Best Practice

BEST PRACTICE:

A1−7: Lane Closure Policy/Map

DESCRIPTION:

Lane closure policies and maps are used by agencies across the country to better schedule work zone activities and limit impacts to traffic by designating when and how lanes can be closed for work on some or all roadways based on analysis of roadway conditions.

Using the Highway Capacity Manual formulas, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) analyzed freeways using hourly traffic counts and queue analysis methodologies. From this analysis, ODOT created a map showing the times of permitted lane closures that will generally not cause backups, broken down by hour of the day, and weekday or weekend for corridors across the State. As part of its lane closure policy, ODOT requires contractors, utility workers, and Department maintenance staff to maintain sufficient capacity to manage queuing/delay throughout the day on Interstates by closing or opening lanes on an hour−by−hour basis. ODOT also provides work zone engineers (both internal and external) with a web tool for looking up permitted lane closure times, available at: http://plcm.dot.state.oh.us/. This website also highlights the method that the State uses to calculate permitted lane closure times and how data is collected to support these calculations. Exceptions to this policy, except for during emergencies, require further analysis and approval from a central committee.

Colorado DOT (CDOT) divided the State into six regions that each developed unique regional lane closure policies. CDOT publishes lane closure maps and spreadsheets for work zone engineers and contractors. Allowable lane closures vary by region but are calculated based on queue analysis and wait time limits. CDOT's regional lane closure policies have enabled the DOT to plan more effective lane closures based on the specific needs of a region.

California DOT (Caltrans) has developed a lane closure approval process and a web−based Lane Closure System (LCS) to coordinate lane closures. The LCS allows Caltrans to review the details of a lane closure request, check for potential conflicts, approve or mitigate requests, ensure that the closure is consistent with any corridor transportation management plans, and monitor closure progress. Requests are submitted by resident engineers (REs) a week in advance of the planned lane closure. After they are approved, the RE must notify the appropriate traffic management center on the day the closure starts and again when it ends. The LCS feeds data into California's freeway Performance Measurement System (PeMS), a real−time data management system that provides the status of all lane closures.

Indiana DOT (INDOT) lane closure policy includes a color−coded statewide lane closure map that indicates lane closure restrictions and more detailed maps for each of the four major urban areas. An example of a restriction would be an area that can only have lane closures at night. For sections that are too small to see on the maps, tables offer more specific locations.

REASON(S) FOR ADOPTING:

A growing number of lane closures by contractors and State agencies were causing major queuing.

PRIMARY BENEFIT(S):

Reduced work zone delays for motorists and increased customer satisfaction.

MOST APPLICABLE LOCATION(S)/PROJECT(S):

All freeways. All types of work.

STATE(S) WHERE USED:

California , Colorado , Indiana, Ohio

SOURCE/CONTACT(S):

Laurie Jurgens, Caltrans
Phone: (209) 736−1609
E−mail: laurie_jurgens@dot.ca.gov