Work Zone Mobility and Safety Program

Transportation Management Plan Effectiveness Framework and Pilot

Appendix B. Expected Strategy Effects on Mobility (M), Safety (S), Customer Satisfaction (CS), and Agency/Contractor Productivity and Efficiency (PE)

Table B-1. Potential Measures of Effectiveness: Temporary Traffic Control – Control Strategies.
Transportation Management Plan Strategies Costs M S CS PE Notes
Strategic construction phasing $ Slight positive effect expected Slight positive effect expected Slight positive effect expected Significant positive effect expected Decisions that improve productivity and efficiency could have significant project cost implications.
Full Roadway Closures $$ Effect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditions Effect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditions Effect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditions Significant positive effect expected Impacts of full closures on mobility and safety measures throughout corridor may be positive or negative, and would need to be measured against other traffic-handling options available. Strategy would be expected to improve worker safety.
Lane shifts or closures-Reduced lane widths but maintain number of lanes $ Significant positive effect expected Effect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditions Empty cell Slight positive effect expected Effects evaluated relative to other traffic-handling options being considered. Lane width reductions can be particularly challenging for drivers of large trucks.
Lane shifts or closures-Lane closures to provide worker safety $ Slight negative effect expected Effect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditions1 Empty cell Slight positive effect expected Effects evaluated relative to a reduced work space traffic handling option.
Lane shifts or closures-Reduced shoulder width to maintain number of lanes $ Significant positive effect expected Slight positive effect expected2 Empty cell Slight positive effect expected Effects evaluated relative to a reduced work space traffic handling option.
Lane shifts or closures-Shoulder closures to provide worker safety $ Empty cell Slight positive effect expected1 Empty cell Slight positive effect expected Effects evaluated relative to a reduced work space traffic handling option.
Lane shifts or closures-Lane shift to shoulder or median to maintain number of lanes $ Significant positive effect expected Slight positive effect expected2 Empty cell Slight positive effect expected Safety and PE effects evaluated relative to a reduced work space traffic handling option. Mobility effects evaluated against a lane closure option.
One-lane, two-way operation $ Slight positive effect expected Effect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditions Slight negative effect expected Empty cell Effects evaluated relative to a full road closure option.
Two-way traffic on one side of divided facility (crossover) $$ Effect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditions Slight positive effect expected1 Empty cell Slight positive effect expected Effects evaluated relative to part-width construction on each side of facility.
Reversible lanes $$$ Significant positive effect expected Empty cell Slight positive effect expected Slight positive effect expected Effects evaluated relative to a reduced peak period lane configuration.
Ramp closures/relocation $$ Effect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditions Slight positive effect expected2 Effect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditions Slight positive effect expected Ramp closures will be negatively perceived by travelers who normally use those ramps, and positively perceived by other travelers who experience smoother traffic flow on the freeway.
Freeway-to-freeway interchange closures $$ Significant negative effect expected Slight positive effect expected2 Effect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditions Slight positive effect expected Ability of travelers to adapt also depends on advance notice provided.
Night work $$ Significant positive effect expected Effect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditions2 Slight positive effect expected Effect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditions Working at night can have negative worker and productivity/efficiency effects if not performed correctly.
Weekend work $$ Slight positive effect expected Effect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditions2 Slight positive effect expected Effect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditions Effects evaluated relative to other times when work could be accomplished.
Work hour restrictions for peak travel $ Significant positive effect expected Significant positive effect expected Significant positive effect expected Slight negative effect expected Effects on PE may be negative (work progress must be divided and scheduled appropriately).
Pedestrian/bicycle accommodations $ Slight positive effect expected Slight positive effect expected Slight positive effect expected Slight negative effect expected Effect dependent on type of accommodation made in addition to the minimum requirements (Americans with Disabilities Act [ADA], Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices [MUTCD]). Mobility improvements would occur only if accommodations result in mode change or elimination of pedestrian/bike-vehicle conflicts that impede traffic.
Business access improvements $$ Empty cell Empty cell Significant positive effect expected Empty cell Effect dependent on type of improvement made in addition to the minimum requirements (MUTCD, agency policies or standards).
Off-site detours/use of alternate routes $$ Significant positive effect expected Effect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditions Empty cell Empty cell Effects on safety depend on quality of detour/alternative route used.
Significant positive effect expectedSignificant positive effect expected
Slight positive effect expectedSlight positive effect expected
Effect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditionsEffect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditions
Slight negative effect expectedSlight negative effect expected
Significant negative effect expectedSignificant negative effect expected

1 Primarily affects worker safety
2 Primarily affects traffic safety (crashes)

Table B-2. Potential Benefit Measures of Effectiveness: Temporary Traffic Control – Project Coordination, Contracting, and Innovative Construction Strategies.
Transportation Management Plan (TMP) Strategies Costs M S CS PE Notes
Project Coordination-Coordination with other projects $ Significant positive effect expected Slight positive effect expected Significant positive effect expected Effect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditions Lane closure impacts can be measured for what occurs and extrapolated to additional closures avoided through coordination.
Project Coordination-Utilities coordination $ Slight positive effect expected Slight positive effect expected Slight positive effect expected Significant positive effect expected Effects depend on how they affect duration of conditions impacting mobility and safety.
Project Coordination-Right-of-way coordination $ Slight positive effect expected Slight positive effect expected Slight positive effect expected Significant positive effect expected Effects depend on how coordination affects duration of conditions impacting mobility and safety.
Project Coordination-Coordination with other transportation infrastructure $ Significant positive effect expected Slight positive effect expected Significant positive effect expected Effect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditions Effects depend on how coordination affects duration of conditions impacting mobility and safety
Contracting Strategies-Design-build $$$ Effect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditions Effect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditions Effect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditions Significant positive effect expected Effects on safety, mobility, and customer satisfaction depend on quality of other TMP strategies implemented.
Contracting Strategies-A+B bidding $$ Significant positive effect expected Significant positive effect expected Slight positive effect expected Significant positive effect expected Empty cell
Contracting Strategies-Incentive/Disincentive $$ Significant positive effect expected Significant positive effect expected Slight positive effect expected Significant positive effect expected Empty cell
Contracting Strategies-Lane rental $$ Significant positive effect expected Significant positive effect expected Slight positive effect expected Slight negative effect expected Effects on PE may be negative if contractor is not able to efficiently fit tasks within allowable work windows.
Innovative construction techniques (e.g., precast members, rapid cure materials) $$$$ Slight positive effect expected Slight positive effect expected Slight positive effect expected Significant positive effect expected Effects on PE may be negative if contractor is not able to efficiently fit tasks within allowable work windows.Effect is primarily upon project duration. Indirect effects on other measures may result from a shorter duration project.
Significant positive effect expectedSignificant positive effect expected
Slight positive effect expectedSlight positive effect expected
Effect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditionsEffect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditions
Slight negative effect expectedSlight negative effect expected
Significant negative effect expectedSignificant negative effect expected

Table B-3. Potential Benefit Measures of Effectiveness: Public Information – Public Awareness Strategies.
Transportation Management Plan Strategies Costs M S CS PE Notes
Brochures and mailers, press releases/media alerts, paid advertisements, public information center, public meetings/hearings, community task forces, work zone education and safety campaigns, work zone highway safety signs that identify work zone fatalities, visual media information for meetings and web $$ Empty cell Empty cell Significant positive effect expected Empty cell Ability to measure M, S, or PE effects at the project level does not exist.
Telephone hotline, planned lane closure map, project website, coordination with media/schools/ businesses/emergency services, rideshare promotion information $$ Slight positive effect expected Slight positive effect expected Significant positive effect expected Empty cell Ability to measure M, S, or PE effects at the project level would be limited
Significant positive effect expectedSignificant positive effect expected
Slight positive effect expectedSlight positive effect expected
Effect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditionsEffect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditions
Slight negative effect expectedSlight negative effect expected
Significant negative effect expectedSignificant negative effect expected

Table B-4. Potential Benefit Measures of Effectiveness: Public Information – Motorist Information Strategies.
Transportation Management Plan Strategies Costs M S CS PE Notes
Traffic radio $ Significant positive effect expected1 Slight positive effect expected Significant positive effect expected Slight positive effect expected Ability to estimate what would happen if radio not used is limited. PE effects would exist if mobility improvements assist materials and equipment delivery.
Changeable message signs $$ Significant positive effect expected1 Slight positive effect expected2 Significant positive effect expected Slight positive effect expected Ability to estimate what would happen if signs are not used is limited. PE effects would exist if mobility improvements assist materials and equipment delivery.
Dynamic speed message signs $ Empty cell Slight positive effect expected2 Empty cell Empty cell Effects depend on need to warn of excessive speeds.
Highway advisory radio $$ Significant positive effect expected1 Slight positive effect expected Significant positive effect expected Slight positive effect expected Ability to estimate what would happen if radio not used is limited. PE effects would exist if mobility improvements assist materials and equipment delivery.
Highway information network (web-based) $ Significant positive effect expected1 Slight positive effect expected Significant positive effect expected Slight positive effect expected Ability to estimate what would happen if network not used is limited. PE effects would exist if mobility improvements assist materials and equipment delivery.
511 traveler information system $$ Significant positive effect expected1 Slight positive effect expected Significant positive effect expected Slight positive effect expected Ability to estimate what would happen if system not used is limited. PE effects would exist if mobility improvements assist materials and equipment delivery.
Freight travel information $ Slight positive effect expected Empty cell Slight positive effect expected Empty cell Customer satisfaction and mobility effects mostly limited to freight drivers.
Transportation management center $$$$ Significant positive effect expected Slight positive effect expected Slight positive effect expected Slight positive effect expected PE effects would exist if mobility improvements assist materials and equipment delivery.
Significant positive effect expectedSignificant positive effect expected
Slight positive effect expectedSlight positive effect expected
Effect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditionsEffect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditions
Slight negative effect expectedSlight negative effect expected
Significant negative effect expectedSignificant negative effect expected

1 Effect primarily upon delays, queues, and travel time reliability; effect on throughput is limited
2 Typically evaluated using safety surrogates such as changes in speed or driver opinion.


Table B-5. Potential Benefit Measures of Effectiveness: Traffic Operations – Demand Management Strategies.
Transportation Management Plan Strategies Costs M S CS PE Notes
Transit service improvements (e.g., increased capacity), transit incentives, and new or enhanced shuttle services $$$$ Slight positive effect expected1 Slight positive effect expected2 Slight positive effect expected Slight positive effect expected Mobility effects dependent on ability to shift mode choice. Reduction in vehicle demand could yield reduction in crashes. PE effects would exist if mobility improvements assist materials and equipment delivery.
Ridesharing/carpool incentives, park-and-ride promotions, high-occupancy vehicle lane (new or enhanced) $$$ Slight positive effect expected1 Slight positive effect expected2 Slight positive effect expected Slight positive effect expected Mobility effects dependent on ability to shift mode choice. Reduction in vehicle demand could yield reduction in crashes. PE effects would exist if mobility improvements assist materials and equipment delivery.
Toll/congestion pricing (including high-occupancy toll [HOT] lanes) $$$$ Slight positive effect expected Effect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditions2 Slight positive effect expected Slight positive effect expected Mobility effects dependent on ability to shift departure time, route, and mode choice. Reduction in vehicle demand could yield reduction in crashes, but could also increase on other routes. PE effects would exist if mobility improvements assist materials and equipment delivery.
Ramp metering $$$ Significant positive effect expected Effect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditions2 Effect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditions Slight positive effect expected Reduction in vehicle demand could yield reduction in crashes, but could also increase those on other routes if diversion occurs. Customer satisfaction would be positive for main lane drivers, but negative for ramp users. PE effects would exist if mobility improvements assist materials and equipment delivery.
Parking supply management $$$ Slight positive effect expected1 Slight positive effect expected2 Effect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditions Slight positive effect expected Mobility effects dependent on ability to shift mode choice. Reduction in vehicle demand could yield reduction in crashes. PE effects would exist if mobility improvements assist materials and equipment delivery.
Alternate work hours $ Significant positive effect expected1 Empty cell Slight positive effect expected Slight positive effect expected Mobility effects dependent on ability to shift departure times. PE effects would exist if mobility improvements assist materials and equipment delivery.
Telecommuting $ Slight positive effect expected1 Slight positive effect expected2 Slight positive effect expected Slight positive effect expected Mobility and safety effects dependent on ability to reduce total trips made. PE effects would exist if mobility improvements assist materials and equipment delivery.
Significant positive effect expectedSignificant positive effect expected
Slight positive effect expectedSlight positive effect expected
Effect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditionsEffect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditions
Slight negative effect expectedSlight negative effect expected
Significant negative effect expectedSignificant negative effect expected

1 Effect primarily upon delays, queues, and travel time reliability; effect on throughput is limited
2 Primarily affects traffic safety (crashes) by reducing number of vehicle-miles of exposure


Table B-6. Potential Benefit MOEs: Traffic Operations – Corridor/Network Management Strategies.
Transportation Management Plan Strategies Costs M S CS PE Notes
Signal timing/coordination improvements $$ Significant positive effect expected Effect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditions Slight positive effect expected Slight positive effect expected PE effects would exist if mobility improvements due to reduced volumes assist materials and equipment delivery.
Temporary traffic signals $$ Effect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditions Effect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditions Slight positive effect expected Slight positive effect expected Mobility and safety effects dependent upon whether comparison is to a non-controlled or flagger/officer controlled condition. PE effects would exist if mobility improvements due to reduced volumes assist materials and equipment delivery.
Street/intersection improvements $$ Significant positive effect expected Effect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditions Slight positive effect expected Empty cell Ability to estimate what would have occurred without the improvement is limited.
Bus turnouts $$$ Significant positive effect expected Slight positive effect expected Slight positive effect expected Empty cell Empty cell
Turn restrictions $ Significant positive effect expected Slight positive effect expected Effect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditions Empty cell CS effects may be positive or negative depending on user group considered (through drivers versus turning traffic drivers).
Parking restrictions $ Significant positive effect expected Slight positive effect expected Effect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditions Empty cell CS effects may be positive or negative depending on user group considered (through drivers versus parking drivers).
Truck/heavy vehicle restrictions $ Slight positive effect expected Slight positive effect expected Effect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditions Empty cell CS effects may be positive or negative depending on user group considered (passenger vehicle drivers versus truck drivers).
Separate truck lanes $$$$ Slight positive effect expected Slight positive effect expected Effect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditions Empty cell CS effects may be positive or negative depending on user group considered (passenger vehicle drivers versus truck drivers).
Reversible lanes $$$ Significant positive effect expected Effect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditions Empty cell Empty cell Safety effects depend on whether positive effects from improving peak direction capacity are offset or exceeded by negative effects of capacity loss in off-peak direction.
Dynamic lane closure system $$ Slight positive effect expected Slight positive effect expected Empty cell Empty cell Mobility and safety effects dependent upon operating condition at lane closure prior to change (extent to which queue jumping occurs).
Ramp metering $$ Significant positive effect expected Effect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditions Effect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditions Slight positive effect expected Effects on CS could be positive (for main lane drivers) or negative (for entering drivers). Reduction in vehicle demand could yield reduction in crashes, but could also increase those on other routes if diversion occurs. PE effects would exist if mobility improvements due to reduced volumes assist materials and equipment delivery.
Temporary suspension of ramp metering $ Slight positive effect expected Effect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditions Effect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditions Empty cell Safety and CS effects may be positive or negative (positive if suspension reduces queue spillback to upstream intersections, negative if ramp platoons create additional turbulence at the ramp merge point).
Ramp closures $$ Significant positive effect expected Significant positive effect expected Empty cell Slight positive effect expected PE effects depend on whether work activities have to occur on ramp, or if operating condition improve materials and equipment delivery.
Railroad crossing controls $ Slight positive effect expected Slight positive effect expected Slight positive effect expected Empty cell Effects limited to conditions where work zone increases potential for vehicles to stop on tracks.
Coordination with adjacent construction sites $ Slight positive effect expected Slight positive effect expected Significant positive effect expected Slight positive effect expected Lane closure impacts can be measured for what occurs and extrapolated to additional closures avoided through coordination.
Significant positive effect expectedSignificant positive effect expected
Slight positive effect expectedSlight positive effect expected
Effect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditionsEffect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditions
Slight negative effect expectedSlight negative effect expected
Significant negative effect expectedSignificant negative effect expected

Table B-7. Potential Benefit MOEs: Traffic Operations – Work Zone Safety Management Strategies.
Transportation Management Plan Strategies M S CS PE Notes
Speed limit reductions/variable speed limits Empty cell Slight positive effect expected Empty cell Empty cell Relationship between speed limits and safety is not well defined (ability to predict what would occur if not implemented is limited).
Variable speed limits Slight positive effect expected Slight positive effect expected Empty cell Empty cell Hypothesized to have potential effects on crash reductions, and possibly throughput.
Temporary traffic signals Slight positive effect expected Effect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditions Empty cell Slight positive effect expected Mobility benefits dependent upon whether comparison is to a non-controlled or flagger/officer controlled condition. Safety effects for travelers could be positive or negative depending on how signal operates relative to a non-controlled or flagger/officer controlled intersection. PE effects would exist because flaggers can be used for other work duties.
Temporary traffic barrier Empty cell Significant positive effect expected Empty cell Slight positive effect expected Slight improvements in PE may occur because workers feel more protected while working.
Moveable traffic barrier Slight positive effect expected Slight positive effect expected Empty cell Slight positive effect expected Effects would be computed relative to a long-term barrier lane closure (for mobility and safety effects), or to use of no barrier (for safety effects only).
Crash cushions Empty cell Significant positive effect expected Empty cell Empty cell Generally required by state standards.
Temporary rumble strips Empty cell Slight positive effect expected Empty cell Empty cell Empty cell
Intrusion alarms Empty cell Slight positive effect expected Empty cell Empty cell False alarms have limited the effectiveness of this strategy in past assessments. Potential exists to possibly improve worker safety.
Warning lights Empty cell Slight positive effect expected Empty cell Empty cell Effect on safety will typically be measureable through safety surrogates.
Automated flagger assistance devices Empty cell Slight positive effect expected Empty cell Slight positive effect expected PE effects would occur if the number of flaggers used can be reduced.
Project on-site safety training Empty cell Slight positive effect expected Empty cell Empty cell Empty cell
Safety awards/incentives Empty cell Slight positive effect expected Empty cell Empty cell Empty cell
Significant positive effect expectedSignificant positive effect expected
Slight positive effect expectedSlight positive effect expected
Effect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditionsEffect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditions
Slight negative effect expectedSlight negative effect expected
Significant negative effect expectedSignificant negative effect expected

Table B-8. Potential Benefit MOEs: Traffic Operations – Traffic/Incident Management and Enforcement Strategies.
Transportation Management Plan Strategies Costs M S CS PE Notes
ITS for traffic monitoring/ management $$$ Significant positive effect expected Effect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditions Slight positive effect expected Slight positive effect expected Effects dependent on how frequently events occur that trigger system responses, and how components affect response time or route diversion, e.g. PE effects would exist if mobility improvements assist materials and equipment delivery.
Helicopter for aerial surveillance $$$ Slight positive effect expected Empty cell Slight positive effect expected Empty cell Not often used due to high costs
Unmanned drones for aerial surveillance $ Slight positive effect expected Empty cell Slight positive effect expected Empty cell Currently experimental.
Reference location signs $ Slight positive effect expected Slight positive effect expected Slight positive effect expected Empty cell Effects dependent on how much strategy improves response time.
Tow/freeway service patrol $$ Slight positive effect expected Slight positive effect expected Slight positive effect expected Empty cell Effects dependent on how much strategy improves response time.
Total station units, photogrammetry $ Slight positive effect expected Slight positive effect expected Slight positive effect expected Empty cell Effects dependent on how much strategy improves response time.
Coordination with media $ Significant positive effect expected Slight positive effect expected Slight positive effect expected Empty cell Effects dependent on how much actions and strategies improve motorist information system dissemination.
Preplanned local detour routes, contractor support for incident management, incident/emergency management coordinator, incident response plan $$ Slight positive effect expected Slight positive effect expected Slight positive effect expected Empty cell Effects dependent on how much actions and strategies improve response (implementation of detours) time or motorist information dissemination, e.g.
Dedicated (paid) police enforcement $$ Effect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditions Significant positive effect expected Effect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditions Effect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditions Effects on M, CS, PE may be positive if presence leads to more consistent speeds and cooperative driving behavior around work zone, or negative if enforcement efforts are too aggressive.
Automated enforcement $$ Effect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditions Significant positive effect expected Effect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditions Empty cell Limited applicability to due legislative changes required.
Increased penalties for work zone violations $ Empty cell Slight positive effect expected Effect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditions Empty cell Primarily programmatic effect across region. Effect on CS depends on whether or not driver has received a citation.
Significant positive effect expectedSignificant positive effect expected
Slight positive effect expectedSlight positive effect expected
Effect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditionsEffect could be positive or negative, depending on site conditions
Slight negative effect expectedSlight negative effect expected
Significant negative effect expectedSignificant negative effect expected

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