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District of Columbia DOT Citywide TMP

Managing DC Work Zones: DDOT’s Citywide Transportation Management Plan

ARTBA National Work Zone Management Conference September 20, 2016

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District of Columbia DOT Citywide TMP 2

Citywide Transportation Management Plan (TMP)

Citywide Work Zone Project Management System Work Zone Management Manual

Outline




Outline


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660k

The Challenge

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The Challenge

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The Challenge

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The Challenge

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The Challenge

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The Challenge

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Can we change this part of the Traffic Control Plan? We really need to get this work done next week!

If we close this ramp for

the next 2 months, what

detour alternatives do we have?

We have a conflict! We closed the left lane and someone else is setting up to close the right lane!

HELP!

We have these 8 major projects going to construction next fall, what will traffic be like?

Why is the right lane closed again, when the utility company just finished their work?

The Challenge

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Citywide Work Zone Project Management System

Planning tool to proactively track and analyze multiple work zones & special events for a five-year rolling period Identify the cumulative impacts Generate cost-effective and targeted mitigation strategies Provide timely and data-driven responses to stakeholder questions and concerns

Improve safety and mobility!

DDOT Needed a Dynamic and Regional Approach to

Managing Work Zones!

The Approach

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WORK ZONE TRACKING

TOOL (SmartNET)

• Configurable work zone reports

• Interactive work zone map

• Revised work zone schedules

• XML data feed to CapTop

Avoid work zone location conflicts

• Project information (DDOT, Developer, Utility, etc.)

• Detailed work zone information (user input)

• Road network information

The Approach: Work Zone Tracking Tool

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Construction Event and Special Event Management Capital, developer &

utility projects Shoulder, lane & road

closures including date and time

Project Coordination Within single project Among multiple

projects Conflict Monitoring Mapping Reporting


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Customized mesoscopic simulation model Simulates operations during construction Link capacity reduction for work zones Generates various maps, tables & reports

TRAFFIC ANALYSIS

TOOL • Analysis summary

reports • Weekday peak period

scenario results • Regional congestion

“hot spot” map • TMP / MOT

alternatives

Identify and minimize cumulative work zone impacts

• Roadway and traffic signal data

• Traffic volumes • Traffic analysis scenario

framework

The Approach: Traffic Analysis Tool

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Assesses the cumulative impacts of work zones and special events AM, PM, midday & weekend

peak periods Network includes Collectors and higher classification roadways Utilizes signal timing and detailed lane configuration Generates reports of anticipated delay, LOS and queuing Provides the ability to minimize work zone


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Project Map The Approach: Traffic Analysis Tool

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Delay Maps Intersecti

ons Segments Average

Delay Percent

Delay Increase


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Level of Service Map


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Work Zone “Hot Spot” Map (with High Accident Locations)


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Focus on Cumulative Work Zone Impacts Does not replace project-

specific TMPs Initial Citywide TMP Identifies major projects, key

corridors, and potential conflict areas Recommends mitigation

strategies including: • Transportation Demand

Management (TDM) • Public Outreach

Performance measures to

CITYWIDE TMP

Document Development • 5-years worth of work zone

mitigation strategies • Customized regional TDM plans • Mitigation strategy budget

estimate

Identify corridor / area work zone mitigation strategies

• National best practice research

• TMP Team input and lessons learned

• Community “hot spots”

The Approach: Citywide TMP Document

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Work Zone Mitigation Strategies Goal: Maximize mobility while minimizing impacts Supplement project-specific mitigation strategies Two (2) primary types of regional mitigation strategies Citywide initiatives Targeted strategies for identified hotspots


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Work Zone Mitigation Strategies Mitigation budget developed for next five years Proactive approach Make work zone mitigation a priority, not an afterthought


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Reduced work zone conflicts Promotes proactive collaboration rather than reactive Reduces complaints Minimizes surprises

Benefits

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Manages expectations Elected officials,

residents, business owners, ANC’s, BID’s

Promotes economic vitality Businesses in proximity to

work zones

Benefits

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Identifies work zone hotspots Targeted mitigation strategies Mitigation strategies are

based on data-driven work zone “hot spots”

Proactive work zone outreach Messaging distributed in

advance to elected officials, media & public

Benefits

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Improves safety & mobility in work zones Supports the Mayor’s Vision Zero initiative “By the year 2024, Washington, DC will

reach zero fatalities and serious injuries to travelers of our transportation system, through more effective use of data, education, enforcement, and engineering.”

Benefits

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Outline


Challenges: District of Columbia

Maintaining ADA accessibility

Suitability and appropriate use of traffic

control devices

Inconsistency of flagging operations

Maintaining bicycle facilities

Block spacing (sign spacing)

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Presenter

Presentation Notes

Jump into the challenges in the District of Columbia, which are common to urban areas, but not necessarily unique. Providing suitable notification & ADA-compliant accommodations for pedestrians in a jurisdiction where walkability is extremely important for people using transit, access to local businesses, schools, etc. Maintaining ADA accessibility. I actually was a member of DDOT’s ADA Transition Community Advisory Committee last year where I was able to learn first-hand the challenges of the disabled community. Also, just overall suitable use of temporary traffic control devices. The enforcement of proper work zone set-up is big issue in the District.


Why Develop Jurisdiction-based Work Zone Standards?

Specifically & autonomously define the conditions & policies for closures based on jurisdictional characteristics Address specific agency challenges Allows for “breaking out” of facilities (i.e., pedestrian, bike) to define their policies Engage departmental staff

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Presenter

Presentation Notes

First it allows you to define the guidelines & policies for closures based on a myriad of jurisdictional characteristics. It allows you to address specific agency challenges. Break out or focus on specific modes or facilities to more stringently define their policies. And perhaps most importantly, we were able to engage stakeholder from different divisions or administrations in the development of work zone management policy. Often you just get a manual and someone tells you that ”these are the rules”. This gave staff the change to be a part f the rule-making.


Project Goals: Work Zone Management Manual

Update Primary Work Zone Documents Create a Comprehensive Documentation of all DDOT Work Zone Policies Improve Temporary Traffic Control Plan Quality Work Towards Minimizing Work Zone Impacts Improve Safety & Operations through Work Areas

WORK ZONE DOCUMENTAT

ION

DC Temporary Traffic Control Manual

Transportation Facilities

Closure Policy (formerly

Business Rules) Pocket Guide

Work Zone Safety & Mobility Policy

Specifications

WORK ZONE MANAGEMENT

MANUAL

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Presenter

Presentation Notes

Update obsolete or outdated work zone policies, but then also combine these policies into one comprehensive document. We also wanted to improve the quality of temporary traffic control plans and TMPs by providing more guidance & information. And, obviously we think this process will help minimize work zone impacts and improve safety & operations through work zones.


Primary Work Zone Management Manual Elements

Work Zone Safety & Mobility Policy – How work zone management techniques are integrated Transportation Facility Closure Policy – What steps and considerations DDOT and contractors must consider when restricting access DC Temporary Traffic Control Manual - DC’s version of the MUTCD P t 6

Temporary Traffic Control Transportation

Operations

Public Information

TMP

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Presenter

Presentation Notes

So, there 3 primary elements of the Work Zone Management Manual. Work Zone Safety & Mobility Policy – How WZ management techniques are integrated based on the scale of the project. Transportation Facility Closure Policy – Process & considerations for restricting access. And finally, the Temporary Traffic Control Manual – Essentially DDOT’s version of Part 6 of the MUTCD.


1. Work Zone Safety & Mobility Policy GOALS: Update District of Columbia

WZ S&MP (2007) Better consistency with federal

standards Clarify “Significant Project” Guidance for TMP Levels

• Type A TMP – Basic • Type B TMP –

Intermediate • Type C TMP – Major

Specific work zone management tools for TMP

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Presenter

Presentation Notes

As mentioned previously, our first goal was to update the policy, which at that point was about 8 years old. Ensure consistency with federal standards. Clarify the concept of a “Significant Project” to help staff & contractors determine the appropriate level of work zone management and Transportation Management Planning to engage in. And also, just simply provide guidance for the use of tools for traffic control, transportation operations, and public information.


Jurisdiction-Based Considerations Work Zone Safety & Mobility Policy

Refine roles for constantly evolving agency Consistency in planning of transportation management similar project scales New standards and practices already in use Need for public outreach & engagement

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Presenter

Presentation Notes

First, we needed to define and in some cases redefine the roles. We generalized them. Replaced position titles with agency functions, so that as the agency evolves and restructures, these roles will still by unambiguous and intact. There was a need to create some consistency regarding the management of projects of similar scale. So for example, every project that is deemed significant will have full implementation of of traffic control, transportation management, and public information. Lastly, again, we needed to bring DDOT’s policies up to date.


Work Zone Safety & Mobility Policy Tools

STRATEGY CATEGORIES TMP Types

Type A Type B Type C

Temporary Traffic Control (TTC)

Full Full Full

Transportation Operations (TO)

Minimal Partial Full

Public Information (PI) Minimal Partial Full

Identifying TMP Type

Identifying Strategy Implementation Levels

Identifying TMP Development Process

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Presenter

Presentation Notes

So here are some simple figures that we included to provide additional guidance. First, we created a very basic flow diagram for selecting the TMP type. There are myriad of considerations that may be involved here, but we wanted everyone to be on the same page about the general thought process. Secondly, once you identified the TMP type, we wanted provide a sense of what level of implementation might be considered for each of the 3 strategy categories. Lastly, we more clearly defined the TMP development process for level A, B, or C.


2. DC Transportation Facility Closure Policy

GOALS: How? When? To What Extent? Detail closure policies for all

types of facilities Define closure process (i.e.,

planned & unplanned) Establish waiver process Clarify roles & responsibilities

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Presenter

Presentation Notes

Defines how, when, and to what extent a facility can be closed, but more specifically details the policies around closures in the District. We wanted to define the facility closure process for both planned and unplanned events, but also establish a waiver process when these policies simply can’t be adhered to. We wanted to add narrative about the provision of detours and the roles and responsibilities for compliance.


Jurisdiction-Based Considerations Transportation Facility Closure Policy

More stringent policies needed regarding pedestrians and bicycles Need to define closure policy for different of facilities Impact of parking losses Addressing special events, emergency repairs, etc.

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Presenter

Presentation Notes

Some of the considerations that we were dealing with included the integration of alternative modes (i.e., bikes, pedestrians) into the narrative, but also placing the related facilities (i.e., sidewalks, bike lanes, multi-use trails on a level similar to vehicular facilities. We also wanted to insert language regarding parking facilities, particularly given that parking is a commodity in urban jurisdictions (not just in the CBD, but also in residential areas). In a jurisdiction that has almost year-round special events (i.e., parades, protests, marches, marathons) we also felt like we needed to address closures for special events. Also, like most old urban areas life-cycle issues related to infrastructure (including utilities) is also a major issue.


3. DC Temporary Traffic Control Manual

GOALS: Update DC Temporary Traffic

Control Manual (2006) Consolidate DDOT’s Current

Policies & Practices Integrate latest version of

MUTCD Part 6 Incorporate National Best

Practices and State-of-the-Practice Strategies Tailor Content to the Urban

Environment

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Presenter

Presentation Notes

This was another case where we found the guidelines to be well-outdated. The DC Temporary Traffic Control Manual hadn’t been updated in nearly 10 years. Now, during that time, DDOT transitioned to relying on the 2009 MUTCD, but in doing so, lost a lot of the jurisdiction-related elements of their 2006 manual. We wanted to also consolidate polices. For example the team that oversees the performance of utility work in the District had it’s own separate set of standards that were more appropriate to these types of activities. We wanted to integrate the latest MUTCD standards and where we could, incorporate national best practices. Overall, our goal was to tailor this document to DC’s urban environment.


Jurisdiction-Based Considerations Temporary Traffic Control Manual

Alternative modes (“streetcars, pedestrians, and cyclists”) Need to specify ADA Daily, Weekly, Hourly TTC Review Training Requirements (staff & supervisors) Roadway Layout DC-specific traffic controls

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Presenter

Presentation Notes

Obviously, a key consideration was alternative modes. We modified the language to always include “streetcars, pedestrians, and cyclists” wherever it was appropriate (or when “motorists” were mentioned). Although ADA accessibility is a priority for the District, we also wanted to make sure we referenced ADA with respect to the suitability of temporary facilities. In DC where traffic patterns “turn on a dime”, it is important to specify the consistent review for work zones. There was also a recognition of the need to specify certification and training requirements for all staff and supervisors. As I mentioned earlier, the layout of the network was also important. And, there were a number of DC-specific signs that we wanted to make sure were included.


Document Development Process DC Temporary Traffic Control Manual

Best Practices Review Federal, Maryland,

Virginia, California, Delaware, and yes…DC

Led to Comparative Matrices TTCM Narrative,

Approved Signs, Typical Applications

Stakeholder Meetings Division / Discipline-

based IPMA, PTSA, PPSA,

PSRA TOA

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Presenter

Presentation Notes

We performed a best-practices review where we performed a paragraph-by-paragraph comparison of guidelines for several jurisdictions, starting first with federal, Maryland, Virginia, California, and Delaware, which RK&K had done for their complete MUTCD a few years prior. We did this using comparative matrices. We took our recommendations to our stakeholder group, based on subject-matter (e.g. – ped & bike lead for Section 6D) to get feedback on which proposed changes were acceptable, and what other policies we should infuse.


DC Temporary Traffic Control Manual Comparative Matrices

Use of 5 States (including DC) Every Chapter: 6A

through 6I Comparison of Every

Paragraph Cross-Comparison with

DDOT Policies Used Federal MUTCD as a

“baseline” Documented “changes”

and “justifications”

Section / Paragraph

DC Feds VA CA MD DE

6D.02 / Paragraph 3

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Presenter

Presentation Notes

Here is an animated example of our process of using comparative matrices. We went through every chapter, comparing every paragraph for each jurisdiction, while also cross-comparing with recent DDOT policies. We consistently used the MUTCD as our baseline, so nothing we proposed went below a pre-existing federal standard (i.e., mandatory rule). We also had to document not only our changes, but also our justification for those changes.


DC Temporary Traffic Control Manual “Urbanizing” Figures

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Presenter

Presentation Notes

Here are some examples of figures that we update. You can see on the left that we removed the shoulders and provided a more appropriate context by replacing them with parking lanes. We only did this for the most widely-used typicals. We also update the utility typicals for clarity and to give them a consistent appearance.


DC Temporary Traffic Control Manual Example: Table 6C-2a. Length of Optional Longitudinal Buffer Space

Table 6C-2a. Length of

Longitudinal Buffer Space (Urban)

Speed* Distance

20 mph 35 feet 25 mph 55 feet 30 mph 85 feet 35 mph 120 feet 40 mph 170 feet 45 mph 220 feet 50 mph 280 feet 55 mph 335 feet 60 mph 415 feet 65 mph 485 feet

* Posted speed, off-peak 85th-percentile speed prior to work starting, or the anticipated operating speed.

Table 6C-2b. Length of

Longitudinal Buffer Space (Freeway/Expressway)

Speed* Distance

40 mph 305 feet 45 mph 360 feet 50 mph 425 feet 55 mph 495 feet 60 mph 570 feet 65 mph 645 feet 70 mph 730 feet 75 mph 820 feet * Posted speed, off-peak 85th-percentile

speed prior to work starting, or the anticipated operating speed.

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Presenter

Presentation Notes

Not only did we make the buffer space mandatory of all work zones, but since these are suggested (and not mandated values) we were able to reduce the minimum distance to make it more appropriate given DC’s consistently short block lengths (particularly in the CBD).


DC Temporary Traffic Control Manual Example: Section 6D – Pedestrian, Bicycle, and Worker Safety DC City Code: Safe

Accommodation for Pedestrian & Bicyclists Pedestrian and bicycle traffic

controls required for all closures or disruptions. Maintain access to businesses,

residences, and crosswalks Adherence required for public ROW

occupancy permit Blockage of sidewalk or bicycle

facilities treated in same manner as lane closure

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Presenter

Presentation Notes

One of the last examples that I wanted to share was the integration of a particularly progressive policy for pedestrians and bicycles. Among other things, this calls for the use of actual pedestrian & bicycle traffic controls (not vehicular signs) for closures to the related facilities. It also stipulates that the closure of a sidewalk or bike facility is to be treated in the same manner as a lane closure.


Moving Forward – Future of the DDOT WZMM

Constantly-evolving document Integration of Smart Work Zone standards More Consideration for Transit DC Streetcar Multiple delivery platforms

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Q&A Scott C. Crumley, PE, PTOE [email protected] 202-864-6374 William L. Haynes PE, PTOE [email protected] 202-864-6377

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