1. Traffic Operations Division
March 28, 2018

2. Work zone facts
Update on last years presentation with comparison of 2015 and 2016

3. The Facts About Work Zones
85% of people killed in work zone crashes are drivers or occupants.
50% of all fatal work zone crashes occurred at night.
25% of work zone fatalities involved crashes with large trucks.

4. The Facts About Work Zones
More than 25,000 crashes each year in work zones in Texas.
Two most common reasons for work zone crashes: speeding & failure to stay in a single lane.
One in three work zone crashes is a rear-end collision.

5. Texas Highway Work Zones (estimates)
80,400 centerline miles of TxDOT roadways
2,500 active work zones at any given time
1 work zone every 60 to 70 miles

6. Put This in Perspective in Texas
One work zone fatality every other day
(181 fatalities in 2016)
Three work zone crashes every hour
(25,713 crashes in 2016)

7. Making Work Zones Safer: Traffic Control Review Team

8. 2017 Traffic Control Review Team
25 Districts reviewed
Work zone locations selected based on crash data
Same scoring system as in FY 2015 and 2016
Districts organized by Metro, Urban and Rural
Annual Report released late August
In fiscal year 2016, the Traffic Operations Traffic Control Review Team was able to visit every single district for the second consecutive year and observe how well we are doing following best practices in our work zones. We worked closely with Construction Division, Design Division and with FHWA. We selected the work zones for the reviews based on analysis of crash data in your area.
Using the scoring system that was implemented last year, we were able to track improvement and make comparisons in District scores for the last two years and begin to track some trends in specific device categories.
We hope this data will help you become more aware of some specific ways you can make Texas work zones safer.

9. Traffic Control Review Team (TCRT) Scoring System
Checklist of 7 major device categories:
Signs
Channelizing Devices
Pavement Markings
Positive Protection
Flaggers
Category 4 Devices (trailer mounted)
Other Devices or Topics
Sub-categories of specific deficiency types within larger category

10. Traffic Control Review Team (TCRT) Scoring System
Scoring weighted toward items that would lessen
the respect of the road user (TMUTCD Sec. 1A.02)
1 Point Deduction for majority of observed deficiencies
3-Point Deductions for items critical to the safety of work zone or impact the ability of device to command respect
5-Point Deduction for particularly confusing or poorly defined driving path or guidance
A 5-Point positive adjustment may be given for an extremely will defined path for motorists

11. Traffic Control Review Team Findings

12. Traffic Control Review Team Findings

13. Traffic Control Review Team Findings

14. Traffic Control Review Team Findings

15. Traffic Control Review Team Findings
Metro, Urban and Rural District improvement
Scores improving with work zone conditions improving.

16. Traffic Control Review Team Findings

17. Common Issues
Exit Advisory is not in advance of the Exit. Regulatory truck restriction sign is too far from traffic for drivers to notice.

18. Common Issues

19. Common Issues

20. Common Issues

21. Common Issues

22. Common Issues

23. Common Issues
PCMS not 7’ tall.

24. Common Issues

25. Safety Issue

26. Barrier Reflectors

27. Flag and stop sign?

28. Relaxed Flagger

29. Do you see the message?

30. Safety Apparel

31. Clear Path Deduction Excessive cones added made it hard
to distinguish different lane locations

32. TCRT Findings – Not Everything is Negative
Good Sign and Support

33. TCRT Findings – Not Everything is Negative
Good Channelizing Devices

34. TCRT Findings – Not Everything is Negative
Good Channelizing Devices

35. What are Temporary Rumble Strips?
Creates similar effect as standard edge/center line rumble stripes
Driver will feel & hear the bumps
Portable (no glue or nails)
Placed in accordance with TxDOT standard WZ(RS)-16
Currently only approved strip is RoadQuake 2 by PSS, Inc.

36. TxDOT Standard WZ(RS)-12
Began with May 2013 Let
Construction & Maintenance project

37. Revised WZ(RS) - 14 Standard Sheet
2014 Revised Standard outlines the use of Temporary Rumble Strips
Standard allows for some TRS to be optional
Approved for 75 mph or less

38. Revised WZ(RS) - 16 Standard Sheet
Incorrect
Correct
New spacing requirements of 10’ to 20’ based on speed
Guidance issued on standard sheet WZ(RS)-16 on 4/11/2016

39. What We’ve Learned
Do not place on:
Horizontal Curves
Fresh Seal Coat Jobs
Bleeding Asphalt
Soft Pavement
Heavily Rutted Roads

40. Ongoing Initiatives

41. TMA Host Vehicle Weight
19,000 lbs min. per AASHTO Roadside Design Guide
New spec for payment and measurement

42. Temporary Large Sign Supports Standard

43. Temporary Large Sign Supports Standard

44. FHWA Request to Experiment
Ongoing Experiments in Texas
Driveway Assistance Devices with Portable Traffic Signals (TxDOT)

45. Portable Traffic Signals with Pilot Vehicle
Original request for experimentation was approved
Additional experimentation time was granted by FHWA October 2014
No interim approval has been given
Use of the proposed TCP must be reported to TRF

46. Questions?

47. Questions