1 / 27

Designing and Maintaining a Pedestrian-Friendly Work Zone

Designing and Maintaining a Pedestrian-Friendly Work Zone. Gerald L. Ullman, Ph.D., P.E. Texas Transportation Institute. The MUTCD is clear!.

kasa
Download Presentation

Designing and Maintaining a Pedestrian-Friendly Work Zone

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Designing and Maintaining a Pedestrian-Friendly Work Zone Gerald L. Ullman, Ph.D., P.E. Texas Transportation Institute

  2. The MUTCD is clear! The needs and control of all road users (motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians…) through a TTC zone shall be an essential part of highway construction, utility work, maintenance operations…

  3. Pedestrians should… • …not be led into conflicts with work vehicles, equipment or operations • …not be led into conflicts with vehicles moving through or around work site • …be provided with a reasonably safe, convenient, and accessible path • …not have their route severed due to parked vehicles or equipment

  4. Pedestrian TCP Design Checklist • Diversion Route Considerations • Pedestrian/Work Area Separation • Pedestrian/Vehicle Separation • Pathway Width and Surface Needs • Detectable Edging Requirements

  5. TCP Design Checklist (cont’d) • Canopied Walkway Needs • Sight Line Maintenance • Provision of Pedestrian Guidance Information • Other Intersection Needs • Mitigate Path Obstructions • Access to Transit Stops, Businesses, Residences

  6. Diversion Route Considerations Priorities: • Parking lane next to work site • Closed travel lane next to work site (if multi-lane facility) • Sidewalk or path across the street In some cases, a temporary traffic barrier may be needed

  7. Pedestrian/Work Area Separation • Positively protect excavations or drop-offs • Fences or barriers to prevent pedestrian access into work site Fences or barriers should be high enough to prevent climbing over

  8. Pedestrian/Vehicle Separation • Barriers may be needed • High-speed traffic situations • Designed to prevent intrusions • Barricades or channelizing devices may be sufficient • Detectable edging required • Continuous path provided

  9. Pathway Width and Surface Needs • 5 ft width desirable • If less than 5 ft, provide a 5 ft by 5 ft space every 200 ft along route • 3 ft absolute minimum, unless special provisions provided for wheelchairs • Path must be smooth, continuous, hard surface

  10. Detectable Edging • Continuous plastic, metal, wood, etc. • Bottom rail a maximum of 6 inches above ground • Rail at hand height desirable

  11. Canopied Walkway • Required if potential for falling debris • Lighting may be required if intended for use at night

  12. Maintaining Sight Lines • Drivers and pedestrians need to see each other at crossings • Features to check: • Fences • Parking • Signs • Bridge abutments • Work vehicles and equipment

  13. Pedestrian Information Needs • Advance information about sidewalk closures • Clear and positive guidance provided through and around work area • Guidance back to original route provided Ask yourself: What would I tell a driver?

  14. Pedestrian Information (cont’d) Message Design Tips: • Provide distances (blocks or feet) • Describe desired action when possible (“USE OTHER SIDE”) • Orange and black = work zone

  15. Other Intersection Needs • Temporary crosswalks • Traffic signal adjustments • Pedestrian clearance • Maintaining accessibility

  16. Mitigate Path Obstructions • No scaffolding, fencing, etc., protruding into path • No signs lower than 7 ft extending into path

  17. Access Considerations • Transit stops • Access to businesses, residences also need to be considered

  18. In-Field Construction Reviews • Check TCP design at beginning of project, after each phase change • Include as part of regular inspector reviews throughout project • Be vigilant for “accidental” impacts to pedestrians

  19. For more information…. • Checklist for Accommodating Pedestrians in Temporary Traffic Control Areas, December 2007, http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/0-5237-P1.pdf • FHWA Work Zone Safety Grant Program http://www.workzonesafety.org/fhwa_wz_grant/atssa/atssa_pedestrian_checklisthttp://www.workzonesafety.org/fhwa_wz_grant/atssa/atssa_guidance_sheet Gerald Ullman TTI (979) 845-9908 g-ullman@tamu.edu

More Related