Work Zone - Appendix N

Appendix N: TACT Plan Creation Guidelines

(Added 5/28/2021)

Before a contractor designs an ATC (Alternate Technical Concept) plan, they should be aware of limitations are for what can be submitted. These limitations are to be communicated via a TACT Plan (Template Alternate Concept Traffic Plan) for the contractor to review. The TACT Plan is to outline the limitations for an ATC MOT (maintenance of traffic) plan submitted by the contractor. The below is a guide to the creation of content for a TACT plan that designers can use to create an ATC. This document is a guideline and what a TACT Plan looks like for one project may be different than another project. One project may have many limitations, while another may have few. The goal is that the limitations are communicated to the contractor.

1. MOT method limitations

What MOT methods will not be accepted as part of a traffic plan and why? Example 1: Barrier wall is not able to be placed on the I-75 Zilwaukee bridge because of the bridge’s loading requirements. Example 2: Plans that utilize traffic on the shoulder will not be accepted unless the plan includes upgrading shoulders because they will not be able to sustain traffic volumes or large trucks. Example 3: Drainage and roadway geometrics in this area is the reason why the office will not consider the use of crossovers in this area. Example 4: A detour onto local roads will not be accepted without approval from the local road agency. Example 5: All MOT methods will be considered by the ATC team. Example 6. Historic Crash data within the construction influence area (CIA) is the reason why the office will not consider drums vs barrier wall.

2. Traffic volume limitations

What limitations are there regarding traffic volumes? What delay limitations are there on the project? List what volume assumptions are to be used, and what examples of diversion rates should apply:

Example: ATC submittals must use the volumes in table X below, and have a justification for the assumed diversion rates based on the plan. As the proposed delay is X, the traffic plan may not exceed that delay by Y.

3. Changes from current and existing systems

Are there any existing systems in place that will not be accessible during the project? An ATC submittal may try and state we are going to increase our diversion rate by using DMS or PCMS messaging at the XYZ location and that is how we are justifying the increase of our proposed diversion rates. This would not be possible if the system is not accessible. Please list out any additional changes that are not obvious and may affect the ATC design.

Example: The DMS board at XYZ location will be unavailable during the project duration because of X.

4. Staging limitations

What are the staging limitations for the plan? Are there any traffic stages that must occur before another, or within a certain timeframe?

Example: A, must occur before B because C.

5. Stakeholder limitations

What limitations are there regarding stakeholders including businesses, traffic generators, residences, emergency services, and others that are within the vicinity of the project? Please provide the ATC bidder a list of stakeholders that have a critical interest in the project staging. Explain what stakeholder considerations and limitations would affect the staging of an MOT.

Example: Plans that do not always maintain driveway access for the properties adjacent to the project will not be considered. Emergency service access must be maintained for X area. [Included, list of stakeholders including hospitals, adjacent businesses, airports, police department, fire department, etc..]

6. Environmental limitations

What environmental limitations are there? Are there trees and brush that can only be removed during a specific timeframe? Are their limitations in any projects near or working in rivers that have DNR restrictions?

Example: The traffic plan must reflect that the bridge work will be done in the summer after the trout spawning season.

7. Community event limitations

What major events (ie, sporting events, concerts, festivals, etc..) must be addressed in the MOT? What specific limitations must the plan address?

Example: Any plan that utilizes lane closures on I-496 on MSU football home game days, or does not address these limitations, will not be considered.

8. Lane width and buffer space limitations

What are the limitations for lane width, clear zone, and buffer distances? Is there a minimum or maximum limitation for these widths that must be considered? Are sized vehicles being accounted for?

Example 1: Lane widths must be at least 11 feet in width and provide 2 feet of buffer space. Example 2: Lane widths must maintain 11ft due to a heavy truck volume.

9. Speed design/limitations

What was the design speed for the temporary traffic control layout and what design speed is required for an alternate MOT method?

Example: The design speed for the temporary traffic control setup is XX, and proposals must use this same design speed.

10. Ramp limitations

What are the limitations for when ramps may be closed and for what durations?

Example: The SB I-96 to EB I-496 ramp may not be closed. The EB I-496 exit ramp to Creyts road may only be closed on weekends from 9PM Friday to 5AM Monday. Ramp X must be open by April 15th. Stakeholders such as hospitals may need to use the ramp often but can allow it to be closed for a short time period. A plan that does not meet these limitations will not be approved.

11. Duration limitations

Are there any factors limiting the duration, such as conflicting projects, or a timeline that must be adhered to?

Example 1: Due to separate projects located within CIA limits, durations that are outside the window of XX/XX/XXXX to YY/YY/YYYY will not be considered by the ATC team. Example 2: Due to the nearby school starting session on X date, the ATC must plan for the project to be completed before that date.

12. Night work limitations

What are the limitations regarding night work?

Example 1: Night work is / is not permitted in an ATC proposal. Example 2: Night work is not set up for this job. However certain operations for materials and equipment drop off may be utilized. Example 3: There are no limitations with night work.

13. Traffic control device limitations

Example 1: PCMS cannot be used on X road because there is not enough room on the existing shoulder. Example 2: 42 inch channelizing devices (grabber cones) must be used in lieu of drums due to roadway width geometric restrictions.

14. Additional limitations

What additional limitations must the ATC drafters be aware of in the creation of the ATC?