Traffic Control Guidance
![Vehicles driving through a construction work zone with orange and white barrels, orange cones, and a horizonatal orange sign with a black arrow pointing left.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130302203431im_/http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/wz/images/more_pics/wz_kzoo_closeup.jpg)
- General Traffic Control Guidance
- Mobile and Short Duration Work Zones
- Night Work/Off-Peak Work
- Pedestrians in Work Zones
General Traffic Control Guidance
National Resources
- Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)
- Payment for Temporary Traffic Control Devices - Describes good practices regarding payment methods for work zone traffic control.
- Field Guide on Installation and Removal of Temporary Traffic Control for Safe Maintenance and Work Zone Operations (PDF 847KB)
- Safe and Effective Use of Law Enforcement Personnel in Highway Work Zones:
- Study on The Use of Uniformed Police Officers on Federal-Aid Highway Construction Projects - Documents the opinions and understandings of study participants regarding the extent and effectiveness of uniformed police officers on Federal-aid highway construction projects.
- Crashworthy Work Zone Traffic Control Devices - Information on FHWA policy on crashworthy hardware, the different categories of work zone devices, FHWA Acceptance Letters on devices that have been deemed crashworthy, and Frequently Asked Questions about work zone devices.
- Work Zone Positive Protection Toolbox (PDF 683KB) - Describes the various types of positive protection devices currently in use and provides guidance on where and how each device is typically used.
- Sensing Methodology for Intelligent and Reliable Work-Zone Hazard Awareness (PDF 1.4MB) - NCHRP report that presents a vision-based work zone hazard awareness methodology to intelligently and reliably detect intruding vehicles and missing control devices in work zones so early warnings can be activated to workers and drivers.
- "Know Flagging" Poster - Illustrates six procedures for safe flagging in work zones.
- "Know the Signs" Poster - Illustrates the various work zone safety signs that drivers may encounter.
State-Developed Resources
- Caltrans Work Zone Traffic Control Tools Web Site - Provides links to Caltrans work zone traffic control policies, resources, and guidance, as well as to FHWA work zone traffic control guidance.
- Missouri DOT Traffic Control Guidance
- Traffic Control for Field Operations Manual - Contains information on temporary traffic control measures on the state highway system.
- Quality Standards for Temporary Traffic Control Devices (PDF 217KB) - Provides standards to ensure adequate performance and condition of traffic control devices.
- North Carolina DOT Work Zone Traffic Control Qualification and Training Web Site - Includes links to NCDOT approved training resources, specifications for work zone training requirements for various job positions, and frequently asked questions.
- Maximizing Investments in Work Zone Safety in Oregon (PDF 1.7MB) - Report examining methods for maximizing ODOT work zone safety investments in enforcement, traffic control, and public information. Includes a section on literature review findings related to how work zone traffic control devices can enhance safety.
- Oregon DOT Work Zone Design and Operations Enhancements (PDF 2.4MB)- Explores ways to effectively design, review, implement, and inspect traffic control plans for work zones.
- Washington State Work Zone Traffic Control Guidelines (PDF 4MB) - Provides traffic control guidance for common work operations, based on principles in the MUTCD.
Mobile and Short Duration Work Zones
- Evaluation of Innovative Traffic Safety Devices at Short-Term Work Zones (PDF 2.4MB) - Presents the results of a study on the usage and effectiveness of traffic control devices that can be used in short-term work zones. Includes recommendations on innovative devices to use in addition to existing typical traffic control devices based on the results of a survey of 26 states.
- NCHRP Results Digest 339: Improving the Safety of Mobile Lane Closures - Explores practices employed by transportation agencies during mobile lane closures and summarizes associated research.
- Maintenance Work Zone Safety: Pocket Guide of MUTCD Guidance on Temporary Traffic Control (PDF 595KB) - Provides graphics and detailed descriptions on the typical applications that apply to short-term and mobile operations for maintenance
- Work Zone Safety: Temporary Traffic Control for Maintenance Operations Brochure (PDF 283KB) - Provides highlights from the "Pocket Guide of MUTCD's Guidance on Temporary Traffic Control".
- Identification of Traffic Control Devices for Mobile and Short-Duration Work Operations - Examines mobile and short-duration work zone safety, with particular attention to the identification of work zone safety devices, information systems for the reduction of safety and congestion, and the implementation of innovative techniques to reduce delays and crashes due to work zones.
- Improving the Safety of Moving Lane Closures (PDF 3.7MB) - Presents the results of Phase I of a study on driver behavior around moving lane closures and the effect of different set-ups, including the number, configuration, and spacing of shadow vehicles, and the effect of various traffic control devices and sign messages.
- Public Opinion and Understanding of Advance Warning Arrow Displays Used in Short-Term, Mobile, and Moving Work Zones (PDF 640KB) - University of Kansas report that examines how well drivers may understand or interpret the message conveyed by arrow displays in work zones, depending on the display type and quantity of displays used.
- Traffic Control Handbook for Mobile Operations at Night (PDF 773KB) - Synthesis of current practices for performing mobile highway operations at night.
Night Work/Off-Peak Work
- Improving Night Work Zone Traffic Control (PDF 132KB) - Results of Virginia DOT study to examine traffic control for night work zones from the perspective of both agencies and motorists.
- Traffic Control Handbook for Mobile Operations at Night (PDF 773KB) - Synthesis of current practices for performing mobile highway operations at night.
- Working Safely at Night - Traffic Control Guidelines (PDF 12MB) - Presentation from American Road and Transportation Builders Association 2004 National Work Zone Conference.
Pedestrians in Work Zones
- Minnesota Temporary Pedestrian Access Routes (TPAR) - Minnesota DOT guidance and standards for providing temporary pedestrian access routes through work zone areas.
- Webinar: Taking Proper Care of Pedestrians in Work Zones - Recording, presentations, and accompanying materials from this webinar.
- Pedestrians Checklist and Considerations for Temporary Traffic Control Zones
- Temporary Traffic Control Zone Pedestrian Access Considerations Guidance Sheet (PDF 544KB)
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