The Final Rule on Work Zone Safety and Mobility

Transcription

1 Federal Highway Administration, USDOT The Final Rule on Work Zone Safety and Mobility Updates to 23 CFR Section 630, Subpart J Presented by Tracy Scriba, Federal Highway Administration Talking Operations Seminar February 17,

2 Agenda Why update the work zone rule Overview of the final rule Influence on project delivery Outreach and implementation guidance 2

3 Why Update the WZ Rule Legislative requirement Congress required the FHWA to review current work zone problems and update the regulation to: Better reflect current needs for improved safety and to minimize disruptions to traffic during the construction of highway projects So, we were told to update the regulation, but We also believe that it makes good sense to update it 3

4 Why Update the WZ Rule Influencing Factors: Growing traffic volumes and congestion Vehicle travel up, but very little growth in road miles Our highways are approaching middle age More construction and repair is needed, which means more work zones More work is done under traffic Compressed contractor schedules Increasing night work Work zone safety continues to be a concern Over 41,000 injuries and 1028 fatalities in 2003 Travelers are not happy with work zones Unexpected road conditions and inconsistency cause traveler frustration 4

5 Rule-making Process WZ Public Outreach & Comments Public Outreach & Comments Public Outreach & Comments Feb 2002 May 2003 May 2004 Sep

6 Overview of the Final Rule Published September 9, 2004 Must be implemented by October 12, 2007 Goals: Expand thinking beyond the actual WZ itself Corridor, network, and regional issues Expand WZ management beyond traffic safety and control Address mobility in addition to safety Facilitate customer-focused project development through comprehensive consideration of work zone impacts Address current day issues with operations and management and public information Advocate innovative thinking in WZ planning, design, and management 6

7 Overview of the Final Rule Specific Focus Areas: Institutionalize WZ processes, procedures, practices Advocate partnership, and multi-disciplinary approach Communicate more effectively with the public Advance WZ considerations throughout project delivery Address needs for different project types and classes Emphasize work zone focused training Emphasize performance monitoring and assessment 7

8 Provisions In a Nutshell State implemented policy for the systematic consideration and management of WZ impacts Processes and procedures to implement and sustain WZ policy Project-Level Procedures to Assess and Manage Impacts on Individual Projects 8

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10 Project Delivery Cycle Systems Planning (TIP/STIP) Policy & Standard Procedures Preliminary Engineering & Investigation (PE&I) Design, PS&E, and Contracting Construction Performance Assessment 10

11 Policy Systems Planning (TIP/STIP) Preliminary Engineering & Investigation (PE&I) Design, PS&E, and Contracting Construction State implemented WZ safety and mobility policy Systematic consideration and management of WZ impacts throughout project development and implementation based on State criteria Sensitive to varying project characteristics and expected WZ impacts Multi-disciplinary team approach Performance Assessment 11

12 Standard Procedures Systems Planning (TIP/STIP) Preliminary Engineering & Investigation (PE&I) Design, PS&E, and Contracting Standard processes / procedures to Assess and manage WZ impacts Require training for personnel Use crash and operational data for process / procedural improvement Conduct bi-annual performance reviews Construction Performance Assessment 12

13 Project-Level Procedures Identify significant projects Develop transportation management plans (TMPs) for projects Include appropriate TMP provisions in the PS&Es Implement and monitor TMPs for projects 13

14 Systems Planning (TIP/STIP) Systems Planning (TIP/STIP) Preliminary Engineering & Investigation (PE&I) Design, PS&E, and Contracting Identify projects expected to cause significant work zone impacts early in the project development process Construction Performance Assessment 14

15 Preliminary Eng. / Investigation (PE&I) Systems Planning (TIP/STIP) Preliminary Engineering & Investigation (PE&I) Design, PS&E, and Contracting Construction Identify potential WZ impacts Identify potential transportation management strategies Identify other coordination issues Performance Assessment 15

16 Design, PS&E, and Contracting Systems Planning (TIP/STIP) Preliminary Engineering & Investigation (PE&I) Design, PS&E, and Contracting Construction Performance Assessment Assess WZ impacts (progressively and comprehensively) Address alternative design, construction, contracting, and management strategies in the assessment Develop appropriate TMP Include appropriate TMP items in PS&E 16

17 Construction Systems Planning (TIP/STIP) Preliminary Engineering & Investigation (PE&I) Design, PS&E, and Contracting Construction Performance Assessment Implement TMP requirements Monitor safety and mobility Use field observations, crash data, and operational information to manage impacts Consult with appropriate stakeholders Review random projects as appropriate 17

18 Performance Assessment Systems Planning (TIP/STIP) Preliminary Engineering & Investigation (PE&I) Design, PS&E, and Contracting Construction Performance Assessment Analyze crash and operational data from multiple projects Towards improving processes and procedures Maintain data and information resources to support improvements Conduct bi-annual process reviews WZ data analysis and/or project reviews Improve WZ processes and procedures, data and information resources, and training programs 18

19 In Essence Advance WZ considerations as early as practical / possible A State driven approach implement a policy to consider and manage WZ impacts of projects Develop and implement State-level procedures for systematic consideration and management of WZ impacts Understand the WZ impacts of different projects and project types Manage the WZ impacts of projects by developing and implementing TMPs appropriate to the project Monitor the performance of WZs during implementation and make changes to TMP, if necessary Analyze post-construction data across multiple projects to improve policy, practices, processes and procedures 19

20 Outreach and Implementation Guidance 20

21 Outreach Activities Announce Publication of Rule (September 2004) Educate Field (September 2004 and ongoing) Web Conferences for Division Offices Hold Policy Workshops (Fall 2004) Develop Informational Materials (January 2005) Develop Implementation Guidance (available late 2005) Magazine/Newsletter Articles (ongoing) Extensive Outreach (ongoing) Distribution of materials at conferences and meetings throughout the country through 2007 Continue to Provide Technical Assistance as Needed (ongoing) 21

22 Informational Materials Brochure Overview of Final Rule Describes how the rule can be applied to the project delivery process Fact Sheets Overview of Final Rule overview of each provision in the rule Work Zone Impacts Assessment overview of a potential process for assessing work zone impacts TMP describes a TMP, benefits of a TMP, and a potential approach for development of a TMP Public Information and Outreach - describes a public information and outreach campaign, benefits of a campaign, and successful practices for effective campaigns Magazine/Newsletter Articles Rule overview article planned for April 2005 issue of ITE Journal Other articles to be placed in newsletters/journals as appropriate 22

23 Implementation Guidance Work Zone Impacts Assessment Transportation Management Plan (TMP) Public Information and Outreach Comprehensive Implementation Guide NHI Course - Advanced WZ Management and Design Related Guidance and Tools Roadside safety audit guidance Training for Law enforcement in work zones Nighttime work zones applications QuickZone 23

24 Status of Outreach Products/Efforts Fact sheets and brochure now available Developing Rule Guidance (expected availability mid to late 2005) Upcoming conferences/workshops ATSSA Annual Conference and Traffic Expo - Power Talk Session Work Zone Mobility Rulemaking (February 27, 2005) ATSSA Web Conference (March 22, 2005) 24

25 Final Rule Web Site This site will be continuously updated as new final rule information becomes available Content planned: FAQs Fact Sheets Guidance Documents Training Opportunities Also hope to add Sample Templates for developing required plans 25