Work Zone Mobility and Safety Program
Photo collage: temporary lane closure, road marking installation, cone with mounted warning light, and drum separated work zones.
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Text from 'New Jersey State Police Construction Unit' PowerPoint Presentation

Workshops > Integrating Operations

Slide 1

New Jersey State Police

Honor, Duty, Fidelity

Graphic: New Jersey State Police Badge reads 'New Jersey State Police, Libery and Prosperity 1776, 1921'

Instructor TPR I Michael A. Neals #4213

Slide 2

New Jersey State Police

Honor, Duty, Fidelity

Work Zone Safety

  • History
  • NJ DOT Response
  • NJSP Construction Unit
  • Dedicated Unit Advantages
  • Unit Responsibilities
  • Unit Primary Objective
  • Unit Partnerships
  • Safety Intervention Results

Slide 3

History

  • Work Zone Fatalities = Average 791 [1984 thru 1994] Nationwide
  • 1994 - 828 Fatalities Nationwide
  • 1999 - 872 Fatalities { 700 motorist speeding thru Work Zones } Nationwide
  • 66% of ALL Work Zone Fatalities and Serious Injuries Occur on Highways
  • Highway Workers Are 20-30% More Likely to Be Killed On the Job Than in Any Other Type of Construction Work

Slide 4

  • Response from NJ DOT: Enhance Work Zone Safety
  • Improved Traffic Control Plans
  • Use of State Police on Work Sites
  • Increased Training
  • Improvements in Safety Devices

Slide 5

New Jersey State Police Construction Unit

  • 1994: Unit Established
    • 3 Regions [North, Central, South]
    • 25 Troopers
  • 1996: Unit Expanded
    • 5 Regions [Regions 1 through 5]
    • 45 Troopers
  • 1999: Reduction of Unit
    • 40 Troopers

Slide 6

New Jersey Model Program

  • Fosters Safety Practices and Compliance
  • Law Enforcement Trained in Work Zone Traffic Safety
  • National Recognition - HAMMER AWARD 1998

Slide 7

New Jersey Model Program

  • N.J.D.O.T. & N.J.S.P.
  • Rutger’s University Traffic Control Coordinator Program
  • O.S.H.A. Training
  • Train the Trainer Program
  • Refresher Training
  • Law Enforcement, Labor Unions / Contractors

Slide 8

NJSP Dedicated Unit Advantages

  • Statewide Jurisdiction
  • Enforcement of Established Safety Guidelines
  • Troopers Trained in Construction Safety Practices
  • One Uniform Payment Procedure

Slide 9

NJSP Dedicated Unit Responsibilities

  • Construction Site Supervision
  • Supplement Safety
  • Traffic Enforcement Activities
  • Inspect and Review TCP
  • Training
  • Lane Closings, Escorts, Slowdowns
  • Snow Removal Operations
  • Overtime Management

Slide 10

Duties of Police Officers at Temporary Traffic Control Zones

  • Supplement Safety
  • Enforcement
  • Inspect

Slide 11

Points to Emphasize: NEW JERSEY STATE TROOPERS

Supplement Safety

  • Add to the TCP, not a Substitution
  • Unless Specified By Law or Special Phase of Project, Do Not Have To Be Stationary
  • TCP Stands Alone
  • High Visibility
  • May Respond to Other Police Calls for Assistance Backup

Slide 12

Points to Emphasize: NEW JERSEY STATE TROOPERS

Inspect TCP Compliance

  • Check TCP against Field Inspection
  • Detect Safety Violations
  • Advise Resident or Inspector of Any Problems
  • Officer Cannot Change TCP - May Add or Adjust Devices - Discuss with RE unless Imminent Danger Exists

Slide 13

Points to Emphasize: NEW JERSEY STATE TROOPERS

Enforce Laws

  • Sworn Law Enforcement Officers
  • Part of Job is Traffic Enforcement
  • NO ONE has Immunity (not Contractors, Laborers, Resident Engineers or Inspectors)
  • Can Put Vehicles Out of Service if Unsafe
  • Title 39 Exception in Work Zone
  • Accident in Work Zone

Slide 14

NJSP Construction Unit Primary Objective

Safety Compliance

  • Construction Workers
  • Motoring Public
  • NJ DOT Workers
  • Law Enforcement Personnel

Slide 15

NJSP Construction Unit Partnerships

  • New Jersey State Police
  • N.J. D.O.T.
  • Labor Unions
  • Federal Highway Administration
  • O.S.H.A.
  • Motoring Public
  • Law Enforcement Agencies
  • Rutger’s University

Slide 16

Safety Intervention Results: July 1, 1995 - November 30, 2000

Safety

  • 5248 Total Interventions
  • 3387 O.S.H.A.Violations Corrected
  • 247 Different Contractors Impacted
  • 11,544 Employees Removed From Risk
  • 4008 D.O.T.Violations Corrected

Slide 17

Could this have been prevented?

Photo: Vehicle collision in a designated workzone

Slide 18

New Jersey State Police

Honor, Duty, Fidelity

Thank You!
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