Utility Work Zone Traffic Control

1 Prepared for:United States Department of TransportationFederal Highway AdministrationWashington, by:Wayne State UniversityTransportation Research GroupDetroit, MIBradley UniversityPeoria, ILMay 2008 Utility work Zone Traffic Control GuidelinesUtility work Zone Traffic Control GuidelinesTechnical Report Documentation Page1. Report Government Accession Recipient s Catalog No. 4. Title and Subtitle5. Report DateUtility work Zone Traffic Control GuidelinesSeptember 20086. Performing Organization Code 7. Author(s)8. Performing Organization Report Datta, Peter Savolainen, and Lia Grillo Wayne State University; Kerrie Schattler Bradley University 9. Performing Organization Name and Address10. Project/Task/ work Unit State University Transportation Research GroupDepartment of Civil and Environmental EngineeringSchaver Building, Room #2085451 Cass AvenueDetroit, MI 48202 Bradley UniversityDepartment of Civil Engineering and Construction1501 W.

2 Bradley AvenuePeoria, IL 61625 11. Contract (C) or Grant (G) Sponsoring Agency Name and Address13. Type of Report and Period CoveredUnited States Department of TransportationFederal Highway AdministrationHSA Room #E71-3241200 New Jersey Ave. SEWashington, 20590 14. Sponsoring Agency Code 15. Supplementary Notes 16. Abstract (Limit: 200 words) Utility work zones are fundamentally different from most highway construction work zones . Utility work is often of a shorter duration and involves smaller crew sizes, which makes a Traffic Control plan such as that utilized in highway construction sometimes impractical. As Utility service providers often need to work on or near roadways, Utility work zones pose unique challenges to the health and safety of both motorists and guideline document provides an introduction to Utility work zone operations and presents recommendations for several important aspects of safety related to Utility work , including the establishment of a safety culture in the organization, the use of uniform and consistent Traffic Control devices and systems, and the development of a set of typical temporary Traffic Control plans (TTCP) that are appropriate for specific types of work sites.

3 As a part of the Utility work Zone Traffic Control Guidelines , twenty-seven typical TTCPs were developed based upon site-specific work site factors that include the work location, type of roadway, and the speed limit and Traffic volume of the adjacent roadway. An accompanying automated software program has been developed to aid in the selection of an appropriate TTCP based upon site-specific Key Words18. Availability StatementWork zone, Utility , safety, mobility, work zone policy, regulation, rule, guidance, Utility work zone Traffic Control restrictions. This document is available to the Security Class (this report)20. Security Class (this page)21. No. of Pages22. Price 76 Utility work Zone Traffic Control GuidelinesFHWA Contract No. DTFH61-06-G-00006 Submitted to:United States Department of TransportationFederal Highway AdministrationHSA Room #E71-3241200 New Jersey Ave.

4 SE Washington, 20590 Contractor:Wayne State University Transportation Research GroupCivil & Environmental EngineeringSchaver Building, Room #2085451 Cass AvenueDetroit, MI 48202 Subcontractor:Bradley UniversityCivil Engineering and Construction1501 W. Bradley AvenuePeoria, IL 61625 Date:March 2008 The opinions, findings, and conclusions expressed in this publication are those of the contractor(s) and not necessarily those of the Department of Transportation or the Federal Highway Administration. This report was prepared in cooperation with the Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway document is a Living Document and may be modified as work Zone Traffic Control GuidelinesUtility work Zone Traffic Control GuidelinesUtility work Zone Traffic Control GuidelinesiTable of Introduction and Background.

5 work Duration ..5 Utility work Zone Crashes and Risks ..8 Crash Avoidance ..10 Why is Uniformity Important? ..12 Signage ..14 Vehicle Design ..15 Vehicle Warning Lights ..16 Retro-reflective Markings on Vehicles ..17 Vehicle Color ..18 Rationale for Utility work Zone Guidelines ..20 Who is it meant for? ..20 What type of Utility work is Included? ..21 Why Use Different Utility work Zone Traffic Control Plans? ..22 Why is work Duration Important? ..23 Why is Highway Type Important? ..23 Why is work Location Important? ..24 How Is An Appropriate Utility work Zone Traffic Control Plan Selected? ..26 work Beyond Shoulder ..34 work on Shoulder ..37 work on Roadway.

6 Considering Pedestrian Safety And Mobility .. Traffic Control Devices and Worker Safety Equipment ..59 Traffic Control Signs ..59ii Arrow Panels ..60 Channelizing Devices ..62 Warning Lights on work Vehicles ..63 Retro-reflective Markings on Utility work Vehicles ..64 Worker Safety and Visibility ..66 Practicing Safety Culture ..67 Importance of Safety Training ..68 Knowledge Retention ..68 Maintaining a Safety Culture ..70 Resource Materials .. References .. Bibliography ..74 List of TablesTable 1. Traffic Control Plan Elements ..30 List of FiguresFigure 1. Typical Traffic Control Plan ..30 Figure 2. Traffic Control Plan Selection Process.

7 31 Figure 3. Portable Temporary Traffic Control Signs ..60 Figure 4. Recommended Use of Arrow Panels on Utility work Vehicles and Trucks ..62 Figure 5. Standards for Tubular Markers as Provided in MUTCD Figure 6F-7 ..63 Figure 6. Examples of Taller Cones ..63 Figure 7. Example of Retro-reflective Material Used on Back of a Utility work Vehicle ..65iiiUtility work Zone Traffic Control GuidelinesFigure A. Utility work beyond Shoulder ..34 Figure B. Utility work beyond Shoulder with work Vehicle(s) Parked on Shoulder ..35 Figure D1. Utility work Beyond Shoulder with work Vehicle Parked on Shoulder (High Traffic Volume and/or High Speed) ..35 Figure D2. Utility work Beyond Shoulder with work Vehicle Parked on Shoulder (High Traffic Volume and/or High Speed).

8 36 Figure C. Utility work on Shoulder (Low Traffic Volume and Low Speed) ..37 Figure D3. Utility work on Shoulder with NO Encroachment on Roadway (High Traffic Volume and/or High Speed) ..38 Figure D4. Utility work on Shoulder with NO Encroachment on Roadway (High Traffic Volume and/or High Speed) ..39 Figure D5. Utility work on Shoulder with Minor Encroachment on Roadway (High Traffic Volume and/or High Speed) ..40 Figure D6. Utility work on Shoulder with Minor Encroachment on Roadway (High Traffic Volume and/or High Speed) ..41 Figure E. Utility work on Shoulder with Minor Encroachment (Low Traffic Volume and Low Speed) ..42 Figure F. Utility work on Shoulder with Minor Encroachment or Lane Closure on Two-Lane Road (High Traffic Volume and/or High Speed).

9 52 Figure G. Temporary Road H. Right Lane Closure on Near Side of Intersection ..44 Figure I. Left Lane Closure on Near Side of Intersection ..45 Figure J. Right Lane Closure on Far Side of Intersection ..46 Figure K. Left Lane Closure on Far Side of Intersection ..47 Figure L. Closure in Center of Intersection ..48 Figure M. Center Lane Closure on Multi-lane Road ..49 Figure N. Lane Closure on Two-Lane Road (Restricted Visibility) ..50 Figure O. Lane Closure on Two-Lane Road (Low Traffic Volume, Low Speed, and Unrestricted Visibility) ..51 Figure P. Lane Closure on Two-Lane Road (Low, Self-Regulated Traffic Volume, Low Speed, and Unrestricted Visibility) ..51 Figure Q. Utility work in Center of Road (Low Traffic Volumes) ..53 Figure R. Outside Lane Closure on a Multi-Lane Road.

10 54 Figure S. Tree Cutting/Trimming Shoulder Closure on a Two-Lane Road ..55 Figure T. Tree Cutting/Trimming Lane Closure on a Multi-Lane Road ..56 Figure U. Sidewalk Detour for Pedestrians ..58 Figure V. Sidewalk Diversion for Pedestrians ..58 List of Typical Application Figuresiv1 Utility work Zone Traffic Control Guidelines Utility work zones pose unique challenges to the motorist as well as to the workers health and safety. Utility service providers such as the electric, gas, telephone and cable companies often need to work on or near roadways providing essential services to the public at large. Most of their work activities typically require less time as compared to roadway construction and maintenance activities and are generally completed in a timely manner.