Method, apparatus, and system for identifying mobile work zones

An approach is provided for identifying and characterizing mobile work zones (e.g., roadway striping, pothole filling, tree trimming, etc.). The approach, for example, involves processing probe data at a lane level to determine at least one forward forming shockwave associated with a congestion front of a mobile roadwork zone on at least one lane. The approach also involves providing data indicating the mobile roadwork zone as an output. The approach further involves determining a propagation rate of the mobile roadwork zone. The approach further involves determining a congestion recovery speed, where the congestion is caused by the mobile roadwork zone.