hero unit training module work zone traffic control and incident management operations

HERO UNITHERO UNITTraining ModuleTraining Module

Work Zone Traffic ControlWork Zone Traffic ControlAndAnd

Incident Management OperationsIncident Management Operations

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OverviewOverview

The purpose of this course is to provide the participants with an understanding of the purpose, requirements, responsibility, design, and placement criteria for traffic control devices at incident scenes and work zones.

The participants will consider the factors which affect device placement and select appropriate device spacing.

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ObjectiveObjective

To provide each student with a general knowledge of the guidelines and tools which will enable them to identify and apply workable techniques for installing, removing and evaluating traffic control in work zones and incident sites.

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DefinitionsDefinitions

Traffic Queue

A line of vehicles waiting in a backup, as a result of congestion and/or an incident.

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Peak-Hour Traffic

Those hours when the highest number of vehicles are found to be traveling a given

section of roadway.

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Off-Peak Hours

Those hours when traffic volumes are not at there peak.

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Purpose of Traffic ControlsPurpose of Traffic Controls

The purpose of traffic control devices and warrants for there use is to help insure highway

safety by providing for the orderly and predictable movement of all traffic.

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Purpose of Traffic ControlsPurpose of Traffic Controls

Traffic Control devices are used to direct and assist vehicle operators in the guidance and

navigation tasks required to transverse safely any facility open to public travel.

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Requirement For DevicesRequirement For Devices

To be effective, a traffic control device should meet 5 basic requirements:

• Fulfill a need• Command attention• Convey a clear, simple meaning• Command respect of road users• Provide adequate response time

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Meeting RequirementsMeeting Requirements

There are 5 ways to insure that the basic requirements of traffic control devices are met:

• Design• Placement• Operation• Maintenance• Uniformity

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Keys for Effective ApplicationKeys for Effective Application

• Standardization

• Simplicity (K.I.S.S.)

• Consistency

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Devices used at Work Zones & IncidentsDevices used at Work Zones & Incidents

• Warning Signs • Channelizing Devices • Temporary Barriers • Pavement Markings • Lighting • Arrow Boards • Special Devices

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Temporary Traffic Control Work ZoneTemporary Traffic Control Work Zone

Most temporary traffic control work zones can be divided in to four parts:

• Advanced Warning Area • Transition Area • Activity Area • Termination Area

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Location & Placement CriteriaLocation & Placement Criteria

Warning Sign Series (Advance Warning Area)

• The first sign is used to attract the attention of the driver, “Pay attention”,“Pay attention”, you are approaching a work zone and/or roadway emergency. • The second sign should describe the “situation“situation ahead”,ahead”, (Right/Left Lane Closed)

• The third sign should specify the “action to be“action to be taken”,taken”, (Merge Left/Right)

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Warning Sign PlacementWarning Sign Placement

A driver should have at least 5 seconds to read the sign, understand it and take the appropriate action that is called for on the sign before reading the next sign or other device.

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Work Zone ApplicationWork Zone Application

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Work Zone ApplicationWork Zone Application

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Temporary Work ZoneTemporary Work Zone

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FactFact

At 70 mph, a vehicle travels over 510 feet in just 5 seconds.

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Placement of Warning SignsPlacement of Warning Signs

Conditions which may affect the placement & spacing of warning signs:

• Curvature of Roadway (vertical & horizontal alignment)

• Time of Day• Weather conditions• Traffic conditions

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Tapers (Transition Area)Tapers (Transition Area)

Tapers are used to move traffic laterally from one path to another.

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2 Types of Tapers2 Types of Tapers

Upstream and Downstream Tapers

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Upstream:Upstream:

Toward the source of traffic (the direction traffic is coming from)

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Downstream:Downstream:

In the direction of the traffic flow (The direction

where traffic is going)

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UpstreamUpstream DownstreamDownstream

• Merging taper • Termination Taper

• Shifting taper• Shoulder taper• Two-way traffic taper

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Upstream TapersUpstream Tapers

Merging Taper:

Is used to close a travel lane on a multi-lane roadway.

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Calculating Taper LengthsCalculating Taper Lengths

Two pieces of information is required:Two pieces of information is required:

1. Lateral shift in feet2. Prevailing speed (Posted Speed Limit)

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Formulas for LFormulas for L

For speed limits of 40 mph or less: L= WS²

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For speed limits of 45 mph or greater:L= WS

Where: L = taper length in feet W = width of offset in feet

S = posted speed limit

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Example ProblemsExample Problems

Lateral Shift = 12’Posted Speed Limit = 55 mphWhat would be the taper length?

L = W x S L = 12’ x 55 mph L = 660 feet taper

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Example ProblemExample Problem

Lateral shift = 12’Posted Speed Limit = 40 mphWhat would be the taper length? L = W x S² 60 L = 12’ x 40² 60 L = 12’ x 1600 60 L = 19200 60 L = 320 feet taper

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If you had to close a travel lane on I-20 with a lane width of 12’, and a posted speed limit of 65 mph, what would be the minimum length of the merging taper?

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AnswerAnswer

L = 12’ x 65 mphL = 780 feet (minimum taper length)

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If you are closing a lane on US 19/41 and the lane width is 10’ and the posted speed limit is 40 mph, what would be the minimum length of the merging taper?

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AnswerAnswer

L = 10’ x 40² 60L = 10 x 1600 60L = 16000 60L = 266.67 or 267 feet (minimum taper length)

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• Merging• Shifting Taper: is used when merging is not required, but a

lateral shift for all travel lanes is needed.

The formula for determining the minimum length of a shifting taper is:

½ of L½ of L

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• Merging Taper• Shifting Taper• Shoulder Taper: is used to initiate a shoulder closure.

The formula for determining the minimum length of a shoulder taper is:

⅓ ⅓ of Lof L

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UpstreamUpstream

• Merging Taper• Shifting Taper• Shoulder Taper• Two-Way Traffic Taper: The one lane, two-way traffic taper is used in advance

of a work area which requires the closure of one lane of a two-lane roadway, usually under control of a flagger.

The maximum taper length is 100’100’ with TCDsat 20’20’ spacing

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Spacing of Channelizing DevicesSpacing of Channelizing Devices

The maximum space between devices in a taper normally approximates the distance in feet of the posted speed limit in miles per hours.

As a rule, use one device for each one foot of lane width.

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ExampleExample

Posted Speed Limit = 65 mph:Spacing of channelizing devices in a taper would

be 65 feet.

Closing a 12’ lane:Number of devices needed for the taper would

be 12 + 1 = 13 (one needed at each end of the taper).

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Downstream TaperDownstream Taper

• Termination Taper:

this taper is used to provide a visual indication to drivers that they may move back into a previously closed lane (Use is optional).

The minimum length of the termination taper is 100’100’

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Double Lane ClosuresDouble Lane Closures

A transition is needed between the two tapers which has a minimum length of 2L, where L is the length computed for an individual merging taper. Example:

If L = 700’700’ for a merging taper length, then the transition length between the first taper and the second taper would be 1400’.1400’.

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Installing TCDsInstalling TCDs

• Devices are installed in the direction that traffic moves – that is, “Downstream”.“Downstream”.

• The 1st device placed is the 1st Advance Warning Sign

• then proceed with:• Advanced Warning Area• Transition Area• Activity Area• Termination Area

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Removal SequenceRemoval Sequence

When possible, traffic control zones should be removed by picking up the devices in a reverse sequence to that used for installation.

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Incident Management SituationsIncident Management Situations

For unexpected incidents, particularly those of an emergency nature, temporary traffic control devices on hand may be used for the initial response as long as they do not themselves create unnecessary additional hazards.

(MUTCD 2000, Part VI, page 6G-21)

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Incident Management SituationsIncident Management Situations

When should the installation of more permanent traffic control devices be considered?

• If it is determined that the clean-up and removal of an incident from a travel lane will take longer than 1 hour.

• If it is determined that it would be in the best interest of the incident victims, motorists, emergency personnel, and to protect the incident site.

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Typical ApplicationsTypical Applications

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RememberRemember

There are hazards associated with setting up and removing traffic controls. Therefore, if the incident is a short duration incident (less than 1

hour, MUTCD 2000- Part VI, page 6G-2) more permanent traffic controls will not normally be required.

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RememberRemember

As a rule, most incident will not require any additional traffic control devices other than the traffic cones, emergency warning lights and arrow boards which are standard equipment for the HERO operator.

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Major Roadway IncidentsMajor Roadway Incidents

For major roadway incidents, where travel lanes and/or roadways must be closed for an extended period of time, routine maintenance will be asked to assist with traffic control and the establishment of alternate routes if necessary.

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SummarySummary

The primary function of temporary traffic control at an incident management scene is to protect the victims, the scene, emergency service personnel while moving road users safely and expeditiously past or around the incident, and to reduce the likelihood of secondary crashes.

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HERO UNITHERO UNIT

Questions or DiscussionQuestions or Discussion

hero unit training module work zone traffic control and incident management operations

Documents

work zone application

consistency slide

traffic volumes

merge leftright slide

temporary work zone

definitions traffic

warning sign placement

adequate response time