Best Practice

BEST PRACTICE:

D3−2: Transportation Management Plan Development Tools

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, State agencies are able to plan for and implement strategies to improve safety and mobility while still completing the necessary work on the roadway.

Several States across the country have produced tools to help them develop effective TMPs. Tool efforts include developing templates so that TMPs follow a consistent format and thought process, and sample TMPs to illustrate what the State is looking for in its TMPs. The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) identified four levels of work zone impacts for project classification, and then developed a set of four TMP templates in Microsoft Excel (one for each impact level) for staff to use when developing TMPs. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) developed a series of sample TMPs that designers can use when starting their own TMPs for upcoming road construction projects.

Several States, including Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, and Maryland, have developed TMP checklists to aid designers and ensure consideration of all necessary factors in developing TMPs. Maryland has a work zone design checklist for identifying traffic control options, work zone impacts, and impacts management strategies. The Illinois TMP checklist shpows possible components to include in TMPs and is intended to assist preparers and reviewers of TMPs.

FHWA developed TMP templates and samples to illustrate what TMPs could look like for low to moderate impact projects and moderate to high impact projects. Agencies can use these templates and samples as a reference or starting point for their own efforts. The templates are available in Microsoft Word format and are easily adaptable for customization by agencies.

These and other TMP development tools are available at http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/wz/resources/final_rule/tmp_examples.htm.

REASON(S) FOR ADOPTING:

To assist planners, traffic engineers, and designers in developing and implementing TMPs effectively and consistently across a State.

PRIMARY BENEFIT(S):

Increased safety and reduced delay/congestion through better planning for and implementation of innovative strategies to reduce traffic, inform motorists, and stage construction.

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

All projects.

RELATED BEST PRACTICE(S):

Multi-level Transportation Management Plans (Practice D1-1)
Transportation Management Plan (Practice D3-1)
Multi-Disciplinary Teams to Develop Transportation Management Plans (Practice D3-4)
Comprehensive Traffic Management Plan (Practice E3-2)
Using a Transportation Management Plan Peer Review Process (Practice E3-4)

STATE(S) WHERE USED:

Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Rhode Island, Virginia

SOURCE/CONTACT(S):

Russell Holt, Rhode Island DOT
Phone: (401) 222−2694, ext. 4046
E−mail: rholt@dot.ri.gov