Short-Term Stationary Work

Part 6 Updates
and
Common Construction Issues
Chris Brookes
Work Zone Delivery Engineer
brookesc@michigan.gov
517-242-6486
Chuck Bergmann
Work Zone Technician
bergmannc@michigan.gov
517-322-3314

www.michigan.gov/midashboard
Work Zone
Injuries &
Fatalities

Crashes and Injuries
Fatal and Incapacitating
7000
2011 Statewide Work Zone Crashes
120
6000
100
5000
4000
3000
2000
80
60
40
1000
20
0
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Year
0
Crashes Injuries Fatalities Incapacitating

Crash and Injuries
Fatal and Incapacitating
2011 Trunkline Work Zone Crashes
5000
4500
90
80
4000
3500
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Year
0
Crashes Injuries Fatalities Incapacitating

2011 Work Zone Related Crashes by Cause
Other, 352
Narrowing / Shifting Lanes,
19
Fail to Yield On Ramp, 56
Slow / Yielding Traffic On
Ramp, 57
Debris in Roadway,
113
Slow / Stopping Traffic,
992
Late Taper
Merge,
134
Hit Object, 159

2011 Non - Work Zone Related Crashes by Cause
Other, 260
Failure to Stop, 310
Deer, 79
Intoxicated, 31
Hit Object, 60
Disregarded Traffic Signal,
63
Lane Change, 209

Work Zone Policy
Updates
• 2011 Michigan MUTCD
– December 1, 2011
• Part 6
– Effective April 1, 2012
• MDOT Work Zone Safety and
Mobility Policy Review
– Currently ongoing

Part 6
Temporary Traffic
Control

Paragraphs are
numbered!
Guidance
statements are
italicized

Metric values have been removed
from the text, figures, and tables
• Only English units are used in the text, tables,
and figures of the MMUTCD
New Appendix
A2 includes the
equivalent
metric values for
all English units
used in the
MMUTCD

Minimum length for
one-lane, two-way traffic
taper added to Table 6C-3
Type of Taper
Merging Taper
Shifting Taper
Shoulder Taper
One-Lane, Two-Way Traffic Taper
Downstream Taper
Taper Length
at least L
at least 0.5 L
at least 0.33 L
50 feet minimum, 100 feet maximum
100 feet per lane

TAs with freeway lane closures
- TAs 37, 38, 39, 42, and 44
- Arrow board shall be used
for all freeway lane
closures
- Separate arrow board shall
be used for each closed
lane for multi-lane closures

Better Roads – In Court
• A motorcyclist crashes
maneuvering over uneven lane
heights in a construction zone.
• Is the contractor to blame
• Section 6F.45 UNEVEN
LANES Sign (W8-11)
• Guidance: The UNEVEN
LANES (W8-11) sign (see
Figure 6F-4) should be used
during operations that create a
difference in elevation between
adjacent lanes that are open to
travel
• Jury found Failure to act fell
below the standard of care for
contractors.

New symbol
sign and
supplemental
plaque for
shoulder
drop-off

New Alternating Diamond
Merge Right
Display to indicate Caution on
an Arrow Board
Merge Right or Left
or
or
hing Caution Flashing Caution
Alternating Diamond Caution
Minimum Legibility
Distance
Minimum Number
of Elements

TTC plan should be developed for
planned special events that will
impact traffic
Bike race

Work Zone Safety and Mobility (WZSM) - News
• Links for
– System Operations Advisories
(SOA’s)
– Traffic and Safety Advisories
– BOH – Instructional
Memorandums
– Construction Advisories (CA’s)
• Sign Up for E-mail Alerts
• Additional Links to Manuals and
other Work Zone items
• Google Title to find home
page
• http://www.michigan.gov/
mdot/0,1607,7-151-
9625_54944---,00.html

System Operations Advisories
(SOA)
• 2011-04 Channelizing Devices in Work Zones
– 42” devices Maybe used in lieu of a standard cone for night work
• 2011-06 Uniformed Law Enforcement in Work Zones
– MDOT in cooperation with the FHWA, has established a guidance document for
uniformered law enforcement in work zones
• 2010-05 Traffic Regulating Instruction Manual
– all regulators and supervisors are required to read the revised manual

Work Zone Safety
• The MMUTCD, Part 6 states:
– The primary function of TTC is to provide for
the reasonably safe and efficient movement of
road users through or around TTC zones
while reasonably protecting workers,
responders to traffic incidents, and
equipment.

• Video 1

Work Zone Principles
• Traffic control must be part of early project
planning.
• Disturb traffic as little as possible.
• Guide motorists and pedestrians in a clear manner.
• Change traffic control if not working.
• Inspect devices and travel path for proper
maintenance.
• Train all people whose decisions affect the work
zone.
• Work zone enforcement.
• Maintain good public relations.

• Video 2

Designing Work Zones
• Balance Contractor needs vs. motorist
needs vs. project cost
• Be thorough in planning for traffic
movements.
• Include design for pedestrians.
• Establish realistic speeds, minimize
reductions.

Understanding the Motorist
• The Motorist may also have physical
limitations or reduced skills:
– Poor vision
– Reduced reaction time
– Medications
– Distracted driving

• Worker Visibility Final
Rule put into effect for
federal aid roadways
Nov. 24, 2008
• 2011 MMUTCD
High Vis Clothing
Changed to all roadways,
Compliance date
Dec. 31, 2011

…but they must also be in good
shape…

..the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly…

Worker Safety Considerations -
Lighting
Where nighttime work is performed the work
location shall be lighted per the:
– 2012 Spec Book 812.03.H
– MIOHSA General Rule R408.40133

Night Time Lighting

See the excavator and truck

Find the 2 workers…

He’s just to
the right of
the 3 small
lights.
Can You See the Worker

“Gamma”
adjusted
on digital
photo
Now – can you see the worker

Things to think about…
• Ease of use for the workers
• Integral to the truck
• Impact to motoring public
– Glare / Angle of lights
– Too many flashing amber lights may be too much
• Lighting should help the workers see and be
seen.
• Is there a light meter available to check

Work Zone “Defined”
• “Work zone” means a portion of a street or
highway that meets any of the following:
(a) Is between a “work zone begins” sign and an
“end road work” sign.
(b) For construction, maintenance, or utility work
activities conducted by a work crew and more than
1 moving vehicle, is between a “begin work
convoy” sign and an “end work convoy” sign.

Work Zone “Defined”
• (c) For construction, maintenance, surveying, or utility work activities
conducted by a work crew and 1 moving or stationary vehicle
exhibiting a rotating beacon or strobe light, is between the following
points:
• (i) A point that is 150 feet behind the rear of the vehicle or that is the
point from which the beacon or strobe light is first visible on the
street or highway behind the vehicle, whichever is closer to the
vehicle.
• (ii) A point that is 150 feet in front of the front of the vehicle or that is
the point from which the beacon or strobe light is first visible on the
street or highway in front of the vehicle, whichever is closer to the
vehicle.

Work Duration
Section 6G.02
• A. Long term stationary is work that occupies a location
more than 3 days
• B. Intermediate-term stationary is work that occupies a
location more then one daylight period up to 3 days, or
nighttime work lasting more than 1 hour.
• C. Short-term stationary is daytime work that occupies a
location for more than 1 hour with in a single daylight
period.
• D. Short Duration is work that occupies a location up to 1
hour
• E. Mobile is work that moves intermittently or
continuously.

Work Duration
• (A) Long term and (B) Intermediate-term require
retroreflective and/or illuminated devices shall be used.
• (C) Short-term stationary (D) Short duration – devices
having greater mobility might be used, but safety should
not be compromised by using fewer devices.
– The increased hazards can justify the reduction in the
number of devices if this is offset by the use of other
more dominant devices.
• (E) Mobile – shall have appropriate devices on
equipment, or use a separate vehicle with the
appropriate warning devices.

Definitions
• Long-Term Stationary Work
Support:
• At long-term stationary work zones, there is ample time to install and realize benefits
from the full range of temporary traffic control procedures and devices that are
available for use. Generally, larger channelizing devices, temporary roadways, and
temporary traffic barriers are used.
Guidance:
• Inappropriate markings in long-term stationary work zones should be removed and
replaced with temporary markings.
Standard:
• Since long-term operations extend into nighttime, retro reflective and/or illuminated
devices shall be used in long-term stationary work zones.

Intermediate Work
• Intermediate-Term Stationary Work
Support:
• In intermediate-term stationary work zones, it might not be feasible or practical to use
procedures or devices that would be desirable for long-term stationary temporary
traffic control zones, such as altered pavement markings, temporary traffic barriers,
and temporary roadways.
• The increased time to place and remove these devices in some cases could
significantly lengthen the project, thus increasing exposure time. In other instances,
there might be insufficient payback time to economically justify more elaborate
temporary traffic control measures.
Standard:
• Since intermediate-term operations extend into nighttime, retroreflective and/or
illuminated devices shall be used in intermediate-term stationary work zones.

Short-Term Work
• Short-Term Stationary Work
• Support:
• Most maintenance and utility operations are short-term
stationary work.

Short Duration
Short-Duration Work
• As compared to stationary operations, mobile and short-duration operations are activities that
might involve different treatments. Devices having greater mobility might be necessary such as
signs mounted on trucks. Devices that are larger, more imposing, or more visible can be used
effectively and economically. The mobility of the work zone is important. Maintaining reasonably
safe work and road user conditions is a paramount goal in carrying out mobile operations.
Guidance:
• Safety in short-duration or mobile operations should not be compromised by using fewer devices
simply because the operation will frequently change its location.
Option:
• Appropriately colored or marked vehicles with high-intensity rotating, flashing, oscillating, or strobe
lights may be used in place of signs and channelizing devices for short-duration or mobile
operations. These vehicles may be augmented with signs or arrow panels.
Support:
• During short-duration work, it often takes longer to set up and remove the work zone than to
perform the work. Workers face hazards in setting up and taking down the work zone. Also, since
the work time is short, delays affecting road users are significantly increased when additional
devices are installed and removed.

Short Duration
• Option:
• Considering these factors, simplified control procedures
may be warranted for short-duration work.
• A reduction in the number of devices may be offset by
the use of other more dominant devices such as high
intensity rotating, flashing, oscillating, or strobe lights on
work vehicles.

Work Zone Typicals
• http://www.michigan.gov/mdot
– Click on “Maps and Publications” on the left
side of the page
– Click on “Traffic Standards and Typicals”
under Plans & Specifications
– Click on Work Zones on left side of the page.
OR
http://mdotwas1.mdot.state.mi.us/public/tands/p
lans.cfm

Maintenance Work Zone Traffic
Control Guidelines
• http://www.michigan.gov/documents/zonecontrol_112912_7.pdf

Construction
Tools to Improve Safety

NTCIP Compliant PCMS
• Post timely incident
management
response messages
• Current and accurate
construction
scheduling messages
• Real time traveler
information
• SOA – 2012-01

Signing

Signing

Common Issues

Correct

Type III
Details

Evaluation of TTC

Retroreflective

6F.67 Drums
• Minimum of 36” in height
• Marking shall be horizontal
alternating orange and white
stripes 4” to 6” wide, with the top
stripe being orange.
• MDOT requires 6” wide stripes
• Minimum 2 orange and 2 white
stripes

Cover Existing Signs

Cover Existing Signs
812.03.D.2
•Do not use sign plaque overlays that alter part
of the legend or symbol.
For temporary signs on fixed supports, cover the
entire sign legend
Do not use burlap or similar material to cover
Department owned signs. The Contractor may
use soft covers on other temporary signs.

Sign Covers

Do you see a problem

Sign Placement

Pavement markings
&
Temporary Signing

Ballasting
WZD-125 - SIGN STAND IS BALLASTED WITH FOUR OR MORE 35
LB SANDBAGS. A MINIMUM OF ONE ON EACH END

Bottom Heights

• For locations with
guardrail, if conditions
require temporary
removal of temporary
signs on portable
supports, remove the sign
stands from the uprights.
Lay the sign behind the
guardrail, and place
support stands and
ballasts close to the
guardrail
Sign Storage
812.03.D.1

Construction equipment interfering
with traffic

Construction Equipment in Traffic
Section 257 – 62, 216, 302
• Michigan Vehicle Code
257.688
– An equilateral triangle in
shape, at least 16 inches wide
at the base and at least 14
inches in height: with a dark
red border, at least 1-3/4
inches wide of highly reflective
beaded material
– A center triangle, at least 12-
1/4 inches on each side of
yellow-orange fluorescent
material
• Shall be mounted on the rear of
the vehicle, broad base down, not
less than 3 feet nor more than 5
feet above the ground and as near
the center of the vehicle as
possible.

Worker
Behavior
• How do
you like
the worker
position in
relation to
the
cones

• Do you
like this
position
better
Worker Behavior

• What do you think about the worker’s position – in the live lane of
traffic
• (Think maybe the arrow board is pointing drivers to him)

Worker Behavior – Standing on Walls

When Working Near Traffic…Your
Responsibilities
• Think Safety at all times.
• Assume all lanes are open to traffic.
• Never assume that traffic sees you.
• Never assume that the driver is driving
safely.
• Pay attention to work equipment and
operators.

When Working Near Traffic…Your
Responsibilities
• Always look and listen.
• Do not walk side by side.
• Know where you are at all times.
• Always try to have an escape path.
• When possible, work with a traffic spotter.
• When possible do not turn your back to
traffic.

Working near Traffic

Working near Traffic

Questions
• Chris Brookes
• BrookesC@michigan.gov
• Cell: 517-242-6486
• Desk: 517-636-0300
• Chuck Bergmann
• BergmannC@michigan.gov
• Cell: 517-388-5228
• Desk: 517-322-3314