Jobs & Transportation Ramping it Up Roadway and Traffic Dan Groh, P.E.

Transcription

1 Jobs & Transportation Ramping it Up Roadway and Traffic Dan Groh, P.E.

2 Ohio DOT Work Zone Process Review

3 Ohio DOT Work Zone Process Review This review was conducted by the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) in coordination with the Federal Highway Administration Ohio Division Office (FHWA) per the Work Zone Safety and Mobility Rule (23 CFR 630 Subpart J) to perform a comprehensive assessment of Ohio s work zone program. The review is intended to enhance the safety and mobility of road users and highway workers in Ohio s work zones. The objectives of the review are to: 1) Assess the effectiveness of Ohio s Policy on Traffic Management in Work Zones. 2) Evaluate field compliance with Ohio s work zone standards and specifications. 3) Confirm that the Transportation Management Plan (TMP) requirements for significant projects are being met. 4) Identify the procedure(s) for assessing work zone crash data and determine if there were any unusual crash patterns that could be attributed to work zone activities.

4 Ohio DOT Work Zone Process Review Field Compliance with Established Policy Objective 2: Evaluate if work zone standards and specifications are being complied with on construction projects. Scope 2: Review the results from the 2012 work zone field reviews, otherwise known as Maintenance of Traffic Operational Reviews(MOTORs), and look for areas with multiple instances of deficiencies and/or critical safety issues. Examine these identified areas to asses and recommend ways to increase compliance with the standards and specifications. A summary of the deficiencies found during the 2012 MOTORs can be found in Appendix B. Observation 2: The work zone standards and specifications are generally being complied with on construction projects; however, there were a few deficiencies identified that occurred more frequently than others. These deficiency topics included: impact attenuators and flagging procedures (critical safety issues)and conspicuity markings and delineation of permanent wall during MOT (minor deficiencies indicating corrective action). Recommendation 2: Evaluate each deficiency topic identified in Observation 2 and determine if/how Ohio may be able to improve field compliance. Observation 2A: Impact Attenuators -The deficiencies included one or more: missing impact attenuators leaving a blunt end barrier wall within the clear zone; attenuator not attached to the barrier wall; damaged attenuator; attenuator not bolted down; improper type of attenuator used in a gore. Approximately 10% of projects reviewed included one or more attenuator deficiencies. Recommendation 2A-1: The Office of Construction Administration should communicate to the District Construction Administrators (DCAs) and the contracting industry the need for better impact attenuator installation and maintenance per the standards. The Office of Construction Administration should encourage the DCAs to forward this information onto the project engineers and project managers. This can be achieved through a variety of forums, such as through DCA meetings, correspondence and/or the annual construction (CONAWAY) conference. Recommendation 2A-2: The Office of Construction Administration should encourage project inspectors to attend any available training for guardrail and attenuator installation. Recommendation 2A-3: The Office of Roadway Engineering should evaluate if designers have the necessary direction to include the Plan Insert Sheet for impact attenuator placement (PIS ) within a project s plans. If not, the Office of Roadway Engineering should revise the Traffic Engineering Manual (TEM) to provide the necessary direction to the designers to include the PIS on projects. Observation 2B: Flagging Procedures The deficiencies involved incorrect flagging procedures such as flagger facing away from traffic, flagger not holding the STOP/SLOW paddle, and not providing an additional flagger at a side street intersection per Ohio s standard. Two of the three projects reviewed with flagging had one or more deficiencies. Recommendation 2B-1: The Office of Construction Administration should communicate to the District Construction Administrators (DCAs), Highway Management Administrators (HMAs) and the contracting industry the need for better compliance with flagging procedures. The Office of Construction Administration should encourage the DCAs and HMAs to forward this information onto the project engineers, project managers and maintenance personnel. This can be achieved through a variety of forums such as through DCA and HMA meetings, correspondence and/or the annual construction (CONAWAY) conference. Recommendation 2B-2: The Office of Construction Administration should consider including a focus on compliance with flagging procedures during the 2014 TPRs. Recommendation 2B-3: Consider requiring certification for all flaggers. Observation 2C: Conspicuity Markings The primary deficiency was that the conspicuity markings on arrow boards and portable changeable message signs were missing per Ohio s standard. This standard was published on July 16, 2010 and it should be noted that some of the projects reviewed in the field may have been sold prior to the publication of this standard, so it may not have been part of the construction contract. Recommendation 2C: The Office of Construction Administration should revise the Construction & Materials Specifications to clarify the standards on conspicuity markings, including how to properly delineate arrow boards and portable changeable message signs. Observation 2D: Delineation of Permanent Barrier Wall during MOT The primary deficiency was missing delineation, to the same level as portable barrier, when traffic is moved over for MOT purposes within 5 feet of the permanent barrier wall. Recommendation 2D-1: The Office of Roadway Engineering should revise the TEM plan notes to consolidate the various delineation notes and to ensure that it is clear that permanent barrier wall within 5 feet of the traveled lane shall be delineated at the same level as portable barrier. Recommendation 2D-2: The Office of Construction Administration should consider revising the Manual of Procedures to specify that, while under MOT conditions, permanent barrier wall within 5 feet of the traveled lane shall be delineated at the same level as portable barrier.

5 Roadway and Traffic Impact Attenuators Flagging Operations Conspicuity markings Delineation of permanent barrier wall Incident Management Duties

6 Impact Attenuators Impact Attenuators. Before installing the attenuator, make all corresponding shop drawings from the manufacturer available for the Engineer s inspection. Include installation drawings and instructions with the shop drawings that completely describe the attenuator system. Grade the top of each foundation at the same elevation as the adjacent travel lane and/or paved shoulder. Adjust the location of the anchors to avoid pavement joints. The Contractor shall use approved proprietary impact attenuator products as required which can be found on the Office of Roadway Engineering s website.

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11 Flagging Operations Flaggers. Whenever one-way traffic is established, use at least two flaggers unless the Engineer authorizes otherwise, and erect signs, cones, barricades, and other traffic control devices according to the OMUTCD. Reflectorize traffic control devices as previously noted. Maintain positive and quick means of communication between the flaggers at the opposite ends of the restricted area. Equip flaggers according to the standards for flagging traffic contained in the OMUTCD. During a flagging operation, other than an intersection or a spot location best controlled by a single flagger, ensure that each flagger uses a STOP/SLOW paddle conforming to the OMUTCD. Mount the paddle on top of a 6 1/2-foot (2 m) handle. Ensure that each face of the paddle is made of Type G reflective sheeting meeting the requirements of While flagging, do not allow flaggers to perform other work activities. The Contractor may, instead of using flaggers, or supplemental to them, furnish, install, and operate a traffic signal or signals, for the purpose of regulating traffic according to a written agreement approved by the Engineer.

12 Automated Flagging Assistance Device Supplemental Spec 830 AFADs shall be continuously controlled by the flagger and shall notbe operated in an automatic mode. A single flagger may simultaneously operate two AFADs 1. The flagger has an unobstructed view of the AFAD(s); 2. The flagger has an unobstructed view of approaching traffic in both directions.

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14 Conspicuity for Category IV equipment Traffic Control General. In addition, equip all project motor vehicles and trailers having a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or greater, in single or combination, with conspicuity tape. Also, delineate all NCHRP 350 Category IV equipment (arrow boards, portable changeable message signs, etc.) with conspicuity tape.

15 Conspicuity for Category IV equipment Conspicuity Tape: A. Apply one 2-inch wide (minimum) horizontal stripe of Type G, H, or J retroreflectivesheeting to a minimum of 50 percent of the length of each side of the payload portion of the motor vehicle, rearward from the back of the cab, NCHRP 350 Category IV equipment and trailers. Space lengths of tape evenly over the length of the payload portion of the motor vehicle rearward from the back of the cab, NCHRP 350 Category IV equipment, and trailers. The centerline for each strip of retroreflectivesheeting shall be between 15 inches and 60 inches above the road surface when measured with the vehicle empty or unladen, or as close as practicable to this area. B. Outline the lower rear facing area of the motor vehicle, NCHRP 350 Category IV equipment, and trailers with 2-inch wide (minimum) horizontal stripe of Type G, H, or J retroreflectivesheeting. Apply the lower horizontal markings extending the width of the motor vehicle, NCHRP 350 Category IV equipment, and trailer as close as practical to the edge of the motor vehicle, NCHRP 350 Category IV equipment, and trailer. The centerline for each strip of lower horizontal retroreflectivesheeting shall be between 15 inches and 72 inches above the road surface when measured with the vehicle empty or unladen, or as close as practicable to this area.

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18 Delineation of Portable and Permanent Barrier Delineation of Portable and Permanent Barrier Barrier Reflectors and Object Markers shall be installed on all Portable Barrier (PB) used for traffic control and on permanent concrete barrier (including bridge parapets) located within 5 feet of the edge of the adjacent travel lane.

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21 Delineation of Temporary and Permanent Guardrail Delineation of Temporary and Permanent Guardrail Barrier Reflectors shall be installed on all temporary guardrail used for traffic control and on all permanent guardrail located within 5 feet of the edge of the adjacent travel lane. Barrier Reflectors shall conform to C&MS 626.

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23 Incident Management Incident Management Duties to the Worksite Traffic Supervisor note Plan Note TEM ns/ohioquickclear/pages/default.aspx

24 Worksite Traffic Supervisor Worksite Traffic Supervisor 4. Coordinate a Traffic Incident Management meeting each year before construction work begins with ODOT and the Safety Forces that will respond to incidents on the project. Items to be discussed will be the: a. Traffic Incident Management Plan (TIMP); b. Emergency Response and Notification; c. Project work/phasing concerns (e.g., ramp closures); d. Responders concerns.

25 Worksite Traffic Supervisor 14. Identify and contact all possible response personnel; preplan and keep an updated roster with phone numbers: a. Federal, State, and local transportation agencies (Traffic Management Center); b. Regional, county or local 911 dispatch; c. Towing and recovery providers.

26 Worksite Traffic Supervisor 15. Comply with the provisions of OMUTCD Chapter 6I, Control of Traffic Through Traffic Incident Management Areas. 16. Propose a response/action plan to: a. Establish alternate route plans per the provided ODOT Playbook; b. Remove traffic demand from impacted roadway(s); c. Divert traffic to routes that can accommodate demands; d. Detour traffic away from sensitive areas (such as schools, hospitals, etc.);

27 Worksite Traffic Supervisor 16. Propose a response/action plan to: e. Discuss methods of determining a staging area for responders within or near the construction zone; and f. Discuss methods of developing ingress and egress sites within the construction zone. The response/action plan shall be submitted to ODOT for acceptance before the Contractor s first day of work.

28 Worksite Traffic Supervisor 17. Perform, at a minimum, the following functions in incident detection and verification: a. Call 911/ notify Traffic ManaagementCenter and provide the following: i. Location including milepost number and direction of travel. ii. Number and type of vehicles involved. iii. Estimated extent of damage or injury. iv. Estimated number of patients involved. v. Any potential hazardous conditions. vi. The placard number on any hazardous materials placard from a safe distance.

29 Worksite Traffic Supervisor 17. Perform, at a minimum, the following functions in incident detection and verification: b. Initiate traffic management / provide traffic control. c. Assist motorist with disabled vehicles. d. Recommend roadway repair needs. e. Provide repair resources. 18. Attend post-incident debriefings if required.

30 The WTS position has the responsibility of monitoring traffic control deficiencies for the entire work zone. The duties of the WTS are as follows: 1. Be available on a 24-hour per day basis, and be able to be on site for all emergency traffic control needs within one hour of notification by police or project staff and be prepared to effect corrective measures immediately on existing work zone traffic control devices. 2. Attend preconstruction meeting and all project meetings where traffic control management is discussed. 3. Be available for meetings or discussions with the Engineer upon request or within 36 hours. 4. Coordinate a Traffic Incident Management meeting each year before construction work begins with ODOT and the Safety Forces that will respond to incidents on the project. Items to be discussed will be the: a. Traffic Incident Management Plan (TIMP); b. Emergency Response and Notification; c. Project work/phasing concerns (e.g., ramp closures); and d. Responders concerns. 5. Be aware of, and coordinate if necessary, all traffic control operations, including those of subcontractors and suppliers. 6. Coordinate project activities with all Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs). A WTS shall also be the main contact person with the LEOs while they are on the project. 7. Coordinate meetings with ODOT personnel, LEOs and other applicable entities before each plan phase switch to discuss work zone traffic control. 8. Ensure compliance with the contract documents for signs, barricades, temporary concrete barrier, pavement markings, portable message signs, and other traffic control devices on a daily basis; and facilitate any corrective action necessary. 9. Notify the Contractor of the need for cleaning and maintenance of all traffic control devices, including the covering and removal of inapplicable signs.

31 10. Inspect, evaluate, propose necessary modifications to, and document the effectiveness of, the traffic control devices and/or traffic operations on a DAILY BASIS (7 days a week).in addition, a weekly night inspection of the work zone setup for daytime work operations; and one daytime inspection per week for nighttime projects. This shall include (but not be limited to) documentation on the following project events: a. Initial traffic control setup (day and night review). b. Daily traffic control setup and removal. c. When construction staging causes a change in the traffic control setup. d. Crash occurrences within the construction area. e. Removal of traffic control devices at the end of a phase or project. f. All other emergency traffic control needs. 11. Complete the Department approved Long Term Inspection form (CA-D-8) after each inspection as required in # 10 and submit it to the Engineer the following work day. These reports shall include a checklist of all traffic control maintenance items to be reviewed. A copy of the form will be provided at the preconstruction meeting. Any deficiencies observed shall be noted, along with recommended corrective actions and the dates by which such corrections were, or will be, completed. A copy of this document can be found in the current revision of the Department of Transportation Construction Inspection Forms Manual. 12. Verify that all flagging operations are being conducted per the Ohio Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices. 13. Have copies of the ODOT Temporary Traffic Control Manual and applicable standards and specifications included in the contract documents available at all times on the project. 14. Identify and contact all possible response personnel; preplan and keep an updated roster with phone numbers: a. Federal, State, and local transportation agencies (Traffic Management Center); b. Regional, county or local 911 dispatch; and c. Towing and recovery providers.

32 15. Comply with the provisions of OMUTCD Chapter 6I, Control of Traffic Through Traffic Incident Management Areas. 16. Propose a response/action plan to: a. Establish alternate route plans per the provided ODOT Playbook; b. Remove traffic demand from impacted roadway(s); c. Divert traffic to routes that can accommodate demands; d. Detour traffic away from sensitive areas (such as schools, hospitals, etc.); e. Discuss methods of determining a staging area for responders within or near the construction zone; and f. Discuss methods of developing ingress and egress sites within the construction zone. The response/action plan shall be submitted to ODOT for acceptance before the Contractor s first day of work. 17. Perform, at a minimum, the following functions in incident detection and verification: a. Call 911/ notify Traffic Manaagement Center and provide the following: i. Location including milepost number and direction of travel. ii. Number and type of vehicles involved. iii. Estimated extent of damage or injury. iv. Estimated number of patients involved. v. Any potential hazardous conditions. vi. The placard number on any hazardous materials placard from a safe distance. b. Initiate traffic management / provide traffic control. c. Assist motorist with disabled vehicles. d. Recommend roadway repair needs. e. Provide repair resources. 18. Attend post-incident debriefings if required.

33 The Department will deduct the prorated daily amount of the unit price bid for the WTS for any day on which the Contractor fails to perform the duties set forth above. Should the Contractor s failure to perform any of the duties described above result in a maintenance of traffic safety issue, the Department will deduct the prorated daily amount for Item 614 Maintenance of Traffic from the Contractor s next scheduled estimate. If three or more failures to perform the duties set forth above occur, the WTS shall be immediately removed from the work in accordance with C&MS The following estimated quantity has been included for the Worksite Traffic Supervisor: Item 614 Worksite Traffic Supervisor Months Designer Note: The Worksite Traffic Supervisor note shall be used on Interstate or Interstate look-alike projects that include: contraflow, one-mile long crossover(s), multi-year work duration, or significant continuous impact to mainline traffic (e.g., reduced shoulder and/or lane widths, closed ramps, etc.). While not intended for use with resurfacing projects, this note may be considered for use when complex maintenance of traffic issues are anticipated.

34 Questions, comments, concerns, etc Dan Groh, P.E. Construction Traffic & Roadway Eng., Division of Construction Management Ohio Department of Transportation 1980 West Broad St (Mail Stop 5190) Columbus, OH Phone: