WORK ZONE TEMPORARY

TRAFFIC CONTROL

Presented by
Nazir Lalani
Nazirlalani1@gmail.com

Distribution of the webinar materials outside of your site is prohibited. Reproduction of the materials and pictures without a written permission 
of the copyright holder is a violation of the U.S. law.

Meet Your Instructor

 Course instructor for UC Berkeley on classes

covering traffic operations

 Reviewer of many work zone traffic control plans

for six public agencies

 Reviewer of permits for utility work, special

events and road improvement projects

 Responsible for inspecting work zone temporary

traffic control for several agencies

 In charge of permit sections for several agencies

responsible for conditioning encroachment
permits

 Coordination with law enforcement agencies

1
 Webinar Outcomes

• Learn about preparation of Temporary Traffic Control

(TTC) Plans
• Become familiar with Part 6 of the MUTCD, The
Guidelines for Utility Companies and Work Zone Positive
Protection Toolbox
• Understand what is critical about traffic control for special
events
• Understand what is different about night-time work zones
• Learn about the role of law enforcement
• Lessons learned from case studies of completed projects
• Become familiar with best resources

Participants  ‐ Be Ready to Answer 
Questions About Work Zone Traffic Control

2
 • Utility Work Zone Traffic Control
• Night Work Zones
• Law  Enforcement
• Work Zone Positive Protection Toolbox
• Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) –
Section  6 Figures and Typical Applications (TAs) with 
notes

National Highway Work Zone Safety Program

The NHWZSP consists of four components:
• Standardization
• Compliance
• Evaluation
• Implementation

More detailed information at:

http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/wz/wz_natl_pro.cfm#one

3
 7

What is Important About the

Preparing Work Zone Traffic
Control Plans for Approval?

4
 Temporary Traffic Control Plan
Preparation/Approval
• Frequently prepared by
contractor’s barricade
company for permit projects
• Should be reviewed and
approved by public agency
• For capital projects, some
agencies require plan to be
prepared by Engineer of
Record (EOR)
• Signs (and sizes) compliance
with MUTCD
• Channelizing devices,
barricades and temporary
striping compliance with
MUTCD
9

Should Temporary Traffic Control Plan Stamped by

a Licensed Engineer?
NOT NECESSARY IF:

• Exact Typical Application from MUTCD

• Exact TTCP from State Adopted Standard
Plan
• Exact layout as shown in WATCH or
similar manual reviewed and approved by
Licensed Engineers

IF NOT THEN:
• Temporary Traffic Control Plan SHOULD
be stamped by a Licensed Engineer
10

5
 11

Encroachment Permits
• Required for placement of TTC devices in public road right of
way

• Should reference date traffic control approved

• Specify exact location of work

• Provide insurance coverage

• Include indemnification language holding permit applicant

responsible

• Amended when date/time/location changed by applicant

12

6
 What Happens Without Approved Plan?
• General contractor hires sub without a contract
• Sub begins resurfacing work in construction zone
• Sub hires work zone traffic control sub without
contract
• Driver runs red signal in construction zone and runs
over pedestrian
• Pedestrian’s family sues all contractors – cites
improper work zone traffic control
• Can attorney successfully defend case?

13

When Should Traffic Lanes Be

Closed to Traffic?

14

7
 Lane Closures
• Peak hour restrictions problematic

• Night-time work may be the only option

• Total road closure with detours requires advance

planning, signal timing modifications, press
releases

• Use of changeable message signs at least one

week in advance helps prepare road users

15

Participants –
what needs
to be done at
the traffic
signal?

16

8
 When Should Road Users be
Notified?

17

Advance Notification
• Stationary signs

• Press releases to media

• Fliers (important when driveways to property owners

affected)

• Changeable message signs

18

9
 Changeable Message Signs
• Fewest words

• Limit number of message display sequence to two or

three

• Check for daytime visibility in bright sunlight and high

speed approaches

• For lane closures – deploy at least 48 hours if

impacts to traffic moderate – longer if significant

• Detours – at least 1 week in advance

19

Participants – what is wrong here?

20

10
 21

What are the Important Components of

Temporary Traffic Control Zones?

22

11
These Component Parts Should Be Included

Source: MUTCD

23

Legend Should Be Provided on Temporary

Traffic Control Plans

24

12
Sign Numbers Should be Specified in Legend

Source: MUTCD 25

Sign Sizes Should be Specified in Legend

Source: MUTCD 26

13
 Drums, Markers, Panels and Cones Should
Meet the MUTCD Speciation's

Source: MUTCD 27

Barricade Specifications Should be Met

Source: MUTCD

14
 Sign Heights Should be Met (Often Violated)

29
Source: MUTCD

Use High Level Warning Devices – Better Visual Impact

30
Source: MUTCD

15
Participants – what is wrong here?
31

Better Layout
32

16
 High-Visibility Safety Apparel
 Required for all workers within
the public right of way
 Applies to all roads and not just
those on the Federal Aid System
 Option for law enforcement and
first responders to use new
ANSI “public safety vests”
 Firefighters and law
enforcement are exempted from
the requirement under certain
circumstances
 December 31, 2011 compliance

33

Stopping Sight Distance Must Be Met Where Needed

Here's an excerpt from Florida

DOT's standards for Maintenance of
Traffic:

"Traffic control devices at

intersections must provide sight
distances for the road user to
perceive potential conflicts and
to traverse the intersection
safely. Construction equipment
and materials shall not restrict
intersection sight distance."

34
Source: MUTCD

17
Minimum Advance Warning Sign Spacing Must be
(Often Ignored)

Source: MUTCD
35

Taper Lengths
and Buffer
Spaces are
Important

(Tapers Often
Shortened and
Buffer Spaces
Not Provided)

Source: MUTCD 36

18
 2L Suggested
Minimum Distance
Between Successive
Lane Closures

Source: MUTCD 37

Guidance on 
Lengths of Short 
Approach and 
Downstream 
Tapers

Source: MUTCD 38

19
 39

When Should Arrow Boards

Be Used?

40

20
Source: MUTCD 41

Arrow Boards

42

21
 Arrow Boards

Source: MUTCD 43

Close
left turn
lane
Arrow boards need to be very visible
44

22
 Common Problems on Temporary
Traffic Control Plans
• Signs not far enough in advance
• Tapers are too short
• Not all signs are included
• Pedestrians and Bicyclists are ignored
• Arrow board not provided/multiple boards needed
but not provided
• Need for Pilot Vehicles not addressed

45

Common Problems on Temporary Traffic 
Control Plans
• Date/hours of lane closures not stated

• Regulatory speed limits not used (10 mph reduction)

• Turn restrictions not shown where needed

• Sight distance restrictions not addressed

• Signs placed on private property/other jurisdiction

right-of-way without prior approval

46

23
 What a About Using Regulatory
Speed Limits in Construction
Zones?

47

New Optional and Recommended Signs and Plaques 
to Accompany Speed Limit Signs in TTC Zones

G20‐5aP

R2-1

R2-10 R2-11
R2-6aP R2-12

48

24
Regulatory speed limits in work zones
49

Turn restriction violation out of driveway - turn

restricted because of sight distance
50

25
 Variable Speed Limits

Making Work Zones Work 
Better Workshop 
Orlando, Florida     17 Sept. 
03

Davey Warren
Office of Safety Programs
F d l Hi h Ad i i i

How Long Can Temporary

Markings Be Used?

52

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 Temporary Markings

• Delineate path through the TTC zone

when the permanent markings are either
removed or obliterated during the work
activities
• Should not be left in place longer than 14
days
• Some allowable exceptions to normal
longitudinal markings requirements

53

Temporary RPMs in TTC Zones
• More provisions on color, patterns, and spacing,
consistent with Part 3
– Colors and patterns shall simulate the markings
for which they substitute
– May be used to substitute for solid lines

• Option to use a less expensive pattern of

temporary RPMs to substitute for broken line
segments
– Should not be used more than 14 days
54

27
Participants – what is wrong here?
55

What Kind of Problems

Encountered with Implementation
of Work Zone Traffic Control?

56

28
 Implementation Problems
• Not on the approved date/time
• Signs not per approved plans
• Signs not retro reflective/poor
condition
• Signs/barricades/cones not stabilized
properly
• Lack of use of high level warning
devices
• Lane closures extending into peak
hours
• Failing to accommodate turning
trucks
• Not stamped by a licensed engineer

57

Participants – what is wrong here? 58

29
Highly Visible Guidance in Work Zone

59

Highly Visible Guidance in Work Zone

60

30
 Check for turning trucks 61

Keep traffic clear of open trenches

62

31
Watch that
conflict between
equipment and
traffic flow – bus
clipped by a
backhoe

63

Participants – what is wrong here?

64

32
Restricting all
turns to one
lane requires
rephasing traffic
signal

Close
left turn
lane
65

Restricting left turns

requires a detour –
allowing left turns
problematic for trucks
Close
left turn
lane
66

33
Triple left does
not work with
a tight merge

Close
left turn
lane
67

New symbol sign 
and supplemental 
plaque for 
shoulder 
drop‐off

68

34
 69

Asphalt Transition
70

35
Participants – what could go wrong here?

71

What is Important About

Flaggers?

72

36
  Correct Apparel

 Correct Hand Signals

 Correct Equipment

Source: MUTCD 73

Paddles should be 
placed on a rigid 
staff, high enough 
to be seen by 
approaching or 
stopped traffic

74

37
Flaggers shall use a paddle, flag, or AFAD, 
not just hand signals and stand alone

Source: MUTCD 75

76

38
 77

Two flaggers should

be used for a one-
lane, 2-way
constriction unless
TTC zone is short
enough for the
flagger to see from
one end to the other

Source: MUTCD 78

39
Clarified OPTION for
self-regulating traffic
movement through a
one-lane, 2-way
constriction

- If work space is short

(adequate sight
distance)

- If on a low-volume
street
79

Note: Used only one-lane approaches 80

40
 Automated 
flagger 
assistance 
device (AFAD)

Type 1: 
STOP/SLOW 
paddle AFAD

81

Type 2: 
Red/yellow lens 
AFAD

82
Source: MUTCD

41
Remember: Stopping Sight Distance for AFADs is Critical

Florida DOT's Standards for

Maintenance of Traffic:

"Traffic control devices at

intersections must provide
sight distances for the road
user to perceive potential
conflicts and to traverse the
intersection safely.
Construction equipment and
materials shall not restrict
intersection sight distance."

83

“For stop/slow AFADs, researchers

recommended that a gate arm and
alternative symbol supplemental
signs be required to reduce
violations and improve motorist
understanding. In addition,
researchers made various
recommendations regarding the
use of both types of AFADs.”

84

42
 When Should Temporary
Traffic Signals Be Used?

85

Covered heads

Temporary signal with crash cushions

and guide markings
86

43
What Should be Done at a “Dark” Traffic Signal?

Consider using BBS – have policy on use

of stop signs, law enforcement or portable generators
http://www.cjpia.org/news/entry/june-2014-issue-28
Liability Associated with Response to Inoperable Traffic Signals
87

88

44
Prohibit Pedestrians When
Construction Disables Crosswalk
Signals

89

What is Special About Utility

Work Zone Traffic Control?

90

45
 Guideline Contents
• Emphasizes uniformity/driver expectancy
• Defines work zone durations
• Discusses work zone location
• Illustrates vehicle and worker conspicuity
• Provides flow chart for selection of best Traffic Control
Plan (TCP)
• Provides examples of 25 TCPs
• Provides comprehensive reference list

92

46
 Participants – what is wrong here?

Typical Layout for Minor Shoulder 
Encroachment Utility Work

94

47
 Where Can I Find More
Training Materials?

95

Utility Work Zone Traffic Control
Utility Workers, Foremen
and Supervisors Module

FHWA Grant No. DTFH61-06-G-00006

Developed by:
Wayne State University & Bradley University

96

48
 Utility Work Zone Traffic Control
Management and Safety
Officials’ Module

FHWA Grant No. DTFH61-06-G-00006

Developed by:
Wayne State University & Bradley University

97

Vehicle Conspicuity

98

49
 What About Pedestrians and
Bicyclists?

99

Pedestrians
• The needs and control of all road users
(motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians.)
per ADA Act of 1990

• TTC Plan needs to provide an alternate

pedestrian path if sidewalk is going to
be closed

• Needs to be accessible and detectable

100

50
 101

Post Signs for Sidewalk Closure

102

51
If possible leave a place for pedestrians and bicyclists to cross
103

Post Signs for Bike Lane Closure

104

52
 When Should Temporary
Barriers Be Used?

105

Lane Closure with a Temporary Traffic Barrier

Source: MUTCD 106

53
 107

Positive Protection Toolbox

• Portable Concrete Barriers
• Movable Concrete Barriers
• Ballast Filled Barriers
• Shadow vehicles

108

54
 Temporary Rail Protecting
Construction Workers and Preventing
Head On Collision

109

Lower speed limits may be needed to attain

AASHTO compliance on curves and tapers

110

55
 What Kind of Temporary Barrier End
Treatments Should
Be Used?

111

Variety of sand filled plastic barrel systems 112

56
Reusable Energy Absorbing Crash Terminal

113

How Should Typical Application

Drawings (TAs)
Be Used?

114

57
 Typical Application (TA)
Drawings
• Except for the TA “Notes,” information in the TA
drawings can generally be regarded as Guidance
• TA 4 – stationary signs may be omitted for mobile
work if the work vehicle displays high-intensity strobe
lights
• TA 7 – ROAD CLOSED sign eliminated
• TA 16 – lanes should be at least 10 feet wide
• Should be used when conditions are very similar

115

Source: MUTCD
116

58
 117

“Based on the survey results, driver

inattention/behavior, road
geometrics/sight distance, mobile
operations, and not following the
Virginia Work Area Protection Manual
are possible contributing factors for
TMA crashes. A typical TMA crash
involved a contractor TMA vehicle that
was struck from the rear by a male
driving a passenger vehicle. TMA
crashes accounted for less than 1% of
all work zone crashes in Virginia from
2011-2014. There is no clear-cut
solution to resolving TMA crashes.
Although they represent a small
number of crashes compared to the
Close
overall number of work zones crashes,
left
mostturn
of them affect at least two
lane
people: the motorist striking the TMA
vehicle and the TMA operator.”
118

59
 What is Different About
Freeway Operations?

119

Exhibit 3-3: Decision Sight Distance

(AASHTO) Become Much More Important

120

60
 Design Values

The sum of the distance traversed during the brake reaction time and the
distance to brake the vehicle to a stop is the stopping sight distance
US Customary
V²  Driver’s eye is estimated to be 3.5 ft
and the height of the object to be seen
d = 1.47Vt + 1.075 a by the driver is 2 ft, equivalent to the
tail light height of a passenger car.

Where:

V = design speed, mph;

a = deceleration rate, ft/s²
t = Brake reaction time in
seconds

121

Source: NCHRP Report 600A: Human Factors Guidelines

for Road Systems

122

61
 123

TAs with Freeway Lane Closures

‐ TAs 37, 38, 39, 42, and 44
‐ Arrow board shall be used for 
all freeway lane closures 
‐ Separate arrow board shall be 
used for each closed lane for 
multi‐lane closures

124

62
Bridge False Work

What is the most critical sign here?

125

126

63
 Source: NCHRP 581 127

What is Special
About Night Work
Zones?

128

64
 Lamps for
night-time
work

129

“Report evaluates the

effect and value of steady
burning warning lights on
temporary traffic control
devices used to delineate
the correct travel path in
work zones.”

“Based on findings, the

researchers recommend
that the statewide
application of steady-burn
warning lights in all work
zones be discontinued.”

130

65
 “Researchers were not able to
test some of the ideas due to
limitations of current device
technology; however, field
experiments on several
suggested concepts showed
the potential to improve driver
perception, comprehension,
and behavior by modifying the
number, intensity, and
synchronization of lights on
individual vehicles, as well as
between vehicles.”

131

What About Construction

Zones Railroad Crossings?

132

66
 May need preemption of
temporary signals in temporary
traffic control zones (or Flagger)

Source: MUTCD
133

What About Traffic Control for

Special Events?

134

67
 TTC Plan Should be Developed for Planned 
Special Events That Will Impact Traffic

Bike race

135

Dos and Don’ts for Special Events
• Strong need to work with and deploy law enforcement personnel
– PD must sign off on traffic control plan

• Event should be not be started until approved plan is in place

• Develop plan showing route that maximizes use of existing traffic
control devices
• May need special lighting/use of highly visibility apparel for night
time events
• Should avoid lane closures during peak hours of traffic

• May require traffic signal timing modifications

136

68
 Dos and Don’ts for Filming

 Provide work zone traffic

control signs

 Provide advance warning to

road users before the day of
the event

 Limit intermittent complete

road closures to 3-4 minutes

 For longer closures requiring

major detours, obtain consent
of impacted property owners
and businesses
137

What Is The Appropriate Role

of Law Enforcement?

138

69
 139

Sources of Additional
Information

140

70
 Useful Web Sites

• http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/wz/

• http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/wz/resources/policy.htmFloods 

• http://www.workzonesafety.org/

• http://www.sce.com/nrc/aboutsce/regulatory/distribution
manuals/tcm.pdf

• http://www.govme.org/download/pdf/traffic_control_han
dbook.pdf
141

Work Zone Safety Web Site

http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/wz/

Publishes Guidelines on:

• Best Practices

• Process Review Toolbox

• Public Info Strategies

• Work Zone Traffic Management

• Improving Worker Safety in Work Zones

142

71
The purpose of this document is to
provide guidance on implementing PC
in the planning, design, and delivery
phases of projects. It summarizes key
steps for successfully implementing
PC, using a systematic approach to
meet a specific set of clearly defined
objectives. The steps include:

 Establishing the PC vision,

 Developing details of how PC will
occur,
 Educating and informing personnel
and stakeholders,
 Implementing the PC process, and
 Refining the process.

Two case studies are included to

demonstrate successful application of
the approach.
143

144

72
145

146

73
 “Four critical site characteristics
that may warrant ITS
deployment were identified:

Frequent congestion, high

traffic impact at the work
zone, availability of
alternative routes and over-
capacity demand.

The framework recommends

using one or more of the five
uniform performance measures
to facilitate comparisons across
different ITS studies.

These measures are: diversion

rate, delay time, queue
length, crash frequency, and
speed.”
147

“Third, crashes occurring when dark

seemed to be overrepresented in
severe crashes.

Fourth, vehicle-interaction crashes

were much more prevalent than
single vehicle crashes, and rear-
end
crashes were the more significant
and severe. These two facts point to
a potential issue with queuing and
perception/reaction times which could
be countered via enforcement,
education, and improved warning.

Last, human factors seem to

dominate in work zone crashes.
Aggressive driving and distracted
driving are primary factors in work
zone crashes, thus changing traveler
safety culture could help reduce
148
crashes.”

74
149

150

75
 How Do Check Lists and Sign Packages Help?

For a copy of the check list

send an email to nazirlalani1@gmail.com
151

Check list produces results!

152

76
 CASE STUDIES

I ‐ Road Resurfacing Project 
Closes Street
(Street Carries 40,000 ADT)

II ‐ Median Retrofit Project 
Lessons Learned

153

Resurfacing project required a

complete street closure

Close
left turn
lane
154

77
 Road Resurfacing “Train” 155

Finding a place to store is a

challenge

Source: Leonard St. Sauver

156

78
 Complete Street Closure –
Preapproved
Traffic Control Plan is Essential

Close
left turn
lane
157

Median Retrofit Project Required a 24-7 Lane

Closure

Close
left turn
lane
158

79
Need 5 feet clear for peds

Close full movement intersection

159

Temporary Left-turn lane markings needed

(U – turns also restricted)

With Flashers

160

80
The following specification was provided by
Mark Wessel, Interwest Consulting Group, in
his role as the Contract City Traffic Engineer
for Westlake Village, CA
A complete copy may be obtained by sending
an email to:
Nazir Lalani
Nazirlalani1@gmail.com

161

TRAFFIC CONTROL SUBCONTRACTOR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I, (Bidder), acknowledge and accept the requirement that all

traffic control shall be designed and implemented by a subcontractor per the
General Specifications stated in section 7-10.3.2 Public Convenience and Safety,
and Special Provisions Section ____ Traffic Control. This subcontractor is
identified below:

NAME, ADDRESS, AND PHONE

NUMBER OF TRAFFIC CONTROL
SUBCONTRACTOR

Close
left turn
(Signature) lane (Date)

162

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7-10.3.2 TRAFFIC CONTROL SUBCONTRACTOR REQUIRED
All traffic control shall be designed and implemented by one qualified
subcontractor that satisfies both of the following criteria: (i) holds an active C31
contractor’s license; and (ii) has no involvement with the project other than
traffic control design and implementation. This specification precludes the
Contractor from performing traffic control design and implementation even if the
Contractor holds an active C31 license. The Contractor shall acknowledge this
requirement and identify the subcontractor in the Contractor’s proposal.

7-10.3.3 TRAFFIC CONTROL PLAN

The Contractor shall submit a traffic control plan to the City for review and
approval prior to the preconstruction meeting, and shall not proceed with the
work until the City has reviewed and accepted the plan. The Contractor must
anticipate and provide for a review/revision/approval process of at least 2-3
weeks.
Close
The traffic control plan shall be prepared by a qualified subcontractor per
General Provisions Section 7-10.3.2. left turn
lane
163

QUESTIONS?
(What is wrong here?)

164

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 Future Webinars
Traffic Calming: The Lumps and the Bumps Friday 9/28/2018 12:00 p.m. − 1:30 p.m.

Improving Pedestrian Crossing Safety at Uncontrolled

Locations Thursday 10/4/2018 12:00 p.m. − 1:30 p.m.

Critical Aspects of Timing Traffic Signals to Maximize Road

User Safety Friday 10/19/2018 12:00 p.m. − 1:30 p.m.

Traffic Impact Studies Friday 11/9/2018 12:00 p.m. − 1:30 p.m.

Countermeasures for Reducing Collisions at Pedestrian

Crossings Friday 11/16/2018 12:00 p.m. − 1:30 p.m.

165

USE OF WEBINAR MATERIALS

This webinar is registered with ASCE for continuing professional
education. It does not include content that may be deemed or construed to
be an approval or endorsement by the ASCE or Nazir Lalani of any
material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using,
distributing, or dealing in any material or product. Information provided in
this webinar is for general interest and risk management purposes only
and should not be construed as legal advice or standards of care.

As laws regarding the use and enforceability of the information presented

herein will vary by jurisdiction, the user of the information should consult
with an attorney experienced in the laws and regulations of the
appropriate jurisdiction for the full legal implications of the information.
Practice management recommendations should be carefully reviewed and
adapted for the particular project requirements, firm standards and
protocols established by the user of the information.
166

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