HERO UNIT Training Module Work Zone Traffic Control And Incident Management Operations

Overview The purpose of this course is to provide the participants with an understanding of the purpose, requirements, responsibility, design, and placement criteria for traffic control devices at incident scenes and work zones. The participants will consider the factors which affect device placement and select appropriate device spacing.

Objective To provide each student with a general knowledge of the guidelines and tools which will enable them to identify and apply workable techniques for installing, removing and evaluating traffic control in work zones and incident sites.

Definitions Traffic Queue A line of vehicles waiting in a backup, as a result of congestion and/or an incident.

Definitions Peak-Hour Traffic Those hours when the highest number of vehicles are found to be traveling a given section of roadway.

Those hours when traffic volumes are not at there peak. Definitions Off-Peak Hours Those hours when traffic volumes are not at there peak.

Purpose of Traffic Controls The purpose of traffic control devices and warrants for there use is to help insure highway safety by providing for the orderly and predictable movement of all traffic.

Purpose of Traffic Controls Traffic Control devices are used to direct and assist vehicle operators in the guidance and navigation tasks required to transverse safely any facility open to public travel.

Requirement For Devices To be effective, a traffic control device should meet 5 basic requirements: Fulfill a need Command attention Convey a clear, simple meaning Command respect of road users Provide adequate response time

Meeting Requirements There are 5 ways to insure that the basic requirements of traffic control devices are met: Design Placement Operation Maintenance Uniformity

Keys for Effective Application • Standardization • Simplicity (K.I.S.S.) • Consistency

Devices used at Work Zones & Incidents • Warning Signs • Channelizing Devices • Temporary Barriers • Pavement Markings • Lighting • Arrow Boards • Special Devices

Temporary Traffic Control Work Zone Most temporary traffic control work zones can be divided in to four parts: • Advanced Warning Area • Transition Area • Activity Area • Termination Area

Location & Placement Criteria Warning Sign Series (Advance Warning Area) • The first sign is used to attract the attention of the driver, “Pay attention”, you are approaching a work zone and/or roadway emergency. • The second sign should describe the “situation ahead”, (Right/Left Lane Closed) • The third sign should specify the “action to be taken”, (Merge Left/Right)

Warning Sign Placement A driver should have at least 5 seconds to read the sign, understand it and take the appropriate action that is called for on the sign before reading the next sign or other device.

Work Zone Application

Work Zone Application

Temporary Work Zone

Temporary Work Zone

At 70 mph, a vehicle travels over 510 feet in just 5 seconds. Fact At 70 mph, a vehicle travels over 510 feet in just 5 seconds.

Temporary Work Zone

Temporary Work Zone

Placement of Warning Signs Conditions which may affect the placement & spacing of warning signs: Curvature of Roadway (vertical & horizontal alignment) Time of Day Weather conditions Traffic conditions

Tapers (Transition Area) Tapers are used to move traffic laterally from one path to another.

Upstream and Downstream Tapers 2 Types of Tapers Upstream and Downstream Tapers

2 Types of Tapers Upstream: Toward the source of traffic (the direction traffic is coming from)

2 Types of Tapers Downstream: In the direction of the traffic flow (The direction where traffic is going)

2 Types of Tapers Upstream Downstream • Merging taper • Termination Taper • Shifting taper • Shoulder taper • Two-way traffic taper

Is used to close a travel lane on a multi-lane roadway. Upstream Tapers Merging Taper: Is used to close a travel lane on a multi-lane roadway.

Calculating Taper Lengths Two pieces of information is required: Lateral shift in feet Prevailing speed (Posted Speed Limit)

Formulas for L For speed limits of 40 mph or less: L= WS² 60 For speed limits of 45 mph or greater: L= WS Where: L = taper length in feet W = width of offset in feet S = posted speed limit

Example Problems Lateral Shift = 12’ Posted Speed Limit = 55 mph What would be the taper length? L = W x S L = 12’ x 55 mph L = 660 feet taper

Example Problem Lateral shift = 12’ Posted Speed Limit = 40 mph What would be the taper length? L = W x S² 60 L = 12’ x 40² L = 12’ x 1600 L = 19200 L = 320 feet taper

Example Problem If you had to close a travel lane on I-20 with a lane width of 12’, and a posted speed limit of 65 mph, what would be the minimum length of the merging taper?

Answer L = 12’ x 65 mph L = 780 feet (minimum taper length)

Example Problem If you are closing a lane on US 19/41 and the lane width is 10’ and the posted speed limit is 40 mph, what would be the minimum length of the merging taper?

Answer L = 10’ x 40² 60 L = 10 x 1600 L = 16000 L = 266.67 or 267 feet (minimum taper length)

Upstream Tapers ½ of L Merging Shifting Taper: is used when merging is not required, but a lateral shift for all travel lanes is needed. The formula for determining the minimum length of a shifting taper is: ½ of L

Upstream Tapers ⅓ of L Merging Taper Shifting Taper Shoulder Taper: is used to initiate a shoulder closure. The formula for determining the minimum length of a shoulder taper is: ⅓ of L

The maximum taper length is 100’ with TCDs Upstream Merging Taper Shifting Taper Shoulder Taper Two-Way Traffic Taper: The one lane, two-way traffic taper is used in advance of a work area which requires the closure of one lane of a two-lane roadway, usually under control of a flagger. The maximum taper length is 100’ with TCDs at 20’ spacing

Spacing of Channelizing Devices The maximum space between devices in a taper normally approximates the distance in feet of the posted speed limit in miles per hours. As a rule, use one device for each one foot of lane width.

Example Posted Speed Limit = 65 mph: Spacing of channelizing devices in a taper would be 65 feet. Closing a 12’ lane: Number of devices needed for the taper would be 12 + 1 = 13 (one needed at each end of the taper).

The minimum length of the termination taper is 100’ Downstream Taper Termination Taper: this taper is used to provide a visual indication to drivers that they may move back into a previously closed lane (Use is optional). The minimum length of the termination taper is 100’

Double Lane Closures A transition is needed between the two tapers which has a minimum length of 2L, where L is the length computed for an individual merging taper. Example: If L = 700’ for a merging taper length, then the transition length between the first taper and the second taper would be 1400’.

Installing TCDs Devices are installed in the direction that traffic moves – that is, “Downstream”. The 1st device placed is the 1st Advance Warning Sign then proceed with: Advanced Warning Area Transition Area Activity Area Termination Area

Removal Sequence When possible, traffic control zones should be removed by picking up the devices in a reverse sequence to that used for installation.

Incident Management Situations For unexpected incidents, particularly those of an emergency nature, temporary traffic control devices on hand may be used for the initial response as long as they do not themselves create unnecessary additional hazards. (MUTCD 2000, Part VI, page 6G-21)

Incident Management Situations When should the installation of more permanent traffic control devices be considered? If it is determined that the clean-up and removal of an incident from a travel lane will take longer than 1 hour. If it is determined that it would be in the best interest of the incident victims, motorists, emergency personnel, and to protect the incident site.

Typical Applications

Typical Applications

Typical Applications

Typical Applications

Typical Applications

Typical Applications

Typical Applications

Typical Applications

Remember There are hazards associated with setting up and removing traffic controls. Therefore, if the incident is a short duration incident (less than 1 hour, MUTCD 2000- Part VI, page 6G-2) more permanent traffic controls will not normally be required.

Remember As a rule, most incident will not require any additional traffic control devices other than the traffic cones, emergency warning lights and arrow boards which are standard equipment for the HERO operator.

Major Roadway Incidents For major roadway incidents, where travel lanes and/or roadways must be closed for an extended period of time, routine maintenance will be asked to assist with traffic control and the establishment of alternate routes if necessary.

Summary The primary function of temporary traffic control at an incident management scene is to protect the victims, the scene, emergency service personnel while moving road users safely and expeditiously past or around the incident, and to reduce the likelihood of secondary crashes.

Questions or Discussion HERO UNIT Questions or Discussion