Best Practice

BEST PRACTICE:

D3−1: Transportation Management Plan

DESCRIPTION:

A transportation management plan (TMP) is an overall strategy for accommodating traffic during construction on a project or corridor. Through the development of TMPs, transportation agencies are able to plan for and implement strategies to improve safety and mobility while still completing the necessary work on the roadway. In 2007, FHWA issued the Work Zone Safety and Mobility Rule requiring that TMPs be developed for all federal−aid projects. This requirement was modeled after the TMPs in use by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans).

A Caltrans TMP is a cohesive set of operational and demand management strategies designed to maintain acceptable levels of traffic flow during periods of construction activities. The Caltrans TMP development process focuses on how the interactions among the planning, design, construction, and funding phases of the transportation project should be considered and addressed as a system rather than individually by separate stakeholders. Caltrans' goal is to keep work−zone induced motorist delay to less than 30 minutes above normal recurring delay. They use TMPs to achieve this goal.

Caltrans classifies TMPs into three categories: a blanket TMP, a minor TMP, or a major TMP, based on the types of conditions. Blanket TMPs are used for low−volume areas where there are minimal expected delays, off−peak work, and moving lane closures. Minor TMPs are used where some impacts are expected, lane closures are required, and mitigation strategies are needed to maintain safety and mobility for motorists and construction workers in the work zone. For a major TMP, which is developed for projects where significant impacts are expected, many stakeholder groups are involved, the duration of the project is typically long, and there are multiple TMP strategies to manage impacts.

For each of these TMP categories, Caltrans guidance identifies strategies that are generally appropriate. Practitioners use this guidance when developing TMPs for their projects. The TMPs are then implemented in the field with each project to improve safety and mobility through the State's work zones. The implementation of TMPs in California has helped to significantly reduce delays in work zones.

REASON(S) FOR ADOPTING:

Since 2007, TMPs are required for all federal−aid projects as a part of the Work Zone Safety and Mobility Rule. Many States have seen the benefits of TMPs and develop them for all projects.

PRIMARY BENEFIT(S):

Congestion through the construction zone is minimized; construction zones are safer and construction duration and costs are reduced.

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

All projects.

STATE(S) WHERE USED:

California

SOURCE/CONTACT(S):

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