Work Zone Guides and Documents (Listed by Title)
| Title | Category | Description | Format | Length | Provider | Cost | Target Audience |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Work Zone Speed Limit Guidelines View document |
Traffic Control in Work Zones | Guidebook to improve use of speed limits to control vehicle speeds through street and highway work zones. Proper and uniform application of these speed limits should improve the safety of the highway worker and the traveling public. | Online Guidebook | 25 pages | Minnesota DOT | Free | Those who work in or near traffic control work areas |
| Benefits of Using Intelligent Transportation Systems in Work Zones: A Summary Report View document |
Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) | This report describes the results of the assessment of effectiveness of intelligent transportation systems (ITS) in work zones. Five sites participated in the study: I-40 outside Winston-Salem, North Carolina; I-30 between Benton and Little Rock, Arkansas; US-131 in Kalamazoo, Michigan; I-35 in Hillsboro, Texas; and DC-295 in Washington, DC. The benefits information, tips, and lesson learned in this report can help other transportation practitioners effectively deploy ITS to help in work zone management. | Online report | 36 pages | FHWA | Free | Planners, operators, designers, and public sector managers |
| Colorado Work Zone Best Practices Safety Guide View document |
Management of Work Zones | Colorado guide with information and tools needed to enhance compliance with industry best practices. | Online Handbook | 44 pages | Colorado DOT | Free | Those who work in or near traffic control work areas |
| Comparative Analysis Report: The Benefits of Using Intelligent Transportation Systems in Work Zones View document |
Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) | This document provides insights into the mobility and safety benefits of using ITS for work zone traffic management, as well as tips and lessons learned. The information presented is from an FHWA study that examined 5 case study sites: I-40 outside Winston-Salem, North Carolina; I-30 between Benton and Little Rock, Arkansas; US-131 in Kalamazoo, Michigan; I-35 in Hillsboro, Texas; and DC-295 in Washington, DC. Data and analysis for each site are included. | Online report | 122 pages | FHWA | Free | Planners, operators, designers, and public sector managers |
| Developing and Implementing Transportation Management Plans for Work Zones View document |
Management of Work Zones | Serves as a resource for those who develop and implement Transportation Management Plans (TMPs) for work zones. A TMP lays out a set of work zone management strategies and describes how the strategies will be used to manage the safety and mobility impacts of a road construction/ maintenance work zone. The Guide includes information on: a general approach that can be used to develop TMPs; a list of components that might be included in a TMP; tips for developing an effective TMP; descriptions of strategies; and examples from agencies currently using TMPs. | Guide - available online, or from FHWA in hardcopy | 117 pages | FHWA | Free | Persons responsible for developing TMPs and TMP-related policy/procedure development and revision, implementation, review, approval, and assessment |
| Estimation of Traffic Impacts at Work Zones: State of the Practice View document |
Management of Work Zones | This study was conducted to provide the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) with state-of-the-practice tools for estimating traffic mobility impacts at work zones. Designing traffic control plans requires a traffic analysis to estimate queue lengths, travel times, and delays to determine lane closure times. This study should help VDOT and other state DOTs choose the appropriate tool(s) for estimating the traffic impacts in and around work zones. | Online Report | 25 pages | Virginia DOT | Free | State and local DOT staff and consultants who conduct work zone impact analysis and develop and analyze transportation management plans |
| Flagger Handbook View document |
Traffic Control in Work Zones | The handbook outlines the procedures to be followed and identifies responsibilities to achieve the desired end result - safer work zones with minimal impact on the traveling public. | Online Handbook | 22 pages | Utah DOT | Free | Those who work in or near traffic control work areas |
| Flagger Safety Training View document |
Traffic Control in Work Zones | Covers proper equipment, safety pointers, special situations - pilot car procedure, multi-lane flagging, emergency vehicle procedure, mobile operations, and dealing with impatient, rude or angry drivers. Includes version in English and Spanish. | Online Guidebook and Video |
Online | Kansas DOT | Free | Those who work in or near traffic control work areas |
| Flagging Handbook View document |
Traffic Control in Work Zones | Pocket-sized book is intended to assist the flagger in understanding his or her duties and to be available for ready reference on the job. It has color illustrations showing equipment, positioning of flaggers and devices, correct procedures, and rules of conduct, as well as new section on emergency situations. In addition, there is special information to assist supervisors in selecting and training flaggers. | Book | N/A | ATSSA | $3-6 depending on quantity needed | Flaggers |
| Guidance for the Use of Dynamic Lane Merging Strategies View document |
Traffic Control in Work Zones | Summarizes the available findings on implementation of dynamic merging strategies. The guide focuses on identifying when dynamic merging strategies are appropriate in addition to tips for successful implementation. It covers signing and switching recommendations for two-to-one lane closures and three-to-two lane closures. To assist in the planning and design stages, the appendix contains sample layouts and signing from previous implementations across the United States. | Online | Online | ATSSA | Free | Agency/Owner, Engineers, Contractors |
| Guidance on Managing Speeds in Work Zones View video |
Management of Work Zones | The determination of work zone speed limits is typically based on state laws, agency policies, and engineering judgment. Many factors impact the decision to reduce the regulatory speed limit in a work zone, implement speed limit management strategies, and utilize speed reduction strategies. The information presented in this webinar should aid agencies and highway contractors in understanding these factors and the interaction among them. | Video | 52 min | ARTBA | Free | Transportation agencies and highway contractors |
| Guidance on the Use of Automated Flagger Assistance Devices View document |
Traffic Control in Work Zones | Outlines the use of Automated Flagging Assistance Devices (AFAD), mechanically operated temporary traffic control devices used to assist flaggers, and provides information on scenarios for determining when to use AFADs; selecting an AFAD, which may include determining the cost/benefit of using such devices; addressing safety concerns or limitations; and making necessary adjustments when using AFADs. | Online | Online | ATSSA | Free | Contractors, field personnel, state DOT construction engineers, inspectors, policy-makers, temporary traffic control designers, field level staff who set up work zones. |
| Guide for Law Enforcement Personnel in Work Zones FHWA Office of Safety |
Law Enforcement in Work Zones | This guide explains work zone operations and outlines roles and responsibilities. It contains guidelines and concepts developed from the MUTCD and meetings of the work zone law enforcement training steering group. These guidelines are intended to help law enforcement and transportation agencies provide more efficient traffic control, prevent crashes and save lives. | Online Resource | 49 pages | FHWA | Free | Law enforcement personnel who plan enforcement for work zones or are assigned to execute roles associated with work zones. Secondary audience includes highway contractors, subcontractors, utility personnel, and highway agency staff who work with law enforcement. |
| Guidebook on Incident Management Planning in Work Zones View document |
Management of Work Zones | Incidents are difficult to predict in time, location and severity because the mitigation of impacts of incidents in work zones requires considerable advanced planning and preparedness. This guidebook is intended as a resource for engineers and construction managers who are interested in developing sound incident management plans for work zones. | Online Guidebook | 106 pages | SWZDI Pooled Fund Study | Free | Those who work in or near traffic control work areas |
| Guidelines for Design and Operation of Nighttime Traffic Control for Highway Maintenance and Construction View document |
Nighttime Work Zone Operations | This is TRB's National Highway Cooperative Research Project (NCHRP) Report 476 and includes guidelines to assist highway agencies in developing and implementing a plan for night road work and innovative procedures suggested by state DOTs to respond to special nighttime problems. | NCHRP Report | Online | TRB | Free | State DOTs |
| Guidelines on Ensuring Positive Guidance in Work Zones View document |
Traffic Control in Work Zones | Describes the importance of ensuring good positive guidance when implementing a work zone traffic control plan. Four key concepts are emphasized: ensuring that all driver information needs are met to allow them to navigate safely through the work zone, standardizing the information provided to drivers to meet their expectations, ensuring that information is spread out through the approach and work area to avoid driver overload, and ensuring that all work zone hazards are identifiable and visible to the motorist. | Online | 21 pages | Roadway Safety Consortium | Free | Agency/Owners, Engineers, Contractors |
| Guidelines on Managing Speeds in Work Zones View document |
Management of Work Zones | Describes traffic control measures that can be appropriate in work zones to further improve the safety of highway workers. The document addresses enhanced flagger station set-ups, intrusion alarms, pace or pilot vehicles, and temporary traffic signals. | Online | 12 pages | Roadway Safety Consortium | Free | Agency/Owners, Engineers, Contractors |
| Guidelines on Payment for Temporary Traffic Control View document |
Traffic Control in Work Zones | Describes good practices regarding payment methods for work zone traffic control. The document is intended to assist agencies in understanding the current regulation regarding temporary traffic control payment procedures, and in establishing policies and procedures that comply with these regulations. | Online | 10 pages | Roadway Safety Consortium | Free | Agency/Owners, Engineers, Contractors |
| Guidelines on Use of Exposure Control Measures View document |
Traffic Control in Work Zones | Summarizes the various types of exposure control measures and discusses how each can improve the safety of workers and motorists in work zones. The document addresses full road closures, full or partial detours or diversions, median crossovers, ramp closures, rolling roadblocks for traffic control set-up and takedown activities, working during nighttime hours, and accelerated contracting techniques. | Online | 15 pages | Roadway Safety Consortium | Free | Agency/Owners, Engineers, Contractors |
| Guidelines on Use of Law Enforcement in Work Zones View document |
Law Enforcement in Work Zones | Describes good practices for use of law enforcement to improve work zone safety and mobility. The document is intended to assist highway agencies and contractors in determining when enforcement should be used, how it should be used, and how a work zone enforcement program can be funded and managed. The document addresses regulatory language regarding law enforcement use in work zones, differences in enforcement philosophies, types of work zone enforcement strategies, determination of when and where to use enforcement in work zones, officer deployment within the work zone, enforcement considerations during work zone planning and design, and administration considerations of work zone enforcement. | Online | 16 pages | Roadway Safety Consortium | Free | Agency/Owners, Engineers, Contractors |
| Guidelines on Work Zone Access and Egress View document |
Design for Work Zones | Describes concerns associated with work zone access and egress. The document offers recommended practices and describes effective strategies and techniques that can be employed during the planning, design and construction phases to help mitigate concerns. The document addresses work zone access and egress problems, when to consider access and egress, acceleration and deceleration of construction vehicles, maintaining access and egress points, controlling traffic inside the work zone, and innovative ideas and best practices. | Online | 13 pages | Roadway Safety Consortium | Free | Agency/Owners, Engineers, Contractors |
| Implementing the Rule on Work Zone Safety and Mobility View document |
Management of Work Zones | This Guide provides a general overview of the Rule and overarching guidance for implementing its provisions. This document includes guidelines and sample approaches, examples from transportation agencies using practices that relate to the Rule, and sources for more information. | Guide - available online, or from FHWA in hardcopy | 92 pages | FHWA | Free | State and local DOT technical, management, and field staff who plan, design, build, and manage work zones and develop work zone policy; FHWA staff, particularly those with oversight responsibilities for Federal-aid highway projects; and appropriate non-agency staff that partner with, or are contracted by the agency, such as consultant staff, contractor staff, other highway workers, and law enforcement officials |
| Intelligent Transportation Systems in Work Zones: A Cross-Cutting Study View document |
Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) | This report examines how transportation departments in Illinois, Michigan, New Mexico, and Arkansas used ITS in their work zones to monitor and manage traffic, including providing traveler information and enhancing incident response. Information covered includes why the systems were selected, design and operational characteristics, any issues/ lessons learned, and the benefits derived from using the systems. The report also profiles other ITS-related work zone products, systems and techniques. | Online report | 56 pages | FHWA | Free | Planners, operators, designers, and public sector managers |
| ITS Safety and Mobility Solutions: Improving Travel Through America's Work Zones View document |
Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) | Booklet developed by the ATSSA ITS Council that describes various ITS applications for work zones and their potential benefits, considerations for use, and system layouts. | Online booklet | 36 pages | ATSSA | Free | Planners, operators, designers, and public sector managers |
| Minnesota IWZ Toolbox: Guideline for Intelligent Work Zone System Selection View document |
Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) | This Toolbox has been prepared as a guideline for selecting an appropriate Intelligent Work Zone Systems to address existing work zone traffic issues and to mitigate anticipated issues on scheduled projects. | Online | 25 pages | Minnesota DOT, Office of Traffic, Safety, and Operations | Free | Planners, operators, designers, and public sector managers |
| MUTCD View document |
Traffic Control in Work Zones | Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, which contains standards for traffic control devices that regulate, warn, and guide road users along the highways and byways in all 50 States. | Online Manual | Online | FHWA (Hardcopy version is sold by others) | Free | Those who work in or near traffic control work areas, and those who design temporary traffic control plans |
| Nighttime Lighting Guidelines for Work Zones View Document |
Nighttime Work Zone Operations | Provides a procedure for designing a nighttime lighting system in work zones where no formal lighting plan exists. Addresses questions related to selecting the most appropriate type, quantity, and configuration of lighting for nighttime work zones while not only meeting minimum industry-accepted lighting requirements for construction and maintenance work activities but also taking into account the need to minimize the negative impacts of glare on drivers. | Online | Online | ATSSA | Free | Engineers, designers, and contractor personnel can use this process without the need to be an expert in illumination. |
| North Carolina DOT Maintenance/Utility Traffic Control Guidelines | Short Duration Work Zones | Describes what knowledge workers should be familiar with before they perform tasks inside the Highway Right of Way and covers work zone safety knowledge for a wide range of job responsibilities. This guide blends information contained in the MUTCD with that in the NCDOT Standard & Detail Drawings to provide one source for Work Zone Traffic Control inside the Highway Right of Way. | Online | 74 pages | North Carolina DOT | Free | All people working inside Highway Rights of Way in North Carolina |
| ROADWAY SAFETY+: A Road Construction Industry Consortium Program View document |
Worker Safety | The Roadway Safety Awareness Program provides an overview of common hazards in highway and road construction and simple prevention measures. The program contents are available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. | CD-ROM | Online | LHSFNA Consortium | Free | Road construction supervisory personnel with some safety and health experience or by safety and health personnel to orient new workers as they arrive on the jobsite |
| Safe and Effective Work Zone Inspections View document |
Inspection of Work Zones Traffic Control in Work Zones Worker Safety |
Examines program elements, operational improvements, and the value of documentation behind the development of a comprehensive work zone traffic control inspection program. Intended for use as a gauge or completeness for agencies with programs in place or as a roadmap for establishing a program if one does not presently exist. | Online | Online | ATSSA | Free | State and local DOT leadership, engineers, policymakers, lead district engineers, and staff charged with developing or maintaining a work zone inspection program. |
| Safe and Effective Use of Law Enforcement Personnel in Work Zones FHWA Office of Operations |
Law Enforcement in Work Zones | This course provides awareness and guidance to law enforcement officers (LEO) for their assigned roles in active work zones, whether on duty or off-duty. The materials for this training course are available online for use by other providers. The course provides basic knowledge for law enforcement personnel including standards and guidelines related to temporary traffic control in work zones, the role of law enforcement officers in work zones, recognizing proper practices and procedures related to the use of law enforcement officers in work zones, and recognizing the component parts of a typical work zone. | Online Resource | Online | FHWA | Free | Those who work in or near traffic control work areas |
| Strategies on Improving Worker Safety in Work Zones View document |
Traffic Control in Work Zones | Describes traffic control measures that can be appropriate in work zones to further improve the safety of highway workers. The document addresses enhanced flagger station set-ups, intrusion alarms, pace or pilot vehicles, and temporary traffic signals. | Online | 12 pages | Roadway Safety Consortium | Free | Agency/Owner, Engineers, Contractors |
| Traffic Control Handbook for Mobile Operations at Night View document |
Nighttime Work Zone Operations | Presents a synthesis of current practices for performing mobile highway operations at night. Covers deciding when to use mobile night operations, work zone traffic control fundamentals, traffic control devices and safety features for mobile night operations, worker safety concerns, references, and typical application diagrams. | Online Handbook | 54 pages | FHWA | Free | Those who work in or near traffic control work areas |
| Training Program for Night Road Work to Improve Safety and Operations View document |
Nighttime Work Zone Operations | Training CD that complements NCHRP Report 475: A Procedure for Assessing and Planning Nighttime Highway Construction and Maintenance, which presented a decision process to assist highway agencies in evaluating night work alternatives against other work schedules, and NCHRP Report 476: Guidelines for Design and Operation of Nighttime Traffic Control for Highway Maintenance and Construction, which provides guidelines for developing a plan for night work that will provide public and worker safety. | CD-ROM | CD-ROM | TRB | $20 | Those who work in or near traffic control work areas |
| Utility Work Zone Safety Guidelines and Training: State-of-the-Art Synthesis and State-of-the-Practice Synthesis View document |
Management of Work Zones | This document presents the findings from a literature review and survey done to determine current knowledge on utility work zone safety and mobility and assess the state of practice of transportation agencies and utility contractors. Results allow identification of gaps to address in developing utility work zone guidelines to provide local transportation agencies and utility companies and contractors with information and guidance to perform their work safely and efficiently and to assist road agencies in developing local guidelines and standards to meet safety and mobility goals. | Online | 111 pages | Wayne State University |
Free | Those who work in or near traffic control work areas |
| Webinar on Work Zone Traffic Analysis Strategies View document |
Management of Work Zones | This 2008 webinar covered perspectives on work zone traffic analysis strategies, a process for integrating traffic analyses into work zone decisionmaking, and issues in work zone traffic analysis. Case study examples were used to show how some agencies and jurisdictions have incorporated work zone modeling into their decisionmaking process and the impact these analyses are making in improving work zone planning and operations. | Online | Online | FHWA | Free | Those who work in or near traffic control work areas |
| Work Zone Best Practices Guidebook View document |
Management of Work Zones | The Guidebook gives transportation agencies, construction contractors, transportation planners, trainers, and others access to information and points of contact about current best practices for achieving work zone mobility and safety. Covers policy and procedures; public relations; education and outreach (general public driver and elected officials); prediction modeling and impact analysis: congestion and crashes; planning and programming; project development/design; contracting and bidding procedures; specifications and construction materials, methods, and practices; traveler and traffic information (project related); enforcement; ITS and innovation technology; and evaluation and feedback. | Online Guidebook | Online | FHWA | Free | State and local transportation agencies, construction contractors, transportation planners, trainers |
| Work Zone Hazards Workbook View document |
Worker Safety | This Workbook, available in English and Spanish, describes the role and responsibility of the employer to train all workers whose job brings them in or close to traffic. In addition to the safe work practices and procedures involved with the motoring public - external traffic control - the hazards involved with on-site construction related traffic are also addressed - internal traffic control. Topics include the understanding and application of definitions relating to work zone safety, including terms used in the MUTCD. | Online | 30 pages | Construction Safety Council | Free | State and local highway agencies, public officials, the insurance industry, law enforcement agencies, incident management personnel, maintenance personnel, academic institutions, private industry, and construction & engineering organizations. |
| Work Zone Impacts Assessment View document |
Management of Work Zones | This guide provides an approach to assess and manage work zone safety and mobility impacts of road projects. This document presents the approach and provides examples of how agencies are currently assessing and managing work zone impacts, as well as an overview of different traffic analysis tools that can be helpful for analysis of work zone impacts. | Guide - available online, or from FHWA in hardcopy | 117 pages | FHWA | Free | State and local DOT technical, management, and field staff who plan, design, build, and manage work zones and develop work zone policy; FHWA staff, particularly those with oversight responsibilities for Federal-aid highway projects; and appropriate non-agency staff that partner with, or are contracted by the agency, such as consultant staff, contractor staff, other highway workers, and law enforcement officials |
| Work Zone ITS Peer Exchange Materials View document |
Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) |
Summary and presentations from a peer exchange held to bring together representatives from State DOTs, FHWA, academia, and vendors to discuss work zone ITS challenges, barriers, and deployment successes. | Online | Various | FHWA | Free | State and Local DOT design, construction, traffic, and ITS staff, consultants, and researchers. May also be useful to construction contractors who have ITS on one of their projects. |
| Work Zone Performance Management Peer Exchange Materials View Document |
Management of Work Zones |
Summary and presentations from a peer exchange held to bring together representatives from State DOTs to discuss work zone performance management and how to quantify work zone impacts on safety and mobility. The peer exchange included presentations and discussion sessions to draw out common themes, challenges, and solutions. | Online | Various | FHWA | Free | Transportation planners, designers/engineers, and analysts |
| Work Zone Positive Protection Toolbox View document |
Traffic Control in Work Zones | Describes the various types of positive protection devices currently in use and provides guidance on where and how each device is typically used. | Online | 20 pages | ATSSA | Free | Those who work in or near traffic control work areas, and those who design temporary traffic control plans |
| Work Zone Public Information and Outreach Strategies View document |
Management of Work Zones | This document provides tips, examples, and practices on designing a public information and outreach campaign for work zones and offers a variety of strategies that can be used in a campaign. | Guide - available online, or from FHWA in hardcopy | 63 pages | FHWA | Free | Personnel in transportation agencies responsible for planning and operating highway work zones and those responsible for public relations and public information |
| Work Zone Safety and Mobility Rule Implementation Guides and Other Resources View document |
Management of Work Zones | This CD contains all four Rule guides; other Rule-related resources such as checklists, templates, and a set of frequently asked questions (FAQs); and information on the Work Zone Peer-to-Peer Program and other resources. The resources on this CD will continue to aid agencies as they fully implement the Rule in the coming years. | CD-ROM | Online | FHWA | Free | State and local DOT technical, management, and field staff who plan, design, build, and manage work zones and develop work zone policy; FHWA staff, particularly those with oversight responsibilities for Federal-aid highway projects; and appropriate non-agency staff that partner with, or are contracted by the agency, such as consultant staff, contractor staff, other highway workers, and law enforcement officials |
PDF files can be viewed with the Acrobat® Reader®.
previous
