Traffic Management &Work Zone Safety

Jason Spilak, FHWAPeter Amakobe Atepe

Tom NotbohmWisDOT Bureau of Highway Operations

Contractor – Engineer Conference

January 20, 2010

Traffic Management &Work Zone Safety

ARRA Work Zone ReviewsTransportation Management Plan (TMP) Process ReviewsWork Zone Pedestrian AccommodationNight Work Zone Lighting SpecificationOversize/Overweight Load Permitting & Lane Closure System Notification

Traffic Management &Work Zone Safety

Work Zone TrainingStrategic Highway Safety Plan and Work Zone Advisory Group Action Plan UpdateManual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) Update

FHWA 2009 ARRA Work Zone Traffic Control Focus Reviews

WTBA-WisDOT ConferenceJanuary 20, 2010Traffic Management / Work Zone Safety

FHWA - Jason P. Spilak, PE & Bill Bremer, PE

Scope & Purpose

Evaluate the overall quality and effectiveness of work zone traffic control on WisDOT ARRA projects.FHWA and WisDOT engineers conducted in-depth work zone field reviews on 28 projects.Supplemented by other Division staff during routine project oversight reviews. Full range of project types from freeway reconstruction to local bridge replacements.

Examples of traffic control layouts observed in accordance with design standards and devices complying with specifications

Biggest Statewide Problem - Poor Quality of Old 10’ Long Temporary

Concrete Barriers

Inappropriate Use and Installation of 10’ Temporary Concrete Barriers

Resolution to Serious Problem with Temporary Concrete Barriers

Due to significant concern on lack of ability to inspect steel pins passing through both top and bottom sets of wire rope loops to ensure integrity of joints, and overall poor quality of older barriers reviewed, FHWA recommended elimination on high speed situations of 10’ barriers.WisDOT concurred in FHWA finding that all use of old 10’ barriers must be eliminated on high speed roadways for new projects starting in 2010.

Temporary Concrete Barrier Special Provision Created for All Contracts Let Starting in November

2009

Under the Concrete Barrier Temporary bid items, use 12.5-foot concrete barrier. The engineer will allow 10-foot barrier in locations meeting both of the following:- Anchoring, as specified in the plan details, is not required.- The posted speed is less than or equal to 40 mph.

Findings & Conclusions

General conclusion is that overall work zone traffic control practices and condition of devices continues to improve over past years but issues (mostly isolated) continue to be observed.General conclusion is that when WisDOT & consultant inspection staff and prime contractor & traffic control sub work together, a high quality work zone safety product is achieved.

Other Issues Primarily Involved Quality of Work Zone Traffic Control Devices on some projects and situations

WisDOT Standard Specs 643.2.1(1) requires work zone devices conform to the MUTCD and are in acceptable condition as measured using ATSSA Quality Guidelines for Temporary Traffic Control Devices & Features when project is started.Replace devices the Guide defines as unacceptable at any time through the life of the project. Maintain devices on the project at or above marginal as defined by the Guide using techniques described in the WisDOT spec.

Finding & Resolution to Quality Issues

Reviews found that many inspection staff did not have a copy of the ATSSA Guide available for use to inspect when project started.FHWA has arranged for the purchase of an adequate quantity of the ATSSA Guides for all 2010 project leaders and inspectors.

Plans for ARRA Phase II Work Zone Reviews in 2010

A Focus Review will be on the effectiveness of Transportation Management Plans for ensuring mobility and safety in work zones on ARRA projects.Review and inspection of work zone plans and devices will continue to be a routine part of on-going ARRA field reviews.

Work Zone Process ReviewTransportation Management Plan

Findings:Decisions made early on most projectsStake holders are involved in processMeet regularly to discuss impacts on OSOWPublic outreach helps mitigate delayTraffic Control Devices are marginalFlagger training is still an issueNighttime TC reviews are rarely conducted

Work Zone Process ReviewTransportation Management Plan

Findings Cont.:Contractors are not aware of the requirements in the TMPChain of Communication is not clearly definedNeed for reference to TMP in contract documentsLane closure need to be in specialsGuidance for amendment to TMP

Work Zone Traffic ControlPedestrian Accommodation

Guidance will address:Planning ElementsDesign ElementsConsiderations in the field

Work Zone Traffic ControlPedestrian Accommodation

Planning Elements:Determine TTC Impacts on peds

Schools, Senior centers Shopping areas Transit stops etc.

Determine the level of accessibility neededMinimize conflictsAddress ADAOutreach to the community

Work Zone Traffic ControlPedestrian Accommodation

Design Elements:Provide pedestrian informationEnsure compliance with ADAMaintain continuous accessible pathProvide TTC details for peds.

Advance signage at intersectionAdvance Warning

Avoid conflict with construction equipment

Work Zone Traffic ControlPedestrian Accommodation

Work Zone Traffic ControlPedestrian Accommodation

During Construction in the fieldAdvance warningAdvance signage at intersectionMinimize ped and equipment interactionMaintaining pathways

Sign reflectivityPath is clear of debris and other hazards

Sidewalk detours/ClosuresProvide access.

Work Zone Traffic ControlPedestrian Accommodation

Work Zone Traffic ControlPedestrian Accommodation

Work Zone Traffic ControlPedestrian Accommodation

Work Zone Traffic ControlNighttime Work Lighting

• Developed pilot Special Provision• Lighting layout (light placement, mounting

height)• Glare control• Light level and uniformity• Aiming of fixtures

Traffic Management &Work Zone Safety

Oversize/Overweight LoadsSigning for width/height restrictionsNotification needs for closures & restrictions

Oversize/Overweight Loads

Install width/height restriction warning signs if:

Available width is less than or equal to 16 feet (show actual width minus approx. 1 foot on sign)Available height reduced during construction (falsework, etc.) – allow 3-inch shy distance/tolerance on

Review of alternate routes

Wisconsin Lane ClosurePlanning System (LCS)

Web-based system for tracking closures and restrictions Notification needs – required for proper Oversize/Overweight permit issuance

Wisconsin Lane ClosurePlanning System (LCS)

Timeframes14 days – Project start, full roadway closure, or restriction of width, height, weight7 days - System ramp closure3 days – Lane and service ramp closure

Project Special Provisions

Work Zone Traffic Training

UW Transportation Information Center (TIC) Work Zone and Flagger SafetyWisDOT Work Zone TrainingFlagger Training – identify common objectives

UW TIC Work Zone and Flagger Safety Training

http://tic.engr.wisc.edu/Workshops/Listing.lassoMarch 23 – BarneveldMarch 24 – WaukeshaMarch 30 – TomahMarch 31 – Stevens PointApril 1 – DePereApril 6 – Eau ClaireApril 7 – HaywardApril 8 - Tomahawk

WisDOT Work Zone Training

March 2010 – Dates & locations to be determinedModules for construction, design, and work zone traffic analysis

Work zone traffic control plan/device implementationOversize/overweight loadsLane closure system and analysisWork zone TMP process review outcomesMitigation strategies & best practicesTemporary concrete barrier placement

Flagger Training

Identify common training objectivesEquipmentAdvance warning signingSignaling proceduresVisibility and positioningAppropriate flagging operation scenarios

Traffic Management &Work Zone Safety

Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) & Work Zone Advisory Group Action Plan

Work zone crash/data analysisAlternative project execution strategiesLaw enforcement training/resourcesWork zone automated speed enforcementWork zone public awareness

SHSP & Work Zone Advisory Group Action Plan

Work zone crash/data analysisReview broad statistics on number of work zone crashes and fatalitiesIdentify common crash types and causesDetermine potential solutions

SHSP & Work Zone Advisory Group Action Plan

Alternative project execution strategiesCA4PRS software pilotAnalyze multiple staging alternatives for project duration, production rates and all associated costs

SHSP & Work Zone Advisory Group Action Plan

Law enforcement training/resourcesWork zone traffic control layouts and devicesEnforcement mitigation contracts, agreements and contingencies

SHSP & Work Zone Advisory Group Action Plan

Work zone automated speed enforcementCurrently prohibited by statutesSome form of automated enforcement in at least 13 statesEvidence of reductions in high speeds and injury crashes

SHSP & Work Zone Advisory Group Action Plan

Work zone public awarenessNational Work Zone Awareness Week media eventWisconsin Broadcasters Association spotsWKOW-TV announcementsBrewers radio network

Revisions to MUTCD Part 6 – Temporary Traffic Control

Guidance on lengths of short tapers and downstream tapers

Minimum length for one-lane, two-way traffic taper added to Table 6C-3

Type of Taper Taper Length

Merging Taper at least L

Shifting Taper at least 0.5 L

Shoulder Taper at least 0.33 L

One-Lane, Two-Way Traffic Taper 50 feet minimum, 100 feet maximum

Downstream Taper 100 feet per lane

High-visibility safety apparel

- Required for all workers within the public right of way

- Applies to all roads, not just those on the Federal-aid system

- Option for law enforcement and first responders to use new ANSI “public safety vests”

- Firefighters and law enforcement are exempted from the requirement under certain conditions

- December 31, 2011 compliance date

Automated flagger assistance device (AFAD)

Type 1: STOP/SLOW paddle AFAD

Type 2: Red/yellow lens AFAD

Flaggers shall use a paddle, flag, or AFAD, not just hand signals

Paddles should be placed on a rigid staff, high enough to be seen by approaching or stopped traffic

Clarified OPTION for self-regulating traffic movement through a one-lane, 2-way constriction - If work space is short (adequate sight distance)- If on a low-volume street

Two flaggers should be used for a one-lane, 2-way constriction unless TTC zone is short enough for the flagger to see from one end to the other

New optional and recommended signs and plaques to accompany Speed Limit signs in TTC zones

R2-6aP

G20-5aP

R2-1

R2-10 R2-11R2-12

Center Lane Closed Ahead symbol sign has been removed from the MUTCD

New sign to warn road users of a change in the traffic pattern

New symbol sign and supplemental plaque for shoulder drop-off

Temporary lane separators and temporary raised islands

Temporary Markings

Delineate path through the TTC zone when the permanent markings are either removed or obliterated during the work activities.Should not be left in place longer than 14 daysSome allowable exceptions to normal longitudinal markings requirements

Preemption of temporary signals in TTC zones

Black and orange are acceptable colors for transverse rumble strips in TTC zones

Typical application (TA) drawings

Except for the TA “Notes,” information in the TA drawings can generally be regarded as GuidanceTA 4 – stationary signs may be omitted for mobile work if the work vehicle displays high-intensity strobe lightsTA 7 – ROAD CLOSED sign eliminatedTA 16 – lanes should be at least 10 feet wide

TAs with freeway lane closures

- TAs 37, 38, 39, 42, and 44- Arrow board shall be used for

all freeway lane closures - Separate arrow board shall be

used for each closed lane for multi-lane closures