Work Zone Mobility
and Safety Self-Assessment Score Sheet
Scoring
Using the following scoring guidelines, score each question on a scale of
0 to 15:
Rating |
Description |
(0-3) |
Agency acknowledged need for this item |
(4-6) |
Agency developed a plan or approach |
(7-9) |
Agency executed an approach |
(10-12) |
Agency assessed the performance |
(13-15) |
Requirements integrated into agency culture |
For this assessment, work zone projects fall into four types, which are characterized
by the levels of impact each will have on travelers:
Type |
Characteristics |
Examples |
Type I |
- Affects the traveling public at the metropolitan, regional,
intrastate, and possibly interstate level.
- Very high level of public interest.
- Directly affects a very large number of travelers.
- Significant user cost impacts
- Very long duration
|
- Central Artery/Tunnel in Boston, Massachusetts
- Woodrow Wilson Bridge in Maryland/Virginia/District of Columbia
- Springfield Interchange "Mixing Bowl" in Springfield, Virginia
- I-15 reconstruction in Salt Lake City, Utah.
|
Type II |
- Affects the traveling public predominantly at the metropolitan
and regional level.
- Moderate to high level of public interest.
- Directly affects a moderate to high number of travelers.
- Moderate to high user cost impacts
- Duration is moderate to long.
|
- Major corridor reconstruction
- High impact interchange improvements
- Full closures on high volume facilities
- Major bridge repair
- Repaving projects that require long term lane closures
|
Type III |
- Affects the traveling public at the metropolitan or regional
level.
- Low to moderate level of public interest.
- Directly affects a low to moderate level of travelers.
- Low to moderate user cost impacts
- May include lane closures for a moderate duration.
|
- Repaving work on roadways and the NHS with moderate Average
Daily Traffic (ADT)
- Minor bridge repair
- Shoulder repair and construction
- Minor interchange repairs
|
Type IV |
- Affects the traveling public to a small degree.
- Low public interest.
- Duration is short to moderate.
- Work zones are usually mobile and typically recurring.
|
- Certain low impact striping work
- Guardrail repair
- Minor shoulder repair
- Pothole patching
- Very minor joint sealing
- Minor bridge painting
- Sign repair
- Mowing
|
These levels may not encompass all possible combinations or degrees of work zone categories. Become familiar with the work impact levels and relate them to work being accomplished in your state, regional, or local area. Some terms are general to allow you flexibility in categorizing borderline project types.
Leadership and Policy - 10%
Guide Sec. |
|
Score |
4.1.1 |
Has the agency developed a process to determine whether a project is
impact type I, II, III, or IV? |
|
4.1.2 |
Has the agency established strategic goals specifically to reduce congestion
and delays in work zones? |
|
4.1.3 |
Has the agency established strategic goals specifically to reduce crashes
in work zones? |
|
4.1.4 |
Has the agency established measures (e.g., vehicle throughput or queue
length) to track work zone congestion and delay? |
|
4.1.5 |
Has the agency established measures (e.g., crash rates) to track work
zone crashes? |
|
4.1.6 |
Has the agency established a policy for the development of Transportation
Management Plans to reduce work zone congestion and crashes? |
|
4.1.7 |
Has the agency established work zone performance guidance that addresses
maximum queue lengths, the number of open lanes, maximum traveler delay,
etc.? |
|
4.1.8 |
Has the agency established criteria to support the use of project execution
strategies (e.g., night work and full closure) to reduce public exposure
to work zones and reduce the duration of work zones? |
|
4.1.9 |
Has the agency developed policies to support the use of innovative contracting
strategies to reduce contract performance periods? |
|
4.1.10 |
Has the agency established Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) between utility
suppliers to promote the proactive coordination of long-range transportation
plans with long-range utility plans, with the goal of reducing project
delays and minimizing the number of work zones on the highway? |
|
Section Score
Type of Score |
How to calculate the Score |
Score |
A. Total Raw Score |
Add all the question scores together |
|
B. Average Raw Score |
Line A / 10 |
|
C. Possible Average Raw Score |
|
15 |
D. % Possible Average Raw Score |
(Line B / Line C) x 100 |
|
E. Weight |
|
0.1 |
F. Weighted Score |
(Line B x Line E) x 100 |
|
G. Possible Weighted Score |
|
1.5 |
H. % Possible Weighted Score |
(Line F / Line G) x 100 |
|
Project Planning and Programming - 15%
Guide Sec. |
|
Score |
4.2.1 |
Does the agency's planning process actively use analytical traffic modeling
programs to determine the impact of future type I and II road construction
and maintenance activities on network performance? |
|
4.2.2 |
Does the agency's planning process include developing alternative network
options (e.g., frontage roads, increased capacity on parallel arterials,
beltways, or strategically placed connectors) to maintain traffic volumes
caused by future road construction and maintenance? |
|
4.2.3 |
Does the agency's planning process manage the transportation improvement
program to eliminate network congestion caused by poorly prioritized and
uncoordinated execution of projects? |
|
4.2.4 |
Does the agency's transportation planning process include a planning
cost estimate review for work types I, II, and III that accounts for traffic
management costs (e.g., incident management, public information campaigns,
positive separation elements, uniformed law enforcement, and intelligent
transportation systems [ITS])? |
|
4.2.5 |
Does the agency's transportation planning process include the active
involvement from the planners during the project design stage to assist
in the development of congestion mitigation strategies for type I and II
projects? |
|
4.2.6 |
Does the agency's transportation planning process engage the planners
as part of a multidisciplinary/multiagency-team in the development of Transportation
Management Plans involving major corridor improvements? |
|
Section Score
Type of Score |
How to calculate the Score |
Score |
A. Total Raw Score |
Add all the question scores together |
|
B. Average Raw Score |
Line A / 6 |
|
C. Possible Average Raw Score |
|
15 |
D. % Possible Average Raw Score |
(Line B / Line C) x 100 |
|
E. Weight |
|
0.15 |
F. Weighted Score |
(Line B x Line E) x 100 |
|
G. Possible Weighted Score |
|
2.25 |
H. % Possible Weighted Score |
(Line F / Line G) x 100 |
|
Consider these questions in terms of the design phase of a project.
Project Design - 25%
Guide Sec. |
|
Score |
4.3.1 |
Does the agency have a process to estimate road user costs and use them
to evaluate and select project strategies (full closure, night work, traffic
management alternatives, detours, etc.) for type I and II projects? |
|
4.3.2 |
Does the agency develop a Transportation Management Plan that addresses
all operational impacts focused on project congestion for type I and II
projects? |
|
4.3.3 |
Does the agency use multidisciplinary teams consisting of agency staff
to develop Transportation Management Plans for type I and II projects? |
|
4.3.4 |
Does the agency perform constructability reviews that include project
strategies to reduce congestion and traveler delays during construction
and maintenance for type I and II projects? |
|
4.3.5 |
Does the agency use independent contractors or contractor associations
to provide construction process input to expedite project contract time
for type I and II projects? |
|
4.3.6 |
Does the agency use scheduling techniques that are based on time and
performance, such as the critical path method or parametric models, to
determine contract performance times for type I and II projects? |
|
4.3.7 |
Does the agency have a process to evaluate the appropriate use of Intelligent
Transportation System (ITS) technologies to minimize congestion in and
around work zones for type I, II, and III projects? |
|
4.3.8 |
Does the agency have a process to consider life-cycle costing when selecting
materials that reduce the frequency and duration of work zones for type
I, II, and III projects? |
|
4.3.9 |
Does the agency have a process to assess projects for the use of positive
separation devices for type I and II projects? |
|
4.3.10 |
Does the agency anticipate and design projects to mitigate future congestion
impacts of repair and maintenance for type I, II, and III projects? |
|
4.3.11 |
When developing the Traffic Control Plan for a project, does the agency
involve contractors in developing the Traffic Control Plan for type I and
II projects? |
|
4.3.12 |
When developing the Traffic Control Plan for a project, does the agency
use computer modeling to assess Traffic Control Plan impacts on traffic
flow characteristics such as speed, delay, and capacity for type I and
II projects? |
|
Section Score
Type of Score |
How to Calculate the Score |
Score |
A. Total Raw Score |
Add all the question scores together |
|
B. Average Raw Score |
Line A / 12 |
|
C. Possible Average Raw Score |
|
15 |
D. % Possible Average Raw Score |
(Line B / Line C) x 100 |
|
E. Weight |
|
0.25 |
F. Weighted Score |
(Line B x Line E) x 100 |
|
G. Possible Weighted Score |
|
3.75 |
H. % Possible Weighted Score |
(Line F / Line G) x 100 |
|
Project Construction and Operation - 25%
Guide Sec. |
|
Score |
4.4.1 |
Is the letting schedule altered or optimized to reflect the available resources and capabilities of the construction industry? |
|
4.4.2 |
Is the letting schedule altered or optimized to minimize disruptions to major traffic corridors? |
|
4.4.3 |
When bidding type I and II projects, does the agency include road user costs in establishing incentives or disincentives (e.g., I/D, A+B, or lane rental) to minimize road user delay caused by work zones? |
|
4.4.4 |
When bidding type I, II, and III contracts, does the agency use performance-based selection to eliminate contractors who consistently demonstrate their inability to complete a quality job within the contract time? |
|
4.4.5 |
In bidding type I and II project contracts, does the agency use incident management services (e.g., wrecker, push vehicles, and service patrols)? |
|
4.4.6 |
In bidding contracts, does the agency use flexible starting provisions after the Notice to Proceed is issued? |
|
4.4.7 |
During project types I, II, and III, does the agency use uniformed law enforcement? |
|
4.4.8 |
Does the agency provide/require training of contractor staff on the proper layout and use of traffic control devices? |
|
4.4.9 |
Does the agency provide training to uniformed law enforcement personnel on work zone devices and layouts? |
|
Section Score
Type of Score |
How to Calculate the Score |
Score |
A. Total Raw Score |
Add all the question scores together |
|
B. Average Raw Score |
Line A / 9 |
|
C. Possible Average Raw Score |
|
15 |
D. % Possible Average Raw Score |
(Line B / Line C) x 100 |
|
E. Weight |
|
0.25 |
F. Weighted Score |
(Line B x Line E) x 100 |
|
G. Possible Weighted Score |
|
3.75 |
H. % Possible Weighted Score |
(Line F / Line G) x 100 |
|
Communications and Education - 15%
Guide Sec. |
|
Score |
4.5.1 |
Does the agency maintain and update a work zone Web site providing timely
and relevant traveler impact information for project types I, II, and III
that allows travelers to effectively make travel plans? |
|
4.5.2 |
Does the agency sponsor National Work Zone Awareness week? |
|
4.5.3 |
Does the agency assume a proactive role in work zone educational efforts? |
|
4.5.4 |
During type I, II, and III project construction, does the agency use
a public information plan that provides specific and timely project information
to the traveling public through a variety of outreach techniques (e.g.,
agency Website, newsletters, public meetings, radio, and other media outlets)? |
|
4.5.5 |
During type I, II, and III projects, does the agency use Intelligent
Transportation System (ITS) technologies to collect and disseminate information
to motorists and agency personnel on work zone conditions? |
|
Section Score
Type of Score |
How to Calculate the Score |
Score |
A. Total Raw Score |
Add all the question scores together |
|
B. Average Raw Score |
Line A / 5 |
|
C. Possible Average Raw Score |
|
15 |
D. % Possible Average Raw Score |
(Line B / Line C) x 100 |
|
E. Weight |
|
0.15 |
F. Weighted Score |
(Line B x Line E) x 100 |
|
G. Possible Weighted Score |
|
2.25 |
H. % Possible Weighted Score |
(Line F / Line G) x 100 |
|
Program Evaluation - 10%
Guide Sec. |
|
Score |
4.6.1 |
Does the agency collect data to track work zone congestion and delay
in accord with agency established work zone congestion and delay measures?
(See Section 1, item 5.4) |
|
4.6.2 |
Does the agency collect data to track work zone safety performance in
accord with agency established work zone crash measures? (See Section 1,
item 5.5)? |
|
4.6.3 |
Does the agency conduct customer surveys to evaluate work zone traffic
management practices and policies on a statewide/area-wide basis? |
|
4.6.4 |
Does the agency develop strategies to improve work zone performance based
on work zone performance data and customer surveys? |
|
Section Score
Type of Score |
How to calculate the Score |
Score |
A. Total Raw Score |
Add all the question scores together |
|
B. Average Raw Score |
Line A / 4 |
|
C. Possible Average Raw Score |
|
15 |
D. % Possible Average Raw Score |
(Line B / Line C) x 100 |
|
E. Weight |
|
0.1 |
F. Weighted Score |
(Line B x Line E) x 100 |
|
G. Possible Weighted Score |
|
1.5 |
H. % Possible Weighted Score |
(Line F / Line G) x 100 |
|
|