1. Work Zone Traffic Management
Tom Notbohm
Peter Amakobe Atepe
Marie Treazise
WisDOT Bureau of Highway Operations
Contractor – Engineer Conference
January 21, 2009

2. Work Zone Traffic Management
Work Zone Field Process Review Findings
Night Work Lighting
Work Zone Speed Limit Criteria & Speed Enforcement
Federal Work Zone Rules – Subpart K and Worker Visibility
Lane Closure System
Other initiatives and evaluations

3. Traffic Control Field Reviews
Bi-Annual Reviews mandated by FHWA
Reviewed 46 projects in all Regions
Evaluated Plan requirement Vs. Actual
Participation from BHO, BPD, FHWA, and the Regions

4. Traffic Control Field Reviews
Purpose of Reviews
Increase work zone safety awareness
Assess current practices
Identify reoccurring issues
Determine training needs
Develop or improve policies & procedures

5. Traffic Control Field Reviews
Notify Regions
Drive-through and walk-through
Provide feedback
WZ review report

6. Traffic Control Field Reviews
Review items included
Overall traffic control
Quality of traffic control devices
Access for pedestrians, bicyclists, businesses
Flagging
Drop-offs

7. Traffic Control Field Reviews
Findings:
Overall quality & effectiveness of traffic control has improved
Concerns:
Poor quality/maintenance
Missing devices and/or poor placement/orientation
Access Issues
Flagging issues

8. Traffic Control Field Reviews
Flagging Issues
Poor operation, No escape route

9. Traffic Control Field Reviews
Poor Visibility

10. Traffic Control Field Reviews
Access Issues & ADA

11. Traffic Control Field Reviews
Dropoffs

12. Traffic Control Field Reviews
Non-Conforming Devices

13. Traffic Control Field Reviews
Recommendations
Need for flagger training
Address access issues during project staging
Use quality guideline for devices & compliance
2009 work zone reviews
BHO & others will review work zones throughout the construction season
Provide timely feedback and follow-up

14. Night Work Lighting Standard Specification for Artificial Lighting
To safely and adequately perform the work
To make the workers and construction operations visible to traveling public
Glare and brightness do not interfere with driver visibility

15. Night Work Lighting Working to develop a pilot Special Provision
Lighting layout (light placement, mounting height)
Glare control
Light level and uniformity
Aiming of fixtures

16. Work Zone Traffic Management
Work Zone Speed Limit Criteria
Reduce 65-mph to 55-mph during lane closures & work operations
Reduce 55-mph multi-lane highways to 45-mph if AADT > 10,000, where lanes narrowed, severe lane shifts, work area close to traffic
Reduce 55-mph 2-lane rural highways to 45-mph if AADT > 7,000, where lanes narrowed, severe lane shifts, or road surface is degraded
Reduce 45-mph multi-lane highways to 35-mph if AADT > 10,000, where severe lane shifts, frequent driveways
Reduce 40-mph urban roadways to 30-mph where temporary road, gravel surface, severe lane shifts

17. Work Zone Traffic Management
Revising State Patrol Enforcement Process
More flexible deployment agreements
Criteria based on traffic volume, lane closures, speed limit, project length, safety history, terrain, traffic composition, night work or traffic stoppages for work operations

18. Federal Work Zone Rule – Subpart K
Uniformed law enforcement officers
Temporary barrier and other positive protection devices
Traffic control and exposure control measures
Work vehicles and equipment
Payment for traffic control
Maintenance of temporary traffic control devices

19. Federal Work Zone Rule – Subpart K
Temporary barrier
Facilities Development Manual guidelines (FDM )
Construction & Materials Manual (CMM )
Standard Specs , 107.8,

20. Federal Work Zone Rule – Subpart K
Traffic control and exposure control measures
Proposed Implementation Plan – developing revisions in response to industry concerns
Contained in Work Zone Transportation Management Plans (TMP’s)
TMP guidance in FDM

21. Federal Work Zone Rule – Subpart K
Enhanced traffic control and exposure control measures – Examples:
Closer spacing of traffic control devices
Reduced speed zones
Radar speed displays
Temporary rumble strips & transverse markings
Off-peak work
Road/ramp closures & crossovers
Diverted traffic
Changeable message signs & ITS
CB Wizard
Public information
Dynamic lane merge

22. Enhanced Traffic Control Measures
Radar Speed Display
Xiao

23. Enhanced Traffic Control Measures
Temporary Rumble Strips

24. Enhanced Traffic Control Measures
I-94 near Eau Claire – Dynamic Lane Merge
Shorten queue lengths before work zone
Increase traffic capacity through work zone
Reduce aggressive driving

25. Enhanced Traffic Control Measures
I-94 near Eau Claire
Wizard
Broadcasts work zone information to truckers via Channel 19

26. Federal Work Zone Rule – Subpart K
Work vehicles and equipment
Warning signs for work vehicle ingress/egress
Standard Detail Drawing – SDD 15D29
Standard Spec 107.9
Lights on vehicles

27. Federal Work Zone Rule – Subpart K
Maintenance of temporary traffic control devices
ATSSA Quality Guidelines for Temporary Traffic Control Devices
Standard Spec
CMM

28. Acceptable
Marginal
Unacceptable

29. Federal Worker Visibility Rule
All workers exposed to traffic or construction equipment required to wear high-visibility safety apparel
ANSI/ISEA Class 2 or 3 requirements

30. Lane Closures Lane closures addressed in TMP documents
Project Special Provisions include lane closure times, holiday & special event restrictions, and notification provisions

31. Wisconsin Lane Closure Planning System (LCS)
Web-based system for tracking closures and restrictions on freeways, expressways and other state highways
Developed by UW Traffic Operations and Safety Lab under direction of Statewide Traffic Operations Center
Single source of WisDOT roadway & lane closure information for:
All let projects
Any planned closures/restrictions on Corridors 2030 roadways
Major special events
Emergency closures resulting from incidents

32. Wisconsin Lane Closure Planning System (LCS)
Specific, accurate information needed
Provides traveler information to 511 system
Used to determine issuance of Oversize & Overweight Vehicle permits
Timeframes:
14 days – Project start, full roadway closure, or restriction of width, height, weight
7 days – System ramp closure
3 days – Lane and service ramp closure