Work Zone Safety and Mobility Issues and Mitigation

Work Zone Safety and Mobility Issues and Mitigation
Advanced Work Zone Design and Management Safety Considerations Work Zone Safety and Mobility Issues and Mitigation Module 2 Session Title: Overview of Work Zone Safety and Mobility Issues Performance-Based Learning Outcomes: Following this lesson participants should be able to: Answer the question: why should we care about work zones? Identify potential negative consequences of work zones. Characterize the extent of work zones. Instructional Method: Lecture with discussion. Session Time: 14 slides. Approximately 0:30. Evaluation Plan: Learning will be assessed based on interactive discussions during the lesson. A series of questions in relation to slides #4 and #11 will initiate discussions. Selected material to be included in post-course evaluation.

Work Zone Safety and Mobility Issues and Mitigation
Advanced Work Zone Design and Management Safety Considerations Work Zone Safety and Mobility Issues and Mitigation Why we should care about work zones Extent of work zones Potential negative consequences of work zones General work zone mitigation strategies Key Message: Learning objectives. Est. Presentation Time: One minute. Explanation of Cues/Builds: None. Suggested Comments: The primary learning objectives for this lesson are as listed on slide. Suggested Questions: None. Additional Information: None. Possible Problems: None. WZ Safety & Mobility Issues & Mitigation

Why We Should Care About Work Zones
Advanced Work Zone Design and Management Safety Considerations Why We Should Care About Work Zones Potential economic disruption Impair quality of life Potential to jeopardize safety Problem is not temporary New reality: System management & operations Growth in capital expenditures Key Message: Work zone are a serious and growing transportation challenge. Est. Presentation Time: Three minutes. Explanation of Cues/Builds: None. Suggested Comments: Instructor should discuss why, as an agency professional, participants should be/are concerned about work zones. There is a potential for work zones to: Disrupt economic activity - An economy cannot exist without efficient transportation -- - and work zones disrupt that efficiency. Impair quality of life - We desire mobility for personal pursuits - - to visit people, attend social and cultural events. However, expansion, preservation and improvement of existing infrastructure is also important and therefore reality is that the need for work zones will remain prevalent. Jeopardize safety – we’re going to talk extensively about safety and the challenges we face in simply trying to determine what we can do to improve safety, but we do know that there work zones do impose additional risks. The increasing number and extent of work zones are not a phase were going through. In fact, unless we employ some of the strategies that will be discussed, we should expect that the number and extent of work zones will remain high indefinitely. The new reality is that the network we have today is essentially what we will have next year and the year after. The days of increasing systems mileage and capacity to offset increase demands are over. Through system management techniques, transportation agencies are wringing out all possible transportation and safety benefits from existing lane-miles. Capital programs are directed at the improvement of existing roadways. Collectively, DOTs spent 81% of their Year 2000 budgets preserving, expanding, and enhancing existing facilities. Suggested Questions: None. Additional Information: Source of funding information for 2000: 2002 Status of the Nation’s Highways, Bridges, and Transit: Conditions & Performance, Report to Congress. Publication No. FHWA-PL Washington, D.C., 2003.) Available on FHWA Work Zone site. Possible Problems: None. WZ Safety & Mobility Issues & Mitigation

Advanced Work Zone Design and Management
Safety Considerations Why We Should Care About Work Zones Key Message: Highway travel is closely correlated with population growth and economic activity. Existing roadways are subject to increasingly use. Est. Presentation Time: Two minutes. Explanation of Cues/Builds: None. Suggested Comments: This graph indicates the growth in four indices for the US between 1980 and They are highway travel, gross domestic product, population and highway capacity. Highway travel and GDP have very similar patterns. It is also obvious that the growth in highway capacity is very low compared to travel growth. A direct implication of the difference in these growth rates is that existing lane miles are carrying ever-increasingly traffic volumes. In fact, right now the typical travel lane carries twice as much traffic as it did in The implications of that arithmetic are that every lane is more this year than last year and the rate at which they are being deteriorated by traffic loads is increasing. Given the historic relationship between the economy and travel, you have to wonder what will happen if highway travel does not continue to increase. Think about some very specific and practical work zone decisions. Reducing one lane of a two-lane directional roadway. It worked fine in How will it work in 2010? Suggested Questions: Is your agency experiencing the same trends? Additional Information: None. Possible Problems: None. WZ Safety & Mobility Issues & Mitigation

Why We Should Care About Work Zones
Advanced Work Zone Design and Management Safety Considerations Why We Should Care About Work Zones U.S. Freight Shipment by Mode 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 Value Tons Ton-miles Truck (private and for- hire) Multi-modal Water Air (including truck & air) Rail (including truck & rail) Pipeline Other & unknown Key Message: Highways are the dominant mode but not the only mode for goods movement. Est. Presentation Time: One minute. Explanation of Cues/Builds: None. Suggested Comments: This slide vividly illustrates the vital role of highways in good movement, which is an indicator of economic activity. We often think of mobility and traffic strictly in terms of volume and flow rates. Goods movement is often measured in terms of value and weight. Freight movement and supply chains are at the heart of industrial and commercial activities. In the past decade we’ve all become familiar with the term “just in time delivery” – when a region is not conducive to reliable goods movement, it hurts it competitive position in retaining and attracting businesses that rely on dependable shipping and receiving. Suggested Questions: None. Additional Information: None. Possible Problems: None. WZ Safety & Mobility Issues & Mitigation

Work Zones: Scope and Scale
WZ Safety & Mobility Issues & Mitigation

Advanced Work Zone Design and Management Safety Considerations Work Zones: Scope and Scale Exposure: Numbers and Mileage from 2001 Snapshot Key Message: We have some estimate of the extent of work zones. Est. Presentation Time: One minute. Explanation of Cues/Builds: None. Suggested Comments: Several estimates have been made of work zone exposure. One source is based on 2001 data. Basically, this information indicates the probability that any single mile of an NHS route will be within either an active or inactive work zone during the peak activity day of the year. Suggested Questions: None. Additional Information: Reference, Ullman, G.L., A.J. Holick, T.A. Scriba, and S.M. Turner “Estimates of Work Zone Exposure on the National Highway System in 2001.” TRR 1877, 2004, pp.62-68 Possible Problems: None. WZ Safety & Mobility Issues & Mitigation

Advanced Work Zone Design and Management Safety Considerations Work Zones: Scope and Scale Exposure: NHS estimate from 2003 Snapshot Key Message: We have some estimate of the extent of work zones. Est. Presentation Time: One minute. Explanation of Cues/Builds: None. Suggested Comments: Another study, known as the 2003 Work Zone Snapshot was undertaken by a contractor on behalf of FHWA. The results are shown in the table. Importantly, not all of the work zones are in place simultaneously. Suggested Questions: None. Additional Information: None. Possible Problems: None. WZ Safety & Mobility Issues & Mitigation

Advanced Work Zone Design and Management Safety Considerations Work Zones: Scope and Scale Exposure: Part of the Driving Experience Over 11 billion VMT through construction One active WZ encountered per 100 miles driven on the NHS, representing over 12 billion hours of vehicle exposure nationally; half involve lane closures Key Message: Work zones are everywhere and the public has noticed. Est. Presentation Time: One minute. Explanation of Cues/Builds: None. Suggested Comments: In a separate study of 2001 conditions, it is estimated that more than 11 billion vehicle miles of travel are estimated to have been through active contract work zones (i.e. roadwork performed by private contractors) during the year 2001. The same study estimated that motorists encountered an active work zone one out of every 100 miles driven on the NHS, representing over 12 billion hours of vehicle exposure to work zones during Motorists experienced a lane closure every 200 miles driven on the NHS in 2001, representing slightly more than 6 billion miles of vehicle travel through work zones nationally. Suggested Questions: None. Additional Information: Information in from U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Characteristics of Today's Work Zones, presentation at TRB Annual Meeting by Gerald Ullman (Texas Transportation Institute) on preliminary study results. Washington, D.C., January 2004 as reported on FHWA Work Zone web site. Possible Problems: None. WZ Safety & Mobility Issues & Mitigation

WZ Safety & Mobility Issues & Mitigation
Amount of Activity ( ) WZ Safety & Mobility Issues & Mitigation

Negative Consequences of Work Zones
Advanced Work Zone Design and Management Safety Considerations Negative Consequences of Work Zones Lost 60 million veh/hr capacity during 2-week period Responsible for: 24% of non-recurring freeway delay 10% of all congestion 2nd leading cause of public dissatisfaction with transportation (behind poor traffic flow) Key Message: Work zones can bring negative consequences Est. Presentation Time: One minute. Explanation of Cues/Builds: None. Suggested Comments: The instructor should summarize the following details, which expand the three bulleted items on the slide: More than 60 million vehicles per hour per day of capacity were estimated to be lost due to work zones over a two week period during the peak summer roadwork season in 2001. A 2002 study by the Dept of Energy indicates that WZs are responsible for almost a quarter of all non-recurring delay. Looking at this from a customer service perspective, WZs are the second leading cause of dissatisfaction % of survey respondents indicating they were not satisfied. Suggested Questions: None. Additional Information: Information in first bullet point obtained from U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, A Snapshot of Peak Summer Work Zone Activity Reported on State Road Closure and Construction Websites. Washington, D.C., August 2002. Information in second bullet point obtained from U.S. Department of Energy, Temporary Losses of Highway Capacity and Impacts on Performance, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL/TM-2002/3). May 2002. Information in third bullet point obtained U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Moving Ahead: The American Public Speaks on Roadways and Transportation Communities. FHWA-OP Washington, D.C., 2001. Possible Problems: None. WZ Safety & Mobility Issues & Mitigation

Advanced Work Zone Design and Management Safety Considerations Negative Consequences of Work Zones Safety About 40,000 injuries annually 720 fatalities in 2008 667 in 2009 More than 85% of fatalities are motorists and passengers In 2008, 720 fatalities resulted from motor vehicle crashes in work zones. This is a 13 percent decrease from 2007 (831 fatalities), 28 percent decrease from 2006 (1,004 fatalities), and a 32 percent decrease from 2005 (1,058 fatalities). In recent years the number of injuries related to work zone crashes has fluctuated around the 40,000 level There were over 1000 work zone fatalities in 2005, which is the most recent year for which highway fatality data are available Approximately 85% of the people killed in work zones are in motor vehicles, as either drivers or passenger. The remaining 15% are on foot or bicycles. Suggested Questions: None. Additional Information: Information in first and third bullets point obtained from U.S. Department of Transportation, FHWA work zone web site Information in second bullet point obtained National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse web site WZ Safety & Mobility Issues & Mitigation

Advanced Work Zone Design and Management Safety Considerations Negative Consequences of Work Zones Highway Worker Safety ~ 120 workers killed annually Occupational injury rates: 8 times all workers (average) Double (2x) other construction workers Key Message: Work zones can bring negative consequences Est. Presentation Time: One minute. Explanation of Cues/Builds: None. Suggested Comments: The instructor should outline the, which expand the three bulleted items on the slide: Approximately 120 highway workers are killed annually in work zones Highway worker are at a significantly greater risk of injury than other workers as indicated Suggested Questions: None. Additional Information: Information in first bullet from presentation (Designing for Speed, Congestion, and Delay in the Work Zone ) by G. Ullman, posted on FHWA work zone web site. Second bullet information taken from Work Safety lesson (23). Possible Problems: None. WZ Safety & Mobility Issues & Mitigation

Advanced Work Zone Design and Management Safety Considerations Negative Consequences of Work Zones US Work Zone Fatalities (1995 – 2008) Key Message: Raw data tells something but has limitations. Est. Presentation Time: Two minutes. Explanation of Cues/Builds: None Suggested Comments: This the 12-year work zone fatality data. Suggested Questions: What does this tell us? Are these results good or bad? Are we improving or getting worse? There are many unanswered questions related to work zone safety. We have difficulty answering questions about how specific strategies and decisions (e.g., lane reductions, device placement and spacing, night work) will affect crash rates and severities. Through research we are beginning to answer some of these questions. What we do know that is that every year thousands of people – motorists, workers and pedestrians – are seriously or fatally injured in work zones. The most important question for every single individual in this room may be: what can I personally do to make a positive change? Hopefully, the information provided in this course will provide you the information to take action. In your respective roles, what do you see as the most pressing challenges related to work zones. One of the significant unanswered questions is: what are the corresponding fatal crash rates? Additional Information: Data is from NHTSA’s Fatal Analysis Reporting System (FARS). These data are a point of beginning for addressing work zone safety. Possible Problems: None. WZ Safety & Mobility Issues & Mitigation

WZ Safety & Mobility Issues & Mitigation
Minnesota Data Work Zone Fatalities 2006 – 17 (494 total) 2007 – 20 (510 total) 2008 – 9 (455 total) 2009 – 20 (421 total) ? Fatality rate is 0.74 compared to national rate of 1.16 WZ Safety & Mobility Issues & Mitigation

Safety Considerations Can we do better? Key Message: We’re all being challenged to make improvements. Est. Presentation Time: One minute. Explanation of Cues/Builds: None. Suggested Comments: The answer to this rhetorical question is yes, we can reduce the negative effects of work zones on mobility and safety. That is not to say it will be easy or that we all the answers at this point. Some of the improvement strategies require substantial investment by agencies and others do not. In the last lesson we reviewed the general challenges. In this lesson, we’ll look at the general strategies that can lead to improvement. These strategies are approaches that your agency should consider in developing detailed procedures. Traffic Queue Picture - Construction Accident Picture - Suggested Questions: None. Additional Information: None. Possible Problems: None.

Improvement Strategies
Advanced Work Zone Design and Management Safety Considerations Improvement Strategies Meet the challenge systematically Improve driver performance Reduce work zone risk factors Reduce mobility impacts Reduce exposure Key Message: These are the broad approaches to work zone improvement. Est. Presentation Time: One minute. Explanation of Cues/Builds: None. Suggested Comments: The slide lists a set of five broad strategies aimed at reducing work zone impacts. Specific actions that can be taken under each of these strategies will be discussed later in this lesson and in subsequent lessons. These five strategies are not completely independent of each other. For example, the first strategy is the overarching theme and an umbrella of the other four. Suggested Questions: None. Additional Information: None. Possible Problems: None. WZ Safety & Mobility Issues & Mitigation

Strategy: Meet the Challenge Systematically
Advanced Work Zone Design and Management Safety Considerations Strategy: Meet the Challenge Systematically Develop/implement policies Integrate policies into business process procedures (SMS, design, etc) Monitor performance Collect & analyze data; make improvements Improve human capital Forge effective partnerships Key Message: Elements of systematic approach. Est. Presentation Time: One minute. Explanation of Cues/Builds: None. Suggested Comments: The work zone challenge is as complicated as our transportation system. It is not an issue that can isolated into a single specialty, discipline or bureau of your agency. Making progress involves consideration of cost, priorities, motorist and worker safety, risk, quality of life, support of the economy, materials and structural engineering, geometric design, traffic engineering and numerous other areas of concern and specialized knowledge. To establish reasonable goals and to chart a course toward their achievement requires a systematic approach. The first four bullets can be summarized as developing policies and procedures, monitoring the performance that they yield and making continuous improvement. Policies and procedures are only as good as the people that are developing and executing them. If we expect improved results, our level of understanding has to improve. Everyone that influences how work zones are designed and managed will be expected to contribute to improved results. The performance of work zones is not controlled by a single specialized unit within in a DOT. Work zone performance is affected by many units with DOTs, consultants, design teams, local governments, emergency service providers, construction contractors, businesses and civic leaders. Effective partnership are essential. Suggested Questions: None. Additional Information: None. Possible Problems: None. WZ Safety & Mobility Issues & Mitigation

Integrate Work Zone Policies into Procedures
Advanced Work Zone Design and Management Safety Considerations Integrate Work Zone Policies into Procedures Key Message: Two keys aspect of agency processes will be: consideration of WZs throughout program and project development and feedback loops that rely on collection of information to improve processes and decisions. Est. Presentation Time: Two minutes. Explanation of Cues/Builds: None. Suggested Comments: The policies and procedures will be relevant to all phases of program planning and project development and should complement one another. Transportation agencies are no in the “work zone business” per se. They are in the business of planning, designing, constructing and operating transportation systems. Work zone factors should be consideration should be integrated into those business processes. Again, the broke lines between the horizontal and vertical rectangles indicate the need to assess policy against results and to make improvements where appropriate. Suggested Questions: None. Additional Information: None. Possible Problems: None. WZ Safety & Mobility Issues & Mitigation

Safety Considerations Strategy: Meet the Challenge Systematically Improve Human Capital Work zone value chain: Development Design Implementation Operation Inspection Enforcement Training geared toward improved decisions Key Message: More knowledgeable people render better decisions. Est. Presentation Time: One minute. Explanation of Cues/Builds: None. Suggested Comments: There is a general proposition that says the quality of decisions is related to the knowledge of decision maker. Few of us would disagree. We know that the work zone encountered by a road user is the culmination of many decisions, going back to policies, through design and on to implementation. The end product is the result of an integrated value chain. A significant action toward improving the results is to provide the decision makers within the value chain with the skills, tools and knowledge they need. Suggested Questions: None. Additional Information: None. Possible Problems: None. WZ Safety & Mobility Issues & Mitigation

Forge Effective Partnerships
Advanced Work Zone Design and Management Safety Considerations Strategy: Meet the Challenge Systematically Forge Effective Partnerships Advocacy groups Business/merchants Cities/local government Emergency response agencies Legislative/political offices Major employers Neighborhood associations Transit agencies Transportation management associations Utilities Key Message: For success, DOTs need to engage and partner with others. Est. Presentation Time: One minute. Explanation of Cues/Builds: None. Suggested Comments: The success of a transportation management plan for a major undertaking typically relies on many organizations outside of the DOT. Therefore, these organizations should be required to participate in the development of the plan. Suggested Questions: None. Additional Information: None. Possible Problems: None. WZ Safety & Mobility Issues & Mitigation

Safety Considerations Strategy: Improve Driver Performance Driver education Compliance Key Message: Drivers are key to work zone safety. Est. Presentation Time: One minute. Explanation of Cues/Builds: None. Suggested Comments: The second of the five strategies is to improve driver performance. Ultimately, work zone safety falls primarily to drivers. To get the best from them, we need to equip them with the appropriate knowledge – and then set up a system of accountability and compliance. It is a system of carrots and sticks. Suggested Questions: None. Additional Information: None. Possible Problems: None. WZ Safety & Mobility Issues & Mitigation

Improve Driver Performance: Driver Education
Advanced Work Zone Design and Management Safety Considerations Improve Driver Performance: Driver Education Campaigns and Slogans “Give em’ a Brake” “Slow Down, My Daddy Works Here” Newspaper, Radio, Television, PSAs Key Message: Public education is an important element of work zone safety. Est. Presentation Time: Two minutes. Explanation of Cues/Builds: None. Suggested Comments: Many of you know there is a national effort to educate the driving public on the hazards of work zones. A number of media channels and techniques are needed to reach a market as large and diverse as US drivers. One of the techniques is to identify and publicize a phrase or slogan that captures the essence of your message. There are some common slogans, such as those listed here and then there are some that are exclusive and unique to a specific state. Professional marketing techniques, such as branding and multi-media dissemination have been employed to get the message out. For example, in 1990 North Carolina developed the theme 'Work Zone – Stay Alert' – and an accompanying logo. The logo and theme developed for the 'Work Zone – Stay Alert' campaign are used today in all materials and advance warning signs. Suggested Questions: None. Additional Information: Photo obtained from Possible Problems: None. WZ Safety & Mobility Issues & Mitigation

Advanced Work Zone Design and Management Safety Considerations Improve Driver Performance: Driver Education Work Zone Awareness Week 2010 theme: Work zones need our undivided attention Raise awareness Provide drivers tips for driving safely through work zones Recognize those who have died in work zones Key Message: Public education is an important element of work zone safety. Est. Presentation Time: Two minutes. Explanation of Cues/Builds: None. Suggested Comments: FHWA’s Work Zone Awareness Week is another component of the driver education strategy. The main goal is to reduce congestion and crashes due to work zones. Each year, there is a series of events to publicize and create public awareness of work zone safety issues. A series of safe driving tips are included, including: expect the unexpected, slow down, don’t tailgate, maintain safe distances from construction workers and other vehicles, pay attention to the signs, obey road crew flaggers, stay alert and minimize distractions, keep up with the traffic flow, schedule enough time to travel safely, and be patient and stay calm. This year’s emphasis is night work zones. Suggested Questions: None. Additional Information: None. Possible Problems: None. WZ Safety & Mobility Issues & Mitigation

Advanced Work Zone Design and Management Safety Considerations Improve Driver Performance: Driver Education Key messages of “Turning Point” teen driver program: Know what work zone signs mean. Pay attention to other drivers. Stay focused & avoid distractions. Expect the unexpected. Keep your cool. Be patient. Key Message: Young drivers are a population of special concern. Est. Presentation Time: Two minutes. Explanation of Cues/Builds: None. Suggested Comments: New drivers should be introduced to some of the conditions they will face. Work zones present unfamiliar traffic patterns and hazards. FHWA has developed the “Turning Point” program directed specifically at educating drivers on work zone safety. The key points of advise are indicated on the slide. Suggested Questions: None. Additional Information: None. Possible Problems: None. WZ Safety & Mobility Issues & Mitigation

Advanced Work Zone Design and Management Safety Considerations Improve Driver Performance: Driver Education Work zone safety info in drivers’ manuals Introduce work zone TTC devices Provide guidance on proper driving techniques Key Message: Driver licensing is another opportunity to educate motorists. Est. Presentation Time: Two minutes. Explanation of Cues/Builds: None. Suggested Comments: The driver licensing process is another opportunity to educate motorists. A number of states include work zone related information in drivers manuals and on licensing examinations. Typically, information on TTC devices and especially signs are included. Information on special requirements and advise on safety operation in work zones is also included. A few examples include: Georgia – A section dedicated to driving safely through work zones. Topics covered include obeying signs and flaggers, reducing speed, adjusting lane positions, yielding to mobile work zone vehicles, etc. New York – A section instructing drivers how to drive safely through work zones: obey all signs until completely out of the work zone, maintain a 2 second following distance behind vehicles to prevent rear end collisions, merge safely as soon as possible before work zone rather than waiting until the last minute, slow down when traveling through work zones, use alternate routes if aware of construction, etc. Pennsylvania – A section introducing young drivers to signs they will see when traveling through work zones. Suggested Questions: None. Additional Information: Warning Sign images obtained from Work Zone protection phrase image obtained from Possible Problems: None. WZ Safety & Mobility Issues & Mitigation

Improve Driver Performance: Compliance
Advanced Work Zone Design and Management Safety Considerations Improve Driver Performance: Compliance Display TTC devices visibly Improve credibility of signs Enforcement of traffic laws in work zones Increased penalties in work zones Key Message: Steps to increase compliance. Est. Presentation Time: Two minutes. Explanation of Cues/Builds: None. Suggested Comments: Several measures are recommended to attain higher levels of driver compliance: Display TTC devices visibly – This is an extension of the earlier points on positive guidance and primacy. The arrangement and display of TTC devices should be clearly visible and their meaning easily understood. Improve credibility of signs – In general, many traffic control devices are not credible. We can all think of signs with messages that are untrue. The information on signs simply has to be credible. Every sign displaying erroneous or suspect information diminishes compliance with subsequent signs. Enforce traffic laws - Many drivers will comply with traffic control measures from a sense of social and personal responsibility. Other people will only comply in the face of negative consequences. The two principal factors affecting the effectiveness of sanctions are the certainty and severity of punishment. Enforcement has a dramatic effect on the certainty. Penalties are the second major influence on compliance. In addition to the traffic laws that pertain to all highways, many state’s have enacted laws creating offenses and higher fines related to operating within work zones. Suggested Questions: None. Additional Information: Automated Advisory Sign Image obtained from of Temporary Traffic Signal Image from . Possible Problems: None. WZ Safety & Mobility Issues & Mitigation

Advanced Work Zone Design and Management Safety Considerations Improve Driver Performance: Compliance Example of Increased Fines Key Message: Example of elevated fine structure. Est. Presentation Time: One minute. Explanation of Cues/Builds: None. Suggested Comments: The Illinois legislature has enacted very aggressive legislation that imposes a 45 m.p.h. speed limit in all construction zones, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The minimum penalty for speeding in a work zone is $375, regardless of whether there are workers present or not. In addition, drivers who hit a worker are subject for up to a $10,000 fine and 14 years in prison. Suggested Questions: None. Additional Information: Information obtained from news release dated March 30, 2005, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich. Possible Problems: None. WZ Safety & Mobility Issues & Mitigation

Advanced Work Zone Design and Management Safety Considerations Improve Driver Performance: Compliance Enforcement Officers on general patrol Officers dedicated/assigned to project Automated speed enforcement Key Message: Enforcement works. Est. Presentation Time: One minute. Explanation of Cues/Builds: None. Suggested Comments: Enforcement is an effective technique for attaining compliance, especially control of speeding and aggressive driving. The most common form of enforcement is a sworn police officer, either roving or stationed at critical points. The baseline or minimum level of enforcement is that police will pass in and out of work zones that are within designated patrol boundaries and as they travel for other purposes. Much more presence and more effectiveness is obtained with officers dedicated to specific work zones. Interagency agreements between the DOT and state police dealing work zone enforcement exist in many states. There are a range of funding arrangements. Automated speed enforcement (ASE) technology is considered by some to offer significant potential to improve the enforceability of highway work zones nationwide. ASE has been used as a speed control and enforcement tool by over 40 countries around the world, with some systems having been in place for up to 30 years. However, ASE systems are not used widely in the United States, primarily due to legal and political barriers. Specifically, ASE systems require the speeding violation to be issued as a civil, rather than a criminal, infraction, which requires a change to most state traffic laws. Politically, many citizens also believe that automated enforcement systems are purely revenue generators, with limited benefit to safety. Given these concerns, widespread utilization of traditional ASE systems in work zones is not likely nationwide in the foreseeable future. (This paragraph is verbatim by Gerald Ullman et al) Suggested Questions: None. Additional Information: Photos obtained from Possible Problems: None. WZ Safety & Mobility Issues & Mitigation

Advanced Work Zone Design and Management Safety Considerations Improve Driver Performance: Compliance Example: Illinois Photo Speed Enforcement Workers present Work zone is signed No time of day restrictions Work zone fine structure applies Key Message: Example of automated enforcement. Est. Presentation Time: One minute. Explanation of Cues/Builds: None. Suggested Comments: As previously noted, Illinois has taken an aggressive posture regarding speed in work zones. In addition to the sanctions that were discussed previously, they have also instituted a photo enforcement program. This program relies on a vendor-operated van and includes the other essential elements seen here. The first is that this system is used only when workers are present and way be used even when workers are behind a barrier. Secondly, motorists are duly warned through two signs. The first sign indicates photo enforcement may be in use; the second sign displays vehicle speeds. Photo enforcement is not restricted by time of day. Vehicle owners are cited via the mail and must appear in court. The fine for a first offense is $375 and the second offense is $1000 and 90-day suspension. Suggested Questions: None. Additional Information: None. Possible Problems: None. WZ Safety & Mobility Issues & Mitigation

Strategy: Reduce Work Zone Risk Factors
Advanced Work Zone Design and Management Safety Considerations Strategy: Reduce Work Zone Risk Factors Confusing Information Sources Distractions Roadside Hazards Lack of Positive Guidance Queues Conflicts (construction, pedestrians, access) Inattentive Driving Aggressive Driving Design Key Message: Introduce second major strategy. Est. Presentation Time: Two minutes. Explanation of Cues/Builds: None. Suggested Comments: The third strategy is to reduce work zone risk factors. The risk factors that apply to all roadways are often amplified in work zones. Some risk factors are associated with drivers and we’ve already identified improvement actions in that area. Many risk factors are within the influence of the design process: Confusing Information Sources – driving is an information processing task. Work zones inherently involve additional information processing. If information sources are confusing or even conflicting, it will degrade from driver performance. Distractions – Distractions can be thought of as irrelevant but compelling information. Construction operations are interesting to observe but divert mental energy from driving. Roadside Hazards – Many work zones introduce of additional roadside hazards (pavement drop offs, large equipment) with limited separation. These features are sometimes necessary for construction but run contrary to roadside design principles. Lack of Positive Guidance – As the complexity of the driving environment increases, drivers need additional assistance to perform successfully. Positive guidance is the approach to providing that assistance. If we don’t provide the guidance the probability for negative outcomes increases. Many of these factors will be addressed during subsequent coverage of design topics. Suggested Questions: None. Additional Information: None. Possible Problems: None. Drivers WZ Safety & Mobility Issues & Mitigation

Strategy: Reduce Mobility Impacts
Advanced Work Zone Design and Management Safety Considerations Strategy: Reduce Mobility Impacts Manage demand (major projects) Maintain and augment capacity Key Message: Identify two areas of action for this strategy. Est. Presentation Time: One minute. Explanation of Cues/Builds: None. Suggested Comments: Many work zones have negative mobility effects. Even when a travel lane is not displaced, capacity can be reduced. Since many higher functional class facilities operate near capacity, any reduction in capacity will have a negative effect on mobility. The quality of service is based on a relationship between demand and capacity; therefore, both sides of the equation have to be managed. Suggested Questions: None. Additional Information: None. Possible Problems: None. WZ Safety & Mobility Issues & Mitigation

Strategy: Reduce Work Zone Exposure
Advanced Work Zone Design and Management Safety Considerations Strategy: Reduce Work Zone Exposure Reduce duration Reduce number Reduce traffic volumes Get In; Get Out; Stay Out! Key Message: Introduce segment on another general (third of four) strategy. Est. Presentation Time: One minute. Explanation of Cues/Builds: None. Suggested Comments: The third general strategy is to reduce work zone exposure. This strategy is a close to a “no brainer” as we’ll see. If no traffic had to pass through a work zone, there wouldn’t be any negative effects of work zones. In fact, work zone problems are pretty much proportional to the amount of traffic passing that encounter them. To reduce work zone problems, reduce work zone exposure. Exposure is determined by the number of work zones, their duration and the traffic volumes. Any strategy that reduces one of those elements, will reduce work zone risk. We know that we can not completely eliminate work zone but we also know that there is room for improvement in each of these areas. A term or a even a slogan has been coined that captures many of these ideas with just six well chosen words. Suggested Questions: None. Additional Information: None. Possible Problems: None. WZ Safety & Mobility Issues & Mitigation

Safety Considerations Summary Existing facilities subject to increasingly intense use WZs can reduce capacity, access, modal connectivity & safety Key customer service factor WZ management is a key element in mobility and safety strategies Key Message: Summarize key points. Est. Presentation Time: Two minutes. Explanation of Cues/Builds: None. Suggested Comments: The instructor should summarize the following details, which expand the four bulleted items on the slide: FHWA tried to get an current estimate of the extent and effect of work zones. Using a sample from cooperating states a “snap shot” of the national work zone situation was conducted in the summer of If the sample is used as an estimator for the entire nation, you approximate that there were in excess of 7,100 work zones on the NHS during the peak road work period in 2003. Using the same sample, the extent of those work zones is over 44,000 miles which is 27% of the total NHS mileage. Another recent study by the Dept of Energy indicates that work zone are responsible for almost a quarter of all non-recurring delay. Looking at this from a customer service perspective, a survey found that work zones are the second leading cause of dissatisfaction % of survey respondents indicating they were not satisfied. Suggested Questions: Is there something that you consider an important work zone issue that was not identified? Additional Information: U.S. Department study “Energy, Temporary Losses of Highway Capacity and Impacts on Performance,” Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL/TM-2002/3). May 2002; Customer survey results Moving Ahead: The American Public Speaks on Roadways and Transportation Communities,” U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, FHWA-OP Washington, D.C., 2001. Possible Problems: None. WZ Safety & Mobility Issues & Mitigation

Work Zone Safety and Mobility Issues and Mitigation

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