Traffic Control Plan

1. Traffic Control Plan • A plan directed to the safe and expeditious movement of traffic through construction and to the safety of the work force performing those operations is defined as a Traffic Control Plan (TCP).

2. Special conditions in TCP • # High volume or high speed traffic. • # Rush hour or seasonal traffic patterns. • # Heavy use by pedestrians. • # Changing work conditions or other conditions that would be confusing to the traveling public. • # Hazards due to nighttime operations. • # Complex detours or traffic patterns. • # Closely spaced intersections, interchanges, or other decision points.

3. Checklist of factors • # Estimated traffic volumes, vehicle types, and direction of travel. • # Traffic speeds. • # Required number of travel lanes. • # Traffic control layouts including signing, markings, channelization devices, traffic signals, traffic • delineators, barriers, and detour schemes. • # Restrictions on work periods such as rush hours, holidays, special events, nights, weekends. • # Characteristics of adjacent highway segments.

4. Factors – cont’d • Requirements for partial completion and opening sections to traffic. • # Maneuvering space available for traffic. • # Requirements for installing, maintaining, moving, or removing traffic control devices. • # Turns or cross movements required by traffic.

5. Add’l – but not in contract • # The need for public relations, such as notifications to the local news media. • # Any special agreements reached with other agencies relating to traffic control or traffic management. • # Accident reporting requirements. • # Any special guidance on traffic management for the project engineer.

8. Research comparisons on Control Devices • Cones, signs and barricades more effective in conjunction with a flagger • Barricades, panels, and drums lead to earlier transition time at night than did cones and tubes • Size and visible area of control device had more impact than shape • Only arrows and chevrons successfully conveyed the message of direction (not stripes)

9. Research comparisons on devices – cont’d • Generally, devices of equal visibility had equal value • Motorists respond to the channelization path, but not to a single device

10. OECD Research comparisons on devices Cones and tubes advantages • provide less impediment to traffic flow • Cause less damage to vehicles and workers • Easier to store, transport and set up (EJK questions last point)

11. OECD Research comparisons on devices Reservations: (Disadvantages) Cones and tubes: easy to penetrate/displace don’t command respect as drums Drums: The large size that makes them more visible and commands respect also can be large projectiles into construction worker area.

12. Edge drops in Construction Zones

15. Edge drop mitigation in construction zones • Place a 45 degree wedge at dropoff site • (What are the potential problems?) • Place channelizing devices near dropoff using a 3 foot buffer • Install portable concrete barriers (or other barrier type) • ( What factors affect the wisdom of doing this?) • OTHER