Use of Uniformed Police Officers on Federal-Aid Highway Construction Projects Executive Summary...
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Transcript of Use of Uniformed Police Officers on Federal-Aid Highway Construction Projects Executive Summary...
Use of Uniformed Police Officers on Federal-Aid Highway Construction Projects
Executive Summary PresentationPrepared by Editor’s InkSubcontractor to Henderson Assoc.June 8, 2000
Background
• TEA-21 required DOT to:
“…conduct a study with States, State transportation departments, and law enforcement organizations, on the extent and effectiveness of use of uniformed police officers on Federal-aid highway construction projects.”
Background
• Survey– Federal Register Notice
• Federal Register Survey Questions• General Comments encouraged
– AASHTO Survey
• Analysis of Policies & Studies
Federal Register Respondentsby Category N = 95
State Trans-portation Agencies
46(48%)
Law Enforce-ment
Agencies16
(17%)
Law Enforce-ment Assoc.
8(8%)
Highway Industry Assoc.
13(14%)
Individuals1
(1%)
State Legislators
3 (3%)
Contractors & Suppliers
8(9%)
Survey Respondentsby Category N = 70
State Transporta-
tion Agencies
46(66%)
Law Enforcement
Agencies15
(21%)
Law Enforcement
Assoc.6
(9%)
Highway Industry Assoc.
3(4%)
Survey Responses
• The total number of survey respondents was 70.
• Not all survey respondents answered all questions.
• Therefore the number of respondents (N) is DIFFERENT for EACH QUESTION.
Does Agency Have Policy?
• Written policies generally provide for hiring off-duty police officers to work construction zones, although a few States use only on-duty officers
• Funding from DOT, usually• Some “yes” responders said they
had “unwritten” policies
What is the Source of Funding for UPO Program? N = 68
Highway Construc-tion Funds
49 (72%)
Hwy Admin. Funds
5(7%)
Law Enforce. Approp.
6(9%)
Other8
(12%)
Circumstances Where UPOsMost Often Used
•Nighttime operations
•Lane or road closures
•High speed/ Hi volume traffic
Only a Few Agencies Use UPOs in All Projects
•Arizona (unwritten policy)
•Rhode Island•City of Boston
How is Number of Officers Determined?
• Responses vary widely• Job site factors
– location– traffic volume/speed– nighttime operations– complaints, problems, or special operations
• Available funding• Procedural factors• Manpower factors
Off-duty Only, or On-Duty As Well? N = 57
Off-Duty Only
22(39%)
On Duty Only
7(12%)
On-Duty As Well28
(49%)
92% of Respondents said UPOs used Marked Vehicles at
Construction Projects
No response
Yes 92%
No 4%
Varies 4%
Officer Positioning & Gear
• 11% of survey respondents said they require officers to be outside vehicle
• 33% require high-visibility clothing
24% of Survey Respondents said their State Conducts a UPO Training Program
4 4 62 2
29
30
13
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
Yes No Other
Hwy Assoc.
State Trans.AgenciesLaw Enf. Assoc.
State Police
Who’s In Charge?
• Who Developed the Policy?• Who Determines the
Number of Officers?• Are UPOs included in the
Planning Process?
Who Developed the Policy?N = 30
Law Enforce-ment Agency
& Other3
(10%)
DOT17
(57%)
Law Enforce-
ment Agency &
DOT7
(23%)
Law Enforce-
ment Agency
3(10%)
Who Determines Number of Officers? N = 63
Law Enforcement
Agency8
(13%)
Highway Agency
27(42%)
Joint Effort26
(41%)
Contractor1
(2%)
Other1
(2%)
Joint Effort Between Which Parties? N = 26
19
1 24
02468
101214161820
DOT & LawEnforcement
Agency (73% )
Contractor &Law
EnforcementAgency (4% )
DOT &Contractor
(8% )
Parties NotSpecified(15% )
Effectiveness of Policies
•Survey Data--Mostly Opinion, but Indicates Positive Effects
•Hard “Real World” Data is Scarce
•Academic Research also Scarce, but Generally Positive
Effects of Policies: Academic Studies
• Generally Positive Results
• Document that UPO Presence Reduces Speed as much as or more than other traffic control methods
• Some guidelines available
Effects of Policies: Academic Studies
Transafety Paper, Noel, et al, 1987Compared:
1. MUTCD flagging procedure2. MUTCD flagging procedure w/ add’l flagger hand motions3. marked police car w/ lights & radar
4. UPOs standing to control traffic
Effects of Policies: Academic Studies
Noel et al found:
“The law enforcement methods demonstrated a stronger speed reduction capability; particularly when lane closures result in two or more lanes open.”
Effects of Policies: Academic Studies
Transportation Research Board, Richards, et al, 1985
Findings:Flagging & law enforcement were best
methods.Best flagging methods reduced speeds an
average of 19%Best Law enforcement methods reduced
speeds by an average of 18%.
Has Your Agency Conducted Studies on use of UPOs in Work Zones?N = 58
16
42
05
1015
2025
3035
4045
Yes (28% ) No (72% )
Studies by States
• A few states track # of citations, # of collisions, injuries, etc. Generally do not provide conclusive data on effectiveness
• Some law enforcement agencies provided info on budget, # of officers assigned, etc.
General Respondents by Category N - 25
State Legislators
3(12%)
Contractors & Suppliers
8(32%)
Individuals1
(4%)
Highway Industry Assoc.
10(40%)
Law Enforce. Agencies
1(4%)
Law Enforcement
Assoc.2
(8%)
General Comments Received
• General comments were overwhelmingly supportive
• AASHTO 1997 Policy Resolution supports use of Federal-aid funds for UPOs in work zones
• 2 of 10 highway industry associations had methodology suggestions:– AHAS: encourages gathering more hard data– IIHS: recommends study of automated
enforcement as supplement to UPOs
Summary Findings
• Report documents widespread use, and support for, the use of UPOs in work zones. (extent)
• Little hard data available on actual effects of policies.
• Survey data show State policies and procedures vary widely.
Issues Summary
• Policies vary Re:– Circumstances Where UPOs are
Required– Number of Officers Required– Training, Procedures, & Supervision
• Conflicting Missions (Traffic Control vs. Speed Enforcement)
Issues Summary
• Funding and Personnel Availability
• Payment of Officers– Rates (overtime vs straight pay)– Benefits & Retirement
Recommendations: Agencies should consider...
• Developing written guidelines to address:– situations where UPOs recommended– work zone traffic control planning process– officer pay/benefits, work procedures, etc.
• Training UPOs in proper MUTCD work zone signage and flagging procedures.
Recommendations: Agencies should consider...
• Gathering better data on traffic safety incidents at Federally funded highway work zones in order to assess effectiveness of work zone traffic control techniques.
• Using new technologies, such as automated enforcement and intrusion alarms, as well as UPOs.