Applying the Principles of the Work Zone Rule to Design-Build Projects, Two Case Studies: Comparison of Project Delivery Methods

3. State Implementation of the Rule

The Rule requires each Agency to implement a policy and procedures for the consideration of work zone safety and mobility impacts across project development stages, and the use of strategies to help manage these impacts during construction for federally funded transportation projects.

Colorado

CDOT has several policy and guidance documents that guide the Agency in implementing the key aspects of the Rule. CDOT has created its own procedures document, as well as several guidelines for dealing with safety and mobility related issues. Key documents CDOT has created and uses to implement the Rule are summarized below.

CDOT Safety and Mobility Rule Procedures

CDOT has created its own Safety and Mobility Rule Procedures Document¹, which describes its approach to implementing the Rule and provides guidance for the development of a TMP. Each of the eight Rule aspects identified above is included in the CDOT procedural document. The document describes the TMP as being made up of strategies that address the management of the work zone impacts of a project. These impacts need to be assessed during the preliminary design phases of the project, and then strategies and their associated costs are identified. The document explains all the elements of a TMP, including traffic control plans (TCPs), a public information plan (PIP), and transportation operations (TO) strategies. The document also identifies quality assurance (QA) requirements and training required for project personnel.

Though the design-build project delivery method is mentioned in this CDOT document, the procedures are more oriented at how the Rule is applied to design-bid-build projects.

Other Colorado Safety and Mobility Guidelines

CDOT has several other guidelines that assist with the implementation of the Rule and provide guidance for work zone safety and mobility. These documents are summarized below:

1. Lane Closure Strategies
Each CDOT region has its own lane closure strategy that specifies when lanes can be closed. While the CDOT methodology used to determine lane closure impacts is applied uniformly across all regions, the criteria and policies for closing lanes are region-specific.

2. Positive Protection
One of the CDOT documents to assist in the planning of TMPs and work zones is the Colorado Guidelines for the Use of Positive Protection in Work Zones (2010)². This document supplements the Work Zone and Safety Mobility Policy and complies with 23 CFR 630 Subpart K. The document provides guidelines regarding when it is appropriate and cost effective to use positive protection measures that prevent the chance of vehicular intrusion into work zones.

3. Incident Management
CDOT published Guidelines for Developing Traffic Incident Management Plans for Work Zones³ in 2008. This document offers guidelines, examples, considerations, and other tools to assist CDOT project staff and contractors working on CDOT projects with developing Incident Management Plans for work zones.

4. The Colorado Work Zone Best Practices Safety Guide (2008) is a document created by CDOT with the input of many different stakeholders, private contractors, insurance and risk management groups, law enforcement agencies, trade groups and federal agencies. The document is intended to provide CDOT personnel and contractors with information and tools needed to create safer work zones and instill an ethic where safety is number one and impacts to traveler mobility are reduced.

North Carolina

NCDOT has created its own implementation guidelines document, and has a work zone training and qualifications program. NCDOT conducts one day training courses called "Work Zone Traffic Control Rodeos" that cover different subjects related to work zone safety.

NCDOT Guidelines for Implementation of the Rule

NCDOT's Guidelines for the Implementation of the Work Zone Safety and Mobility Policy document⁴ describes its goals, objectives, and strategies for implementing the Work Zone Safety and Mobility Rule. This document identifies seven goals that should be considered for each project. Each of these goals has several objectives and a few strategies that can be used to help meet the goals. The guidelines also present processes for each objective and list the lead unit of NCDOT and other units affected by the objective. The final part of the document has other guidelines and tools such as the criteria for determining significant projects, evaluation procedures, and decision making procedures including activity worksheets. The seven goals are:

• Implement requirements of the Work Zone Safety and Mobility Policy
• Promote an agency culture committed to Work Zone Safety and Mobility
• Provide safe work zones for workers and road users
• Consider mobility and access in work zones to minimize impact to users
• Advocate innovative thinking in work zone planning, design, and management
• Improve credibility/compliance of work zones
• Continuously assess and improve work zone strategies, practices, and procedures

Other North Carolina Safety and Mobility Guidelines

NCDOT has established a Work Zone Traffic Control (WZTC) Qualification and Training Program. The program states that personnel involved in all facets of work zone planning, design, and operation must be appropriately trained. The program identifies several different training levels. A list of sources for training of the various knowledge levels is provided on the program's web page at https://connect.ncdot.gov/projects/WZTC/Pages/default.aspx. Any agency or contractor dealing with temporary traffic control operations inside highway right-of-way must have certified staff, from supervisors to flaggers. There is a new training level that began in 2012 for work zone designers and personnel in charge of TMP, TCP, or PIP development. Training for Work Zone Supervisors and Work Zone Designers includes passing a written test to qualify and regular recertification.

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