Best Practice

BEST PRACTICE:

B2-7: Traffic Control Oversight Committee

DESCRIPTION:

A Traffic Control Oversight Committee is generally responsible for providing agencies with recommendations for improvements to work zone education and safety. For example, the Washington State Traffic Control Oversight Committee is an interagency council that works to promote work zone safety specifically by establishing minimum qualification and training requirements for State traffic control flaggers and traffic control supervisors. The committee also provides recommendations for specific improvements on work zone education and safety to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) through the Washington Work Zone Safety Task Force, and communicates information on work zone safety issues and education to interested individuals within the roadway construction and maintenance industry through discussions and outreach.
The committee consists of members from multiple organizations including the WSDOT, the Washington State Labor and Industries Department, the State Board of Technical and Community Colleges, employer and employee representatives, utility companies, the Washington State Association of Counties, the Association of Washington Cities, and flagging instruction and traffic control supervisor providers. The committee meets quarterly to discuss work zone traffic control training and potential safety issues.

REASON(S) FOR ADOPTING:

The committee was established to centralize the administrative oversight of the State’s current training certification programs for traffic control flagger and traffic control supervisor to develop consistent work zone safety practices for all road workers.

PRIMARY BENEFIT(S):

Increases consistency for work zone safety certification requirements statewide and communicates the latest information on work zone safety issues and best work zone safety practices to various offices within the State and with external partners.

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

All roadways and projects.

STATE(S) WHERE USED:

Oregon, Washington

SOURCE/CONTACT(S):

Scott M. McCanna, Traffic Control Plans Engineer Oregon DOT Traffic - Roadway Section
Phone: (503)-986-3788
E−mail: scott.m.mccanna@odot.state.or.us