WORK ZONE TRAFFIC CONTROL & SAFETY

Transcription

1 WORK ZONE TRAFFIC CONTROL & SAFETY Purpose of Temporary Traffic Control 1. Warn motorists and pedestrians of hazards. 2. Advise proper travel path. 3. Delineate areas not to be used. 4. Separate the travel area from work area. 2 1

2 What is Temporary Traffic Control (TTC) in Work Zones? System to communicate with road users to safely guide them through a roadway affected by: Construction and reconstruction Maintenance activities Utility operations Disasters, special events and incidents 3 National Standards Found in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) Minimum Federal standards applicable to all roads open to public travel 4 2

3 Reference Manual OMUTCD in the Complete form 5 Ohio Standards The Ohio Manual (OMUTCD) establishes the standards for design and use of traffic control devices on all public roads in Ohio. Per Sections of the ORC. 6 3

4 Ohio Revised Code Section (A) Local authorities in their respective jurisdictions shall place and maintain traffic control devices in accordance with the department of transportation manual and specifications for a uniform system oftraffic control devices (See Appendix B2 of the 2012 OMUTCD) 7 OMUTCD Published by Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Part 6 deals with temporary traffic control zones (TTCZ) Receives input from a statewide committee made of public and private sector officials 8 4

5 Pocket Guide (Handbook) NOTE: This booklet is intended to provide the principles of proper work zone traffic control, but is not a standard. Part 6 of the OMUTCD contains the standards. 9 Example of Information Devices Tables Flagging Mobile 10 5

6 Work Activity Matrix to Pick Typical Application Typical Application Type of Work 11 Traffic Control Devices Essential to highway safety Recognized subconsciously Motorists rely on them What would happen if we didn t have them? No way to communicate Confusion Chaos? 12 6

7 Warning Signs Warn drivers of potentially dangerous conditions In work zones Diamond shape Orange background Black letters 13 ROAD MACHINERY AHEAD ROAD WORK AHEAD BE PREPARED TO STOP SHOULDER WORK Warning Signs RIGHT LANE CLOSED AHEAD LEFT SHOULDER CLOSED AHEAD 14 7

8 A B C 15 Suggested Advance Warning Sign Spacing Type A B C Urban (low speed) Urban (hi speed) Rural Freeways and Expressways 1,000 1,500 2,

9 If Reduced Sight Distance Make sure devices are seen Take curves and hills into account 17 The 3 Step Process for Work Zone Signing Get their attention ROAD WORK AHEAD Tell them what the situation is ONE LANE ROAD AHEAD Tllth Tell them what htyou want them to do FLAGGER AHEAD 18 9

10 Height Clearance Signs mounted on portable supports shall be no less than 1 ft. above the traveled way. Post mounted signs shall be at heights of at least 5 ft. (rural) or 7 ft. (urban) All sign supports shall be crashworthy. 19 Sign Maintenance? Signs shall be properly maintained for cleanliness, visibility, and correct positioning. Signs that have lost significant legibility shall be promptly replaced

11 Channelizing Devices Direct traffic from one lane to another Guide travelers along a safe path Can be hazards themselves Warning signs may be needed Retroreflectorized for night use 21 Channelizing Devices Cones Tubular markers Vertical Panels Drums Barricades 22 11

12 Cones Perhaps the most common channelizing device used in short duration operations Typically 12 hours or less Meant to be attended 23 Cones (Advantages) Minor impedance to traffic Little effect on capacity Will not damage vehicles that hit them Well recognized and understood Easy to transport and store 24 12

13 Not formidable Cones (Disadvantages) Command minimal respect Easily penetrated Easily displaced or Knocked over 25 Min. 18 for daytime low speed operations Min. 28 for higher speeds 42 can be used at all locations Retroreflectorized dfor night use Cone Height Two white bands 26 13

14 Barricades Usually used to: Outline construction areas Close or restrict the rightof way Channelize traffic Mark hazards To mount signs DETOUR 27 Types of Barricades Type I (single rail) Low speeds Type II (double rail) High speeds Type III (triple rail) Road closures 28 14

15 Stripes Slope Downward In the Direction Traffic Is To Pass Alternate orange and white retroreflective stripes Slope downward in the direction traffic is to pass 29 Stripes on Type III Barricades No turn Possible, must turn around Traffic can turn left or right 30 15

16 Barricades May damage vehicle when hit Weighted with sandbags placed near the bottom of the barricade (not at the top) Sandbags may be placed on the lower parts of the frame or the stays of the barricade to provide the required ballast. 31 What Is Temporary Traffic Control Zones (TTCZ)? Includes the entire section of roadway between the first advance warning sign through the last traffic control device, where traffic returns to its normal path 32 16

17 Typical Components Of Temporary Control Zone Advance Warning Area Transition Area Work Area Buffer space Work space Traffic space Termination Area 33 Component Parts of a TTCZ Traffic Space Not to scale Work Space Buffer Space Termination Area Work Area Transition Area Advance Warning Area 34 17

18 No warning Surprise Erratic Maneuver Warning EVERY temporary traffic control zone has an advance warning area Even low-speed closures Accident 35 Three advance warning signs for flagging operation o 36 18

19 Component Parts of a TTCZ Traffic Space Not to scale Work Space Buffer Space Termination Area Work Area Transition Area Advance Warning Area 37 Two Lane Two Way Roads Need to discourage drivers from moving into the open lane Head on collisions possible Need shorter tapers maximum Shortertapers tapers encourage drivers to slow down 38 19

20 One Lane, Two Way Traffic Taper Needed for lane closures on two lane roadways STOP Taper 39 Component Parts of a TTCZ Traffic Space Not to scale Work Space Buffer Space Termination Area Work Area Transition Area Advance Warning Area 40 20

21 Component Parts of a TTC Traffic Space Not to scale Work Space Buffer Space Termination Area Work Area Transition Area Advance Warning Area 41 Component Parts of a TTCZ Traffic Space Not to scale Work Space Buffer Space Termination Area Work Area Transition Area Advance Warning Area 42 21

22 Urban Residential Streets Characteristics Straight roads Evenly spaced blocks Good sight distance Usually low volume Fairly low speed 43 For Those Streets May need a single warning sign Park vehicle in closed lane Beacon on 4 way lights on May need flaggers May need cones to separate traffic 44 22

23 Flaggers Use STOP SLOW paddle Red flags are for emergencies only Use trained dflaggers 45 The ABCs of Flagging A for Advance Warning B for be visible and alert C for Control Theseare essential aspects of any flagging operation!!! 46 23

24 A = Advance Warning Lets the public know that you are there Install BEFORE you start the flagging operation 47 Example of typical advance warning signs in flagger operations Get drivers attention ROAD WORK AHEAD UTILITY WORK AHEAD Tell them the problem ONE LANE ROAD AHEAD Tell them what to do FLAGGER WILL PROVIDE DIRECTION UTILITY WORK AHEAD ONE ROAD LANE WORK ROAD AHEAD 48 24

25 Advance Warning Sign Spacing Low speeds (40 mph or less) apart Higher speeds/rural 500 or more 49 Spacing Important? Well Yes

26 B = Be Visible and Alert Make sure the public sees you Have the proper clothing and equipment 51 Clothing (Safety Apparel) ANSI Class 2 garment Class 3 recommended for nighttime flagging Hard hat When required 52 26

27 C = Control Remember that a flagger is considered a legal traffic control device It must be obeyed 53 Three Basic Flagging Skills Stopping traffic Releasing traffic Slowing traffic 54 27

28 STOP Stand on the shoulder Display STOP with palm out Face traffic Make eye contact May move towards centerline after a few vehicles NEVER stand in front of oncoming, moving traffic!! 55 GO Remain on shoulder SLOW faces traffic Use free hand to direct drivers Do not wave sign at drivers 56 28

29 SLOW Traffic may be too fast or, It is not necessary to stop it Display SLOW Use free arm to motion traffic to slow down NEVER stand in the path of oncoming traffic!!! 57 Do not become a target!!! 58 29

30 Typical Two Flagger Operation Flagger Flagger Notice: No arrow boards Flagger at the beginning of a taper Short taper 50 to 100 MAX Extended buffer 59 Sight Method Both flaggers have visual contact at all times 60 30

31 Special Situation: Single Flagger A few conditions have to be met for single flagger operation: Low volume Good visibility Short work space Short duration Low speeds 61 Single Flagger Flagger stands across from the work space and controls both directions of traffic work space 62 31

32 Single Flagging Operations Note Location of flagger, away from the traffic 63 The Flagger must be visible to traffic coming from both directions 64 32

33 The Flagger should NEVER step into traffic 65 SUMMARY The primary function of temporary traffic control is to provide for the safe and efficient movements of vehicles through or around temporary traffic control zones whileprotectingworkers workers and equipment 66 33