Work Zone Training Examples and Resources
Section 630.1008(d) of the Work Zone Safety and Mobility Rule specifies that agencies require appropriate training and periodic training updates for personnel involved in the development, design, implementation, operation, inspection, and enforcement of work zone related transportation management and traffic control. More information about training can be found in Implementing the Rule on Work Zone Safety and Mobility.
The following examples are meant to assist agencies with developing their own work zone training programs, and are not meant to advocate a "one size fits all" approach.
Florida Department of Transportation
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has developed a narrated online training session for its employees and partners about the changes FDOT has made to its Plans Preparation Manual, specifically in the area of maintenance of traffic. These changes were made largely as a result of the Work Zone Safety and Mobility Rule. The presentation provides background on the Rule and discusses the development of a transportation management plan (TMP) and its required components. While most of the presentation is applicable nationwide, there are some elements that are specific to FDOT's way of doing business and to its policies.
Missouri Department of Transportation
To better educate those responsible for designing and managing work zones, the Missouri DOT (MoDOT) has created a course titled, "Advanced Work Zone Training" (AWZT). The course is the third part of a curriculum pertaining to work zones. The course contains 18 modules, including modules on MoDOT's work zone policy, transportation management plans (TMPs), law enforcement, traffic capacity, travel time information, designing for the driver, pedestrians and bicyclists, nighttime work zones, and several modules on standards and temporary traffic control. Upon completion of the course, the participants will be certified as a "Work Zone Specialist" (WZS). MoDOT will have a WZS involved in every aspect of the traffic control plan from preliminary to post-construction work. MoDOT has also developed courses focused on specific duties within a work zone, such as flaggers and truck mounted attenuator drivers.
- Advanced Work Zone Training Manual (PDF 1.82MB)
- Truck Mounted Attenuator Training (PDF 1.07MB)
Montana Department of Transportation
Appendix C of the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) Work Zone Safety and Mobility Policy (PDF 537KB) includes a list of planned goals and milestones for its work zone training program. The policy also includes a list of potential training courses and a calendar showing possible timeframes for course offerings from 2008 to 2012. For each category of courses, MDT's policy describes the target audience, course objectives, specific current courses available that meet these objectives, the instructor type, and delivery frequency. MDT also includes information on some additional training opportunities and certification programs.
Virginia Department of Transportation
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) formed a Work Zone Safety Training Committee to develop a training program based on work zone responsibilities and job descriptions. The Committee determined that training needs fell into four distinct areas: basic, intermediate, advanced, and law enforcement. The basic training lasts one day and focuses on daily work zone setups; intermediate training lasts two days and focuses on long term work zones; the advanced training focuses on work zone design elements; and law enforcement training will consist of a 45-minute web-based training initiative on performing their duties safely in the work zone. For all persons, the applicable training is required every 4 years to continue to be qualified to perform their assigned duties. The training courses may be purchased from VDOT, or a self-developed training course meeting a set of criteria and an approval process may be used. VDOT has created a table that shows proposed work zone training requirements for various positions and is looking at a proposed compliance date of July 1, 2009 for those positions needing the training. VDOT will be including in contracts a special provision copied note for major traffic projects requiring Work Zone Traffic Control Management by an ATSSA certified Traffic Control Supervisor. The Committee is in the process of finalizing these training guidelines.
- VDOT Work Zone Safety Training Requirements Table
- Virginia DOT's Rule Implementation Process and TMP Development Guidelines by Paul Kelley, Assistant State Work Zone Safety Coordinator, Virginia Department of Transportation (PPT 514 KB)
- VDOT Work Zone Safety Training Information and Materials
Work Zone Best Practice Fact Sheet
Additional Resources
You will need the Adobe Reader to view the PDFs on this page.
To view PPT files, you need the Microsoft PowerPoint Viewer.
