United States Department of Transportation - Federal Highway Administration FHWA HomeFeedback

Accommodating Pedestrians in Work Zones
diagram showing an entire street corner sidewalk area closed as a workzone; the crosswalks to that corner are closed with signs and alternate paths marked.

Crosswalk ClosureSmall reflective work zone drum with beacon

  • Advance warning may be necessary.

    •
  • Only traffic control devices relating to pedestrian flow are shown. Other devices may be needed to control traffic on the streets.

    •
  • Pedestrian signals should be deactivated for closed crosswalks.

    •
  • Nighttime lighting should be considered.

    •

Creating Safer Work Zones:
Improving Operations on Both Sides of the Barrel

 Small reflective work zone drum with beacon
walking figure

Pedestrians in work zones present special safety and mobility concerns. Providing safe, convenient passage to all pedestrians must be addressed in the planning, design, and operation of work zones. This brochure provides some helpful guidelines that can be used to accommodate pedestrians in work zones.

Facts about Pedestrian Work Zone Crashes

  • Over the last decade more than 1200 pedestrians and bicyclists died in work zones.

  • Over 10,000 pedestrians and bicyclists were injured in work zone crashes during that same period.

  • Non-motorist fatalities (workers, pedestrians, bicyclists) in work zone crashes increased more than 60 percent in the last 5 years.

Considerations for Design of Pedestrian Accommodations:
The need to accommodate pedestrians in work zones can be identified by observing existing pedestrian usage and accommodations prior to the start of work. The presence of pedestrians in the area, existing sidewalks and other pedestrian paths, and pedestrian generators such as schools, residences, and parks, all indicate that pedestrians are likely to be present in the work zone. If existing sidewalks must be closed, relocated, or otherwise affected by the planned work activity, temporary facilities should be provided. The following considerations should be addressed when a need for pedestrian accommodations in the work zone is identified:
  • Direct conflicts between pedestrians and vehicular traffic, work vehicles, and other work activities should be avoided.

  • Temporary pedestrian facilities should provide safe, accessible routes that replicate as nearly as practical the most desirable characteristics of the existing facility.

  • Covered walkways should be provided where pedestrians are exposed to potential injury from falling objects.

  • Adverse economic consequences to business establishments in the work zone should be avoided by maintaining pedestrian access.

Pedestrian information needs:

  • Advance information placed at appropriate
    distances before the work zone allows pedestrians
    to make timely decisions about routes
    through or around the work zone. This is
    especially important when existing pedestrian
    routes are closed or detoured.

  • Transition information—allows pedestrians to
    find a safe path through and around work
    zones. Important when the pathway is restricted,
    diverted, or detoured.

  • Work area information—aids the passage of
    pedestrians through the work zone. This
    information is needed on all pedestrian routes
    except detours.

  • Exit information directs pedestrians back to the
    original route. Important when the pedestrian
    route is diverted or detoured.

Sidewalk Diversion

  • Advance warning may be necessary.

  • Only traffic control devices relating to pedestrian flow are shown. Other devices may be needed to control traffic on the streets.

  • Transition signing may be necessary to guide or direct pedestrians.
diagram showing a sidewalk in the middle of a block closed as a workzone; the sidewalk is closed and alternate path around the work area marked.		 diagram showing a sidewalk in the middle of a block closed as a workzone; the sidewalk is closed with signs and alternate paths to crosswalks marked

Sidewalk Detour

  • Additional advance warning may be necessary

  • Only traffic control devices relating to pedestrian flow are shown. Other devices may be needed to control traffic on the streets.

  • It may be necessary to allow pedestrians to travel to the closure points to allow access to businesses, residences, etc.

Pedestrian Accommodation Work Zone CHECKLIST

Did you consider: (If NO, check box)

  • Impact on pedestrian generators (Schools, Senior Centers, transit stops, etc.)

  • Impact on existing pedestrian flow

  • Pedestrian information needsadvance, transition, work area, and exit information

  • Pedestrian Facilitieswalkway width, surface, boundaries, transitions, and channelization.

  • Intersectionscrosswalk placement, additional signing/marking, traffic signals modification (timing, pedestrian signals, push button, etc.)

  • Adequate and safe detour or diversion due to sidewalk closure or blockage

  • Adequate pedestrian protectionphysical separation from work space and vehicular traffic, overhead protection, etc.

  • Construction staging to maintain pedestrian access throughout all construction phases

  • Temporary nighttime lighting

  • Requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990

  • Location/access to business, residences, etc.

  • Future considerations: frequent checks of the pedestrian accommodations during construction to ensure that the temporary traffic control plan (TCP) is followed, traffic control devices are maintained in good condition, and a safe, access-ible pedestrian route is available at all times.
NOTE: If you checked any box, you need to go back and review your traffic control plan and make the necessary changes.
Ref.: MUTCD, Part 6, Millennium Edition
FHWA-SA-03-011
FHWA Home | Feedback
FHWA
United States Department of Transportation - Federal Highway Administration