A Guide for Reducing Work Zone Collisions (2005) / Chapter Skim
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• 19.1 D Improve driver compliance with work zone traffic controls -- Many crashes are caused or aggravated by drivers' noncompliance with traffic control devices or traffic laws in work zones. Enforcement campaigns (conventional or automated)
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19.1 A4 Use nighttime road work (P) 19.1 A5 Use demand management programs to reduce volumes through work zones (P)
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Emphasis Area Objectives and Strategies Objectives Strategies 19.1 D Improve driver 19.1 D1 Enhance enforcement of traffic laws in work zones (T) compliance with work zone traffic controls 19.1 D2 Improve credibility of signs (E)
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Related Strategies for Creating a Truly Comprehensive Approach The strategies listed in Exhibit V-1 and described in detail in the remainder of this section are considered unique to work zones or are discussed in terms of their attributes specific to work zones. To create a truly comprehensive approach to the highway safety problems associated with work zones, agencies should consider including a variety of strategies as candidates in any program planning process.
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Therefore, for this emphasis area, an effort should be made to determine if improvements can be made in how emergency medical services interact with work zones, especially for programs that are focused upon location-specific (e.g., corridors) or area-specific (e.g., rural areas)
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In that vein, strategies in this objective that are known to reduce traffic volumes through work zones are classified as "proven," since the lower volume is expected to result in a lower crash experience. Safety practitioners can reduce exposure to crashes by also using innovative practices to accelerate completion of construction and maintenance projects and bidding practices that strive to reduce the duration and impact of crashes on traffic.
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Accelerated construction and better asset management may not initially be thought of as safety strategies. However, to the extent that they achieve the objective of reducing time exposure of workers and drivers to work zones, they clearly can be thought of as core strategies in promoting overall work zone safety.
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All other factors (traffic volumes, traffic control plan, weather conditions, etc.) being equal, the work zone operation completed in a shorter time would be expected to have fewer related crashes.
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Appropriate Measures In general, the change in the number and type of crashes occurring in work zones and Data will be the primary measure of effectiveness. Some reliance may have to be made upon other measures, such as the change in vehicle-miles or vehicle-hours of travel in work zones.
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Coordination meetings among all of the different stakeholders affected by work zones (EMS workers, police officers, DOT staff, utility operators, commuter service operators, school districts, local businesses, media, etc.) are important in devising strategies for each of the respective services to continue its operations as seamlessly as possible during construction.
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Several state DOTs, including New York and Ohio, use life cycle costs to evaluate benefits of accelerated construction practices. Significant risks are often at stake for the agency, the contractor, and/or the designer under most accelerated methods of construction.
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Ullman, and B.C. Blaschke, "Process for Selecting Strategies for Rehabilitation of Rigid Pavements Under High Traffic Volumes." Transportation Research Record 1861, Transportation Research Board, 2003.
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Full closure eliminates the potential for crashes in a work zone, especially crashes involving both vehicles and workers. By completely closing the roadway to traffic, the duration of the construction can be reduced, since the contractor does not need to interact with traffic and will likely have access to a larger work space.
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• Consider the effects of the road closure program on not just business owners, residents, and through travelers, but also other road users, such as school buses, transit systems, and emergency responders. Alternative routes that are relatively convenient for motorized road users may be inconvenient, difficult to use, or less safe for pedestrians and bicyclists.
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Although some types of projects, such as complete bridge replacement, usually require long-term closure to traffic, the decision of whether and when to close a roadway to traffic is usually based on other factors, such as availability of alternative routes and the need to maintain access to abutting properties and businesses within the work zone. Expected Effectiveness A reduction in crashes would be expected in the work zones due to the decreased or eliminated volume in the work zones, but it would be difficult to determine whether an increase in crashes on a detour route is attributable to detoured traffic.
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Elements of a successful PI&E campaign include: • Well-distributed closure announcements well in advance of and during construction • Announcement of the scheduled reopening • Route alternatives • Description of the benefits achieved by using full closure • Careful coordination with impacted residents and business owners In addition, real-time communication of traffic conditions in and approaching the work zone and on alternative routes is important. This can be provided through variable message signs, websites, telephone information lines, and radio traffic messages.
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A well-publicized road closure increases schedule pressure, since the scheduled reopening of the roadway would also be well publicized. Businesses and residences located along the work zone will be affected by the closure, and these impacts should be considered during the planning process.
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Public involvement programs and analysis of alternative routes will be needed, and the magnitude of each of these efforts may vary. Design of the work zone may involve less time because the traffic control plan will be simpler.
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Information on Current Knowledge Regarding Agencies or Organizations That Are Implementing This Strategy The FHWA report Full Road Closure for Work Zone Operations: A Cross-Cutting Study describes several projects where full closure was chosen mainly as a means of expediting projects but also as a way to increase safety for travelers and workers. The Ohio DOT developed a policy and map showing on which roadways a lane can be closed, based on traffic volumes.
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• The New York State DOT (NYSDOT) recommends that A+B bidding be used only in situations where the user delay costs of the work zone or the public benefit of the accelerated construction or completed project are significant.
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With more of a B portion, there is more incentive for a contractor to complete a project as quickly as possible. Lane Rental This method encourages minimization of impacts to road users when full road closure and detour routes are not feasible.
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Attribute Description Technical Attributes Target Time-related bidding practices target all work zone crashes by working to reduce the exposure of vehicles traveling to, from, and through the work zone, as well as of the workers and equipment in the work zone. Projects at high-crash locations may be ideal locations for time-related contracts if there is a possibility that the features of the construction zone will make safety problems worse.
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Another potential measure is the reduced exposure resulting from the shortened time during which the work zone is in operation. The time to complete a project can easily be tracked and compared with the expected time should time-related contract provisions not have been used.
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Associated Needs Software that assists in calculating user delay costs can help standardize the method of considering time in contract provisions. To determine traffic delays expected during construction, the FHWA QuickZone software can be used.
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ID=198&from=crossref& Category_ID=18. Kent, D.L., "Innovative Contracting Techniques That Consider Driver Impact: Use of A+B Bidding." Presented at Federal Highway Administration Making Work Zones Work Better Workshop series, 2003.
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For night construction to be considered advantageous: • Traffic volumes should be lower than during the day and • The setup and removal of traffic control devices on a nightly basis should be feasible to allow for restoration of normal traffic patterns during the day. Economic, social, and environmental issues should also be considered when determining whether to perform work at night (Bryden and Mace, 2002, NCHRP Report 475)
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NCHRP Report 476 (Bryden and Mace, 2002) discusses designing and operating nighttime work zone traffic control and improving the visibility of workers and vehicles.
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Night work is appropriate at projects sites that have lower traffic volumes at night than during the day, when work may be easier and/or safer. The primary objectives of work zone traffic control are ensuring an acceptable level of safety for workers and road users, minimizing adverse impacts on traffic flow and the community, and allowing the project to be completed on schedule and at an acceptable level of quality.
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Attribute Description Development of an operational plan will ensure that all factors involved in safe and efficient operation of the work zone have been considered and that appropriate resources and procedures are available. NCHRP Report 476: Guidelines for the Design and Operation of Nighttime Traffic Control for Highway Maintenance and Construction recommends that contractors be required to submit a plan for agency review before work can begin on all but very simple night work projects.
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Visibility and smooth traffic flow are two key issues in the determination of appropriate traffic control. Enforcement of the work zone traffic control and speed limits may be needed to help ensure that traffic operates smoothly.
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Visible enforcement of traffic laws in work zones will contribute to safety of a night work zone, as well as daytime construction activities. Organizational and Institutional Attributes Organizational, A standard procedure is desirable for comparing the impacts of night work against Institutional and those of day work, including impacts on safety and traffic.
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2001. Kent, D.L., "Innovative Contracting Techniques That Consider Driver Impact: Use of A+B Bidding." Presented at Federal Highway Administration Making Work Zones Work Better Workshop series, 2003.
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It may also be desirable to design TDM programs that encourage long-haul trucks to use alternative routes that avoid work zones on major roads. A plan for outreach to the trucking industry would be a necessary component of this aspect of a TDM program.
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In addition, the following TDM strategies are intended to provide business employees who are impacted by a project with flexible work schedules to ultimately decrease transportation system demand, especially during peak commuting hours: • Telecommuting: working from home or from a facility designed to accommodate remote working • Variable work hours: shifting employee work schedules to avoid peak travel times Features of TDM programs that indirectly influence the success of the programs (as identified by the Colorado DOT's Transportation Demand Management & Corridor Projects) include: • Parking management: providing preferential parking at places of employment for carpoolers and vanpoolers, allowing nondrivers to "cash out" the value of the parking space provided by an employer, and charging for parking.
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. The types of work zones that may be appropriate for TDM strategies include: • Work zones located in densely populated areas that support a variety of transportation choices; • Projects located in areas with an employment base large enough to impact travel demand by offering telecommuting, staggered work hours, flex-time, compressed work weeks, and so forth; • High-volume roadways where congestion-related delays may be common or where detours will be used; • Work zones that will be in place for a significant amount of time; and • Long-term projects (because the system costs will be easier to justify)
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Examples of TDM programs effective in reducing volumes are provided at the end of this strategy under the heading, "Information on Current Knowledge Regarding Agencies or Organizations That Are Implementing This Strategy." Keys to Success A detailed planning phase is critical to the successful implementation of a TDM plan for construction projects. Developing a TDM plan requires selecting the most appropriate strategies and obtaining a commitment from partners.
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The TDM program should also include clearly stated, realistic goals established prior to implementation. As noted above, a likely goal would be to reduce traffic volumes through work zones.
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. Training and Other Staff may benefit from training to learn about successful TDM programs associated Personnel Needs with other construction projects.
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Information on Current Knowledge Regarding Agencies or Organizations That Are Implementing This Strategy Several examples of TDM programs for major reconstruction projects are described in Appendix 1. The FHWA report, Mitigating Traffic Congestion -- The Role of Demand-Side Strategies (2004)
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TransOptions, the TDM program created for the T-REX project in Colorado, is an example of a successful partnership between the Colorado DOT, Regional Transportation District, FHWA, and Federal Transit Administration. This program has assisted employers and commuters in dealing with challenges of traveling through work zones.
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Objective 19.1 B -- Improve Work Zone Traffic Control Devices Traffic control devices are used to communicate with drivers in advance of and within work zones. It is critical that the devices are understandable and visible and provide useful information.
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SECTION V -- DESCRIPTION OF STRATEGIES V-42 EXHIBIT V-9 Example System Components for Use in Work Zones ITS Components for Data Collection and Processing: Central controller/sensors Closed circuit television cameras Remote sensors ITS Components for Communication with Travelers: Dynamic/changeable message signs (portable or fixed) Internet Highway advisory radio Telephone information line In-vehicle navigation systems
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V-43 EXHIBIT V-10 Strategy Attributes for Implementing ITS Strategies to Improve Safety (E) Attribute Description Technical Attributes Target ITS strategies target crashes related to congestion caused by work zones -- speeding, aggressive driving, and unexpected conditions -- as well as crashes that may be related to driver confusion or lack of information, such as last-minute correction of navigation errors (i.e., swerving)
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A reduction in volume through a work zone should reduce the crash experience of that work zone, and use of ITS to provide information on downstream traffic conditions and alternative routes can help divert traffic from the work zone to other routes, thereby lowering exposure and reducing crashes. The FHWA report Intelligent Transportation Systems in Work Zones: A Cross Cutting Study (2002)
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The advance warning signs should also be appropriately spaced so that drivers do not encounter a queue before they reach the sign warning them of the queue. A portable system remotely operated by cell phone may be more appropriate for a rural work zone, where a traffic command center would not be available or needed.
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Traffic volume data are needed to represent exposure, including changes in volumes on alternative routes during the construction. Changes in traffic volume in the work zone can be used to determine the exposure of traffic to the work zone and the exposure of workers to traffic.
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In some cases, the ITS technologies will need to be fully operational before construction can begin, and this will need to be planned into the implementation time for individual projects. Costs Involved Establishing procedures for including ITS in work zones will be of minimal cost.
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Information on Current Knowledge Regarding Agencies or Organizations That Are Implementing This Strategy The FHWA report Intelligent Transportation Systems in Work Zones: A Cross Cutting Study (2002) describes construction projects that used ITS in the work zones to successfully provide real-time travel information to travelers, reduce delay, and reduce time to clear incidents.
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In addition to potentially restricting driver sight lines, signs not associated with the driving task and a large numbers of appurtenances in the vicinity of a work zone can impose a high workload on drivers. The need for numerous traffic control devices in work zones, combined with the presence of existing signs and devices, plus background clutter created by advertising signs, street lighting, and so forth often make it difficult to select and locate temporary traffic control devices to ensure adequate visibility in work zones.
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The older driver guide in this NCHRP Report 500 series (Volume 9) should be consulted for additional information on improving work zones to accommodate older drivers.
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Reduction of glare from signs and adjusting mounting height and location relative to travel way as appropriate can improve visibility of signs. Another aspect of visibility of traffic control devices relates to the obliteration of temporary markings when the control plan changes in a work zone.
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, Closely Spaced, in Good Condition EXHIBIT V-13 Strategy Attributes for Improving Visibility of Work Zone Traffic Control Devices (T) Attribute Description Technical Attributes Target This strategy is targeted at crashes that occur because drivers are unable to see traffic control devices in work zones sufficiently in advance of a required maneuver.
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. It is important for agencies to establish their own standards for minimum levels of visibility and ensure that traffic control devices used in work zones at least meet their minimum.
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Strategy Attributes for Improving Visibility of Work Zone Traffic Control Devices (T) Attribute Description Associated Needs A quality control plan for inspecting visibility of traffic control devices is recommended.
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Information on Current Knowledge Regarding Agencies or Organizations That Are Implementing This Strategy Wisconsin DOT used wet reflective tape in a work zone and evaluated its visibility in both day and nighttime dry conditions and during wet nighttime conditions. Wisconsin DOT found the tape to be more visible than traditional pavement markings.
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is dependent upon the type of work, vehicular traffic, hazards, and other activities in the work zone. Class 3 apparel is the most visible in a wide range of weather and lighting conditions and is appropriate for use where traffic speeds are 50 mph or greater.
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Visibility of Work Zone Vehicles Improvements to visibility of work zone vehicles include: • Use more visible paint colors, conspicuity tape, or retroreflective materials or backup alarms to increase road user and worker awareness of work zone vehicles (T) : Increased visibility of work vehicles will provide road users with more warning that vehicles either are present or may be entering the traffic lanes.
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. Warning lights in colors other than yellow should be used only when a specific need exists for these lights and only when permitted by the jurisdiction in which the work zone is located (Bryden, 2003)
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Expected Effectiveness It can be expected that improvements in visibility will have a positive effect on crash experience. Methods for improving visibility of work zone personnel and vehicles have been evaluated, and treatments such as high-visibility apparel and warning lights have been shown to be effective in improving visibility.
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Nearly any highway agency can implement this strategy, which is applicable to work zones on any facility type in rural, urban, and suburban areas where work occurs either during the day or at night. Complete cooperation of contractors and all field staff is important.
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Temporary Signals Temporary traffic signals can be used instead of flaggers, thereby reducing the exposure to traffic of the workers who would perform the flagging task. Temporary signals may be considered for work zones where other traffic control options include flaggers, stop or yield V-61
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Portable Signals Portable traffic signals can replace flaggers to allow work zone personnel to perform other critical tasks. In order to avoid fatigue, flaggers need to be relieved periodically, such as every 2 hours.
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Minnesota limits the use of these devices to work zones less than 1,000 feet long on lowvolume, two-lane roadways. A similar device is a remote controlled red/amber signal that replaces a flagger or is used in coordination with a flagger positioned out of the traffic stream.
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It is preferable to locate the one-way operations so that they do not include intersections and high-volume driveways so that automated flaggers or portable or temporary signals are controlling all the vehicles that enter a work zone. For work zones that involve very short-term, one-way operations or projects with a location that moves frequently, flaggers may be a better choice than temporary or portable signals, since the benefits gained by using portable signals may not be offset by the repeated efforts to set up, take down, and move the signals.
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Proper signal timing for specific temporary and portable signals should also be determined using established policies or guidelines. Since remote control flagging systems are experimental traffic control devices, FHWA approval may be needed before they can be used.
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Federal Highway Administration, Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)
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Design features intended to reduce the risk and consequences of work space intrusions and to accommodate the needs of other roadway users can contribute to the overall safety of work zones. Greater attention to the design of work zones may enhance some of the other objectives proposed in the guide.
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Proper design guidance is expected to affect all types of work zone crashes by reducing road user and worker exposure to potentially unsafe work zone conditions. This is done by developing and applying design guidelines to ensure safe design practices and consistency among work zones.
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In an effort to improve design and operation of future work zones, Oregon DOT holds a debriefing meeting at the end of construction projects. Oregon DOT is also looking into developing a traffic control plan database and providing traffic control plan development training for staff and consultants in order to facilitate statewide consistency.
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Providing positive protection separation between the traffic and the work space, while not always achievable, has the potential to reduce crash frequency and severity for both workers and road users. NCHRP Project 20-7, Task 174, produced a final report on the use of positive protection in work zones (copies of this final report are available upon request from the NCHRP)
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An advantage to using pilot cars is that they can control the speed of the vehicles proceeding through the work zone and provide a form of positive guidance to assist drivers in navigating the work zone. Pilot cars are more feasible in long work zones than in short ones.
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Short-duration work zones may not offer cost-effective applications of the more expensive methods of preventing intrusions, such as portable barriers. Expected Effectiveness Experience has shown that measures to reduce work space intrusions have been very effective.
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Portable concrete barriers are not practical for short-term work zones, especially where the location of the work changes frequently (as with resurfacing projects)
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Federal funding for enforcement may also be available. Training and Other Positive protection guidelines, intrusion alarms, and other methods for reducing Personnel Needs intrusions or limiting the consequences of them should be covered in agency training on work zone design and traffic control.
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19.1 C3 -- Improve Work Zone Safety for Pedestrians, Bicyclists, Motorcyclists, and Heavy-Truck Drivers (T) General Description Work zones should continue to accommodate the road users who were using a roadway before construction began.
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While undesirable, it may be necessary for practical reasons to allow for pedestrian travel through the work zone. If pedestrian travel paths will be obstructed or made more hazardous by ongoing work, the traffic control plan should provide an alternative, safer route.
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• Public education: Educating pedestrians on appropriate behaviors when walking through work zones, as well as on the meanings of traffic control devices, can contribute to their safe use of pedestrian facilities in work zones. FHWA has several pedestrian information sheets, one of which covers walking through work zones: http://www.tfhrc.gov/safety/pedbike/issues/issues.htm.
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Warning signs increase driver awareness of bicycles in work zones. Standard MUTCD bicycle warning signs should be used to alert drivers to the presence of bicyclists.
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http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/TA/T2Center/T2Bulletin-archives/2004-05winter.pdf. Objective 19.1 D -- Improve Driver Compliance with Work Zone Traffic Controls Good compliance with traffic laws and regulations in work zones is essential to maintaining a high level of safety and orderly, efficient traffic flow.
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Targeted Conventional Enforcement Targeted conventional enforcement in work zones, where officers present in the work zone enforce speed limits and other traffic laws, can help improve the safety in the work zone by reducing the occurrence of violations and increasing driver awareness of the work zone. Though a direct correlation to a reduction in fatal crashes cannot be made, it can be expected that increased enforcement will lead to a reduction in speeds and a safer work zone for both drivers and workers.
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From page 95... ...
If these issues can be addressed, it is possible that automated speed enforcement can be implemented and can have a positive effect on work zone safety. A well-designed PI&E campaign can explain the safety-related reasons for using automated enforcement and how traffic laws such as speed limits are set, resulting in increased public support of the cameras.
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NCHRP Project 3-80 will develop guidelines for applying law enforcement strategies for work zones on high-speed roadways. SECTION V -- DESCRIPTION OF STRATEGIES V-82 EXHIBIT V-24 Strategy Attributes for Enhancing Enforcement of Traffic Laws in Work Zones (T)
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Most states use traffic volume and road classification in making this determination and use police services in long-term work zones. Peak congestion, lane closures, night work, risk to construction workers, crash history, work zone speeds, special events, and inclusion in a safety corridor are other factors being considered.
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If legislation needs to be passed in order to implement automated enforcement, the process could take significantly longer. Consideration of work zone design elements that make enforcement activities safer and more efficient will not add significant time to the design of a work zone and its traffic control plan, if considered during the planning and design stages of a project rather than after these steps are completed.
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Insufficient funding for the components of this strategy will likely result in slower implementation. Costs Involved Targeted conventional enforcement in work zones may involve higher costs than in non-work-zone areas, since highway agencies often fund enforcement activities at overtime rates for officers and reimburse the law enforcement agencies for supervision, patrol cars, and other related services.
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SECTION V -- DESCRIPTION OF STRATEGIES V-86 EXHIBIT V-24 (Continued) Strategy Attributes for Enhancing Enforcement of Traffic Laws in Work Zones (T)
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Pendleton, and Z.A. Sabra, "Speed Control Through Freeway Work Zones: Techniques Evaluation," Transportation Research Record 1163, Transportation Research Board, pp.
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Types of messages with potential credibility concerns are found on the following types of signs: • Speed signs – Speed advisories – Nonvariable speed limits – Variable speed limits • Warning signs – Work zone – Flagger – Lane closure • Other informational signs – Incorrect or nonessential changeable message signs – Congestion/delay/queue warnings The following sections provide recommendations for the above types of signs. Because recommendations for speed signs are less commonly available than those for warning signs or other informational signs, the reader may find the information on speed signs more necessary than the information for warning signs or other informational signs.
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From page 103... ...
. Variable speed limits can be implemented in work zones, but the posted speed should be reasonable, or it will breed driver disrespect as do permanent speed limit signs.
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Transportation Research Board, NCHRP Research Results Digest 192: Procedure for Determining Work Zone Speed Limits.
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Forty-five states currently impose increased penalties for speed violations in work zones, and in some states those increased fines apply to all types of violations. Studies show that many drivers continue to violate the work zone speed limits in spite of these increased fines.
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Work zone traffic law enforcement can be performed as part of regular traffic law enforcement activities, and dedicated programs may be desirable for larger, long-term work zones. Expected Effectiveness The effectiveness of improving the application of driver fines and penalties in an effort to increase work zone safety has been studied, and the results of the studies vary.
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From page 107... ...
judicial discretion should be limited in applying the increased fines. Potential Difficulties Many states have already adopted legislation to increase fines, and this is usually an item popularly supported by legislators, but monitoring and enforcing the legislation consumes extensive resources if done enough to deter violations of traffic laws in work zones.
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From page 108... ...
Programs would be needed to improve the applications of increased fines, such as enforcement campaigns. Legislative Needs If current laws prohibit increased fines in work zones, agencies will need to work with legislators to change these laws.
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Attribute Description In the section below entitled "Information on Current Knowledge Regarding Agencies or Organizations That Are Implementing This Strategy," several examples are provided citing legislative measures aimed at controlling speed in work zones. While no data are yet available regarding the effectiveness of such measures, the approaches certainly seem to be aggressive and may be of interest to other legislators.
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From page 110... ...
• Driver education and training: educating drivers, pedestrians, and other road users on the meaning of work zone traffic control devices and appropriate actions to take in work zones. • Safety awareness campaigns: creating an awareness among road users that work zones require more caution than nonwork areas.
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From page 111... ...
Safety Awareness Campaigns PI&E campaigns for work zones are typically intended to promote an understanding of broad work zone safety issues and an awareness among drivers and other road users that (a) their personal safety will depend on having good knowledge of work zone operations and controls and (b)
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From page 112... ...
Expected Effectiveness Improved dissemination of work zone safety information to road users has not been proven to be effective, and it will be difficult to do so. However, it is expected that increasing driver knowledge about what to expect in work zones and how to react to traffic control devices will lessen risky behaviors.
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From page 113... ...
Attribute Description Motorists should be given specific information on how to handle work zone driving tasks. Awareness can be promoted through driver education programs as well as public outreach activities.
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Associated Needs State driver handbooks and driver instruction manuals may need to be revised to clarify the meaning and intent of work zone traffic control devices. There is a need for cooperation among various media agencies to effectively implement this strategy.
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Training and Other Driver trainers should be educated in the meaning and intent of traffic control devices Personnel Needs and in driving safely through work zones so they are better able to emphasize this in driver education curriculums. If PI&E expertise is not available within an agency, it may be necessary to involve another agency or use a private media consultant.
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From page 116... ...
These regular contacts have increased the likelihood of coverage of work zone safety issues in the media as well as kept motorists better informed of DOT construction and maintenance activities and the effect of these activities on travel plans. • Media outreach program for construction and maintenance work zones (Mississippi DOT)
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An example website is the North Carolina DOTs website, which provides statistics on North Carolina and national work zone safety, safe driving tips for work zones, information about statewide and national work zone safety events, clips of multiple public service announcements related to work zone safety, and information on current work zone activities throughout the state. More information can be found at http://www.doh.dot.state.nc.us/safety/workzone/.
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From page 118... ...
In addition, the recently finalized FHWA rule on managing the safety and mobility impacts of work zones demonstrates the need for training of people with work zone responsibilities. Many education and training options are available to address work zone safety issues.
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Agencies should consider making the training and manuals available to local jurisdictions that will be designing and operating work zones. This will help ensure consistency in work zone design and traffic control in a region.
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However, surrogate measures may be employed, including before-and-after test results and interviews and observation of change in personnel performance. The involvement of improper traffic control setup or practice in work zone crashes should be compiled by agencies and used to identify training needs.
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Legislative Needs None identified. Other Key Attributes Compatibility of This strategy can be used in conjunction with other strategies to improve safety in Different Strategies work zones.
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From page 122... ...
Topics covered include traffic control plan review, inspection of traffic control procedures and safety devices, and the resolution of discrepancies from the traffic control plan, as well as deficiencies in safety hardware maintenance. • Hosting of Making Work Zones Work Better Workshops (http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/wz/workshops/workshops.htm)
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From page 123... ...
The Missouri DOT Traffic Control for Field Operations manual is available online at http://www.modot.state.mo.us/business/manuals/trafficcontrol.htm. Objective 19.1 F -- Develop Procedures to Effectively Manage Work Zones Implementing programs and procedures at the agency level can help bring about an institutional change in the emphasis placed on work zone safety and on the use of strategies to improve work zone safety.
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From page 124... ...
A working arrangement between law enforcement agencies and the highway agency is needed to ensure that safety data are entered into the database as soon as possible. Since agency personnel will be onsite at many work zones, they can collect the information needed on the crash, work zone design, and traffic control in place at the time of the crash.
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From page 125... ...
Obtaining the reports earlier allows for review of the work zone and implementation of improvements during the work if improvements would be appropriate. Ohio DOT uses the crash reports to look at half-mile segments of larger work zones and determine if there are problems with the design or traffic control that may contribute to the crash.
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Coordination with emergency responders is a key consideration when planning and scheduling work zones. It is important for police, fire, and emergency medical service agencies to be aware of alternative routes around work zones and possible congestion.
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From page 127... ...
However, this strategy is expected to have a beneficial impact on safety related to all types of work zones by potentially reducing traffic congestion, reducing exposure of highway users to work zones and workers to traffic, and improving emergency response and enforcement of work zone traffic laws. Agencies that have focused on improving coordination, planning, and scheduling of work activities have had positive experiences.
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Strategy 19.1 F3 -- Use Incentives to Create and Operate Safer Work Zones (T) General Description Some state agencies and other highway organizations have established incentive or award programs to encourage work zone personnel to strive for safer work zones.
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Impact measures include the effect of these measures on employee morale, awareness of work zone safety issues, and the frequency and severity of crashes in work zones. Evaluation of changes in staff attitudes may be made through the use of surveys, interviews, focus groups, observations of personnel behavior, and changes in safety practices.
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Safety audits are performed at various stages in the design and construction process. Safety inspections performed during construction are necessary to ensure that the design and operation of work zones provide adequate consideration of the needs of road users and workers.
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• Nighttime traffic control: Evaluate temporary traffic control devices at night and during dawn and dusk to ensure that they are visible at these times. • Miscellaneous traffic control: Evaluate whether the equipment and/or operations in the roadway are adequately protected, whether temporary signal operations are effective, whether the posted speed limit is appropriate, whether access control is adequate, whether pedestrians have adequate travel path and are adequately protected from hazards, and whether emergency responders are able to access incidents in the work zone as well as travel through the work zone when responding to incidents.
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A representative from the state's highway safety office would provide a useful perspective during evaluations and inspections. Continuous monitoring of work zones is needed to ensure that traffic control devices are maintained in good condition, that appropriate devices are set up and/or removed as work progresses and as the work zone layout changes, and that recommended improvements are implemented.
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The potential for inspector hesitancy to be critical of an agency's actions or practices should be considered when deciding whether internal or external personnel should perform inspections. There needs to be an awareness that hesitancy to report problems can not only increase risk to the public, but also negatively affect risk management issues (such as increased potential for crashes if work zone traffic control devices are not visible)
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From page 134... ...
Strategy Attributes for Implementing Work Zone Quality Assurance Procedures (i.e., Safety Inspections or Audits)
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Key Terms
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More
information on Chapter Skim is available.