Best Practice

BEST PRACTICE:

E2−4: Evaluating Staging Approaches to Assess Tradeoffs between Traffic Flow and Construction Efficiency

DESCRIPTION:

Impacts to traffic from construction are closely monitored by the local press, business oversight groups, and concerned citizens. Alternate staging approaches are evaluated to assess tradeoffs between traffic flow and construction efficiency. At times either during the design process or prior to construction an alternative staging plan is developed or presented. This alternative plan usually gives the contractor more of a working area (e.g., a full closure approach and traffic diversion) and, hopefully, a shorter construction period. Queue analysis is performed on the alternatives to determine how the different staging will affect traffic flow. The difference in delay cost with the additional closures is then compared to the potential savings based on the construction duration and quality of the product.

REASON(S) FOR ADOPTING:

To identify the staging alternative that balances vehicular and pedestrian mobility and minimizes construction cost and schedule.

PRIMARY BENEFIT(S):

The project obtains a high−degree of trust and confidence from external agencies and organizations that allows construction to proceed as desired.

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

All types/all locations.

STATE(S) WHERE USED:

Massachusetts

SOURCE/CONTACT(S):

Neil E. Boudreau, State Traffic Engineer, Massachusetts DOT
Phone: (617) 973−8211
E−mail: Neil.Boudreau@state.ma.us