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Guidelines for Traffic Management in Work zones on PWD roads

ROAD SAFETY CELL

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF ENGINEER (ROADS)

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

Road Safety Cell, Public Works Department Page 1

Guidelines for Traffic Management in Work zones on PWD roads

1. INTRODUCTION

The road construction and maintenance activities are integral part of road

development. The road work zones are areas of conflict between normal operational traffic,

construction workers, road building machineries and construction traffic. Work zone

accidents are caused by several factors such as frequently changing environment that

occurs during work whereby the driver is often surprised, insufficient warnings for normal

and construction traffic, lack of audible warning to workers and inadequate provisions of

safety devices to protect workers. An ideal way to reduce work zone accidents is to create a

working area that does not influence the normal traffic flow by segregating and shielding the

site.

It is noticed that in work zones safety measures are not taken care of even though

standards are available, at many locations across the State. Self designed temporary

barrels, tapes etc are seen engaged at various places and non conformity to the IRC

specifications is also noticed. The life and safety of road users needs to be given utmost

importance and the authority responsible for execution need to be prudent in ensuring it. The

right material and specification should be used for traffic management in work zones.To

ensure that a traffic management plan should be prepared at the planning stage itself for the

entire project. In addition it is also important that the contractor / agency executing the job

have sufficient expertise and experience in the job.

In view of the above, in order to ensure quality, standards and uniformity in carrying

out traffic management in work zones across the State following guidelines are issued for

strict compliance during various stages of the job.

The main purpose of the Work Zone Traffic Management Plan (WTMP) is to provide

for reasonably safe and efficient movement of road users, protecting workers and

equipment. Work Zone Traffic Management Plan (WTMP) should be able to convey clearly

to the road user coming from any direction to a work zone exactly what is happening and

what is expected of him to manoeuvre the zone safely. The WTMPs should take care of the

safety of road user as well as the worker. At the same time WTMPs should ensure traffic

flows with minimum hindrance.

In view of the above the following guidelines are being issued for strict compliance in

work zones based on IRC: SP: 55-2014.


2. GENERAL

1. Safety of the road user is of utmost priority. The protection of construction workers and

equipment is also needs to be ensured.

2. Work Zone Traffic Management plans (WTMP) provides for continuity of movement of

traffic, access to properties and utilities.

3. Typical WTMPs shown in this guidelines are just a guideline, but site specific plans

should be prepared considering site conditions and requirements for smooth and

efficient flow of traffic as well as safe working environment.

4. Traffic diversion plan shall be prepared for the entire project.

5. Separate traffic diversion plan shall be prepared for structures and CD works.

6. Road Signs: - All road signs shall be as stipulated in IRC: 67- 2012, except those

specifically stated.

7. Road Markings: - All road markings shall be as stipulated in IRC: 35- 2015.

8. Directional Boards: -Shall be provided as per traffic and transportation requirements and

specification should be as stipulated in IRC: 67- 2012.

9. Traffic Safety Barriers: -Wherever required traffic safety barriers shall be provided as

per IRC: 119-2015.

10. Pedestrian Crossing and facilities: - Shall be provided as stipulated in IRC: 103-2012.

11. Speeding Calming Measures: - Shall be provided as stipulated in IRC:99-2018.

12. Road Side Advertisement Policy- Highway Protection Act & IRC: 46-1972.

Advertisement boards close to the road safety installations shall NOT be allowed.

13. All road safety installations shall be maintained properly for visibility/utility by periodic

refurbishment works like cleaning, repainting, jungle clearance, rectification of damages.

14. Carriageway edge drops shall not be allowed.

15. Any vandalism to any road furniture including traffic safety barriers shall be reported and

penal action shall be initiated against those who cause damage or disfigurement to road

safety installations.

3. PLANNING AND DESIGN STAGE:

1. In Planning stage, it is essential to identify and include traffic control

requirements, work program, the sequence and methodology of construction.

2. In Design phase detailed traffic management plan with location and layout of

traffic control devices should be prepared.

4. BIDDING STAGE

1. In bidding document include the details and specifications of Work Zone Traffic

Management elements to be included by the contractor in the work.


2. Guarantee/ Warranty certificates shall be strictly insisted for items for which

guarantee/ warranty certificates are required as per relevant IRC/ MORTH

specification.

5. WORK ZONE TRAFFIC MANAGEMAENT PLAN

1. A work zone is typically be identifiable by the presence of appropriate

channelizing devices, barriers, pavement markings.

2. The key elements of temporary traffic control zone are

a. Advance warning zone

b. Approach Transition Zone

c. Activity Zone

d. Terminal transition zone

e. Work zone end zone

The suggested lengths for temporary traffic zones for different speeds are given in

Appendix (Refer Table 4.1 & Fig 4.1)

a) Advance Warning Zone:- is the area to warn the road user of a work zone

ahead. In this zone provide information on :

(i) “Men at Work “ sign

(ii) Reduction of lane width sign/ speed limit sign

(iii) Length of Restriction information

(iv) Type of hazard

b) Approach Transition Zone:- is the section where road users are redirected from

their normal path of travel, where the regular traffic should be guided to deviate

from their normal path of travel through this zone. This is achieved by tapers or

with circular curves.

c) Activity Zone: - where construction activity takes place has three components (or

areas).

(i) Work space:- These are areas set aside for workers, equipment and materials

and is to be delineated by channelizing devices or temporary barriers.

(ii) Traffic space: Space in the activity zone through which traffic is routed and

should be designed keeping in mind the traffic expected in the stretch.

(iii) Buffer space: is a lateral/ longitudinal length/ width that separates normal traffic

from the work space. Neither work activity nor storage of equipment, vehicles or

material should occur within the buffer space.


The minimum values for various passing speed for Approach longitudinal buffer, Exit

longitudinal buffer and lateral buffer spaces are given in table in Appendix A.

d) Terminal transition zone:- The traffic will be redirected from the deviated path

to their normal path through the transition zone

e) Work zone end:- length shall extend from the end of terminal taper length to the

last traffic control device.

6. TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES

6.1 Road Signs shall be as stipulated in IRC: 67-2012. For details can refer the

guidelines issued by Road safety cell and available in PWD website.

The Work zone signs are of three categories such as regulatory, warning and

informatory/guide signs. The details of each type are as below

6.1.1 Regulatory Signs

(a) Normal Regulatory sign (NR):-The colour of normal regulatory sign is same as

that given in IRC: 67-2012.

(b) Work zone Regulatory sign (WR):- The work zone regulatory sign

background shall be red with white texts/ arrows/ borders.

(Refer Table 5.4 in Appendix)

6.1.2 Warning Signs

(a) Normal Warning signs (NW):- The normal warning signs are those taken from

IRC: 67-2012. Shape of normal warning sign used on work zones is triangular

but in yellow background in order to highlight the hazardous situation in work

zone. (Refer Table 5.5 in Appendix.)

(b) Warning signs for work zones (WW): Specifically meant for work zone shall be

rectangular with black text/ legend/ border in yellow background.

(Refer table 5.6 & Fig 5.7in Appendix)

6.1.3 Informatory signs:

(a) Information Signs (IS) or Temporary Direction signs (DS):- Rectangular in

shape and shall be in black texts/ arrows/ borders in yellow background.

(For details refer Appendix Figure 5.8, Table 5.7 in Appendix)

(b) Work zone direction information sign

Provide work zone direction information for diversion (Refer Appendix Figure

5.9 &Table 5.8)

If a temporary traffic control zone requires regulatory measures different from those

existing, the existing permanent regulatory devices shall be covered and superseded

by the appropriate temporary regulatory signs.


6.2 Temporary Road Markings & Road studs shall be in accordance with IRC: 35-

2015. For details can refer the guidelines issued by Road safety cell and available

in PWD website. Pavement marking shall match the markings at both ends of the

work zone.

The pavement markings shall be reinforced with road studs and the colour of the

road studs shall be amber. Provide road studs as per Fig: 5.22, in Appendix.

6.3 Channelizing Devices to warn and channelize the movement of road users

through changed path of movement

6.3.1 Traffic cones may be of height 500mm, 750mm, and 1000mm and diameter 300

to 500mm.


6.3.2 Tubular Markers are used effectively to divide opposing road users or to divide

vehicular traffic lanes

6.3.3 Hazard Markers shall be alternating yellow and black retro- reflective stripes,

sloping downward at an angle of 45 degrees in the direction of vehicular traffic.

6.3.4 Drums: are generally of light weight and with deformable materials. They shall be

a minimum of 800mm in height and have at least a 300mm minimum width

regardless of orientation. The marking on the drum shall be horizontal,

circumferential, alternating red and white retro-reflective stripes 100 to 150mm

wide. Drums should not be weighted with sand, ballast, water or any material to the

extent that would make them hazardous to road users when struck. Spacing criteria

is same as that of traffic cones.

Drums are ideal for work sites of long construction duration and also where length

of work site is relatively long. The drums with tape shall form a regular and smooth

geometry.


6.3.5 Barricades:-are intended to provide containment without significant deflection or

deformation under impact and to redirect errant vehicle along the barrier.

Type I & II Barricades are portable

Type III & IV are permanent


The barricades should be painted in alternate yellow and black stripes of 150mm

width. The stripes should slope away at an angle of 45 degree in the direction traffic is to

pass.

6.3.6 Direction indicator barricades:- may be used in tapers, transitions, and other

areas where specific directional guidance to drivers is necessary.

6.3.7 New Jersey Barrier:- Where the speed of passing vehicle is too high, this

type of barrier is preferred. Also at locations where edge drop of more than

300mm between carriageway and adjacent strip of work area exist.


6.3.8 Water Filled Barricades:-are modular water filled plastic containers of

various sizes and shapes. They shall be minimum 0.7m tall for major roads and

expressways and 0.5m for other roads.

Forgiving type water filled barricade are required in transition area, where

vehicles are likely to hit them if they fail to negotiate the deflected path.

6.3.9 Delineators:-are generally combined with or are used to supplement other

traffic control devices. They shall be mounted on crashworthy supports so that

the reflecting unit is approximately 1.2m above the nearside carriageway.

Delineator post shall conform to IRC 79: 2019. The standard colour for

delineator used along both sides of 2 way streets and highways & right side of

1 way roadways shall be white. Delineators used along the left side of one way

roadways shall be yellow.

7.0 LIGHTING DEVICES

Four types of lighting devices are commonly used in work zones. They are

floodlights, flashing warning beacons, warning lights, and steady burn electric

lamps.


8. SPEED REDUCTION MEASURES

Refer to the guidelines issued and available on PWD website under Road safety

Guidelines on providing Speed Breakers/ Humps on PWD roads. (refer Appendix-Fig

6.5 & 6.6)

9. TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

9.1 Alternate One way Operations- For Low Volume roads

In 2 lane roads, 1 lane is taken up for construction. This arrangement requires two

flaggers or temporary traffic lights to handle Stop and Go arrangement.

Choice of traffic control devices depends on the following conditions as in Table

below.

Different traffic control methods are as below.

9.1.1 Give and take system- For low volume of traffic with low volume of trucks & no

buses.


9.1.2 Priority Signs :– With more flow of traffic and conditions as stated in the above

table 7.1

9.1.3 STOP/GO boards: - Traffic can be controlled manually using , when the two way

traffic and length of site do not exceed the values as in Table below.


9.1.4 Portable Traffic signals Can be used at most sites with length of 300m or

less. It should be ensured that the exit from the restricted length is not blocked.

9.2 Detours: - If alternate road is available for diverting the traffic, detour should be

utilised. Safety aspect of detour roads should be evaluated.

9.3 Diversions: - Traffic in one or both directions is routed onto a temporary road

constructed around the work zone.


9.4 Full Road Closure:- If this option is possible, it leads to safe work zones and

reduction in work time

9.5 Median Crossovers:- Suitable in divided carriageways. While designing for median

crossovers, the radius given for various approach speeds in Table below can be

adopted.


Appendix A

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