Proposed Work Zone Regulations to Improve Safety, Mobility
Maintaining and preserving the Nation's aging highway system means
that motorists increasingly encounter work zones as part of daily travel.
At the same time, traffic volumes and congestion continue to grow. From
1980 to 2000, total vehicle miles traveled in the United States increased
80 percent, while total lane miles of public roads increased by only
2.4 percent. The combination of heavier traffic volumes occurring on
road networks with more work zones increases the impacts of those work
zones on both congestion and safety. In 2001, 1,079 persons were killed
in work zone-related crashes and more than 40,000 were injured. To address
these heightened impacts, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
is developing a final rule on work zone safety and mobility to update
the National Work Zone Safety Program established in 1995.
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| FHWA's new proposed regulations address both the safety
and mobility of the Nation's work zones. |
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An Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking was submitted to the Federal
Register on February 6, 2002. After analyzing the comments received,
FHWA submitted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on May 7, 2003.
The NPRM can be found on the Web at www.regulations.gov/freddocs/03-11020.htm.
Comments on the proposed rule are due September 4, 2003, with publication
of the final rule expected by spring 2004.
"The regulations address both safety and mobility, recognizing
the impact of work zones on both," says Scott Battles, Work Zone
Mobility and Safety Team Leader at FHWA. The proposed changes include:
Work Zone Mobility and Safety Policy—States are required
to develop and adopt a policy that supports the consideration of the
mobility and safety impacts of roadwork accomplished with Federal-aid
highway funding. These impacts should be considered both early in the
project planning and through the later stages of project development.
The content of the policy would be determined by the State. Examples
of topics that could be addressed include classifying road projects
into different types based on the expected severity of work zone impacts
and developing alternative project planning and design strategies to
minimize the impact of work zones on highway users. The policy could
also set work zone performance standards. For example, the Ohio Department
of Transportation has adopted a policy that sets limitations on the
number of lanes that may be closed for construction activities on freeways
and similar highways.
Work Zone Impacts Analysis—Agencies would be required
to perform a work zone impact analysis for Federal-aid highway projects.
However, the degree of analysis is scaleable, based upon agency policy
and the expected level of impacts due to specific project characteristics.
The impact analysis will facilitate the consideration of alternative
project options and work zone mitigation measures, such as closing roads
completely for rehabilitation work, performing work during night-time
and off-peak hours, choosing longer-lasting materials to cut down on
the need for future maintenance, or accelerating the construction process.
Transportation Management Plans (TMP)—While TMPs are
required for all Federal-aid projects, the extent of the TMP depends
upon the results of the work zone impact analysis. At a minimum, a traffic
control plan is required for all projects, which is no change from the
current regulations. Under the new regulations, a transportation operations
plan is also required if recommended by the impact analysis study. This
plan should include methods of managing work zone traffic operations,
such as through use of intelligent transportation system traffic control
and traveler information technology, speed management and enforcement
measures, and safety reviews and audits. Going a step further, a public
information and outreach plan should be developed if the impact analysis
recommends it. The plan should cover methods for ensuring that affected
road users, the general public, businesses, and other appropriate entities
are informed about the project, the expected work impacts, and the changing
conditions of the project.
For more information on the proposed regulations, contact Scott Battles
at FHWA, 202-366-4372 (email: scott.battles@fhwa.dot.gov).
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Articles in this issue:
New Web Site Puts Highway Specifications at Your Fingertips
FHWA Launches Transportation Security Web Site
Proposed Work Zone Regulations to Improve Safety, Mobility
Foamed Asphalt a Success on Federal Lands Highway
Moving from Theory to Practice at the Fifth National Conferences
on Asset Management
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