Installing and Maintaining Crashworthy Work Zone Traffic Control Devices

A variety of traffic control devices are used to control and guide motorists approaching and traveling through a work zone. Ensuring that these devices are crashworthy is critical to the safety of both the motoring public and to the roadway workers who are on or near the roadway performing the necessary work. These devices must be properly installed and maintained in the field over the duration of the work zone to ensure that they will perform as designed if impacted by an errant vehicle.This document explains basic concepts and criteria regarding work zone device crashworthiness for field personnel. Information is provided on items to ensure various work zone devices typically used are indeed crashworthy. Resources are provided at the end of this document for more specific information regarding crashworthy work zone traffic control devices. Examples of improper installation or repairs to devices are highlighted, along with an explanation of why they are not crashworthy.