# Presentation: 660100

## Work Zone Best Practices

***A “How To” Workshop for Making Work Zones Work Better.***
***Sponsored by***
***Federal Highway Administration***
***Office of Transportation Operations***
***Washington, D.C.***
***May 2001***

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:
There are handouts that need to be distributed as part of this training module.  The main handouts should be distributed as you start the training, or preferably placed at the seat of each participant prior to the start of the session.

Handouts (at beginning of session):
1)  Print copy of the Guidebook
2) CD-ROM version of the Guidebook
3) Work Zone Mobility and Safety Best Practices fact sheets

Handouts for during the session (at times indicated in slide notes pages):
4) Work Zone Best Practices Guidebook Registration form
5) Work Zone Best Practice Submission Form
6) Work Zone Best Practices Comment Form

## Purpose and Process

**Purpose**
**Introduce **_***The Work Zone Best Practices Guidebook***_*** ***
**Provide instruction in how to use the *****Guidebook***
**Encourage use of the *****Guidebook***
**  ****Audience**
**Practitioners involved in all phases of providing our transportation network**
**Planning, operations, engineering, construction, design, traffic control**
**Training Module**
**Consists of 5 parts**

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:
This is a national training module regarding the use of best practices in “making work zones work better.”  This module is particularly designed to introduce the Work Zone Best Practices Guidebook to practitioners in the transportation community, to instruct them in how to use this tool, and to encourage them to put it to use.

Target audience:  Practitioners in transportation planning, operations, transportation engineering, construction, design, traffic control (all phases of providing our transportation network).  Those serving on steering committees or advisory panels for transportation projects.  These practitioners may be part of State DOTs, associations such as ATSSA, FHWA, or other organizations.

Timing:  This module is designed to take about 1 1/2 hours to deliver. The module can be lengthened with the use of more detailed examples in Sections 2 and 3, as well as more  interactive discussion.

Tailoring the module: This is a national training module and as such the information provided is applicable across the nation (e.g., statistics provided in the introductory text are national figures).  If you are presenting this to an audience with particular interests or vantage points (e.g., people from one State DOT, a steering committee for a particular project), you may want to tailor it to your audience by adding some slides and graphics that relate to the particular audience. You may desire to leave out some of the slides (e.g., for some audiences you may want to skip the introductory slides upfront and move directly to the FHWA program or the slides on the Guidebook).

## Overview

**What’s the Problem?**
**Addressing the Problem:  FHWA’s Work Zone Mobility and Safety Program**
**Work Zone Best Practices Resources**
**Work Zone Best Practices Applications**
**How You Can Help!**

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:
Provide the group with an overview of the module. This training module is divided into 5 sections: 
What’s the Problem? - provides background information and statistics on work zone mobility and safety
Addressing the Problem - describes FHWA’s work zone mobility and safety program
Work Zone Best Practices Resources - describes FHWA best practices resources, primarily the Guidebook
Work Zone Best Practices Applications - how to use the Guidebook and 2 sample problems
How You Can Help! - what the practitioner can do and a few useful web sites

## Why Do Work Zones Need To Work Better?

**Safety of workers and drivers**
**Many serious injuries and fatalities result from crashes in work zones**
**Mobility of the traveling public**
**Travelers are frustrated with the # of work zones and the delays they cause **
**More population/drivers + Limited new roads ******** More congestion **
**As the nation's highway infrastructure ages, more rehabilitation is needed. **
**Aging infrastructure**** ******** ****More rehabilitation ******** More work zones**
**Work zone mobility and safety have increasing importance as work zones become more of a daily fixture on our roads.**** **
**More work zones + More congestion ******** More delays & injuries/fatalities****	**
_**Unless We **__***MAKE WORK ZONES WORK BETTER***_

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:
This notes page and some of the subsequent notes pages provide some background information you may want to refer to or use in your remarks as you present the slides.

From the FHWA Mobility & Safety Product Team - Proposed Charter:
Data reveals that the impacts on motorist and worker mobility, safety, and productivity by highway construction and maintenance work zones are significant.  These conditions coupled with the increase in the number of work zones brought about by increased highway funding and an aging infrastructure have raised concerns by highway program managers as well as those who use and work on the roadways.  Current best practices must be implemented and new technologies must be discovered in order to prevent escalating user delays, crashes that result in fatalities and injuries, and incidents affecting traffic flow.

## Work Zones Can Be Dangerous

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:
Comment briefly on this slide.  More detailed information is presented on the next slide.

## Fatality Data
Over the last 5 years the number of persons killed in motor vehicle crashes in work zones has averaged more than 750 fatalities per year, with a high of 868 in 1999.
In 1998, 772 fatalities resulted from motor vehicle crashes in work zones, 222 of which resulted from large truck crashes.
On average from 1994 to 1998, 16% of the fatalities resulting from crashes in work zones were non-motorists (pedestrians and bicyclists).

Injury Data
In 1998, approximately 39,000 people were injured as a result of motor vehicle crashes in work zones; 3,000 of those resulted from large truck crashes.

**Over the last 5 years the number of persons killed in motor vehicle crashes in work zones has averaged **_**more than 750 fatalities per year**_**, with a high of 868 in 1999.**
**In 1998, 772 fatalities resulted from motor vehicle crashes in work zones, 222 of which resulted from large truck crashes.**
**On average from 1994 to 1998, **_**16% of the fatalities resulting from crashes in work zones were non-motorists**_** (pedestrians and bicyclists).**
**Injury Data**
**In 1998, approximately **_**39,000 people were injured**_** as a result of motor vehicle crashes in work zones; 3,000 of those resulted from large truck crashes.**

**Work Zone Safety Fact Sheet 1**

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:

Make note to the audience that in these slides you are presenting information, NOT telling causality.

## Work Zone Safety Fact Sheet 2

_**When**_** Crashes Occur    (1998 data)**
**More than half of all work zone crashes occurred during the day, while about three-quarters of fatal large truck work zone crashes were during the day.**
**Almost three times as many work zone crashes occurred on weekdays compared to weekends.**
**Fatal work zone crashes occurred most often in the summer and the fall.**

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:
The reason that work zone crashes occur most frequently at these times is likely due, in part, to the higher volumes of traffic and numbers of work zones during these times and seasons.

## Work Zone Safety Fact Sheet 3

_**Where **_**Crashes Occur     (1998 data)**
**Much higher % of fatal work zone crashes occur on urban interstates (14%) than % of all fatal crashes occurring on urban interstates (6%).**
**For fatal large truck crashes: percentage of work zone crashes occurring on urban interstates was twice as high compared to all fatal truck crashes (20% vs. 10%).**
**Majority of fatal work zone crashes for all vehicles (59%) and large trucks (71%) **_**occurred on roads with speed limits of 55 miles per hour or greater**_**. **

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:

## Work Zone Safety Fact Sheet 4

_**Types **_**of Crashes     (1998 data)**
**Significantly higher percentage of fatal work zone crashes are rear-end collisions (31%) than in all two-vehicle fatal crashes (12%)**

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:

## Road Construction Hazards Fact Sheet

**For Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) members, employment in road construction is hazardous - **
**38% of members are employed in road construction activities, yet **_**over 73% of on-the-job fatalities occurred in road and highway construction**_** **
**Highway and street construction activities (SIC 1611) are **_**among the most hazardous**_** - fatality rate for highway construction workers is double the rate for other construction**
**In the U.S., **_**120 to 130 workers die per year in road construction activities**_**. Over 62% of the fatalities are not directly related to traffic issues. **

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:
1st bullet: Internal survey of death certificates for LIUNA members who died on the job showed that while only 38% of LIUNA’s membership were employed in road construction activities, over 73% of the on-the-job fatalities occurred in road and highway construction. 

2nd bullet: In construction work nationwide, highway and street construction (except elevated highways) activities (SIC 1611) are among the most hazardous. The fatality rate for highway construction workers is double the rate for other construction.

3rd bullet:  Nearly 2/3 of road construction fatalities are not directly related to traffic issues (i.e., not directly related to traffic passing through the work zone). However, they may be directly related to other work zone factors, such as the work zone geometry or other restrictions that affect worker safety by confining work space or creating other workplace hazards. We don’t know the extent to which these fatalities can be related to work-zone specific causes. 

## Work Zone Mobility Fact Sheet 1

**More Construction Projects ******** More Work Zones**
**Since 1981, highway spending has grown 50.2%**
**Over the duration of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21), funding levels for highway construction will increase nearly 40% **
**In 1997, 47.6% was spent on system preservation (resurfacing, restoration, rehabilitation, reconstruction).**
**As our highway system continues to age, more will be needed.**

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:
Further information to support the “more work zones” idea is shown on the next slide.

## More Work Zones

**160,000 miles of National Highway System and 300,000 miles of arterials reaching “middle age”**
**$1.4B infrastructure value – increased preservation work is needed**

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:

## Work Zone Mobility Fact Sheet 2

**More Traffic ******** More Congestion**
**Congestion has been projected to increase by 50% in the next 10 years**

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:
Further information to support the “more traffic” and “more congestion” (and therefore “more delay”) ideas is shown on the next two slides.

## Traffic is Growing

**The *****1999 Conditions and Performance Report  (C&PR)***** shows increasing trends in both highway vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and Interstate daily VMT over a 10 year period.**

**We’re traveling more miles without increasing highway capacity significantly.**
**Urban VMT and DVMT per lane-mile are growing faster than on rural highways.**

**Notes:**
Notes to Speaker:
We are traveling more miles. We have a limited amount of new roads. The result is more traffic and more congestion!

## Congestion is Growing

**According to the *****1999 C&PR*****, the percentage of highway miles considered “extremely” or “severely” congested more than doubled between 1982 and 1997.**
**The percentage “uncongested” highway miles fell by almost half during the same period.**

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:

## Work Zone Mobility Fact Sheet 3

**More Congestion + More Work Zones ******** More Delay ********Driver Frustration**
**In a *****1995 NQI survey*****, only 29% of respondents were satisfied with traffic flow through work zones; delays caused by construction received the lowest overall satisfaction rating.**
**In the *****2000 Omnibus Traveler Survey*****, the top reason cited for delays was heavy traffic, followed by road work.**

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:
Note greater incidence of road rage.

NQI = National Quality Initiative - representatives of industry, State transportation officials, and the FHWA established a national initiative to promote the quality of the highway system in November 1992.  In 1995, this NQI sponsored a survey of the driving public to measure satisfaction with the nation’s highways.

## Work Zone Mobility Fact Sheet 4

**More Congestion + More Work Zones ******** More Delay ********More $$**
_**Work Zone Delay Costs**_**: Daily road user delay costs on many urban freeway reconstruction projects have been calculated to be over $50,000 per day.**

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:  (additional detail for this slide provided below)
“While national data on the cost of work zone delays is not readily available, daily road user delay costs on many urban freeway reconstruction projects have been calculated to be over $50,000 per day.  When the magnitude of this figure is projected on a national scale, delay costs in work zones are staggering.”
[Meeting the Customer’s Needs for Mobility and Safety During Construction and Maintenance Operations (September 1998)]

FHWA conducted a quality improvement review entitled Meeting the Customer's Needs for Mobility and Safety During Construction and Maintenance Operations between December 1997 and June 1998.  The review was done to assess the effectiveness of FHWA and State DOT policies and procedures in enhancing safety, improving mobility, and increasing the efficiency of the National Highway System(NHS) by reducing traffic congestion/delays during construction and maintenance operations. The results of this study include a description of the state of practice in work zones, identification of items that should be pursued to achieve state-of-the-art in reducing motorist delays and enhancing safety in work zones,  and a listing of best practices for improving work zone mobility and safety.

## Overall Congestion Costs

**A recent Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) study estimates the cost of congestion (in constant 1997 dollars) to have grown from $21B in 1982 to $72B in 1997.**

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:
From the Meeting the Customer’s Needs report:
“In 1993, the total cost of congestion in our nation’s 50 largest metropolitan areas was approximately $51 billion, a 6 percent increase in the 1992 congestion cost of $48 billion.  The 1993 average per capita cost of congestion in these 50 largest metropolitan areas was $370.”   
(Cited as coming from Urban Roadway Congestion, 1982-1993 Annual Report, Research Report 1131-8, Texas Transportation Institute - August 1996)

Delays are costly. The Connecting America 1999 Report to the Nation estimates that more than $50 billion a year is spent on lost productivity and wasted fuel (for all federal-aid highways, which includes roadways that connect cities, suburbs, and rural areas).  The report also states that unlike in urban areas, travel time delays through the entire system have dropped slightly over the past three years - from 8.2 hours of delay per 1000 VMT in 1996 to 8.1 hours of delay per 1000 VMT in 1998.  The decrease in delays is due, in part, to efforts to help motorists traveling through work zones, toll plazas, and truck weigh and inspection stations. There are still major delay costs, and work zones are part of that.

Connecting America also notes that for transporting freight, the average hourly operating cost is $40 to $60 for long-haul vehicle operations, so disruptions may be costly to carriers, shippers, and consumers.

## Work Zones . . .

**Take the roadway out of service**
**Impact people and businesses**
**Create frustration!**

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:
From Meeting the Customer’s Needs for Mobility and Safety During Construction and Maintenance Operations (September 1998):

“The key to minimizing motorist delays during construction and maintenance operations is recognizing the impacts that the proposed work can have on traffic and/or adjacent residents and businesses in sufficient time to develop and implement the appropriate cost effective mitigative measures prior to the delays occurring.  Traffic management in the work zone is proactive as opposed to reactive.”

## Consider Running a Factory

**The factory is profitable only when it is *****producing***
**Need to minimize equipment “down” time to maximize profitability**
**What do you do to keep it producing?**
**Better equipment with fewer repairs**
**Fast maintenance procedures**
**Well-trained staff**
**Redundant equipment**
**Outsourcing options**
**Contingency plans**

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:
These next 3 slides are intended to help convey the importance of considering our customers - the users of the transportation system. An analogy of a factory is used to communicate the point about user costs. The basic message is that user costs count!  We need to consider costs to the user - delay, wasted fuel, lost productivity, impacts to businesses due to delayed shipments or greater transport time, etc.  (Note: safety hazards are also an impact/cost to our users).  

## Consider Our Transportation System as a Factory

**The Transportation System is part of the equipment that keeps the factory producing.**
**It only makes money (or supports quality of life) when it’s producing.**
**We need to minimize “down” time of the system.**
**What do we do to keep our transportation system producing?**
**Better materials that last longer**
**Faster maintenance**
**Better methods**
**Alternate routes/modes to keep it running (moving people and goods)**
**Good planning**

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:

## Just as the cost of downtime is real to the factory:

**The cost of transportation system “down” time due to work zones is real to our users.**

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:

## Mobility & Safety

_**Mobility**_** and **_**Safety **_**are closely tied: **
**As congestion builds, *****crash rates increase*****.**
**As crashes increase, *****more congestion occurs*****.**

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker: 
From Meeting the Customer’s Needs for Mobility and Safety During Construction and Maintenance Operations (September 1998):

“With the substantial increase in funding levels provided in the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) coupled with the steady growth of traffic volumes and our aging highway system, the number of work zones will increase sharply in the coming years with the potential for increased fatalities unless a significantly different approach is taken to address work zone safety.  Therefore, the Review Team concluded that this review should be focused on reducing the exposure of the motorist/highway worker, and that the FHWA’s future efforts to meet our customer’s needs for mobility and safety during construction and maintenance operations should be centered on traffic management principles. 

## Why We Need Work Zones To Work Better

**   ****	****	****    **
**	****More delays & injuries/fatalities**
**UNLESS **
***WORK ZONES WORK BETTER***

**More work zones**

**+ More congestion**

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:

## Work Zone Observations*

- Most senior State and local transportation officials are keenly aware of the delays and economic impacts caused by work zones, but their _philosophy has not been formally documented in policy statements and/or performance goals_; nor is this awareness ingrained in the culture of the agencies.
- All of the State and local transportation agencies recognize that _completing the work safely_ is of utmost importance.
- Most States and local transportation agencies _recognize the value of employing traffic management principles_.  However, their application has been limited to large high visibility projects.
- Although a few transportation agencies have begun to implement corridor management techniques, _corridor traffic management is still in its infancy_.

- *From *Meeting the Customer’s Needs for Mobility and Safety During Construction and Maintenance Operations, *Federal Highway Administration, 1998.

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:
This slide and the next 2 slides present the 13 observations on the state-of-the-art for reducing delays and enhancing safety in work zones, as they are printed in the report titled Meeting the Customer’s Needs for Mobility and Safety During Construction and Maintenance Operations.  This report was published by FHWA in September 1998.

The amount of time you have available and who is in your audience will determine the degree to which you want to present these slides.  You may choose to skip them altogether, go through them quickly and touch on a few points that you think are particularly important, or discuss each bullet.  For further detail on the observations, refer to the Meeting the Customer’s Needs report. 

## Work Zone Observations (cont’d)

- Some States utilize cross-cutting teams and proactively _seek input from external stakeholders_ in the development of the project traffic management plan.
- _Traditional bidding procedures do not reward or encourage_ contractors to produce _higher quality work_ and/or _expedite completion of the work_.
- _Traditional traffic control practices do not encourage_ the contractors to minimize motorist delay and/or enhance the safety of the work zone.
- Prediction models are available; however, _current usage is generally limited_ to large highly visible projects.
- There is a compelling need for a _comprehensive effort to educate_ the general public, road users, and elected officials on the need for work zones, how to navigate safely through a work zone, and the dangers associated with them.

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:

## Work Zone Observations (cont’d)

- All transportation agencies are experiencing _customers’ increasing demand for accurate real time information_.  Most State DOTs are meeting their customers’ needs on high impact projects; however, a few agencies have expanded their program to include all projects.
- There is universal agreement that the most effective way of _controlling speed in the work zone_ is to have a staffed police car with flashing lights at the beginning of the work zone.
- _ITS technology has not been adapted/applied_ into work zone traffic management.
- There is a compelling _need for accurate work zone crash data and the evaluation of traffic handling techniques_ in order to make sound decisions.

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:

## Overview

**What’s the Problem?**
**Addressing the Problem:  FHWA’s Work Zone Mobility and Safety Program**
**Work Zone Best Practices Resources**
**Work Zone Best Practices Applications**
**How You Can Help!**

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:
This slide begins Section 2 of the module, and covers FHWA’s work zone mobility and safety program.  It begins with one slide describing why we have the means to make work zones work better, then describes the vision, goals, and objectives for FHWA’s program.

## The Opportunity to Make Work Zones Work Better

**We have:**
**Improved construction **_**materials and processes**_
**New opportunities provided by **_**technology**_** **
**Public frustration that creates **_**political will and increased acceptance of innovative processes**_
**Greater **_**means of sharing information**_** about new materials and processes and technologies:**
**Internet/Web sites**
**Conferences/workshops**
**Peer-to-peer dialogue**
**FHWA’s Work Zone Mobility and Safety Program**
_***The Work Zone Best Practices Guidebook***_

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:
We have the means to make work zones work better.

The next series of slides provide FHWA’s National plan for Making Work Zones Work Better.  This plan includes a national agenda, vision and goal, and a framework for work zone mobility and safety.

## A National Agenda to Address the Impacts of Work Zones

**Maximize availability of transportation network**
**Minimize user impacts**

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:

## National Work Zone Mobility and Safety Vision and Goal

***National Work Zone Vision:***
**Maximize **_**availability**_** of the **_**transportation network**_** through **_**traveler-focused system management**_** that **_**maximizes safety**_** and **_**minimizes delays**_** due to work zones.  **
**Plan and conduct maintenance and improvements to the network in ways that minimize impacts to traffic flow and risks to road users and workers using a **_**full life-cycle perspective**_**.**
***National Work Zone Goal:***
**Minimize **_**impacts on user**_** mobility and safety and **_**worker safety**_** due to work zones**

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:
From Meeting the Customer’s Needs for Mobility and Safety During Construction and Maintenance Operations (September 1998):

“Work zone traffic management is much more than traffic control in the work zone; it is a broad umbrella approach that involves long-range strategies for moving people and goods safely and efficiently through a traffic corridor.  Traffic management is driven by a transportation agency’s mission to meet their customer’s needs for mobility and safety.”

## A National Framework:“Making Work Zones Work Better”

- Managing Traffic During Work Zones

- Project Design for Construction and Maintenance

- Transportation Planning

- Traffic Control Planning

- Continuously Track and Analyze Work Zone Performance

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:
From Meeting the Customer’s Needs for Mobility and Safety During Construction and Maintenance Operations (September 1998):

“Traffic management applied to construction and maintenance operations involves a comprehensive series of actions designed to minimize motorist delays while enhancing the safety of the motorist and the highway worker.  These actions span the entire life of a project; beginning in the early project planning phase and continuing through programming, design, construction, operations, and maintenance.  Work zone traffic management encompasses most of our current areas of emphasis: safety, mobility, quality, team work, customer focus, asset management, intermodalism, Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), technology transfer, longer lasting materials, performance-based specifications, innovative contracting, life-cycle costing, motorist information, and incident management.

## National Framework  FHWA Program

- Develop national performance measures
- Track performance measures over time
- Increase use of performance measures

- National Framework  FHWA Program

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:
User costs

Exposure

Safety

Delay

Public Perception/Satisfaction
Enhance public acceptance/understanding of work zones
Increase public satisfaction with work zones

## National Framework  FHWA Program

- Make work zone considerations a routine part of transportation planning
- Institutionalize consideration of user impacts over the life cycle
- Promote corridor/network management perspective

- National Framework  FHWA Program

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:
Consider work zones in all stages from planning through construction and operations/maintenance

Expand the perspectives of planning and operating agencies based on life cycle cost and benefits

Coordinate all maintenance and construction activities across the corridor/network and over time to minimize impact on travelers

## National Framework  FHWA Program

- Reduce construction duration (e.g., use of time-conscious construction methods)
- Increase use of innovative contracting techniques
- Ensure safe working environment
- Increase life cycle (more durable, higher quality projects)

- National Framework  FHWA Program

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:
Reduce the duration of work zones through 
Effective project management and use of time-conscious construction methods
Use of innovative contracting techniques

Worker Safety  
Protect roadway and roadside workers from traffic-related injuries and incidents through project designs that ensure a safe working environment

Infrastructure Performance
Reduce the number of work zones through improved facility durability/longer life cycle (e.g., superior construction materials and methods)

## National Framework  FHWA Program

- Improve traffic control plans
- Assess safety impacts of TCPs on workers

- National Framework  FHWA Program

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:
Road User Safety and Mobility
Improve user/traveler safety and mobility during work zones through effective work scheduling/phasing, optimization of capacity in the corridor (e.g., use of alternate routes), effective traffic control plans, and  public information

Worker Safety
Protect roadway and roadside workers from traffic-related injuries and incidents through well-designed traffic control plans

## National Framework  FHWA Program

- Maximize worker and road user safety during WZ
- Facilitate use of real-time WZ management to minimize delay
- Better inform and involve the public
- Encourage prompt, effective incident response

- National Framework  FHWA Program

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:
Road User and Worker Safety   
Improve work zone safety through effective planning, traffic management, traveler information, and traffic control.  
Protect roadway and roadside workers from traffic-related injuries and incidents 

Road User Mobility 
 Reduce travel time and eliminate delays
Give travelers accurate, real-time information about travel choices

Community/Public Information and Involvement 
Enhance public acceptance/understanding of work zones
Give travelers accurate, advance information about travel choices (e.g.,through media campaigns, distributed literature)
Support  public involvement throughout work zone planning/management

## The Three D’s

_**D**__**urability, **__**D**__**uration, **__**D**__**ensity**_
***Facility ***_***Durability***_** - **Reduce the #** **of work zones: Reduce the need for work zones through the use of improved materials and methods that increase the life cycle.
***Project ***_***Duration***_** - **Reduce the time a work zone is in place: Reduce construction time in the roadway through better methods, policies, technologies, and operations.
***Traffic ***_***Density***_** - **Improve traffic flow in and around those work zones that must occur: Decrease traveler delay and safety impacts due to work zones through better TDM, traveler information, traffic control, incident response, and work zone geometry.

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker
The 3 D’s are key design and construction considerations for improving work zone mobility and safety. 
Provide some additional examples to better explain the 3 D’s:
Ways to improve durability:  use of longer-lasting materials; higher quality work - use of warranties, better materials, total road closures to obtain better setting of pavements

Ways to reduce duration: use of pre-fabricated components, securing right-of-way and addressing utility issues prior to entering the roadway for construction that impacts traffic flow (of course shoulder work can also affect traffic flow); use of time-conscious construction methods (consideration of total road closure to get work done more quickly); use of innovative contracting techniques and effective project management

Ways to improve traffic density: Travel demand management (TDM) to shift traffic to alternate routes and other modes and times of day for travel to optimize use of capacity across the corridor/transportation network; provide accurate, useful pre-trip (advance) information and real-time information to enable road users to make choices about when and how they will travel and give them adequate warning approaching work zones for potential traffic stoppages; control traffic,  promptly respond to incidents, and design work zones to move traffic smoothly and safely on approach and through work zones

## Making Work Zones Work Better and Best Practices

**Work zone operations managers and operators realize  distinct benefits from being aware of the current best practices available nationally. **
**“****Solutions” come from partners working together successfully to solve problems within the resources, authority, and relationships available to them.**
**We can learn from the successes of federal, state, and local agencies and private sector partners working to “improve mobility and safety on both sides of the barrel.”**

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:
We need to know what everyone else is doing to achieve the 3 D’s. We need to know what has worked to improve mobility and safety in various work zone situations.

## FHWA Work Zone Mobility and Safety Program

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:
In 1998, FHWA conducted a quality improvement review entitled Meeting the Customer's Needs for Mobility and Safety During Construction and Maintenance Operations:
Done to assess the effectiveness of FHWA and State DOT policies and procedures in enhancing safety, improving mobility, and increasing the efficiency of the National Highway System(NHS) by reducing traffic congestion/delays during construction and maintenance operations. 
Results include a description of the state of practice in work zones, identification of items that should be pursued to achieve state-of-the-art in reducing motorist delays and enhancing safety in work zones,  and a listing of best practices for improving  work zone mobility and safety.  
Report has served as a guiding  document to FHWA's Work Zone Mobility and Safety Product Team, which FHWA established concurrent with the publication of the report. 
The Mobility and Safety Product Team is composed of FHWA Headquarters and Research and Development staff from across the Agency and is tasked with ensuring the timely delivery of work zone-related products and tools for widespread use across the highway community.  
To enhance its perspective and product effectiveness, FHWA has looked to the highway community for input.  An Implementation Plan Working Group was formed to assist the Product Team in early program planning, and in developing an implementation plan for the recommendations from the Meeting the Customer’s Needs study. To ensure program alignment with stakeholders, FHWA established a Work Zone Senior Working Group. The Senior Working Group provides input from a diverse cross-section of highway community stakeholders. In carrying out its mission, FHWA divided its efforts and products into 3 areas: Research, Technology Sharing, and Education/Outreach.  Work zone best practices and the Guidebook fall under the Technology Sharing area.

## Overview

**What’s the Problem?**
**Addressing the Problem: FHWA’s Work Zone Mobility and Safety Program**
**Work Zone Best Practices Resources**
**Work Zone Best Practices Applications**
**How You Can Help!**

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:
Best Practices resources are a means of getting the word out about best practices.  

What is a “Best Practice?” - Best practices are approaches and technologies that some practitioners have found to be useful for improving work zone mobility and safety and achieving the 3 D’s.  While a practice may have been useful and effective for some transportation agencies, it may not be “best” for all agencies in all situations.  Each organization must determine which practices and technologies are best suited for its particular situation, considering all the factors that affect work zone operations.

## FHWA Work Zone Best Practices Resources

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:
One of the products developed by the FHWA Mobility and Safety Product team, in cooperation with AASHTO, is a collection of current best practices -- the Work Zone Best Practices Guidebook.  The Guidebook is a reference document of “state-of-the-practice” technologies and approaches for work zone mobility and safety management. It serves as a resource for State and local transportation agencies, construction contractors, transportation planners, trainers, and others with interest in work zone operations.

The remainder of this module focuses on how you can leverage the resources available in the Guidebook to make your work zones work better.

(Note: Peer-to-peer program= access to other professionals)

## Work Zone Best Practices Guidebook

**Overview of the *****Guidebook***
**How the *****Guidebook***** is Organized**
***Guidebook***** Maintenance/Updates**
**State-of-the-Art Work Zone Mobility and Safety Practices**

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:

## Work Zone Best Practices Guidebook

**Based on 1998 scanning tour of 26 states where work zone best practices were identified**
**Collaboration between FHWA and AASHTO Work Zone Best Practices Task Force**
**Includes cross-references and topical index**
**Describes state-of-the-art practice as well as 262 specific best practices**
**Contains points of contact**
**Will be updated as the state-of-the-practice evolves**

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:
Have people pick up their Guidebooks and open them.  We want participants to get comfortable with the Guidebook and be willing to use it.

Have participants open to the table of contents tab, and then walk them very briefly through that tab and the next 2 tabs (introduction and list of best practices and cross-references).  Note that you will come back and discuss these items in more detail shortly.  However, you may want to spend a short time on the introduction page now describing how the Guidebook best practices were identified/collected. (Note: This information is available on the Guidebook introduction page.)

## Work Zone Best Practices Guidebook

**Overview of the *****Guidebook***
**How the *****Guidebook***** is Organized**
***Guidebook***** Maintenance/Updates**
**State-of-the-Art Work Zone Mobility and Safety Approaches**

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:
Have participants flip to the introduction tab of the Guidebook and turn to the second page, which contains a roadmap for the Guidebook.

## Guidebook Organization

**Best Practices are presented in 11 Best Practice Areas**
**To facilitate finding applicable practices, the Best Practices are also sorted into:**
**7 Cross-Reference lists**
**A Topical Index of 41 topics and subtopics**

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:
Briefly go through this slide, and then move on to the next slide and spend time there exploring the 11 best practice areas and the cross-references and index.

## Work Zone Best Practices Guidebook Structure

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:
Walk participants through the roadmap for the Guidebook, pointing out the 11 best practice areas in the middle of the chart in the Guidebook, and then the 7 types of cross-references, and then mention the topical index.  At this point, have them flip to the list of best practices and cross-references tab of the Guidebook.  Have them flip through the pages showing the 11 best practice areas and the pages with the cross-reference lists.  Then have them flip to the last tab in the Guidebook (the best practices topical index) showing the 41 topics and subtopics.

This is a good time to bring the electronic version of the Guidebook up on the screen.  After showing the home page, click on the icon for cross-references and show that page.  Note that these are the same 7 cross-reference schemes shown in the printed Guidebook, plus a clickable icon for displaying the best practices organized by best practice area/category. (“category” is the same as “area.”)  

Go back to the home page (either by clicking “main” at the bottom of the screen or using the “back” button in the browser). Click on the topical index icon and show some of the topical index categories.  Refer them to the topical index page of their printed Guidebook and point out that these are the same as the ones now displayed on the screen form the electronic Guidebook.

## Best Practices Information

**Each Best Practice Area begins with the “State-of-the-Art”**
**Description of the “state-of-the-art”**
**List of enabling objectives: what transportation agencies/practitioners would need to do to achieve the “state-of-the-art”**
**Next is a list of the specific best practices for that best practice area**
**List organizes the practices into more specific subcategories**

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:
Have participants turn to the first best practice area in the Guidebook (Policy and Procedures), under tab 1. 
State-of-the-Art: The state-of-the-art descriptions and enabling objectives in the Guidebook come directly from the Meeting the Customer’s Needs report.  That report notes that the state-of-the-art was developed, during the study, by asking “our partners, stakeholders, and senior managers to share their vision concerning the way construction and maintenance operations should be conducted in the future.”
Bring the electronic Guidebook back on the screen, and return to the home page.  Click on the icon for state-of-the-art. Briefly view the state-of-the-art for 2-3 categories.

Bring the PowerPoint slide back on the screen.
Subcategories: Have participants turn their Guidebook  page over to look at the table of policy and procedures best practices.  Note to participants that the best practices in each area are divided into subcategories to further assist practitioners in finding relevant practices.
Bring the electronic Guidebook back to the screen and return to the home page. Click on the icon for cross-references and show that page, and then click on the best practice categories icon.  This will display a list for the policy and procedures category.  Note to participants that the best practices are listed here in order by the State or contributing agency, and that the best practice subcategory is also shown for each practice. Using the left-hand menu bar, briefly visit 1-2 or other categories/areas.

## Best Practices Information (cont.)

**For each Best Practice, the *****Guidebook***** provides:**
**Reference number used in the cross-reference section**
**Location where the practice/policy/technology was used**
**Title of the Best Practice**
**Description**
**Reason(s) for adopting the practice/policy/technology**
**Biggest benefit(s) realized from the Best Practice**
**Location and type(s) of projects where the Best Practice is most applicable/effective**
**Contact(s)**

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:
Bring the PowerPoint presentation  back to the screen.  Have participants view the first practice in their printed guidebook.  As you run through each of the items on this slide, point them out in the printed Guidebook.

Have participants flip to a specific practice of your choice in another tab of the Guidebook. While they are finding the practice, bring the electronic Guidebook back to the screen.  Show them how to find the same practice in the electronic Guidebook by first selecting the Best Practices category icon from the cross-reference screen, and then selecting the appropriate category from the menu on the left side. Then select the practice from the list.

Depending on the audience, you may want to “unpack” the actual practices further (e.g., choose one from each of the 11 categories and explain why it is in that section, how it could add value, etc.).

## Work Zone Best Practices Guidebook

**Overview of the *****Guidebook***
**How the *****Guidebook***** is Organized**
***Guidebook***** Maintenance/Updates**
**State-of-the-Art Work Zone Mobility and Safety Approaches **

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:
The next 3 slides cover the process for maintaining and updating the Guidebook and AASHTO’s role in that process as a partner to FHWA on the Guidebook.

## FHWA/AASHTO Partnership for Maintaining the Work Zone Best Practices Guidebook

_**AASHTO**_
**Access to Practitioners and Vendors**
**Hands-on Experience and Activities**
**Subject Matter Expertise**
**Distribution Channels**

_**FHWA**_
**National Coordination**
**Program Planning and Management**
**Headquarters and Field resources**
**Publication and Production Support**

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:

## Role of the AASHTO Work Zone Technical Team in Maintaining the Guidebook 

**Review Current Content - Updates**
**Review *****Guidebook***** content for accuracy, quality, completeness, and usefulness and recommend modifications, deletions, corrections.**
**Review *****Guidebook***** media, format, and organization and recommend improvements that will improve access and utility.**
**Recommend Future Content - Updates**
**Identify and contribute new best practices to be added to the *****Guidebook.***
**Assist in soliciting new best practices from practitioners, developers, vendors, and system users.**
**Review best practices submissions and select those which are to be included in future editions of the *****Guidebook.***
**Outreach**
**Help publicize the Work Zone Best Practices *****Guidebook***** through professional organizations, presentations at technical meetings, professional and trade publications and other venues and outlets.**
**Participate in Work Zone Best Practices Workshops as speakers, panelists, and participants.**

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:

## Best Practices Guidebook Update Process

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:
FHWA and AASHTO together began the process in mid-2001 to perform the first update of the Guidebook .

## Work Zone Best Practices Guidebook

**Overview of the *****Guidebook***
**How the *****Guidebook***** is Organized**
***Guidebook***** Maintenance/Updates**
**State-of-the-Art Work Zone Mobility and Safety Approaches**

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:
The next 6 slides describe the state-of-the-art for each of the 11 best practice categories/areas.  Refer to the Meeting the Customer’s Needs report for further detail.

## State-of-the-Art Work Zone Practices*

**Policy and Procedure**
- Decisions are based upon a customer driven comprehensive work zone traffic management policy that focuses on reducing the exposure of the road user and worker.
- Policy addresses high-quality design, construction, and maintenance operations, minimizing disruption to the highway user and maintaining a safe, efficient roadway environment for the traveling public and the highway worker.
- The organizational structure fully supports cross-cutting teams in all phases of work zone traffic management where capacity reductions adversely impact traffic flow.
**Public Relations, Education, and Outreach (General Public, Driver, and Elected Officials)**
- The driving community and elected officials are informed, involved, and sensitive to the highway worker and work site safety needs.

- *From *Meeting the Customer’s Needs for Mobility and Safety During Construction and Maintenance Operations, *Federal Highway Administration, 1998.

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:
This training module is designed for 1 1/2 to 2 hours.  For a longer workshop, you may want to provide further discussion on the state-of-the-art for each of the 11 best practice categories/areas.  You may find descriptions on the state-of-the-art for each of the 11 categories/areas on the first page of each category’s section in the printed Guidebook, as well as by clicking on the state-of-the-art icon on the Guidebook CD home page. 

## State-of-the-Art Work Zone Practices (cont.)

**Prediction Modeling and Impact Analysis: Congestion and Crashes**
- Available predication/analysis tools are user-friendly and readily adapted to the local construction site and situation.
- These tools can accurately analyze and reliably predict congestion situations including travel times, queue length, travel speed, total delay, crash rates, severity levels, and interactive feedback to both the design and construction team.
**Planning and Programming**
- A corridor approach is used in evaluating, planning, and programming.
- This process gives full consideration to long-range corridor needs, traffic demands, road-user costs, potential business community impacts, use of extended designs and high-performance material, and overall evaluation of total costs for the life of the improvement.

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:

## State-of-the-Art Work Zone Practices (cont.)

**Project Development/Design**
- Motorist delay, road user and worker safety, and impacts to adjacent communities are assessed on all major urban and other high volume corridors.
- Cross-cutting teams and multi-agency/interests are used in developing alternatives and selecting the preferred design that minimizes present and future exposure to road users and workers.
- The project development process results in a TCP that provides for shared risk and benefits for owners, contractors, and traveling public.
- Contract times and motorist delays are minimized through the use of CPM scheduling and accelerated contracting procedures.
**Contracting and Bidding Procedures**
- Contracting and bidding procedures reward contractors for quality work, innovation, accelerated early completions, minimizing motorists delays, and enhancing the safety of road-users and workers.
- On high-risk, high-visibility, and complex projects contractors are pre-qualified on the basis of quality and past performance.

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:

## State-of-the-Art Work Zone Practices (cont.)

**Specifications and Construction Materials, Methods, and Practices**
- The same level of service is provided through the work zone.
- Workers are physically separated and are protected from the traffic.
- Work areas are sufficiently illuminated at night without blinding the motorist and gawk screens are used to prevent the motorists from being distracted during daytime operations.
- Contractors have a vested interest in quality, timeliness, and road-user safety.
- Facilities perform at an acceptable level of service for 35-50 years with the minimum planned systems preservation.
- Acceptance is based on performance.
**Traveler and Traffic Information (Project Related)**
- Accurate real-time work zone (construction/maintenance/utility operations) information is provided to the road users in sufficient time to make informed travel decisions.

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:

## State-of-the-Art Work Zone Practices (cont.)

**Enforcement**
- Work zone trained and qualified, full-time uniformed police officers are readily available for construction and maintenance operations.
- State-of-the-art technology is used to maximize effectiveness of these police officers.
**ITS and Innovative Technology**
- The ITS systems are used to automatically collect and analyze before, during, and after traffic flows in the work zones; provide accurate real-time information automatically to motorists and to the construction team; enforce speed; as well as safely guide motorists through the work zone.

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:

## State-of-the-Art Work Zone Practices (cont.)

**Evaluation and Feedback**
- Uniform work zone crash data is collected electronically in all States and the raw data is simultaneously transmitted to the State DOT.
- Work zone crash data is automatically analyzed and trends and reports are periodically furnished to appropriate DOT offices (including, but not limited to, design and construction project personnel).
- Performance measures for work zone congestion/delay are used to evaluate how well agencies are meeting performance goals for mobility and safety in work zones.
- Motorists provide perspectives on how well their demands for mobility and safety in work zone are being met.

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:

## Overview

**What’s the Problem?**
**Addressing the Problem:  FHWA’s Work Zone Mobility and Safety Program**
**Work Zone Best Practices Resources**
**Work Zone Best Practices Applications**
**How You Can Help!**

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:
This slide begins Section 4 of the training module on using the Guidebook.  

## Work Zone Best Practices Application

**How to Use the *****Guidebook***** to Find Best Practices - An Application Framework**** **
**Practice Applications of Work Zone Best Practices**

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:

## Work Zone Best Practices Checklist

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:
One way to “organize” thinking about work zone best practices is to use the framework shown in this slide.  The columns correspond to the life cycle of most projects.  Although “policy” is generally not associated with an individual project, it is included as part of the life cycle since policy affects decisions made in all phases of the project life cycle.
The rows correspond with areas where Work Zone Best Practices can influence the impact of work zones on mobility and safety.  Beginning with the bottom row and working up:
Durability:  Best practices that affect how frequently maintenance activities must occur over the life cycle; the objective is to maximize the mean time between work zones by ensuring that facilities and subsequent repairs are durable, thus reducing the number of work zones required.
Duration:  Best practices that affect the time required to complete projects, especially that portion of a project that affects safety and mobility; the objective is to minimize the time that work zones are active, thus reducing the amount of time that work zones affect safety and mobility.
Density:  Best practices that affect the flow of traffic through a work zone when the work zone is active; the objective is to implement traffic management plans and traffic control plans that maintain traffic flow so the the work zone has minimum impact on highway safety and mobility.
The next three slides offer examples of Work Zone Best Practices across the facility life cycle in each of these work zone impact areas. 

## Density: How can we reduce the delay caused by the work zone?

**Facility Life Cycle**

**Durability**

**Duration**

**Operations (traffic mgmt)**
**Work Scheduling**
**TDM**
**Queues**
**Delays**
**Enforcement**
**Implementation**

**Modeling and analysis/ Metrics**
**TCPs**
**Enforce-ment**
**ATIS**
**PTMS**

**Incentives (traffic delays)**
**TMPs**
**Expectations/goals**
**Metrics**
**Corridor management**

**Maximum delay policies**
**Enforce-ment**
**Safety**

**Traffic**
**Density**

**Construction**

**Design**

**Planning**

**Policy**

**Density: How can we reduce the delay caused by the work zone?**

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker
You may choose to explain some of the items listed in the table. For example:
Corridor management - we may be able to reduce delays by making improvements on alternate routes before the main project starts so they can better handle diverted traffic; planning to conduct/scheduling utility work at the same time a work zone will be set up for other road work may lessen overall delays

Work scheduling - we may be able to reduce delay and improve traffic flow by conducting work zone operations involving lane closures/capacity reductions during off-peak times

TDM (travel demand management) - we may be able to reduce delays by providing users with information to encourage greater use of alternate routes and modes of travel (use of transit)

TMP = traffic management plan
TCP = traffic control plan
ATIS = advanced traveler information system
PTMS = public transit management system

## Duration: How can we minimize the time it takes to build a project?

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:
Depending on your audience, you may want to explain some of the items listed in the table as with the previous slide.

## Durability: Can we reduce the need for a work zone?

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:
Depending on your audience, you may want to explain some of the items listed in the table as with the previous slide.

## Work Zone Best Practices Application

**How to Use the *****Guidebook***** to Find Best Practices - An Application Framework **
**Practice Applications of Work Zone Best Practices**

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:
Two examples are provided for your use.  It is recommended that you walk through the first sample problem with the group and then have them do the second problem.  Depending on the size of the group and the number of computers available for use of the Guidebook CD, you can either have the whole group work the problem together, or have them split into several groups to work on the problem.  If the group is not too large, the recommendation is to work the problem aloud as an entire group, with you prompting the group as necessary. If you have them break into smaller groups, when you bring them back together, have a short discussion on the results.

If you are presenting this training module to a steering committee or similar body gathered to discuss a particular project, you should make the second sample problem an interactive exercise that focuses on their particular project and finding BPs that they might be able to use for their project.  Prepare beforehand a set of BPs to discuss that could apply to their project.

## Sample Problem 1: Bridge Rehabilitation

**Project Description**
**A bridge with two separate structures (one for eastbound traffic and one for westbound traffic) carries about 43,000 vehicles a day on average, over a river to and from the downtown of a mid-size city.  Each structure has 3 lanes.**
**Work involved the eastbound structure and would consist of removing and replacing the bridge deck, removing and replacing the structural steel flooring system, and blasting and painting the entire structure.**
**Past work on or near the bridge has resulted in 30-minute traffic delays.**
**Develop a plan for construction and traffic management.**
**Eastbound structure needs to be closed for most of the project.**
**What best practices can be used to enhance mobility and safety in the work zone?****  **
**How can the *****Best Practices Guidebook***** be used to help?**

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:
It is recommended that you walk through the entire Sample Problem 1 with the group.  This will provide greater familiarity with the Guidebook.

## Response for Sample Problem 1

**Use the Cross-Reference Lists in the *****Guidebook***
**Nature of Work ********Bridge Repair, Bridge Maintenance**
**BP #30 - Use of commuter incentives to minimize congestion in work zones**
**BP #116 - Contractor hired by design consultant to do constructability review on bridge (A+B bidding)**
**BP #135 - Contract award of Interstate bridge repair project based on performance and cost**
**Project Life Cycle Stage ******** most categories, including Traffic Control, Traffic Control/Management Plans**
**BP #5 - Traffic management plan on major urban project**
**BP #95 - Traffic Management Workgroups**
**Roadway Characteristics ******** Multi-lane, Divided Facilities**
**BP #75 - Promotion of A+B bidding; lane rentals, incentives/disincentives, PR campaign**
**BP #90 - High Impact Project Task Forces**

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:
Have participants open to the cross references in the Guidebook (List of Best Practices and Cross-References tab, page 13) and look for potentially applicable cross-reference topics.

Point out a few best practices from the slide and have participants flip to one of them in the Guidebook. Discuss briefly how it might be useful for the project described in the sample problem.

## Response for Sample Problem 1 (cont.)

**Use the Search Feature of the *****Guidebook***** CD to find some potential best practices**
**Search on “bridge”**
** ****BP #61 - Multi-jurisdiction TCP and public outreach for bridge closure project**
**BP # 94 - Use of a Steering Committee**
**BP # 121 - Summertime Bridge Reconstruction Program**
**Search on “lane closure”**

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:
Do the search now as you work through the problem with the group.  You should toggle your screen over to the Guidebook CD, click on the keyword search button, and enter “bridge” in the search field. A list of best practices will be shown on the screen.  
Caution:  The CD search results do not show the BP #  - the #’s on the CD simply represent the results of the search in an ordered list. The #’s on this presentation slide are the BP #’s from the printed Guidebook.  ( the #’s in the speaker notes are the #’s you will see on the screen from the Guidebook search)

Results 1, 10, 15, and 22 are some recommended search results to click on and open for the problem discussion.  You can talk briefly about how these might be useful and could be considered for the sample problem scenario.

You may want to mention other possible search terms and perform one of them on the screen, but not open up any of the practices that come up in the search.  If you think it would be helpful to discuss more practices, some recommended ones to open for the lane closure search would be #16 or 17.

## Response for Sample Problem 1 (cont.)

**Use the Topical Index**
**Community Involvement**
**Education/Outreach**
**Innovative Contracting**
**Public Relations**
**Traffic Management Technologies**
**Traffic Management/Control**
**Traveler Information**
**Real-Time Traveler Information:  BP # 221 - ADAPTIR**
**Work Zone Lane Management**
**Worker Safety**

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:  Have participants look in the Topical Index and find some of these entries, including BP #221 under traveler information.  (below is printed the Guidebook CD entry for this best practice)
BEST PRACTICE/POLICY: 
Automated Data Acquisition and Processing of Traffic Information in Real-time (ADAPTIR)

DESCRIPTION OF THE BEST PRACTICE/POLICY: 
A system which senses and processes data relating to current traffic conditions and automatically provides travelers with appropriate speed control, lane control, delay and diversion advisory messages via variable message signs (VMS), and highway advisory radio (HAR). The ADAPTIR is currently being used by Maryland DOT on an experimental basis and being evaluated by California DOT.

REASON(S) FOR ADOPTING THE BEST PRACTICE/POLICY: 
ADAPTIR provides real-time information to travelers while improving safety and managing congestion in work zones. Currently there is better acceptance and adherence to information presented for the traveling public because the information is updated.

BIGGEST BENEFIT(S) BEING REALIZED FROM THIS BEST PRACTICE/POLICY: 
Possible accident reduction, congestion mitigation, and cost savings.

LOCATION AND TYPE(S) OF PROJECTS WHERE THIS PRACTICE/POLICY IS MOST APPLICABLE/EFFECTIVE: 
All types of work on urban and rural freeways

CONTACT(S): 
Harold Jones, Caltrans Dept. of Transportation Eng. Service Center, Telephone: (916) 227-7217
Tom Hicks, Dir. of Office of Traffic and Safety, Maryland State Highway Administration

## Response for Sample Problem 1 (cont.) 

**Using a combination of:**
**A movable barrier - The westbound structure carried two-way traffic using a reversible middle lane. A movable concrete barrier was moved twice daily to make 2 lanes of travel for peak hour traffic flow direction**
**Traffic management system with real-time information**
**A+B bidding**
**Being proactive in working with local officials and the media**
**An innovative overhead crane system to facilitate placement of the new bridge deck and movement of materials**
**Traffic delays and frustration were reduced**
**“****The media was waiting for traffic to back up and it didn’t.”**
**“****No one could believe how smoothly traffic flowed because of the past history of backups on the bridge.”**

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:
Some additional details on what was actually done for this project:
Quick Change Movable Barriers were used - The movable concrete barrier was moved twice daily to make 2 lanes of travel for peak hour traffic flow direction.  Two lanes into the city (Peoria) in the morning (9pm to 11am), and 2 lanes out of the city in the evening (11am to 9pm).  

Traffic management system with real-time information - Motorists were alerted to traffic congestion by portable message boards and a highway advisory radio system.  The portable traffic management system supplied motorists with real-time information about delays and suggested alternate routes of traffic when there was a lengthy backup on the bridge.  The system used Doppler radar speed detection equipment, a computer, variable electronic message boards, and a radio system, in combination, to provide information to the public.  The ADAPTIR system was used.

Refer participants to Mobility & Safety Fact Sheet #5 in their handouts.

(Note: A videotape of the project and technologies used should be available from the FHWA IL Division Office.  You may want to get a copy and show part of it in the workshop.)

## Sample Problem 2: Interstate Highway Reconstruction

**Project Description**
**Resurfacing and reconstruction of underlying roadbed, safety upgrades, major bridge rehabilitation, and drainage improvements are needed.**
**Roadbed is almost 30 years old and needs serious safety improvements and repairs.  70% of the joints in the sections that will be replaced have failed or need repair, on-ramps and bridges need structural or safety improvements.**
**Project will include northbound and southbound lanes; each direction has 2 lanes.**
**Develop a plan for construction and traffic management:  What best practices can be used to enhance mobility and safety in the work zone? **
** **
**How can the *****Best Practices Guidebook***** be used to help?**

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:

## Response for Sample Problem 2

**A combination of:**
**Extensive planning **
**Widespread community involvement**
**Project phasing **
**Total road closure strategy**
**Year-long information campaign to alert the public to alternate ways to travel (mode and route)**
**Alternate routes (make improvements on them, encourage use)**
**Increased use of public transit (new routes, publicity)**
**Were used to obtain:**
**The shortest reasonable construction period**
**At the least expense**
**With a minimum of construction disruptions**
**All work was completed on-time or faster than planned**

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker: ( following are details from Delaware DOT’s major reconstruction of I-95)
Extensive planning & Widespread community involvement - the I-95 North Working Group, a citizen advisory panel, reviewed several alternatives and recommended using the shortest reasonable construction period and ultimately a plan involving total road closure.  
Public information campaign - DelDOT used a multi-tier plan to foster traffic mobility:  create public awareness through a public information campaign (created a graphic theme and an animated character called the Traffic Creep, newspaper ads, radio advertising, transit ads); publish a survival guide explaining what was happening, when, and what to do to plan ahead
Alternate routes & Public transit - implemented integrated transportation management system to reduce congestion; distributed geometric improvements maps; improved alternate routes including repaving, widening lanes, improving intersections, constructing new maps, and installing new technologies to make alternate routes capable of absorbing  increased traffic; broadcast real-time camera images on the Web to help drivers plan their routes; encouraged motorists to carpool or use public transit; added 2 new “Expresso” bus routes from park and rides that gave passengers a free coffee coupon; added 3 new commuter rail trips
Project phasing & Total road closure strategy - the two-phase project includes the northern Delaware section of I-95.  Work was first done on southbound lanes.  Those lanes were closed, worked on until completed, then opened.  Then Northbound side was closed for work, completed, then reopened.  In 2002, reconstruction will shift to the Wilmington section of I-95.
Working Group considered alternatives to  maintain traffic during construction and concluded that these approaches would slow work on bridges. Closing all lanes on the side being rebuilt was the fastest and least expensive option for meeting the construction objectives.
Refer participants to Mobility & Safety Fact Sheet #4 in their handouts.

## Overview

**What’s the Problem?**
**Addressing the Problem:  FHWA’s Work Zone Mobility and Safety Program**
**Work Zone Best Practices Resources**
**Work Zone Best Practices Applications**
**How You Can Help!**

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:

## How You Can Help!

**Register to receive notice of *****Guidebook***** updates.**
**Use the best practices to plan, implement, and operate highway work zones.**
**Seek advice from individuals with experience and expertise.**
**Submit good ideas and best practices for work zone mobility and safety.**
**Provide feedback on what’s working and what’s not working.**
**Let FHWA know where you think additional research and development work is needed.**

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker:
Use the Guidebook!
Help keep it up-to-date and useful!
There are 3 forms in the Guidebook: Guidebook Registration Form, Best Practice Submission Form, and Comment Form. Show participants where the forms are in the Guidebook (in the front before the first tab, after the forward, starting with page iii) and hand out extra copies of the forms.  Ask people to fill them in on the spot, especially the Guidebook Registration Form.

The Registration Form is meant to provide a means for notifying people of updates to the Guidebook in the future, as well as to request specific input and notify people of workshops like this one.

The Best Practice Submission Form is a way for practitioners to share good ideas about what practices, technologies, methods, policies, etc, they have tried and found useful in some work zone situations.

The Comment Form is a way for practitioners to provide feedback on the Guidebook itself and on individual practices in the Guidebook.  Comments received by practitioners will be considered when making future updates/changes to the Guidebook.

## Useful Work Zone Web Sites

**Useful Work Zone Web Sites**

**FHWA Office of Operations Work Zone Mobility and Safety Web Site**
_**[http://www.ops.](http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/wz/workzone.htm)**__**[fhwa](http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/wz/workzone.htm)**__**[.dot.](http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/wz/workzone.htm)**__**[gov](http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/wz/workzone.htm)**__**[/](http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/wz/workzone.htm)**__**[wz](http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/wz/workzone.htm)**__**[/](http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/wz/workzone.htm)**__**[workzone](http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/wz/workzone.htm)**__**[.](http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/wz/workzone.htm)**__**[htm](http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/wz/workzone.htm)**_
**FHWA Office of Safety Web Site Work Zone Information:**
_**[http://safety.](http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/safetyprogs/hiway/wkzone.htm)**__**[fhwa](http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/safetyprogs/hiway/wkzone.htm)**__**[.dot.](http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/safetyprogs/hiway/wkzone.htm)**__**[gov](http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/safetyprogs/hiway/wkzone.htm)**__**[/programs/](http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/safetyprogs/hiway/wkzone.htm)**__**[wsz](http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/safetyprogs/hiway/wkzone.htm)**__**[.](http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/safetyprogs/hiway/wkzone.htm)**__**[htm](http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/safetyprogs/hiway/wkzone.htm)**_
**FHWA National Work Zone Awareness Week Web Site:**
_**http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/fourthlevel/nwzaw01.htm**_
**National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse:**
_**[http://wzsafety.tamu.edu](http://wzsafety.tamu.edu/)**_

**Notes:**
Notes to speaker: