2011 Road School Work Zone Traffic Control Handbook

Work Zone Traffic Control Handbook Objectives  Discuss the purpose of the WZTCH and who should use it  Discuss the changes from the WZSM to the WZTCH

Work Zone Traffic Control Handbook Purpose of the Handbook  Provide a quick reference  Meets the requirements of the IMUTCD  Adds some typical installations

Work Zone Traffic Control Handbook Who Should and Who Can Use the Handbook  State personnel and any permittees setting out a work zone on State Right-Of-Way are to use this manual  Because it meets and in a few places, exceeds, the IMUTCD, anyone setting up temporary traffic control may use it  Contractors of INDOT are not required to use it

Work Zone Traffic Control Handbook  Prior revisions were effective on 10/16/2009  Title has been changed:  Originally - Work Zone Safety Manual  Now - Work Zone Traffic Control Handbook  Distinguishes it from the INDOT Safety Manual  Better reflects it’s focus  Re-numbered the pages  Updated to meet IMUTCD

Changes made throughout the handbook  References to MUTCD changed to 2008 IMUTCD  “Protection Vehicle” changed to “Shadow Vehicle”  Sign and buffer spacing adjusted to 2008 IMUTCD Work Zone Traffic Control Handbook Original Revised

Worksite traffic control diagrams provide minimum requirements, additional traffic control or protection can be added. This manual covers work setups as presented in the INDOT maintenence/traffic management system Traffic Control Devices The following types of traffic control devices are used in work zone traffic control: Signs Channelizing Devices Warning Lights Arrow Displays Pavement Markings Introduction The purpose of this handbook is to present guidelines for work zone traffic control and to supplement basic work zone safety training. This handbook covers the basic requirements of Part VI of the 2008 Indiana Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (IMUTCD) with particular emphasis on short term work sites. For long term work sites the IMUTCD and INDOT standard drawings should be consulted. These requirements apply to construction, maintenance, traffic, and utility work zones. The worksite traffic control diagrams in this handbook provide minimum requirements. Additional traffic control or protection can be added. Work Zone Traffic Control Handbook Portable Changeable Message Signs Page 1

Work Zone Traffic Control Handbook Removal – When work is suspended for short periods, all signs that are no longer appropriate shall be removed, covered, turned, or laid flat so they are not visible to drivers. Signs laid flat should not be placed such that posts present a danger to a motorist if they run over the sign. Page 5

Work Zone Traffic Control Handbook Page 7 Notes: 1.Stripes on barricade rails slope downward at an angle of 45 degrees toward the direction traffic is to pass. 2.Barricade rail stripe widths shall be 6 inches except where rail lengths are less than 36 inches, then 4 inch wide stripes may be used. 3.The sides of barricades facing traffic shall have retroreflective rail faces. 4.All channelizing devices shall meet AASHTO Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH) Requirements. 4.All channelizing devices shall meet National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 350 Crash Test Requirements.

Work Zone Traffic Control Handbook Page 8 Channelizing Devices Channelizing devices are used to warn and alert road users of conditions created by work activities and to guide road users. Channelizing devices include cones, tubular markers, vertical panels, drums, barricades, and barriers. Channelizing devices are used to warn and alert drivers of conditions in work zones, to protect workers, and to guide and direct drivers and pedestrians safely. Channelizing devices include cones, tubular markers, vertical panels, drums, barricades, and barriers. Spacing Cone or barrel spacing for straight-a-ways should be: At 55 mph & below: 1 cone for every 80’ (every other skip) At 60 mph & above: 1 cone for every 120’ (every 3 skips) Spacing The spacing of channelizing devices (cones, etc.) should be a distance in feet equal to the speed limit in mph when used for taper channelization, and a distance in feet equal to 2.0 times the speed limit in mph when used for tangent channelization. See Table II on Page 13. Alternatively, the spacing may be as follows: Spacing for straight-a-ways: 20 to 40 mph: 1 cone for every 40’ (every skip) 40 to 55 mph: 1 cone for every 80’ (every other skip) 60 mph & above: 1 cone for every 120’ (every 3 skips)”

Warning Lights Warning lights may supplement retroreflectorization on warning and channelizing devices. They are especially useful in areas prone to fog or frequent inclement weather. Warning lights shall have a minimum mounting height of 30 inches. The principal types and uses of warning lights are: ON VEHICLES—Vehicle hazard lights, four-way flashers, shall not be used as vehicle warning lights, but may be used to supplement vehicle warning lights. Vehicle warning lights are defined in the INDOT Vehicle Lighting Policy. Care should be taken to avoid presenting excessive and confusing numbers of vehicle lights to the motorists. Work vehicles in protected areas which are not being utilized should have their lights switched off except when entering or exiting the zone. Vehicle hazard lights, four-way flashers, shall not be used as vehicle warning lights, but may be used to supplement vehicle warning lights. Vehicle warning lights are defined in the INDOT Vehicle Lighting Policy. ON SIGNS AND CHANNELIZING DEVICES—Warning lights may supplement retroreflectorization on warning and channelizing devices. They are especially useful in areas prone to fog or frequent inclement weather. Warning lights shall have a minimum mounting height of thirty (30) inches. The principal types and uses of warning lights are: Work Zone Traffic Control Handbook Page 9

Work Zone Traffic Control Handbook Arrow Displays An arrow board in the arrow or chevron mode may be used to supplement signs and other devices for lane closures on multilane roadways. An arrow board in the caution mode shall be used only for shoulder work, blocking the shoulder, or roadside work near the shoulder. Arrow boards shall not be used on two-lane two-way roads in arrow or chevron mode. Arrow boards may only be used in caution mode on two-lane two-way roads. Arrow boards will be equipped with a dimmer switch (manual or automatic) for night time work Page 10

The spacing of channelizing devices (cones, drums, etc.) in a taper should be a distance in feet equal to the speed limit in mph. Work Zone Traffic Control Handbook Page 13

Supervisor‘s Checklist 1.Have a traffic control plan before going to the work site. 2.Ask yourself, “What is the driver‘s view of the work site”, (at night, during peak hours, etc.) Whenever possible, after setting up, drive through the zone to see it from the motorist perspective. 3.Investigate crashes/incidents to identify if changes are needed in the traffic control plan. 4.For overhead work, traffic control is required for affected lane(s). 5.If working on an interstate, check to see if an Interstate Lane Closure Waiver is needed and/or approved for the location. Supervisor‘s Checklist 1.Have a traffic control plan before going to the work site. 2.Ask yourself, “What is the driver‘s view of the work site”, (at night, during peak hours, etc 3.Investigate crashes/incidents to identify if changes are needed in the traffic control plan. 4.For overhead work, traffic control is required for affected lane(s). Work Zone Traffic Control Handbook Page 14

Work Zone Traffic Control Handbook Page 17 Night Time Traffic Control Message Boards: Portable message signs may be used to alert the public of the work ahead. See page 4 for specific details and how the sign should be used). It is a good practice to display the message a day ahead. Channelizing Devices: Cones must be 28” tall and have retroreflective tape. Barrels must have retroreflective tape or Warning Lights (as required). Barricade panel must be Type 3. (See page 7 of this manual for more details). It is also a good practice to have night patrols available to reset traffic control devices as needed. Night Time Traffic Control Message Boards: Portable message signs may be used to alert the public of the work ahead. See page 6 for specific details and how the sign should be used. It can be a good practice to display a message a day ahead of the work warning about the coming change.

Protection vehicle for INDOT shall be a dump truck loaded with sand and parked at an angle. If a TMA is used, the truck shall be loaded per TMA manufacturers specifications (load of sand may not be needed with a TMA), parked parallel to traffic, front wheels angled away from traffic, and may be either a dump or 2 ton stakebed vehicle. Drawings are not to scale. The drawings do not depict the number of channelizing devices to use. Shadow vehicle for INDOT shall have a minimum weight of 10,000 lbs. A load of sand may be required to obtain the minimum weight, but it should not be permitted to freeze during winter operations. If a TMA is used, the truck shall be loaded per the TMA manufacturer’s specifications. Shadow vehicles should be parked parallel to traffic and have the front wheels angled away from traffic. Work Zone Traffic Control Handbook Page 19 & 20

Work Zone Traffic Control Handbook A tangent section was added to the shifted lane Page 26

Shadow Vehicle added Work Zone Traffic Control Handbook Unneeded Arrow Boards were removed Page 27

Work Zone Traffic Control Handbook Unneeded Arrow Boards were removed Page 29

Work Zone Traffic Control Handbook Page 30 Arrow Board replaced with Shift Arrow Sign

Work Zone Traffic Control Handbook Page 32 Added note for the yield sign

Work Zone Traffic Control Handbook Page 35 Changed the color of the EXIT sign from green to orange

Work Zone Traffic Control Handbook Adjusted labels for shadow vehicle area and buffer space Page 44

Work Zone Traffic Control Handbook Relocated Arrow Board Page 46 Arrow Board symbol added LEFT LANE MUST TURN LEFT sign changed to a regulatory sign – An OA is needed

Work Zone Traffic Control Handbook Page 51 Unneeded Arrow Board was removed

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Removed 2 mile length limit Work Zone Traffic Control Handbook Page 69 Maximum distances for sign spacing Added Note 2

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