Best Practice

BEST PRACTICE:

A6−2: Work Zone Traffic Incident Management Plans

DESCRIPTION:

A traffic incident management (TIM) plan can help reduce the effects that a work zone has on traffic conditions by planning in advance for how incidents in work zones will be identified and cleared. Colorado and Wisconsin have requirements for traffic incident management (TIM) plans as part of each work zone.

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) developed guidelines for developing TIM plans for work zones. The guidelines include references to existing TIM plans in the State, considerations for developing work zone TIM plans, how to plan TIM response in work zones, key components of a work zone TIM plan, and implementation and management considerations for work zone TIM plans. Colorado has 12 ongoing TIM programs/plans (TIMP) for its Interstates and State highways. In the areas covered by these existing plans, the construction contractor is required to coordinate with CDOT and the appropriate response agencies to modify the TIMP to accommodate the project. If the project lies outside of any existing TIMP, the contractor may be required, via a project special provision, to lead the development of a TIMP appropriate to the project duration and the level of impact the project will have on the highway and its users. CDOT's guidelines can be found at http://www.coloradodot.info/library/traffic/traffic−manuals−guidelines/lane−close−work−zone−safety/work−zone−booklets−guidelines/Incident_Management_Guidelines_20080922.pdf/view, and its project special provision worksheet at http://www.coloradodot.info/business/designsupport/construction−specifications/2005−construction−specs/work−sheets/630timp.doc/view.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) has guidelines for Incident Management Plan (IMP) development. The IMP is a portion of WisDOT's larger transportation management plan (TMP) development process. A draft of the IMP is completed early in the design process and finalized prior to construction. Wisconsin's IMP typically identifies emergency contacts, expected work zone queues, alternate routes, equipment location, and traveler information. The generic steps towards developing Wisconsin's IMP include organizing stakeholder groups, evaluating mitigation strategies, recommending actions, and formalizing these discussions. WisDOT is developing guidelines for insertion in its Facilities Development Manual 11−50−10.

REASON(S) FOR ADOPTING:

TIM plans can help manage congestion and incidents during work zone projects.

PRIMARY BENEFIT(S):

TIM plans help ensure that all incidents are cleared quickly and efficiently, reducing congestion impacts on the work zone and drivers and decreasing the likelihood of secondary crashes.

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

All work zones.

STATE(S) WHERE USED:

Colorado , Wisconsin

SOURCE/CONTACT(S):

K.C. Matthews, Traffic Specs and Standards Engineer, Colorado DOT
Phone: (303) 757−9543
E−mail: K.C.Matthews@dot.state.co.us