Published November 2012

UDOT Construction Inspection Guide Construction Inspection GuideCHAPTER 2: Tra�c Control

Table of Contents

Traffic Control

2.1

Traffic Control Traffic control is an important part of any construction project. Effective planning of traffic control is key to providing for the safety of workers …. Inspection Preparation The contractor is required to provide a project specific Traffic Control Plan (TCP) meeting the requirements of sections 01554 and 01554M…. Pre-Inspection The inspector should become familiar with the project specific TCP and the MOT. The contractor must not begin work until the TCP is implemented….. Resources Reference the requirements outlined in the SN and TC Standard Series Drawings, the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), …..

Certification and Training All construction personnel, from management to on- site work crew, should receive training in traffic control appropriate to their job description and duties ….

Inspection The contractor must provide for the safety of commuters, pedestrians, and construction personnel with effective traffic control planning…. General Documentation Beyond the documentation of device type, location and/or spacing relative to traffic control and the general safety, or lack of safety…. Payments The Department will make partial payments based on the percentage of the project completed, excluding the cost of traffic control ….. 01554 Checklist Traffic Control Inspection Items

Temporary Pavement Markings All temporary pavement markings should be in accordance with chapter 3 of the MUTCD, except as indicated in section 6F.72….. 01558 Checklist Temporary Pavement Marking Inspection Items

2.2

CHAPTER 2: TRAFFIC CONTROL

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CHAPTER 2: TRAFFIC CONTROL

2.0 INTRODUCTIONTraffi c control is an important part of any constructi on project. Eff ecti ve planning of traffi c control is key to providing for the safety of workers and the safe movement of traffi c, including vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians. During implementati on of traffi c control measures and throughout constructi on, work zone personnel must adhere to procedure and follow all regulati ons. Inspectors must be diligent in the inspecti on of measures to increase safety.

2.1 TRAFFIC CONTROL – SECTION 01554The inspector must ensure that the contractor has provided for the safe and effi cient movement of traffi c whenever lane closures are required during constructi on, as well as the safety of the public and all work zone personnel. Of course, the contractor should minimize traffi c disrupti ons by restricti ng lane closures to the locati ons and ti mes essenti al to the prosecuti on of constructi on work.

INSPECTION PREPARATION

The contractor is required to provide a project specifi c Traffi c Control Plan (TCP) meeti ng the requirements of secti ons 01554 and 01554M. Ensure the contractor has ti mely submitt ed 3 hard or electronic copies of the project specifi c TCP to the Resident Engineer in the correct format, along with any authorized revisions. These should have been submitt ed no later than the fourth Wednesday following the bid opening. The TCP is project specifi c, so copies of standard TC drawings or other general plans will not suffi ce. Inspectors should request a copy, study it, and have it on hand at all ti mes.

Contracts oft en contain Maintenance of Traffi c (MOT) special provisions, which include project specifi c requirements that need to be included in the contractor’s TCP. Inspectors should ensure the contractor has submitt ed and implemented a MOT, and should request a copy of that as well. Reference secti ons 01557 and 10557M for more informati on on MOT. Additi onally, restricti ons under which the contractor must develop and implement the TCP are someti mes defi ned in special provision secti on 00555M under “Limitati on of Operati ons”. The inspector

Chapter 2

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needs to review all applicable traffi c control restricti ons and requirements with the Engineer before any work begins on the project. Inspectors should be aware of hazard miti gati on measures, and UDOT’s Hazard Miti gati on Table is a good resource to have on hand.

PRE-INSPECTION

The inspector should become familiar with the project specifi c TCP and the MOT. The contractor must not begin work unti l the TCP is implemented for the parti cular phase of work. Without writt en authorizati on from the Engineer, the contractor may not implement traffi c control measures. The Department will not grant additi onal ti me for preparing the TCP, so it should be completed, submitt ed and approved by the ti me inspecti on takes place.

RESOURCES

Reference the requirements outlined in the SN and TC Standard Series Drawings, the Manual on Uniform Traffi c Control Devices (MUTCD), and secti on 01554M, subsecti on 1.8, for questi ons regarding traffi c control generally. UDOT’s Workzone Traffi c Control Guide and Hazard Miti gati on Chart (Standard Drawing TC03 & TC03A) are also helpful resources. All of these can be found on UDOT’s web page under the “Inside UDOT” tab, and then follow links to “Operati ons”, and fi nally “Traffi c and Safety”.

The TCP should include detailed CAD drawings of actual project conditi ons such as grades, intersecti ons and accesses, as well as proposed speed reducti ons, device spacing and lengths of work and buff er zones. Inspectors should be familiar with procedures for dealing with emergencies and special situati ons identi fi ed in the TCP. Discrepancies between the TCP and the various Standard Specifi cati ons should be resolved in accordance with secti on 00727, Control of Work, covered in Chapter 1.

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Contractors must take care to place and maintain temporary traffi c control devices and pavement markings at all ti mes to ensure the safety of pedestrians and drivers. This includes maintaining the visibility of devices and markers at night, in rain, and during and aft er snowfall. Inspectors should be familiar with all such safety regulati ons before arriving on the job site and have the following references on hand:

• Copy of the approved project specifi c Traffi c Control Plan (TCP)

• Copy of the approved project specifi c Maintenance of Traffi c Plan (MOT)

• UDOT Hazard Miti gati on Table

• Current editi on of the MUTCD for work zone traffi c control

• UDOT Constructi on Manual of Instructi on (MOI)

• UDOT Standard Specifi cati ons

• Project Special Provisions

• UDOT TC Series Standard Drawings

• Copy of Constructi on Conti ngency Plan, if applicable.

• Copy of railroad permission and schedule, if applicable.

CERTIFICATIONS AND TRAINING

All constructi on personnel, from management to on-site work crew, should receive training in traffi c control appropriate to their job descripti on and duti es. Only those individuals who are properly trained and received required certi fi cati ons should supervise the maintenance of TC and placement of certain devices associated with its management.

The contractor may have appointed a Traffi c Control Maintainer who must be certi fi ed as a Traffi c Control Technician

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(TCT). These certi fi cati ons are available through the Department or the American Traffi c Safety Services Associati on, and for informati on go to Utah Department of Transportati on Web Site. If appointed, the TCT will oversee all traffi c operati ons, implement the TCP, and document traffi c inspecti ons on forms for the Engineer.

The inspector should request to see copies of all required certi fi cati ons for fl aggers, barrel placers, and Traffi c Control Maintainer, if applicable. Flaggers and barrel placers should have received proper training and certi fi cati ons. They should also wear the required refl ecti ve clothing. Informati on on safety and training can be found on UDOT’s web page. Follow links under the “Inside UDOT” tab to “Operati ons”, Traffi c and Safety”, “Workzone Safety”, and fi nally “Traffi c Control Resources.” The Inspector must check the traffi c control certi fi cati ons of all work personnel involved in traffi c control to ensure that the certi fi cati ons have been obtained and are current. It is the contractor’s responsibility to send copies of all current certi fi cati on cards to the Resident Engineer.

INSPECTION

The contractor must provide for the safety of commuters, pedestrians, and constructi on personnel with eff ecti ve traffi c control planning and implementati on throughout constructi on. The inspector must compare the TCP to conditi ons found at the job site. Drive through the various traffi c lanes, ramps, exits, and any areas with merging to check for the safety and understanding of the TCP for motorists.

Even though the TCP may be approved and properly implemented, motorists sti ll may not understand some aspect of the traffi c control measures, rendering the work zone unsafe. If this is found, immediately noti fy the contractor and make note of the conditi ons.

Consider the safety of pedestrians, bicyclists and workers when inspecti ng traffi c control measures. Pedestrians and bicyclists should be provided with safe, convenient, and easily accessible paths through work zones that do not lead to confl icts with vehicles or work site operati ons. Pay parti cular att enti on to their needs because of their sensiti vity to dust, fumes, noise, uneven surfaces, and debris. Paths provided should try to replicate the usual route, or at least the most desirable characteristi cs of it. Ensure all requirements

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of the Americans with Disabiliti es Act (ADA) are adhered to. Document any areas that are non- compliant with the ADA guidelines.

The contractor should provide for delineati on and temporary pavement markings on newly constructed asphalt. These markings should be refreshed and removed as required unti l the fi nal surfacing is placed. For more informati on on temporary pavement markings, see the following secti on, 2.2. All existi ng traffi c markings that confl ict with the TCP must be completely removed. Concrete barriers or other positi ve protecti on must be provided for all hazards to approach traffi c.

Ensure approval has been obtained from the Department and law enforcement a minimum of 48 hours prior to any traffi c slowdown. Highway Patrol Troopers or other law enforcement offi cers should assist to conduct the slowdown in required vehicles at required rates of one vehicle per lane. The contractor should provide additi onal vehicles as required by the offi cer.

If constructi on acti viti es will interfere with a railroad crossing or right of way, request documentati on of permission from the railroad company and the schedule of those acti viti es. If the Resident Engineer determined that a constructi on conti ngency plan was required, request a copy and become familiar with it.

DOCUMENTATION

Beyond the documentati on of device type, locati on and/or spacing relati ve to traffi c control and the general safety, or lack of safety, of implemented traffi c control measures, the inspector should document the ti me, locati on, and durati on of any lane or shoulder closures and any other acti ons or events that aff ect the fl ow of traffi c through the work zone. Make note of any unusual traffi c and emergency vehicle movement. Ensure any modifi cati ons made to the TCP are also being implemented. If constructi on operati ons interfere with vehicular or pedestrian traffi c, or have the potenti al to cause safety problems, immediately contact the contractor and request changes to those operati ons.

Workers should be appropriately trained and dressed to reduce their vulnerability to motor vehicle traffi c dangers, wearing high-visibility safety apparel. All devices and barriers should be placed to ensure their safety and reduce traffi c speed. Inspectors should randomly measure device placement, constructi on clear zones, and taper lengths to ensure mini- mum requirements are met. Inspectors should also ensure the proper locati on of arrow boards, Variable Message Signs, and hazard panels.

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The contractor should use traffi c control devices, systems, crash cushions, and truck mounted att enuators that meet NCHRO-350 Report crash test requirements as defi ned by the Federal Highway Administrati on. While there are some excepti ons noted in Secti on 1554M 1.7, inspectors should ensure that the contractor is aware of and has met those requirements. Pre-cast concrete barriers should also be certi fi ed for crash test safety, so look for a manufacturing stamp date on top of each barrier with dates aft er October 1st, 2002. Advanced warning arrow panels and portable variable message signs do not have to meet the requirement. For additi onal informati on on device acceptability, refer to Appendix A.

Portable Variable Message Signs (VMS) are widely used in traffi c control, and must be placed per project specifi c requirements. Inspectors will fi nd those requirements in the MOT plan. The contractor must place the VMS so the viewing angle is perpendicular to that of motorists, on the appropriate date (usually 7 to ten days in advance of constructi on), in the correct locati on, and displaying the correct message with all lights in the message in working order.

There are a few other things the inspector should be aware of on the job site. The con- tractor’s TCP should provide for suffi cient room for constructi on related vehicles to slow down prior to entering the work zone without disrupti ng traffi c or being forced to stop in traffi c lanes. Constructi on lighti ng should not blind oncoming traffi c. Finally and most importantly, inspectors should check on the eff ecti veness of traffi c control measures under varying conditi ons including wet weather, nightti me, and snow accumulati on.

PAYMENTS

The Department will make parti al payments based on the percentage of the project completed, excluding the cost of traffi c control. The Department will reduce payment when traffi c control is not in compliance with the TCP, or when the contractor fails to meet all requirements. Inspectors should note any deviati on from the TCP or any requirement in the daily logs. Stop work orders may be issued for non-compliance. Modifi cati ons to the TCP are generally paid by a pre-negoti ated unit price or lump sum, so note any modifi cati ons in the daily reports as well.

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In summary, inspecti on items include, but are not limited to, the items in the following table:

Common Issues:

1. Dirty devices

2. Diagonal directi on of channelizing device face or panel

3. Improper spacing on tapers

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Evaluation of traffi c and pedestrian fl ow in and adjacent to work zones.

Proper speed limits are posted along the entire length of that section of roadway.

Approved speed limits are effective for maintaining safety.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of the safety measures of the TCP, including during night time hours.

Traffi c control device compliance with NCHRP 350.

Refl ective sheeting compliance with UDOT specifi cations on signs and devices.

Traffi c control signs and devices are clean and in good working condition.

Proper size and spacing of traffi c control signs and devices.

Placement of all hazard signs for proper direction of striping.

Proper taper lengths.

Proper installation and replacement of crash cushions on blunt objects as required.

Proper distances barrels, crash cushions, and stored equipment from Construction work zones.

Approval of all slowdowns.

Proper temporary pavement marking placement and maintenance.

Evaluation of all signs for continued applicability, including removal of markings.

Traffi c Control Maintainer is UDOT certifi ed.

All TC work zone personnel hold current required certifi cations.

Check arrow boards and variable message signs/boards (VMS) for the following:

Proper size for the classifi cation of road Proper alignment to the road Proper alignment to the on-coming driver All lights for message are working Proper brightness for day and night operation Message can be read by drivers in the time

allotted by the VMS

Pre-Inspection Items Contractor’s superintendent and traffi c control maintainer

have a copy of the project specifi c approved TCP and MOT, including any authorized revisions or modifi cations.

Contractor follows the approved TCP, including proper signing, taper lengths, device spacing, acceptable clear zone, hazard mitigation, and device maintenance.

Traffi c control devices comply with NCHRP 350 requirements and meet “acceptable” criteria per the American Traffi c Safety Services Association (ATSSA) Quality Standards for Work Zone Traffi c Control Devices.

Traffi c Control Maintainer is UDOT certifi ed, if applicable.

Flagging personnel and barrel placers are properly certifi ed.

Field Documentation Items Contractor is performing daily traffi c control inspection reports in accordance with Section 01554 and 01554S.

Traffi c is moving safely and the safety of the public and workers is provided for.

Acceptable covering or removal of inapplicable signing and pavement markings.

Traffi c control device compliance.

01554 - TRAFFIC CONTROL INSPECTION ITEMS

SECTION 01554 INSPECTION CHECKLIST

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2.2 TEMPORARY PAVEMENT MARKINGS – SECTION 01558All temporary pavement markings should be in accordance with chapter 3 of the MUTCD, except as indicated in secti on 6F.72, and should be maintained to provide for the safety of the public and constructi on personnel. In areas where it is not possible to provide clear pavement markings, other methods such as warning signs and channeling devices should be uti lized.

PRE-INSPECTION

The inspector should ensure that the contractor has an approved Traffi c Control Plan (TCP) and review the secti ons applicable to temporary pavement markings. Inspectors should be familiar with requirements such as materials and paint applicati on minimum lengths. Refer to secti ons 01558 and 01558M for material requirements. Coordinate all project sampling, testi ng and certi fi cati on through materials testi ng technician for quality verifi cati on.

INSPECTION

Ensure temporary pavement markings are uti lized where called for in the TCP and care- fully reviewed during dayti me and nightti me periods. Marking applicati on should meet all requirements in the TCP, the MUTCD and the Standard Specifi cati ons. Paint applicati ons that are no longer applicable should be removed or obliterated as soon as practi cal. Pavement markings

should be placed along the enti re length of any detour or road- way, and should be maintained and reviewed for conti nued applicability.

PAYMENTS

Temporary pavement markings are considered incidental to other items of work; no separate measurement or payment is made by the Department, unless there is a specifi c bid item included in the proposal. All costs are to be included in Traffi c Control.

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Pre-Inspection Items All materials are sampled, tested and certifi ed per requirements.

Approved TCP and any modifi cations.

Field Documentation Items Paint application rate meets minimum requirements.

Markings are applied along the entire length of any roadway surfaces opened to traffi c, and they are maintained and removed as required.

Placement and layout of markings is in accordance with approved TCP and any modifi cations.

Tapers meet required minimum lengths.

Acceptable marking width, spacing, and required lane widths.

Acceptable removal of inapplicable markings.

Pavement marking tape is applied according to manufacturer’s directions.

01558 - TEMPORARY PAVEMENT MARKINGS

SECTION 01558 INSPECTION CHECKLIST

Construction Inspection Guide Chapter Links

1-Preface & Introduction

2-Traffic Control

3-Demolition and Earthwork

4-Drainage

5-Pavement & Materials

6-Structures

7-Traffic Signals, Lighting, ATMS

8-Striping, Signing, Safety Features

9-Landscaping, Fencing, Incidental Const.

10-Utilities

11-PDBS

12-Crash Cushion & Barrier End Treatments

Construction Inspection Guide

udot.utah.gov/go/construction