Wisconsin Contractor-Engineer Conference January 22, 2009 Safety Apparel, FHWA Work Zone Safety Subpart K Rule & Permanent Concrete Barriers Bill Bremer, P.E. – FHWA Wisconsin Division

FHWA Worker Visibility Rule 23 CFR 634 SAFETEA–LU, Section 1402: Worker Injury Prevention and Free Flow of Vehicular Traffic Required FHWA to issue regulations to decrease the likelihood of worker injury and to maintain the free flow of vehicular traffic by requiring workers whose duties place them on or in close proximity to a Federal-aid highway to wear high-visibility garments Worker Visibility Rule (23 CFR 634):

FHWA Worker Visibility Rule Final rule published: November 24, 2006 Effective date: November 24, 2008 All workers within the right-of-way of a Federal-aid highway who are exposed either to traffic or to construction equipment within the work area shall wear high-visibility safety apparel. 23 CFR Part 634.3

High-Visibility Safety Apparel Personal protective safety clothing provides conspicuity during both daytime and nighttime. Meets Performance Class 2 or 3 requirements of the ANSI/ISEA publication entitled, “American National Standard for High-Visibility Safety Apparel and Headwear.” Includes incident responders & volunteer workers. Includes some exceptions for law enforcement officers & fire fighters. The worker visibility rule will be incorporated into the next edition of the MUTCD to require on all public roads, probably end of 2009.

ANSI/ISEA Establishes requirements for color and minimum areas for retroreflective and background materials. Minimum washing cycles. Test methods for materials. Retroreflective materials should be placed to ensure overall visibility of the wearer. Garment selection shall be based on an assessment of the work environment

ANSI/ISEA Performance Class 3 Roadway construction personnel and flaggers, utility workers, survey crews, and emergency response personnel, vehicle assistance. Anyone who has a high task load and is in close proximity to moving equipment or traffic at high speeds. Work occurs at night. Worker’s attention is diverted from on-coming traffic and surrounding environment. “Cluttered” work zone with high levels of activity. Worker must be Visible from all angles and identifiable as a person. Worker has no separation between them and traffic.

ANSI/ISEA Performance Class 3 Class 3 ensemble: Class 2 vest, Class E bottom Class 3 one piece: Jacket or Coat Torso covering garment with full or partial sleeve

ANSI/ISEA Performance Class 2 Greater Visibility Needed due to Inclement Weather Conditions Complex and Cluttered Backgrounds Most Work is Performed during Daytime Hours Worker’s Attention is Diverted from On-Coming Traffic and Surrounding Environment

ANSI/ISEA Performance Class 2

ATTSA Safety Apparel Brochure

WisDOT Rule Implementation Internal – Joe Such, Division of Business Management ( ) External – Tom Notbolm, Burea of Highway Operations ( ) ACEC, WCA, TIC, Local Government agencies, etc.

SAFETEA-LU, Section 1110 Temporary Traffic Control Devices Added Temporary Traffic Control as part of the Standards in 23 USC 109. Mandated FHWA establish rules for conditions for appropriate use and expenditure of funds for temporary traffic control. Temporary Traffic Control Devices Rule (Subpart K) Published December 5, Effective December 4, WisDOT is in full compliance effective December 2, 2008.

FHWA Work Zone Safety Rule Subpart K Established Conditions for Appropriate Use Positive protective measures between workers and traffic. Uniformed law enforcement officers. Installation & maintenance of temporary traffic control devices. Mandates separate pay items in contracts to ensure projects include costs for these safety measures when the measures are necessary. Supplements Subpart J with additional safety considerations.

FHWA Work Zone Safety Rule Subpart K Added emphasis on safety in States WZ policy Exposure control measures: detours, lane closures, etc. Use of traffic control measures from viewpoint of worker safety. Safe entry/exit for work vehicles and equipment Payment for traffic control features & operations Quality guidelines

State Work Zone Safety Policies The policy and related processes, procedures, and/or guidance established under Subpart J shall include consideration of road user and worker safety by addressing: Use of positive protection devices to prevent intrusions; Exposure control measures to minimize exposure; Other traffic control measures to minimize crashes; Safe entry/exit of work vehicles and equipment onto/from the travel lanes

Key WisDOT Implementation Actions Positive Protection Devices Updated FDM guidelines for temporary concrete barrier to specifically consider use of barrier at locations that place workers at increased risk. Updated CMM Section to address use of temporary barrier to shield drop-offs or other hazards resulting from changes to original staging and traffic control plan.

Key WisDOT Implementation Actions Maintenance of Temporary Traffic Control Devices WisDOT adopted ATTSA “Quality Guidelines for Temporary Traffic Control Devices. Quality guidelines added to Standard Specifications Section and CMM Replace devices the guide defines as unacceptable. Maintain devices the guide defines as marginal or better.

New WisDOT Permanent Concrete Barrier Standards WisDOT created ad hoc work group (DTSD Central and Region Office, FHWA, & industry) in 2007 to examine issues with 32” & 42” F-shape slip formed concrete barrier.

Current Barrier Design With Minimal Reinforcing Steel

Significant Maintenance & Safety Issues

New WisDOT Permanent Concrete Barrier Standards After lengthy study determined solution would involve new design. Continue slip forming for constructability and cost, NCHRP-350 crash testing compliance, timing, and minimize maintenance were key issues. Decision to use previously NCHRP-350 crash tested and FHWA approved designs.

Single Slope Concrete Barrier Developed and crash tested by Caltrans in late 1990’s. TL-3 NCHRP-350 approved on Excellent in-field performance WisDOT Standard Detail Drawings and specifications development underway Will be used on I-94 North-South Mainline 42” will be standard for freeways and expressways. 36” will be standard for STH and local roads

Single Slope Concrete Barrier 9.1 degree sloping face- 42” tall- 10 #5 longitudinal bars