Work Zone Training
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Contact Information: WorkZoneFeedback@dot.gov
February 1, 2012
slide 1
Work Zone Training
Tracy Scriba
FHWA
February 1, 2011
slide notes
None.
slide 2
Topics
- Why Training
- Subpart J Requirements
- Considerations
- Training Resources
- Implementation
slide notes
None.
slide 3
Why Training
- Develop a knowledgeable workforce
- Help personnel:
- Do their job safely and effectively
- Design, implement, maintain work zones that provide for the safe and efficient movement of traffic
- Design and implement work zones that enable work to be completed at acceptable quality
- Ensure that work zones are implemented appropriately in the field
- Safely enforce laws and respond to emergencies in work zones
slide notes
None.
slide 4
Subpart J Requirements
- Section 630.1008(d) of the Rule addresses training
- Addresses:
- Who must be trained
- What training needs to cover
- How often
- Agencies had many good training efforts underway prior to the Rule
- Flexibility to continue and enhance those practices as needed
slide notes
None.
slide 5
Subpart J Requirements – Who
- Personnel involved in the
- Development,
- Design,
- Implementation,
- Operation,
- Inspection, and
- Enforcement
slide notes
None.
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Subpart J Requirements – Who (cont'd)
- Transportation planners
- Design engineers
- Flaggers
- TTC/TMP designers
- Regional construction managers
- Construction staff
- Maintenance staff
- Inspectors
- Contractor and utility staff
- Law enforcement
- Incident responders
- Consultants
Possibly – Policy makers, senior managers, information officers, program leads
slide notes
None.
slide 7
Subpart J Requirements – What
- Appropriate training = training relevant to job decisions that each individual makes
- Deliver training that is:
- Targeted
- Meaningful
- Useful
- Effective
- Varies by position
slide notes
None.
slide 8
Example: Personnel installing traffic control devices, lane closures, etc.
- Need to be trained
- Major role in how safe a work zone is for motorists and workers
- They need to know things like:
- How to work safely in traffic
- Requirements for high-visibility apparel
- How to read TTC plans
- What order to put devices in and take them out
- How devices should be installed and maintained
- When devices should not be used due to their poor condition/quality
- Ramifications for putting TTC in incorrectly
slide notes
How devices should be installed and maintained – for example, which way stripes on a barricade go
slide 9
Example: TMP Designers
- Need to be trained
- Have major role in providing for safe and effective traffic flow in work zones
- They need to be trained on things like:
- What a TMP is and why it is needed
- How to identify and assess work zone impacts
- What a significant project is and how the Agency defines it
- Components of a TMP and how to select TMP strategies
- Constructability issues
- Work zone traffic control
- Who reviews and approves TMPs and TMP changes
- What Agency policies apply
slide notes
What Agency policies apply – such as for setting WZ speed limits, use of law enforcement, design standards
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Example: Responsible Persons
- Need to be trained
- State/Agency and Contractor
- Responsible for TMP and other safety and mobility aspects of project
- They need to be trained on things like:
- What a TMP is and why it is needed
- Components of a TMP
- Why things are designed the way they are (TMP, TCP)
- Work zone traffic control
- Access/egress
- Use of law enforcement
- TMP monitoring and assessment
- What to do if a TMP is not working
- Who reviews and approves TMP changes
slide notes
Want the responsible person to understand the implications of not getting it right, to understand why things are designed the way they are from a traffic control standpoint – not just follow the plan. That way if changes are needed, they know how to make them to improve the situation rather than make it worse.
Many States require the Contractor to include the training credentials of its flaggers, competent person, and all others associated with the MOT function on the TMP.
slide 11
Subpart J Requirements
- How often
- Initial – by October 12, 2007, at a minimum, have a training plan
- Periodic training updates – to reflect
- Changing industry practices
- Changes to agency processes and procedures
- Certification
- Not required at national level
- May be required by States and Localities
slide notes
The Rule does not specify a set/standard frequency for the updates. There are changes to practices as the industry learns more and finds better ways to do business. These changes could be advances in industry practices (e.g., new technologies becoming available, different traffic management approaches developing, etc.) that perhaps need training to be effectively implemented. These changes could be revisions an agency makes to its processes and procedures as it conducts process reviews or analyzes work data and finds that certain practices work better than others.
For these changes to be implemented, some training may be appropriate and necessary. These types of changes should be reflected in revisions to an agency's regular training program; however, those already trained also need to receive this information.
Updates to training will depend on the situation and needs of the agency. For example, an agency may find after a process review that new or updated training is needed. It is recommended that the agency's work zone policy include criteria, processes, and procedures for updating training. How frequently these training updates are needed may vary, depending on how often new information needs to be conveyed. Some agencies may find they can conduct some training updates during regular meetings of State engineers, AGC chapter meetings, local ITE meetings, etc. Others may find that electronic forums can be used effectively (e.g., email bulletins to "graduates" of courses).
Certification – Some agencies require certification for certain personnel, such as flaggers and traffic control supervisors.
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Subpart J Requirements (cont'd)
- Who can provide training
- States
- Localities
- LTAPs
- FHWA and NHI
- Associations (ATSSA, ITE, ARTBA)
- Contractors or Contractor Associations
- Other
- State-dependent – check with your State
slide notes
Agencies are not solely responsible for providing training. The responsibility of the agency is to require that appropriate personnel that are involved in planning, designing, and implementing work zone transportation management and traffic control are trained so that they have the necessary skill, knowledge, and abilities. Training is a means to developing a knowledgeable workforce.
The agency is also not solely responsible for updating all training courses to reflect changing industry practices; however, it is responsible for requiring that personnel receive updated training on a periodic basis.
For engineering consultant contracts, agencies may identify needs and requirements through the proposal or consultant procurement process. Professional engineering registration requirements as regulated through the individual States will need to be considered. Existing policies and regulatory controls may already provide that a practicing engineer be competent and maintain currency with training for designing work zone traffic control. For construction contracts, States may impose requirements through contract provisions.
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Considerations
- Target audiences for the training
- Within the State/agency
- Outside the State/Agency
- For each audience:
- Training needs and core competencies
- Programs and courses that meet the needs
- Best formats – classroom, online, etc.
- Typical refresher course requirements
slide notes
Agencies are not solely responsible for providing training. The responsibility of the agency is to require that appropriate personnel that are involved in planning, designing, and implementing work zone transportation management and traffic control are trained so that they have the necessary skill, knowledge, and abilities. Training is a means to developing a knowledgeable workforce.
The agency is also not solely responsible for updating all training courses to reflect changing industry practices; however, it is responsible for requiring that personnel receive updated training on a periodic basis.
For engineering consultant contracts, agencies may identify needs and requirements through the proposal or consultant procurement process. Professional engineering registration requirements as regulated through the individual States will need to be considered. Existing policies and regulatory controls may already provide that a practicing engineer be competent and maintain currency with training for designing work zone traffic control. For construction contracts, States may impose requirements through contract provisions.
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Considerations (con't)
- Where to specify training requirements
- Agency policies, manuals, etc.
- Contract specifications, pre-qualification, etc.
- Training delivery
- Record-keeping of training and updates
- Funding sources for training
- Contractor, consultant, and other private sector involvement in delivery
- Acceptability of training from other States
slide notes
Agencies are not solely responsible for providing training. The responsibility of the agency is to require that appropriate personnel that are involved in planning, designing, and implementing work zone transportation management and traffic control are trained so that they have the necessary skill, knowledge, and abilities. Training is a means to developing a knowledgeable workforce.
The agency is also not solely responsible for updating all training courses to reflect changing industry practices; however, it is responsible for requiring that personnel receive updated training on a periodic basis.
For engineering consultant contracts, agencies may identify needs and requirements through the proposal or consultant procurement process. Professional engineering registration requirements as regulated through the individual States will need to be considered. Existing policies and regulatory controls may already provide that a practicing engineer be competent and maintain currency with training for designing work zone traffic control. For construction contracts, States may impose requirements through contract provisions.
slide 15
Training Resources
- FHWA Training Compendium
- Work Zone Safety Grants
- Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse
- National Highway Institute (NHI)
- Associations and Contractor Organizations
- "Turning Point" campaign for new drivers
- National Transportation Training Resource
- Transportation Curriculum Coordination Council
- LTAPs
Visit FHWA Work Zone Training Page for links http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/wz/outreach/outreach.htm
slide notes
None.
slide 16
Training Resources (cont'd)
FHWA Training Compendium
http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/wz/outreach/wz_training/index.htm
slide notes
None.
slide 17
FHWA Training Compendium
slide notes
None.
slide 18
Implementation
- States have developed and enhanced their WZ training programs
- Has the Agency updated/changed training for staff to address broader consideration of WZ impacts and management in scheduling, design, and implementation of projects?
- 34 agencies (65 percent) responded that the Rule has caused a change in their WZ training
- Of those, 15 agencies (29 percent) said they had made significant changes to their training
slide notes
None.
slide 19
Implementation (cont'd)
- Three States to present some of their approach:
- New Hampshire
- Louisiana
- Virginia
slide notes
None
