Challenges for Freight Forwarders in Road Construction Areas

Freight forwarders must stay updated on scheduled road maintenance because of several destabilizing factors that disrupt normal driving conditions. Challenges such as narrowed lanes, sudden stops, unclear temporary signage, visual distractions, and changed traffic patterns each contribute to the complexities of navigating construction zones for freight drivers.

 

Narrow Lanes

During road maintenance, lanes often shrink from the standard width of 3 to 3.7 meters down to 2.7 meters to accommodate workers and machinery along the roadside. This narrowing squeezes vehicles into tighter spaces which poses a challenge for freight trucks. These trucks have larger blind spots at the sides, front, and rear and require more room to adjust their position and maintain clear visibility of the road.

 

Sudden Stops

In construction zones, traffic flow is unpredictable. Workers, machinery, and temporary barriers may require sudden stops. Freight vehicles, which have longer stopping distances, often struggle to stop quickly enough. When carrying complete loads, these vehicles can weigh up to 36,000 kilograms, and this additional mass generates momentum that requires more time and distance to bring the vehicle to a complete stop.

 

Unclear Temporary Signage

Construction zones often use temporary signage to direct traffic flow and inform drivers of altered road conditions. However, these signs can be less visible, particularly when placed in non-standard locations such as attached to construction equipment, low to the ground, or in lanes that are closed off or on road shoulders.

When signs are in such unconventional locations, they can end up in areas obscured by a freight truck’s design elements such as the dashboard or A-pillars. Additionally, equipment such as side mirrors, window frames, and even mounted devices inside the cab can obstruct the view of signs not placed within standard zones.

 

Visual Distractions

Construction sites are areas dense with visual stimuli, including an abundance of signs, flashing lights, and reflective materials. These sites typically display multiple signs indicating speed limit changes, lane closures, detours, and warnings about workers or equipment on the road. Flashing lights often signal hazardous conditions or the presence of construction vehicles while reflective materials are used to enhance visibility of barriers and signage.

For freight drivers who operate large vehicles requiring significant attention to maneuver safely, this influx of visual data can create cognitive overload. As the brain has a limited capacity to process information simultaneously, when overwhelmed, it may struggle to prioritize critical signals. This can lead to delayed reaction times, misinterpretation of signs, or even missed cues altogether.

 

Changed Traffic Patterns

Road construction often requires temporary traffic patterns that are essential for progress. Yet, changes such as merges, lane reversals, and the temporary elimination of turn lanes can pose challenges for freight drivers. For instance, when a construction zone introduces an unexpected merge, freight drivers do not have the advantage of time to scan for appropriate gaps in traffic early. As trucks are larger in size, they require wider openings in traffic. Moreover, they cannot prepare by adjusting their speed gradually to merge smoothly and safely and minimize disruptions to the flow of traffic.