Applying the Work Zone Rule to Design-Build Projects: Key Considerations

The Rule

In order to "meet current and future work zone safety and mobility challenges, and serve the needs of the American people," the Rule (23 CFR 630 Subpart J) was published in September 2004 and became effective in October 2007. The Rule applies to all Federal-aid highway projects and affects agencies receiving such funding. The overarching goal of the Rule is to reduce crashes and congestion in and around work zones. The Rule aims to bring this about through greater consideration and understanding of work zone impacts throughout project development; minimization of those impacts where possible through scheduling, coordination, design, and staging decisions; and better management of remaining impacts during construction.

There are eight key aspects of the Rule. They are:

• Work zone assessment and management procedures
• Work zone data collection and analysis
• Training
• Process review
• Transportation Management Plan (TMP)
• Plans, Specifications & Estimates (PS&E) shall include the TMP or provisions for contractors to create a TMP
• Pay item provisions - method based or performance based
• The designated trained person

All of these aspects apply to both DB and DBB projects. While the principles advocated by the Rule and its key aspects still apply to DB projects, some of these aspects may need to be applied somewhat differently to DB projects to address the differences between DB and traditional DBB processes.

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