A Guide to Work Zone Temporary Traffic Control Near Signalized/Unsignalized Intersections

The objective of this document is to assist transportation engineers and traffic control professionals in improving their knowledge on safety and operations of work zones in the immediate vicinity of signalized or unsignalized intersections. Intersections traditionally represent an area of safety concern given conflicting movements that increase the frequency and severity of traffic crashes as compared to other roadway locations. This issue is often exacerbated by work zones, which may present a sudden and unfamiliar setting for motorists, particularly when considering the increased levels of visual and cognitive complexity that can be present at intersections.

Topics discussed in this guide include:

• A discussion of the MUTCD and intersection-related Typical Applications (TAs);
• A discussion of pertinent sections of several state-specific MUTCDs;
• A discussion of how work zones can be modified for innovative intersection types such as roundabouts, diverging diamond interchanges (DDIs), restricted crossing U-turn intersections (RCUTs), and median U-turn intersections (MUTs); and
• A practical checklist that provides guidance on steps to consider when developing a temporary traffic control plan that includes an intersection.