4.01 General
Work zones can create safety impacts. Different projects have different needs and the same levels of mitigation strategies are not appropriate for every project. When considering work zone management strategies that mitigate safety and mobility issues, it is important to consider constructability, cost and time.
Work zone management strategies are developed based on project characteristics through a detailed analysis of relevant information.
Examples of items to consider include:
- Traffic volume and roadway capacity
- Network availability (alternate routes)
- Traffic / user access
- Local and regional traffic impacts
- Project schedule/time (work days, work hour restrictions, critical work/material time, seasonal issues)
- Project site conditions (utilities, slopes, objects, drainage, etc)
- Project work operations (access, hauling)
- Project purpose and features (road encroachment impacts)
- Safety assessment (crash rate, workers, and road users)
- Previous projects in the area (performance assessments)
- Construction needs to be accomplished while accommodating safety and mobility; ensuring worker and motorist safety.
Safety and mobility impacts are not restricted to the work zone location. They also include the construction influence area and adjacent or overlapping projects. Coordination between projects is necessary and should be addressed in the TMP. Strategies may need to be justified as MOT costs escalate.
A benefit cost analysis comparing road user costs to increased construction costs should be performed when multiple options are feasible. Safety benefits may be challenging to quantify but should be factored into the project design. Safety and mobility impact mitigation strategies are presented in more detail throughout this chapter.
