Work Zone Traffic Management

Tom NotbohmPeter Amakobe Atepe

Marie TreaziseWisDOT Bureau of Highway

Operations

Contractor – Engineer Conference

January 21, 2009

Work Zone Traffic Management

Work Zone Field Process Review Findings Night Work Lighting Work Zone Speed Limit Criteria & Speed

Enforcement Federal Work Zone Rules – Subpart K and

Worker Visibility Lane Closure System Other initiatives and evaluations

Traffic Control Field Reviews

Bi-Annual Reviews mandated by FHWA Reviewed 46 projects in all Regions Evaluated Plan requirement Vs. Actual Participation from BHO, BPD, FHWA, and

the Regions

Traffic Control Field Reviews

Purpose of Reviews – Increase work zone safety awareness– Assess current practices– Identify reoccurring issues – Determine training needs– Develop or improve policies & procedures

Traffic Control Field Reviews

Notify Regions Drive-through and walk-through Provide feedback WZ review report

Traffic Control Field Reviews

Review items included– Overall traffic control– Quality of traffic control devices– Access for pedestrians, bicyclists, businesses– Flagging– Drop-offs

Traffic Control Field Reviews

Findings: Overall quality & effectiveness of traffic control

has improved Concerns:

– Poor quality/maintenance– Missing devices and/or poor placement/orientation– Access Issues – Flagging issues

Traffic Control Field Reviews

Flagging Issues– Poor operation, No escape route

Traffic Control Field Reviews

Poor Visibility

Traffic Control Field Reviews

Access Issues & ADA

Traffic Control Field Reviews

Dropoffs

Traffic Control Field Reviews

Non-Conforming Devices

Traffic Control Field Reviews

Recommendations– Need for flagger training– Address access issues during project staging– Use quality guideline for devices & compliance

2009 work zone reviews– BHO & others will review work zones throughout the

construction season– Provide timely feedback and follow-up

Night Work Lighting

Standard Specification for Artificial Lighting– To safely and adequately perform the work– To make the workers and construction

operations visible to traveling public– Glare and brightness do not interfere with

driver visibility

Night Work Lighting

Working to develop a pilot Special Provision– Lighting layout (light placement, mounting

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

Work Zone Traffic Management

Work Zone Speed Limit Criteria– Reduce 65-mph to 55-mph during lane closures & work

operations– Reduce 55-mph multi-lane highways to 45-mph if AADT >

10,000, where lanes narrowed, severe lane shifts, work area close to traffic

– Reduce 55-mph 2-lane rural highways to 45-mph if AADT > 7,000, where lanes narrowed, severe lane shifts, or road surface is degraded

– Reduce 45-mph multi-lane highways to 35-mph if AADT > 10,000, where severe lane shifts, frequent driveways

– Reduce 40-mph urban roadways to 30-mph where temporary road, gravel surface, severe lane shifts

Work Zone Traffic Management

Revising State Patrol Enforcement Process– More flexible deployment agreements– Criteria based on traffic volume, lane

closures, speed limit, project length, safety history, terrain, traffic composition, night work or traffic stoppages for work operations

Federal Work Zone Rule – Subpart K

Uniformed law enforcement officers Temporary barrier and other positive protection

devices Traffic control and exposure control measures Work vehicles and equipment Payment for traffic control Maintenance of temporary traffic control devices

Federal Work Zone Rule – Subpart K

Temporary barrier– Facilities Development Manual guidelines

(FDM 11-50-35)– Construction & Materials Manual (CMM

1.45.9.4)– Standard Specs 104.6.1, 107.8, 107.14

Federal Work Zone Rule – Subpart K

Traffic control and exposure control measures

Proposed Implementation Plan – developing revisions in response to industry concerns

Contained in Work Zone Transportation Management Plans (TMP’s)

TMP guidance in FDM 11-50-5

Federal Work Zone Rule – Subpart K

Enhanced traffic control and exposure control measures – Examples:– Closer spacing of traffic control devices– Reduced speed zones– Radar speed displays– Temporary rumble strips & transverse markings– Off-peak work– Road/ramp closures & crossovers– Diverted traffic– Changeable message signs & ITS– CB Wizard– Public information– Dynamic lane merge

Enhanced Traffic Control Measures

Radar Speed Display

Enhanced Traffic Control Measures

Temporary Rumble Strips

Enhanced Traffic Control Measures

I-94 near Eau Claire – Dynamic Lane Merge – Shorten queue lengths before work zone– Increase traffic capacity through work zone– Reduce aggressive driving

Enhanced Traffic Control Measures

I-94 near Eau Claire Wizard

– Broadcasts work zone information to truckers via Channel 19

Federal Work Zone Rule – Subpart K

Work vehicles and equipment– Warning signs for work vehicle ingress/egress– Standard Detail Drawing – SDD 15D29– Standard Spec 107.9– Lights on vehicles

Federal Work Zone Rule – Subpart K

Maintenance of temporary traffic control devices– ATSSA Quality Guidelines for Temporary

Traffic Control Devices– Standard Spec 643.2.1– CMM 1.45.9.1

Acceptable

Marginal

Unacceptable

Federal Worker Visibility Rule

All workers exposed to traffic or construction equipment required to wear high-visibility safety apparel

ANSI/ISEA 107-2004 Class 2 or 3 requirements

Lane Closures

Lane closures addressed in TMP documents

Project Special Provisions include lane closure times, holiday & special event restrictions, and notification provisions

Wisconsin Lane Closure Planning System (LCS)

Web-based system for tracking closures and restrictions on freeways, expressways and other state highways

Developed by UW Traffic Operations and Safety Lab under direction of Statewide Traffic Operations Center

Single source of WisDOT roadway & lane closure information for:– All let projects– Any planned closures/restrictions on Corridors 2030

roadways– Major special events– Emergency closures resulting from incidents

Wisconsin Lane Closure Planning System (LCS)

Specific, accurate information needed– Provides traveler information to 511 system– Used to determine issuance of Oversize &

Overweight Vehicle permits Timeframes:

– 14 days – Project start, full roadway closure, or restriction of width, height, weight

– 7 days – System ramp closure– 3 days – Lane and service ramp closure