Best Practice

BEST PRACTICE:

C2-3: Work Zone Mobility Impact Assessment Decision Tree

DESCRIPTION:

The Work Zone Mobility Impact Assessment Decision Tree is a standardized diagram that promotes work zone safety by working to mitigate the effects of road work projects on traffic mobility and to protect road work personnel and motorists within or around the work zone. The diagram initially determines the potential impact a road work project may have on motorist movement through the work zone by inquiring about particular project details relevant to motorist mobility in a few “Yes or No” questions. The decision tree subsequently determines whether a Transportation Management Plan, a Temporary Traffic Control Plan, or no plan should be developed to best mitigate the specific traffic mobility-based safety concerns a road work project may occur.
To facilitate the use of this decision tree, each district or local road authority should develop and implement a general traffic delay restriction policy for their jurisdiction. This policy should include restrictions by time-of-day, day-of-week, and seasonal or special events; and may specify allowed durations or exceptions.

REASON(S) FOR ADOPTING:

To identify potential impacts a project may have on mobility through work zones and to provide guidelines for developing strategies to minimize these impacts.

PRIMARY BENEFIT(S):

The Mobility Impact Assessment Decision Tree simplifies selection of mitigation strategies and helps determine whether a Transportation Management Plan or Temporary Traffic Control plan is to be used based on best practices.

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

The Work Zone Impact Assessment Decision Tree can be used for all road projects impacting mobility for more than three days.

STATE(S) WHERE USED:

Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey

SOURCE/CONTACT(S):

Kayode Adenaiya, Team Leader, Office of Traffic & Safety, Maryland State Highway Administration
Phone: (410) 787-5864
E−mail: KAdenaiya@sha.state.md.us