Work Zone Mobility and Safety Program
Process Review Toolbox

2009 Process Review Louisiana's Work Zone Program

slide 1: 2009 Process Review Louisiana's Work Zone Program

Betsey Tramonte
Safety Specialist
FHWA – LA Division

Barry Lacy
Work Zone Engineer, P.E.
LA Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD)


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slide 2: Purpose/Objective

  1. Document compliance with 23CFR630 Subpart J and Subpart K and the MUTCD
  2. Review of DOTD policies regarding temporary traffic control
  3. Review of procedures at the project level to gage compliance with DOTD policies


slide 3: Scope

  1. Conduct FHWA Work Zone Self Assessment to review work zone program area
  2. Conduct site visits of 18 ongoing work zones in each of DOTD's nine districts
  3. Document findings
  4. Provide report to stakeholders


slide 4: Team Members


  • FHWA Louisiana
  • LA DOTD Construction Section
  • Louisiana's Work Zone Task Force


slide 5: Findings/Recommendations




slide 6: Finding 1 – Project Planning and Programming


  • In the FHWA Work Zone Self-Assessment, LA scored lower in 2009 than previous years


slide 7: Recommendation 1 – Project Planning and Programming


  • Incorporate checklist for work zone traffic control impacts in Stage Zero
  • DOTD's Planning and Programming Section attend Work Zone Task Force meetings


slide 8: Finding 2 – Transportation Management Plan (TMP)


  • DOTD does not have an official policy requiring a TMP for all federal-aid projects.


slide 9: Recommendation 2 – Transportation Management Plan


  • DOTD revise existing Lane Closure EDSM to require a TMP on all significant projects


slide 10: Finding 3 – Night Inspections of Traffic Control Devices


  • According to DOTD policy, traffic control devices shall be inspected by the Traffic Control Supervisor once a week during nighttime periods.
  • Only documented on 50% of projects


slide 11: Recommendation 3 – Night Inspections of Traffic Control Devices


  • DOTD project engineers enforce contractor inspection of traffic control at night


slide 12: Finding 4 – Media Releases


  • According to DOTD policy, contractor shall contact media on a weekly basis or more often as needed
  • Currently, DOTD handles all contact with the media on an as needed basis


slide 13: Recommendation 4 – Media Releases


  • DOTD should relieve the contractor from responsibility of media contact unless a project's significance determines the need


slide 14: Finding 5 – Lighting Plan


  • According to DOTD policy, an approved lighting plan shall be on file for all nighttime construction projects
  • 3/5 projects reviewed with nighttime work DID NOT have a plan


slide 15: Recommendation 5 – Lighting Plan


  • DOTD project engineers should check all projects with nighttime work for a lighting plan
  • Lighting plan should be checked nightly for compliance


slide 16: Finding 6 – WZ Deficiencies


  • Conflicting signs properly treated
  • Variable Message Signs
  • Channelizing devices
  • Truck Mounted Attenuators


slide 17: Recommendation 6 – WZ Deficiencies

DOTD and FHWA note trends and look for deficiencies in field review

  • Conflicting signs properly treated
  • Variable Message Signs
  • Channelizing devices
  • Truck Mounted Attenuators


slide 18: Observations/Recommendations



slide 19: Observation 1: Temporary Traffic Control Plan

  • 66% of projects reviewed had TTC plans
    • 1/4 of these projects, TCS didn't have current copy of plans revisions
  • 33% of projects reviewed had standardized traffic control plan as TTC plan


slide 20: Recommendation 1: Temporary Traffic Control Plan

  • Temporary Traffic Control plans should be designed specific to the construction project since each work zone is unique
  • All revisions to traffic control plans should be submitted by the contractor to the project engineer


slide 21: Observation 2: Work Zone Safety Training

  • Coordinated, collaborative training is not conducted for all stakeholders
  • DOTD work zone training exists but is stovepiped for stakeholders creating miscommunication
  • Law Enforcement example


slide 22: Recommendation 2: Work Zone Safety Training

  • Conduct collaborative training for all personnel with a role in work zone safety at the project level
    • All District Construction Field Personnel
    • DOTD Area Engineers, Project Engineers, Design Engineers, Traffic Engineers, Private Contractors, Law Enforcement


slide 23: DOTD Response


  • Transportation Management Plan Training
  • DOTD led audits of lighting plan on projects
  • Site Manager Diaries to manage deficiencies
  • Ability to suspend contractor's operation for failure to address deficiencies
  • Current temporary traffic control plans
  • Louisiana Specific Work Zone Training Course


slide 24: What worked and didn't work...


  • That could have worked better...
    • Start early
    • Be clear on scope
    • Focus on fewer things in greater detail
  • That worked!
    • Collaboration among partners
    • Management support of review from both state and federal perspective


slide 25: QUESTIONS?




slide 26: Thank You!


Betsey W. Tramonte
PH: 225.757.7613
betsey.tramonte@dot.gov

Barry Lacy, P.E.
PH: 225.379-1584
barry.lacy@la.gov

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