Work Zone Mobility and Safety Program
Photo collage: temporary lane closure, road marking installation, cone with mounted warning light, and drum separated work zones.
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Transportation Management Plan (TMP) Development Resources

FHWA TMP Resources

  • Developing and Implementing Transportation Management Plans for Work Zones (HTML, PDF 1.4MB) - Provides information about developing and implementing TMPs, including how and where a TMP fits into project-level processes and procedures, a list of components to consider for inclusion in a TMP, descriptions of work zone management strategies, and examples and practices of how agencies are using TMPs.
  • Transportation Management Plan Requirements for Local Public Agencies (LPAs) (HTML, Video, PDF 177KB) - Though specifically targeted to LPAs, the information on this page provides a good overview of what a TMP should include and how TMPs need to factor into project delivery.
  • Sample Transportation Management Plans and Templates - Provides samples, templates, and tips to help transportation agencies develop and implement their own TMPs. The links below include a link to the entire document, which includes the sample plans and templates, and links to the individual templates in editable Microsoft Word format so that agencies can fill in and tailor the templates to their projects.
    • Sample Transportation Management Plans and Templates (HTML, PDF 5.2MB)
    • TMP Template 1: Minor-to-Moderate Impacts (HTML, DOC 417KB)
    • TMP Template 2: Moderate-to-Major Impacts (HTML, DOC 517KB)
  • Implementation of Transportation Management Plans (HTML, PPT 4.6MB) - Presentation covering the basics of TMP development, the role designers play in developing TMPs, the state of the practice of TMP development and implementation, and a list of TMP development resources.
  • To Lesson Work Zone Impacts: Try TMPs - Article in the September/October 2010 issue of FHWA Public Roads that describes how TMPs can help State DOTs identify and coordinate strategies to reduce crashes and congestion during construction projects.
  • Webinar on Developing Successful TMPs — held on May 3, 2011
    • Recording
    • Transcript (HTML, DOCX 56KB)
    • Presentation by Angie Kremer, Michigan DOT – Focuses on TMP review and monitoring processes (HTML, PDF 1MB)
    • Presentation by Russell Holt, Rhode Island DOT – Focuses on the development and usage of TMP templates (HTML, PDF 1.3MB)
    • Presentation by Tom Notbohm, Wisconsin DOT – Focuses on WisDOT safety-related TMP strategies (HTML, PDF 3.1MB)
  • Assessing the Effectiveness of TMP Strategies (HTML, PDF 629 KB) - Findings of research to identify and assess the feasibility and usefulness of and possible approaches to assessing the effectiveness of TMP strategies.

State-Developed TMP Resources

California Department of Transportation

California policy states that "TMPs, including contingency plans, are required for all construction, maintenance, encroachment permit, planned emergency restoration, locally or specially-funded, or other activities on the state highway system. Where several consecutive or linking projects or activities within a region or corridor create a cumulative need for a TMP, the Department coordinates individual TMPs or develops a single interregional TMP." Links to Caltrans TMP development resources are provided below.

Florida Department of Transportation

Chapter 10 of Florida DOT's Plans Preparation Manual (PDF 648KB) is on TMP Development. It describes the different components of a TMP, provides a step by step process for temporary traffic control plan development, describes transportation operations and public information strategies, highlights the importance of coordinating with concurrent work zone projects, and describes numerous traffic control strategies.

Illinois Department of Transportation

The Illinois DOT developed several resources to assist with TMP Development, including a TMP Checklist, Significant Route Location Maps, and a Work Zone Safety and Mobility Process Flowchart. These resources are included in the Illinois Work Zone Safety and Mobility Policy. The Work Zone Safety and Mobility Process Flowchart (Appendix A) begins by determining if the project is significant, and then moves to developing the TMP, assessing impacts, revising the TMP accordingly, and finalizing the TMP. The Significant Route Location Maps (Appendix B) show those state routes where a lane closure on the roadway is expected to cause sustained work zone impacts that are not considered tolerable based on the goals and objectives of Illinois's work zone policy or public opinion. The TMP Checklist (Appendix C) lists the possible TMP components described in Section 3.0 of the FHWA document "Developing and Implementing Transportation Management Plans for Work Zones."

Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development

The Louisiana DOTD has a TMP Directive that sets a policy for TMPs. The policy describes what is required for each of Louisiana's four levels of TMPs and includes a checklist for each TMP type. It also includes a roles, responsibilities, and resources sheet to indicate who is responsible for each component of a TMP.

Maryland State Highway Administration (MdSHA)

The Maryland SHA (MdSHA) developed guidelines for SHA staff, consultants, and contractors who are involved in the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of MdSHA facilities, on how to develop, implement, and evaluate TMPs. The guidelines include appendices, such as a maintenance of traffic red flag summary form, a summary of work zone impact management strategies, and guidance on developing public information and outreach plans.

  • TMP Guidelines (PDF 163KB)
  • Maintenance of Traffic Red Flag Summary (PDF 23KB) - Checklist to help the Project Manager and TMP Team identify potential maintenance of traffic issues that should be considered during project development. The checklist helps MdSHA "flag" locations that may entail additional study; creative management, design or construction approaches; or increased right-of-way or construction costs.
  • Work Zone Design Checklist (PDF 39KB) - Checklist for identifying traffic control options, work zone impacts, and impacts management strategies.
  • Work Zone Analysis Guide (PDF 19MB) - Provides guidance on work zone traffic analysis methods for arterials and freeways and includes an impacts analysis report template, examples of analysis reports, and an analysis checklist.
  • Summary of Work Zone Impact Management Strategies (PDF 69KB) - Provides definitions of work zone impact management strategies, many specific to MdSHA, and is intended to be a reference for selecting work zone management strategies.
  • Public Information and Outreach Plans Development Guidance (PDF 165KB) - Provides guidance on developing public information and outreach plans and information on potential strategies, possible stakeholders and interested parties, sample goals and measures of effectiveness, and the process for a public information and outreach effort.
  • Public Information and Outreach Template (PDF 88KB) - To be used to identify the issues and messages, the target audience, budget, message delivery mechanisms, and success factors for MdSHA projects.

Michigan Department of Transportation

Section 4 of the Michigan DOT (MDOT) Work Zone Safety and Mobility Manual (PDF 709KB) describes the various components of a TMP and potential TMP strategies, Section 7 describes TMP implementation procedures, and Page 127 of this Manual includes a sample TMP. MDOT developed a TMP template (HTML, PDF 159KB, DOC 133KB) that includes sample language and tips and suggestions for creating a TMP that is unique to a project. This TMP template is meant to be modified based on a project's needs. A presentation entitled "Michigan DOT TMP Process, Content, Implementation, Lessons Learned" describes more about MDOT's TMPs.

Missouri Department of Transportation

Missouri DOT (MoDOT) developed a TMP Strategy Database to aid in the selection of work zone management strategies and the development of TMPs for road projects in a more systematic way. The database was developed by the Work Zone Quality Circle, MoDOTs work zone management task force, and is based on the work zone management strategies matrix found in Developing and Implementing Transportation Management Plans for Work Zones. The TMP Strategy Database is an Access database that returns possible appropriate work zone management strategies based on user inputs. The database is organized around four major triggers (project goals): time concerns, public impact, location, and traffic flow. Under each area, users can select options such as "short-term project" or "concerns for worker safety" and the system will display the possible strategies that will meet the goals of each project. The strategies are accompanied by additional pertinent information, such as whether increased enforcement or public information is needed. MoDOT intends to use the TMP Database at the very beginning of work zone planning in order to choose the most effective methods from the start, with re-evaluation occurring in the design stage. Construction personnel are also able to use the program to find a solution to concerns that may arise while a work zone is in operation.

For each project, MoDOT develops an executive summary that describes the project, identifies whether it is a significant project, and describes the TMP strategies that will be implemented for the project. These summaries will be attached to the output from the database.

Oregon Department of Transportation Three Levels of TMPs

To keep traffic and freight moving, the Oregon DOT (ODOT) instituted a statewide traffic mobility program that focuses on identifying and addressing mobility issues for construction projects prior to and during the design phase and through the development and implementation of TMPs. The goal of the TMPs is to address the traffic-related impacts of projects in a cost-effective, timely manner with minimal interference to the traveling public through the effective application of traditional and innovative traffic mitigation strategies. Read more

Rhode Island Department of Transportation

The Rhode Island DOT (RIDOT) developed requirements for transportation management plan (TMP) preparation and submission. The TMP strategies selected for a project are based on the project's Impact Level. Projects assigned as Impact Level 1 or 2 are considered significant projects. Projects assigned a Level 3 are considered to have moderate impacts, and projects assigned a Level 4 are considered to have low impacts. To assist designers in preparing TMPs for projects, RIDOT developed TMP Templates and Sample TMPs for each Impact Level. Read more

Tennessee Department of Transportation

The Tennessee DOT (TDOT) developed a TMP Workbook (PDF 74KB) to aid DOT staff in developing TMPs. The Workbook is intended to serve as the decision-making platform for a TMP and also as the documentation of its development. The first part of the Workbook (Project Significance Determination) is filled out by the planning staff, and then designers complete the sections on TMP strategies during project design. TDOT's Work Zone Safety and Mobility Manual (PDF 7.4MB) describes the procedures required by TDOT's Work Zone Safety and Mobility Process for the development of a TMP for a project (Chapter 4), including use of the Workbook. The Manual also contains an example of a completed TMP Workbook (Appendix D).

Virginia Department of Transportation

The Virginia DOT (VDOT) has a TMP Requirements document (PDF 136KB) that provides guidelines to be used by Project Managers, Roadway Designers, Traffic Engineers, Work Zone Safety Coordinators, and Public Affairs Managers pertaining to acquiring the information to develop TMPs. It also outlines each Project Team member's role and responsibilities in the development of TMPs and provides guidance to Project Managers on VDOT's TMP requirements based on the project's level of complexity. A TMP design checklist (DOC 60KB) helps designers ensure that all applicable work zone elements have been captured during the design phase. VDOT also has developed guidelines for TMP performance assessment (PDF 998KB) to help determine if the anticipated work zone impacts and changes desired with the implementation of a TMP actually occur in the field. The performance assessment is documented in the TMP post-construction report (DOC 124KB). The report must be submitted to the state traffic engineer at the conclusion of construction.

Wisconsin Department of Transportation

The Wisconsin DOT (WisDOT) Facilities Development Manual includes guidelines for developing TMPs for all highway construction, street maintenance, and utility or construction activities performed by WisDOT, municipalities, and other agencies. The intent of these guidelines is to assist regional planners, traffic engineers, and designers in developing TMPs for work zones and to help WisDOT develop and implement TMPs effectively and consistently statewide to enhance safety and mobility while minimizing delays caused by construction work zones. The guidelines define a framework for integrating TMPs and traffic operation policies into the project development process and encourage consideration of TMPs at an early stage in project development. The included strategies facilitate planning, managing, operating, and evaluating work zone safety and mobility.

WisDOT also developed and implemented a TMP training course. The course first explains the background of TMP development at the federal and state level. It then explains specific components of a TMP within the context of Wisconsin practice, requirements, and project development. The course also includes a TMP development exercise in which participants are given the opportunity to apply the rules and requirements for TMPs and experience how a TMP evolves through the life of a project.

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MDB can be viewed with the Snapshot Viewer for Microsoft Access.