys or provide an around-the-clock tow-away service, so that broken down vehicles hinder traffic as little as possible.
Set up adequate safety zones in front of the work area and separate this effectively, i.e. not just using traffic cones or guiding beacons, so that in the event of an accident vehicles are better restrained and workers are protected.
Shift certain construction phases to low-traffic times (for example, at night), so that traffic is disrupted as little as possible.