Maintenance Traffic Control Operations Training (MTCOT)

1. Washington State Department of Transportation Maintenance Traffic Control Operations Training (MTCOT)

2. ForwardTraffic Control OperationsSafe/Efficient/Professional The risks you face working in or next to a roadway are serious but manageable, if a plan is prepared and employed appropriately. We are striving for consistency in how we apply traffic control measures so the driver is reasonably assured of what to expect and how to respond. For the worker we want a work zone that provides first for your safety and for sufficient area to accomplish the intended task, in an efficient and professional manner.

3. ForwardTraffic Control OperationsSafe//Professional This training session is to reinforce your skills and ability in this topic. This is sure to enhance the public opinion of our work and to result in a favorable reaction to employees and our job duties. If we are not diligent, place a sign with the wrong message, leave it exposed after the work is done, have signs with missing or burnt out lights, or have a flagger who is not attentive to the driver, we allow for a poor impression and establish the basis for negative opinion.

4. ForwardTraffic Control OperationsSafe/Efficient/Professional It is important that each of us be aware at times of both the safety risks and public impressions that occur from the work we do. Being safe is an important part of being professional in our work. Being courteous and thoughtful to those using the roadway is an added part to being recognized as a professional. We respect you as being technically qualified to perform the work you’re assigned. The information in this training is to reinforce safety for you and the driver and to add another measure of professionalism to what you do.

5. SECTION 1INTRODUCTION & COURSE OBJECTIVES Introduction, Scope, and Objectives This course discusses the process for installing, maintaining, and evaluating proper traffic controls for temporary work zones The principles presented in the course apply to the following: • All roads open to public travel – including streets, roads, highways, and limited access facilities – regardless of jurisdiction. • Temporary traffic control zones in urban and rural areas. • Work activities of various duration and complexity. • Maintenance, utility work, and operations associated with emergency and incident management.

6. Objectives • This course is designed to train personnel in those principles and practices of traffic control, which will enable them to provide the safest and most efficient operation of temporary traffic control in work zones. • Specific objectives sought in various parts of the course include: • Gain an understanding of each step involved in providing temporary traffic control • Identify and apply workable concepts and techniques during the installation, maintenance, and evaluation of controls for maintenance situations. • Adhere to appropriate design principles and standards for temporary traffic control.

7. Section 2FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES • _______motorists and pedestrians of hazards; • _________ motorists and pedestrians of the proper travel path through the area • Delineate the path traffic should follow; and • Separate and protect motorists, pedestrians, and ________ Warn Advise workers

8. The Fundamental Principles of Traffic ControlBecause it is not possible to define every work site and condition, the fundamental principles provide a guiding philosophy for providing good temporary traffic control • Make traffic _________an integral and high priority element of every project • Avoid inhibiting traffic as much as possible. • Guide motorists and pedestrians in a ______ and _______ manner • Perform routine inspection of traffic control elements. • Throughout the project, give attention to roadside________ • __________ should only be used when other methods are inadequate to properly control traffic. safety clear positive safety Flagging

10. Section 3 Human FactorsExpectancyBased on their experience with similar situations in the past, people expect certain things to appear and to operate in certain ways. A common example is the location of the on-off light switch near the entrance to a dark room. Over a period of time, these expectancies develop into a workable set of expectations, which allow people to anticipate and plan a course of action Expectancies affect the perception of, and reaction to information such that: • When expectancies are met and reinforced, performance tends to be __________ • When expectancies are violated, motorists need more time to respond, their performance may be poorer, and they may commit errors or even ____________ Error free Fail to respond

11. Section 3 Human Factors Once a driver has perceived a hazard, he/she must decide on an action and respond accordingly. Motorists need more time to decide on the appropriate action when: • The situation is unfamiliar, • Several responses are possible, • The maneuver required is complex, or • The driver is impaired in some manner, such as fatigue, drowsy, on medication, or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

12. Section 3 Human Factors When a situation is very complex, the driver may not be able to determine alternatives, and may feel that each choice is equally attractive. In these complex situations the driver may temporarily freeze and be unable to make any speed or path choice at all. Studies of drivers approaching arrow displays operating in the double arrow mode have shown that many motorists change lanes at the last moment because of the difficulty in selecting between the two alternatives presented to them by the double arrow.

14. Section 3 Human Factors Common examples of temporary traffic control zone situations which violate driver expectancy include road and lane closures, median crossovers, detour pavement markings, reduced speed limits, slow moving traffic, workers and equipment in or near the travel lanes. Key characteristics of effective traffic controls are: • Similar ____________________________ • Similar ____________________________ • Similar ____________________________ Situation Treatment Response

15. Section 3 Positive Guidance Fundamental to Positive Guidance as providing information to the driver at a point where he/she has sufficient time to react: DECISION SIGHT DISTANCE: “The distance at which a driver can detect a hazard in an environment of visual noise or clutter, recognize it (or its threat potential), select appropriate speed and path, and perform the required action safely and efficiently.

16. Section 3Positive Guidance For temporary work zones to operate safely, the traffic control plan must be designed to provide adequate decision sight distance for drivers traveling through the control zone. All persons responsible for traffic control must minimize the difficulty of driving through a temporary traffic control zone by: • _______________ the numbers of features which can cause drivers errors. Reducing • Ensuring that motorists are adequately ________ of features that cannot be eliminated, and Warned • Protecting ___________ from hazards Drivers

17. Credibilitycredibility means the message conveyed by the traffic control device, must be accurate and relevant to the situation To increase the credibility of information adhere to the following: • Turn or ___________ signs that are not applicable. • Don’t post unnecessarily restrictive speed limits. • Don’t inform the motorist to expect a _______ that is not there. • Avoid unexpected situations because surprised drivers may ________ in unexpected ways. • Maintain controls as if every driver were approaching the temporary traffic control zone for the first time Remove Hazard React

18. Feedback from Road UsersIt is important to recognize and act upon feedback from the motorist and circumstances occurring in the roadway itself. This lets us know the highway user is uncomfortable with the setup of the temporary traffic control zone and conditions that may exist which could lead to accidents. This feedback comes in many forms with the most common being: • Brake applications indicating traffic conflicts. • _______ ______ on the pavement and on temporary barriers. • Frequently displaced channelizing ___________ • Letters to the highway agency from motorists and other users. • Horn blowing, often accompanied by ___________ • Verbal abuse of highway workers by motorists. Tire Marks Devices Gestures

19. SECTION 4TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES AND STANDARDS Traffic control devices are often the only means to communicate with the road user. Traffic control devices include: • Signs • Signals • Lightning units • Pavement markings • Delineators • Channelizing units • Portable barriers • Impact attenuators • Rumble strips • Screens.

20. SECTION 4Traffic Control Devices and Standards The MUTCD (Section 1A-5) uses 3 terms to differentiate between requirements and recommendations: • Shall: always means a ____________ requirement. • Should: is used to denote an _________ application. • When deviating here, discuss with the Traffic Office. • May: indicates a __________ condition. Mandatory Advisory Permissive

21. Requirements of Traffic Control Devices(MUTCD Section 1A-2) To be effective, all traffic control devices should meet the following 5 basic requirements: • Fulfill a _________ • Command attention • Convey a clear, simple meaning. • Command ______________ of road users. • Give adequate ___________ for proper response The flagger also serves to fulfill the 5 functions Need Respect Time

22. Signs and Channelizing Devices • Signs advise, warn, and instruct the motorist on how to drive through the work site. • Channelizing devices guide the motorist through the site, indicate hazardous areas, and exclude traffic from the actual workspace. • Choosing Signs • Standard signs and messages, as shown in the MUTCD and M54-44 should be used. • The overall effect of the signs is to make the driver aware of what he or she is approaching and what action is required.

23. Positioning of Signs Signs should be positioned using the following principles • Locate signs where they are easily ____________ • Place signs so drivers have time to _________ • Position signs at least ____________ above roadways Seen Respond 1 Foot

24. CHANNELIZING DEVICESChannelizing devices include cones, drums, barricades, and barriers.Channelizing devices are discussed in Section 6F-5 of the MUTCD Channelizing devices are placed in or adjacent to the roadway to guide traffic. They serve the following purposes: • As a taper to ____________ traffic from one lane to another. • To reduce the width of the traveled way. • To delineate and ____________________ the driver to and along a safe path. • To separate traffic from the work space, pavement drop-offs, pedestrian paths, or opposing directions of traffic, and • To mark or provide __________________ of hazards Move Guide Warning

25. Cones • Minimum height is ______________ for daytime operations on low-speed roadway operations only. • ____________________ shall be the minimum height of cones for freeways and other high-speed roadways and for all roads during hours of darkness or whenever more conspicuous guidance is needed. Taller cones may be used to improve visibility For nighttime use, cones and tubular markers shall be retroreflectorized. 18 Inches 28 Inches

26. PORTABLE CHANGEABLE MESSAGE SIGNS AND ARROW DISPLAYS Portable Changeable Message Signs (PCMS) are traffic control devices with the flexibility to display various messages to fit the needs of the work area. They are used most frequently on high-volume, urban freeways, but can also have applications on all types of highways where highway alignment, traffic routing problems or other pertinent conditions require advance warning and information. Refer to M54-44, page 7

27. Portable Changeable Message Signs • Place in advance of other temporary traffic control zone signing. • Does not replace required signs. • Visible for _________________ • Legible for at least ________________ (all lanes) • Able to be read _____________ at the posted speed • Each individual display should convey a ______ _______ ½ Mile 650 Feet Twice Single Thought

28. Variable Message Signs (VMS) Recognizing a Work Zone (continued)

29. Portable Changeable Message Signs • __________ per message cycle • Bottom of sign panel shall be a minimum of 7 feet above roadway • PCMS shall automatically adjust its light source • Messages shall not scroll horizontally or vertically across the sign face. Two Displays

30. Portable Changeable Message Signs • Place PCMS on ___________ or further away from the travel lane if possible. • PCMS arrow does not meet the requirements of Type C Arrow Display • A truck mounted PCMS Arrow Display meets the requirements of a Type B Arrow Display generally used for mobile operations. Shoulder

31. Arrow DisplaysRefer to M54-44, page 7 The arrow display has a number of possible mode selections: • Flashing Arrow • Sequential Arrow • Sequential Chevron • Flashing Double Arrow • Flashing Caution Arrow displays are intended to be used in conjunction with appropriate signs, barricades, or other traffic control devices. The use and design of arrow displays are covered in Section 6F-3 of the MUCTD.

32. Arrow Boards Directional Indicator Arrow Displays Arrow displays provide additional advance warning and directional information to motorists when travel lanes are closed. Factors applied to the use of arrow boards. • Required for all lane ____________ on multi-lane highways (regardless of speed) • Do not use arrow mode for shoulder closures. • Use _______________ mode for shoulder closures. • Use only __________ arrow display per lane being closed. Closures Caution One

33. Arrow Displays • Arrow should be used in combination with other appropriate traffic control devices. • Arrow display shall be capable of a minimum 50 percent dimming. • The color presented by the elements shall be yellow • For a stationary lane closure, the arrow should be located on the ________________ at the beginning of the taper. • The arrow ______________ be located behind channelizing devices. Shoulder Shall

34. Arrow Displays • An arrow _______ _______ be used on a two-lane roadway • An arrow _______ ________ be used on a multilane roadway to laterally __________ traffic. • Arrows should be visible for ___________ • Only the four corner flash shall be used to indicate _________ (M54-44 page 30) • If the arrow board is mounted on the protection vehicle, use caution mode. Shall Not Shall Not Shift ½ Mile Caution

35. Barricades Channelization Device • Barricades facing traffic shall have the following number of retroreflectorized rail faces: • Type I: One for each direction needed • Type II: Two for each direction needed • Type III: Three for each direction needed • Stripes on barricades shall slope _________ at a 45 degree angle in the direction traffic is to ________ Downward Pass

36. SECTION 4 • Drums • A minimum of two orange and two white horizontal, circumferential retroreflectorized stripes. • Drums shall have closed tops that will not allow collection of roadwork or other debris. • Drums should be ballasted to the manufacturer’s recommendation with loose sand or sandbags, or other appropriate means, but not with any materials which could make them hazardous to motorists, pedestrians, or workers. • Ballast should not be placed at the top of drums.

37. Lighting • Hazard identification beacons Floodlights • Steady-burning electric lamps, and • Warning lights

38. Truck-Mounted Attenuators • A proper installation of a protective vehicle with a TMA should include: Truck mounted attenuators (TMA) capable of absorbing the impact of errant vehicles can be attached to the rear of protective vehicles to reduce the severity of rear-end crashes ( M54-44) Page 5 Down • Attenuator in the full ____________ position. • For stationary operations, the truck’s parking brake shall be _________ and if possible, its transmission in gear, and • The front wheels should be turned _________ from the work site or in a direction that the after-impact trajectory is into a safe area. Set Away

39. Practical Application

40. TMA After Impact

41. Warning Vehicles – Types and Use There are three types of protective/warning vehicles in work zones. • Shadow Vehicle - Used in a mobile operation, a shadow vehicle is a moving _____________ vehicle spaced a short distance upstream from the operation. • Protective Vehicle – A__________________truck positioned upstream from a stationary or moving operations. It is usually unoccupied in a stationary operation. Advance Warning Truck – This vehicle is parked a considerable distance upstream of either a moving or stationary operation and will be equipped with an arrow display and other advance warning signs as appropriate. Shadow and Protective vehicle should be equipped with a TMA in accordance with M54-44 Warning Protection

42. Section 5 – Elements of Traffic Control Plans This session will describe the four component parts of temporary traffic control zones and discuss the use of various traffic control devices to produce a complete traffic control system. Selection of traffic control devices and the required spacing of devices will be addressed. Temporary Traffic Control Zone A temporary traffic control zone, also referred to as a work zone, extends from the first warning sign the motorist encounters through the last traffic control device, where traffic returns to its normal path and conditions. Most work zones can be divided into the follow 4 areas:

43. Section 5 – Elements of Traffic Control Plans Temporary Traffic Control Zone A temporary traffic control zone, also referred to as a work zone, extends from the first warning sign the motorist encounters through the last traffic control device, where traffic returns to its normal path and conditions. Most work zones can be divided into the follow 4 areas: • _______________Warning Area • ____________________ Area • ____________________ Area • _____________________ Area Advance Transition Activity Termination

44. Temporary Traffic Control Zone This Activity Area can be further divided into sub-areas referred to as • __________________________ Space • Traffic Space • __________________________ Space • Longitudinal Buffer Space (100’ min ) • Lateral Buffer Space (2’ min.) Work Buffer

46. Suggested Sign Spacing • _________*___feet for urban and residential districts where speeds are severely restricted. • 350 feet for urban and residential areas with speeds in higher operating ranges. • ________________feet for typical rural conditions on two-lane roads with relatively high operating speeds. (35-40 MPH) • 1,500 feet or as per MUTCD for freeways and expressways. (M54-44 PG. 17) 100 500

47. Suggested Sign SpacingSigns must be spaced far enough apart so that the driver can read the sign, understand the message, ad take the appropriate action before being presented with the next sign or traffic control device. There fore, drivers should have from 3 to 10 seconds to respond to the message, and may need even more time if they also have to interact with other vehicles in heavy traffic • _____________ feet for urban and residential districts where speeds are severely restricted. • 350 feet for urban and residential areas with speeds in higher operating ranges. • _____________ feet for typical rural conditions on two-lane roads with relatively high operating speeds. • 1,500 feet or as per MUTCD for freeways and expressways. 100 500

48. Roadway TapersRoadway tapers are an important element of temporary traffic control and used to move traffic laterally from one path to another. They are used in the transition and termination areas and are created with a series of channelizing devices. The following five types of tapers are used in temporary traffic control zones.Refer to M54-44, page 13 • Merging taper- lane _______________on Multi-lane highway. • Shifting taper – moves traffic from one lane into another lane, no ____________ required Closure merge

49. Roadway Tapers • Shoulder taper – used when a shoulder is closed to traffic • Two-way traffic taper – used when traffic is controlled by ________________ on a two-way road. • Downstream taper – guides the motorist back into the previously closed _______________ Flaggers Lane

50. WORK ZONE TAPER LENGTHS FORMULAS L = Taper length in feet W = Width of offset in feet S = Posted speed 45 mph or greater L=WxS 40 mph or less L=WS2 60 See M54-44 pg. 14