Technical Assistance Report – Traffic Management Techniques for Work Zones

The purpose of this effort was to conduct a literature review and canvass other state departments of transportation (DOTs) to identify new traffic management and construction techniques for use on projects to reduce work zone accidents related to congestion. This report focuses on the traffic management techniques. A questionnaire was sent to 49 state DOT representatives on the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials’ Subcommittee on Traffic Engineering. Responses were received from 26, yielding a response rate of 51 percent. Most DOTs do not have guidelines for developing congestion mitigation plans on construction. The technique most frequently cited (12 DOTs) to reduce accidents was the use of police. How the police were employed varied from police presence with flashing lights, police patrolling, and police patrolling and writing tickets. The use of increased fines for traffic violations was cited by 9 DOTs. The technique most frequently cited (7 DOTs) to reduce delay was to restrict work hours. For incident management, 6 DOTs use on-site wreckers to expedite the removal of vehicles involved in an accident. In one case, the on-site wrecker operator also operates a portable advance traveler information system. Eight DOTs sign detour routes when appropriate and when capacity is sufficient. Public information campaigns on major construction projects are performed in varying degrees.