Work Zone Mobility and Safety Program

Work Zone Traffic Control Training

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Contact Information: WorkZoneFeedback@dot.gov

February 1, 2012




slide 1

Work Zone Traffic Control Training

February 1, 2012

David B. Rush, Chairman, WZSTC
Traffic Engineering Division
804-371-6672
David.Rush@VDOT.Virginia.gov

Virginia Department of Transportation.

slide notes

None.




slide 2

Work Zone Safety Training in VA

  • Prior to issuance of the 2007 FHWA Final Rule requiring trained personnel, WZS training was sporadic at best in Virginia
    • A few one-day training classes were held in conjunction with the VA Road Builders, and a few of our districts conducted training for their maintenance and construction inspection personnel.
    • A few ATSSA TCT and TCS classes were also held annually.
    • Biggest complaints we heard from the construction industry on WZS training
      • Cost
      • Time away from work
      • Availability of training
      • If it's not mandated, I must not need it.

slide notes

Prior to the issuance of the FHWA Final Rule requiring adequately trained personnel in work zones, WZS training was sporadic at best in Virginia –

  • A few one-day training classes were held in conjunction with the VA Road Builders, and a few of our districts conducted training for their maintenance and construction inspection personnel.
  • A few ATSSA TCT and TCS classes were also held annually.

Needless to say, more training would be required to meet the intention of the final rule.

  • Biggest complaints we heard from the construction industry on WZS training
  • Cost, Time away from work, Availability of training, and If it's not mandated, I must not need it.


slide 3

Training Requirements – FHWA Final Rule

23 CFR 630 Subpart J

  • Specifies that agencies require appropriate training for personnel involved in the development, design, implementation, operation, inspection, and enforcement of work zone related transportation management and traffic control.
  • Focus is on Job Duties and Responsibilities related to work zone traffic control.
  • The final rule required approved training procedures to be in place by Oct. 12, 2007.

slide notes

Changes to Federal regulations in 23 CFR 630 Subpart J have raised the standard for work zone safety training by increasing the audience on training by specifying that agencies require appropriate training for personnel involved in the development, design, implementation, operation, inspection, and enforcement of work zone related transportation management and traffic control.

The focus was now on "Job duties and responsibilities related to work zone traffic control."




slide 4

WZTC Training Procedures

Work Zone Safety Training Committee

  • Scheduling & Contract
  • Learning Center
  • L&D
  • TED
  • FHWA
  • Maintenance
  • Local Assistance
  • LTAP
  • VTCA
  • Consultant

slide notes

Members of the training committee included personnel from:

  • Scheduling & Contract
  • Asset Management
  • VDOT Learning Center
  • Local Assistance
  • Location and Design
  • Traffic Engineering
  • Local Technical Assistance program
  • VTCA, FHWA, and a consultant member



slide 5

WZTC Training Procedures (cont'd)

Work Zone Safety Training Committee

  • Use Existing Training If Possible
  • Sensitive to Costs
  • Be Flexible
  • Make Sense

Photo of a car crashed into a truck mounted attenuator and a Road Work Ahead: Right Lane Closed warning sign.

slide notes

The training committee wanted to make use of existing training courses if possible and,

Wanted training procedures which were flexible, sensitive to costs, and make sense!!

Our goal for the training program is to provide trained personnel who could perform better in installing and monitoring work zones, increasing safety for workers and motorists.




slide 6

WZTC Training Procedures (cont'd)

Train personnel based on their job duties and responsibilities related to work zone traffic control.

  • Design
  • Construction
  • Maintenance/Operations

slide notes

With the charge to "Train personnel based on their job duties and responsibilities related to work zone traffic control," the committee looked at the different areas or categories of WZs and decided they fell into three distinct areas:

  • Design activities,
  • Construction activities,
  • Maintenance and operation



slide 7

WZTC Training Procedures (cont'd)

Training Categories Identification

  • Basic WZTC Training – Covers WZ fundamentals, 1 day in length.

Drawing of a work zone.   Photo of a work zone.

slide notes

A Basic WZ Traffic Control course – covers the fundamentals of WZTC and is ideal for short term Maintenance operations, such as shoulder closures, lane closures, and flagging operation on two-lane roadways. The Maintenance wz course we had been teaching fell into this category. The course is one day in length (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).

Areas covered in the course include:

  • Liability and Risk
  • WZ Types and Component Parts
  • TTC Devices
  • Making Adjustments to TTC, and
  • Roles and Responsibilities

    Includes several exercises and one team exercise and an open book exam (passing grade 80% or better)



slide 8

WZTC Training Procedures (cont'd)

Training Categories Identification

  • Intermediate WZTC Training – Long Duration operations, 2 days in length.

Photo of construction in a work zone across two lanes of a divided highway with orange and white striped drums separating the work zone from a traffic lane.

slide notes

An Intermediate WZ Traffic Control course geared toward Construction and Construction Inspection activities – covers long term operations. There is more focus on TC devices used in these types of operations, including concrete barriers, impact attenuators, pavement markings, markers and eradication, and detouring traffic or closing roadways and multiple traffic phasing. The course is 2 days in length.

Areas covered in the course include:

  • Most of what is covered in the Basic WZTC course plus
  • Human Factors
  • Manuals and References
  • Flagging Operations
  • Laying Out, Installing, and Removing TTC
  • Types of TTC Applications
  • Reviewing/Documenting TTC

Includes several team exercises and an open book exam (passing grade 80% or better)




slide 9

WZTC Training Procedures (cont'd)

Training Categories Identification

  • Advance WZTC Training – Design of TCPs and TMPs, 2 days in length.

Engineering plan drawing showing maintenance of traffic and sequence of construction on a roadway.

slide notes

An Advanced WZ Traffic Control course which covers WZ Design activities, especially the development of TCPs and TMPs—2 days in length.

Areas covered in the course include:

  • Day 1 –
    • Standards, Manuals, and References
    • Fundamental Principles of TTC
    • Human Factors
    • Component Parts of TTC
    • Types of TTC Activities
    • Design Considerations
  • Day 2 –
    • TTC Devices
    • TTC Plans
    • Nighttime WZs
    • Urban and Other Considerations

Includes several exercises, including one on Temporary Concrete Barriers, and a team design exercise, along with an open book exam (passing grade 80% or better)




slide 10

WZTC Training Procedures (cont'd)

Basic WZTC Course Content

  • Liability and Risk
  • WZ Types and Component Parts
  • TTC Devices
  • Making Adjustments to TTC
  • Roles and Responsibilities
  • Includes several exercises

    40 question open book/notes exam

Cover of the "Work Zone Safety: Guidelines for Temporary Traffic Control" brochure.

slide notes

A Basic WZ Traffic Control course – covers the fundamentals of WZTC and is ideal for short term Maintenance operations, such as shoulder closures, lane closures, and flagging operation on two-lane roadways. The Maintenance WZ course we had been teaching fell into this category. The course is one day in length (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).

Areas covered in the course include:

  • Liability and Risk
  • WZ Types and Component Parts
  • TTC Devices
  • Making Adjustments to TTC, and
  • Roles and Responsibilities

    Includes several exercises and one team exercise and an open book exam (passing grade 80% or better)



slide 11

WZTC Training Procedures (cont'd)

Intermediate WZTC Course Content

  • Most of what is covered in the Basic WZTC +
  • Human Factors
  • Manuals and References
  • Flagging Operations
  • Laying Out, Installing, and Removing TTC
  • Types of TTC Applications
  • Reviewing and Documenting TTC

Cover of "Virginia Work Area Protection Manual: Standards and Guidelines for Temporary Traffic Control."

slide notes

An Intermediate WZ Traffic Control course geared toward Construction and Construction Inspection activities – covers long term operations. There is more focus on TC devices used in these types of operations, including concrete barriers, impact attenuators, pavement markings, markers and eradication, and detouring traffic or closing roadways and multiple traffic phasing. The course is 2 days in length.

Areas covered in the course include:

  • Most of what is covered in the Basic WZTC course plus
  • Human Factors
  • Manuals and References
  • Flagging Operations
  • Laying out, Installing, and Removing TTC
  • Types of TTC Applications
  • Reviewing/Documenting TTC

    Includes several team exercises and an open book exam (passing grade 80% or better)



slide 12

WZTC Training Procedures (cont'd)

Advanced WZTC Course Content

  • Standards, Manuals, and References
  • Fundamental Principles of TTC
  • Human Factors
  • Component Parts of TTC
  • Design Considerations
  • Developing TTC Plans
  • Nighttime WZs
  • Urban and Other Considerations

Cover of "Virginia Work Area Protection Manual: Standards and Guidelines for Temporary Traffic Control."

slide notes

An Advanced WZ Traffic Control course which covers WZ Design activities, especially the development of TCPs and TMPs—2 days in length.

Areas covered in the course include:

  • Day 1 –
    • Standards, Manuals, and References
    • Fundamental Principles of TTC
    • Human Factors
    • Component Parts of TTC
    • Types of TTC Activities
    • Design Considerations
  • Day 2 –
    • TTC Devices
    • TTC Plans
    • Nighttime WZs
    • Urban and Other Considerations

      Includes several exercises, including one on Temporary Concrete Barriers, and a team design exercise, along with an open book exam (passing grade 80% or better)



slide 13

WZTC Training Procedures (cont'd)

Testing Requirements

A passing score of 80% or higher is required for passing a WZTC course.

Retesting allowed after 24 hours. A second failure requires person to take the course again.

Training cards are issued by the committee.

Image of a VDOT Verification of Completion of Advanced Training in Work Zone Traffic Control certificate.

slide notes

There are testing requirements for each course. A passing score of at least 80% is required on the open book, open note test. Although our information is in English, we had a contractor convert the test into Spanish which we reviewed and approved for use if needed.

Once class information is received by the WZSTC, an approved WZTC training card is issued by VDOT upon successful completion.

Training is good for 4 years. Due to changes in both the Federal WZS program and our program, participants are required to attend another classroom session every four years. We feel it's important that those responsible for the design, implementation, and review of WZTC spend a day or two once every four years to refocus and improve on their WZS skills and abilities.




slide 14

WZTC Training Procedures (cont'd)

Personnel Identification Based on Job Responsibilities

Areas of Responsibilities Training Required ATSSA Cert.
Required
Minimum Required
Maintenance Basic No One per work site
Contractor (non-supervisory) Basic No One per work site
Utilities Basic No One per work site
Maintenance Contract Monitors Basic No All
Construction Inspection Intermediate No At least one per project
Contractors (Supervisory) Intermediate No At least one per project
Regional WZS Coordinator/TED WZ Staff Intermediate Yes All
ES&H Safety Engineer Intermediate Yes All
Traffic Control Supervisor (Special Provision) Intermediate Yes All
District Contract Monitors Intermediate No One per Residency
VDOT Land Development/Permit Intermediate No One per Residency
Traffic Control Plan/MOT Designers Advanced No One per design team

slide notes

Three areas of responsibilities will be required to obtain ATSSA TCS Certification. These include our Regional Work Zones Safety Coordinators, Employee Safety & Health Engineers, and TED WZ staff. Also, for projects designated as "significant project" in the development of the TMP, we will pay for the Contractor to supply a certified ATSSA Traffic Control Supervisor. This person will be responsible for the implementation and maintenance of traffic control devices throughout the life of the project.




slide 15

WZTC Training Procedures (cont'd)

Personnel Identification Based on Job Responsibilities

Areas of Responsibilities Training Required ATSSA Cert. Required Minimum Required
Maintenance Basic No One per work site
Contractor (non-supervisory) Basic No One per work site
Utilities Basic No One per work site
Maintenance Contract Monitors Basic No All
Construction Inspection Intermediate No At least one per project
Contractors (Supervisory) Intermediate No At least one per project
Regional WZS Coordinator/TED WZ Staff Intermediate Yes All
ES&H Safety Engineer Intermediate Yes All
Traffic Control Supervisor (Special Provision) Intermediate Yes All
District Contract Monitors Intermediate No One per Residency
VDOT Land Development/Permit Intermediate No One per Residency
Traffic Control Plan/MOT Designers Advanced No One per design team

slide notes

Three areas of responsibilities will be required to obtain ATSSA TCS Certification. These include our Regional Work Zones Safety Coordinators, Employee Safety & Health Engineers, and TED WZ staff. Also, for projects designated as "significant project" in the development of the TMP, we will pay for the Contractor to supply a certified ATSSA Traffic Control Supervisor. This person will be responsible for the implementation and maintenance of traffic control devices throughout the life of the project.




slide 16

WZTC Training Procedures (cont'd)

Delivery methods

Use course material already developed by VDOT or …

Allow existing or new wz courses to be submitted, reviewed, and approved by the WZSTC.

slide notes

To allow for flexibility, the committee decided that we would provide VDOT developed courses as well as allow courses developed by others, such as ATSSA, or NHI, or contractors to be reviewed and approved by the committee if they met the criteria established in our training procedures document. The course includes a PowerPoint presentation, training video, exercises, test, and a class evaluation.

To date, only ATSSA has met our training requirements and has been accepted as an alternate training option. They have tailored their class to be Virginia specific, meeting the requirements we have in our version of Part 6.




slide 17

WZTC Training Procedures (cont'd)

Instructor Qualifications

Basic – completion of the Intermediate or Advanced course;

Flagger certified;

2 yrs. of experience in conducting training courses, and;

At least 2 yrs. of practical experience in highway design, construction, maintenance, or traffic operations.

slide notes

The following qualifications have been determined for course instructors:

Basic – completion of the Intermediate or Advanced course, either VDOT or ATSSA flagger certified, completion of the VDOT Basic Instructor Course (BIC) or 2 yrs. of experience in conducting training courses, and at least 2 yrs. of practical experience in design, construction, maintenance, or traffic operations.




slide 18

WZTC Training Procedures (cont'd)

Instructor Qualifications

Intermediate – ATSSA TCS certified;

Flagger certified;

2 yrs. of experience in conducting training courses, and;

At least 2 yrs. of practical experience in highway design, construction, maintenance, utilities, or traffic operations.

slide notes

The following qualifications have been determined for course instructors:

Intermediate – ATSSA Traffic Control Supervisor certified, either VDOT or ATSSA flagger certified, 2 yrs. of experience in conducting training courses, and at least 2 yrs. of practical experience in design, construction, maintenance, or traffic operations.




slide 19

WZTC Training Procedures (cont'd)

Instructor Qualifications

Advanced – ATSSA TCS or TCDS certified;

Flagger certified;

2 yrs. of experience in conducting training courses, and;

At least 2 yrs. of practical experience in highway design, construction, maintenance, utilities, or traffic operations.

slide notes

The following qualifications have been determined for course instructors:

Intermediate – ATSSA Traffic Control Supervisor certified or Traffic Control Design Specialist certified, either VDOT or ATSSA flagger certified, 2 yrs. of experience in conducting training courses, and at least 2 yrs. of practical experience in design, construction, maintenance, or traffic operations.




slide 20

WZTC Training Procedures (cont'd)

Forms

Page from a VDOT Work Zone Traffic Control Training Instructor Application listing the course qualifications.   Page from a VDOT Work Zone Traffic Control Training Instructor Application with blanks for name, company, training category, qualifications, and references.

slide notes

We have an on-line instructor application which lists the qualifications needed and asks for two references, along with ATSSA TCS certification numbers and expiration date. The completed form is sent to us here in Richmond for review, and if approved, an instructor card is issued which allows for the purchase of the VDOT training materials.




slide 21

WZTC Training Procedures (cont'd)

  • To date, over 450 instructors have been approved.
  • Instructors are located in MD, PA, NC, TN, OH, WV, & NH.
  • 30 companies regularly conduct training on a monthly basis.

Photo of a man in a helmet and yellow-green safety vest holding a clipboard.

slide notes

The WZTC training committee has approved over 200 instructors, and instructors are located throughout Virginia as well as in Maryland, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio, West VA, and even one in New Hampshire.

There are 30 companies who regularly conduct the training courses, with courses held nearly every week somewhere in VA.




slide 22

Work Zone Traffic Control Training Champions

Training Champions were designated by each VDOT district and CO division to develop and implement a training plan.

Name Location
Ken Brittle Bristol District
Milton Thacker Culpeper District
George Romack, P.E. Fredericksburg District
Tim Rawls Hampton Roads District
Shannon Cotulla, P.E. Lynchburg District
Dick Steeg NOVA District
Baron Gissendaner Richmond District
Sean Grinnell, P.E. Salem District
Matt Shiley, P.E. Staunton District
Ray Khoury, P.E. Traffic Engineering Div

slide notes

  • Each VDOT district and Central Office division was charged to select a WZTC Training Champion to develop a training plan, identify employees who needed the training, and coordinate the implementation of the training procedures for their personnel.



slide 23

WZTC Training Procedures

  • Training was required by July 1, 2009, and all projects advertised thereafter.
  • Minimum of one trained person on each work crew or project.
  • Utility and Permit Personnel included.
  • To date, over 25,600 have attended one of the three training courses since we started in 2008.

Photo of five workers in helmets and yellow-green safety vests using jack hammers in front of work vehicles on a roadway.

slide notes

Everyone needing the initial round of training had until July 1, 2009 to obtain it.

As covered earlier, a minimum of one trained person is required on each work crew installing, reviewing and making adjustments, and removing WZTC, with construction and maintenance projects requiring a trained Intermediate WZTC person. Our permitting process also requires trained personnel be identified before the permit is issued.

Since we began the training process in 2008, over 25,600 people have attended one of the three WZTC training classes.




slide 24

WZTC Training Procedures (cont'd)

  • Revised training materials have been developed based on the 2009 MUTCD and VA Part 6 changes.
  • Will soon be outsourcing the data collection and production of WZTC training cards.

Cover of the "Work Zone Safety: Guidelines for Temporary Traffic Control" brochure.   Cover of "Virginia Work Area Protection Manual: Standards and Guidelines for Temporary Traffic Control."

slide notes

We have just completed revising the instructor materials and PowerPoint presentations for all three courses based on changes in the 2009 MUTCD and our recently approved version of Part 6 to the MUTCD.

Due to staff reductions, we will soon be outsourcing the collection of training rosters and production of training cards, reproduction of lost cards, and reproduction and selling of instructor materials, but we will continue the process of reviewing and approving instructor applications, reviewing class evaluations, and spot monitoring classes.




slide 25

WZTC Training Procedures (cont'd)

VDOT WZTC Training Procedures document:

http://www.virginiadot.org/business/resources/wztc/wztc_training_procedures.pdf

Part of a page of the VDOT Work Zone Traffic Control Training Procedures, showing subject, date, and approval signatures.

slide notes

Our WZTC training procedures are located on our WZS external website, or if anyone is interested, just contact me and I can send you the link.




slide 26

Work Zone Traffic Control Training

February 1, 2012

David B. Rush, Chairman, WZSTC
Traffic Engineering Division
804-371-6672
David.Rush@VDOT.Virginia.gov

Virginia Department of Transportation.

slide notes

Thanks!!

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