Work Zone Mobility and Safety Program
Photo collage: temporary lane closure, road marking installation, cone with mounted warning light, and drum separated work zones.
Office of Operations 21st Century Operations Using 21st Century Technologies

Regulation and Policy

traffic sign reading "Highway Workers - Give 'em a Brake"

Work Zone Safety and Mobility Rule (Subpart J)

The Rule on Work Zone Safety and Mobility was published in the Federal Register (69 FR 54562) on September 9, 2004 with an effective date of October 12, 2007. The purpose of the update is to address the changing times of more traffic, more congestion, greater safety issues, and more work zones. FHWA is working on a number of implementation guidance tools to help practitioners implement the provisions of the Rule. These guidance tools and other information pertaining to the rule will be posted to the Rule section of this web site as they are developed

Temporary Traffic Control Devices Rule (Subpart K)

The Final Rule on Temporary Traffic Control Devices was published in the Federal Register (72 FR 68480) on December 5, 2007 with an effective date of December 4, 2008. This Rule supplements FHWA's regulation that governs work zone safety and mobility in highway and street work zones to include conditions for the appropriate use of, and expenditure of funds for, uniformed law enforcement officers, positive protective measures between workers and motorized traffic, and installation and maintenance of temporary traffic control devices during construction, utility, and maintenance operations. This rulemaking is in response to section 1110 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU).

  • Frequently Asked Questions (HTML, PDF 23KB)
  • Webinar on the Temporary Traffic Control Devices Rule (video recording and presentation slides)
  • Work Zone Positive Protection Toolbox (PDF, 683KB) - This toolbox describes the various types of positive protection devices currently in use, as well as provides guidance on where and how each device is typically used.
  • Traffic Control Guidance
  • Final Rule (72 FR 68480) - Published in the Federal Register on December 5, 2007 (HTML, PDF 102KB)
  • Notice of Proposed Rulemaking; extension of comment period (71 FR 75898) - Published in the Federal Register on December 19, 2006 (HTML, PDF 44KB)
  • Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Request for Comments (71 FR 64173) - Published in the Federal Register on November 1, 2006 (HTML, PDF 92KB)

Worker Visibility

Worker Visibility Final Rule

The Worker Visibility Rule requires the use of high-visibility safety apparel by workers who are working within the rights-of-way of Federal-aid highways. The Final Rule was initially published in the Federal Register on November 24, 2006 with an effective date of November 24, 2008. On November 21, 2008, the FHWA issued an Interim Final Rule revising the Worker Visibility rule to create an exemption to address concerns raised by the firefighting community. The interim final rule allowed firefighters or other emergency responders working within the right-of-way of a Federal-aid highway and engaged in emergency operations that directly expose them to flame, fire, heat, and/or hazardous materials to wear retroreflective turn-out gear that is specified and regulated by other organizations, such as the National Fire Protection Association. The Interim Final Rule was adopted as final and published in the Federal Register on June 15, 2009 with an effective date of June 15, 2009.

High Visibility Standard

On September 15 2004, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) approved a revised edition of the standard, ANSI/ISEA 107-2004. This standard provides a uniform, authoritative guide for the design, performance specifications, and use of high-visibility and reflective apparel including vests, jackets, bib/jumpsuit coveralls, trousers and harnesses.

Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices

The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) defines the standards used by road managers nationwide to install and maintain traffic control devices on all streets and highways. The MUTCD is published by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) under 23 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 655, Subpart F. On December 16, 2009 a final rule adopting the 2009 Edition of the MUTCD was published in the Federal Register. States must comply with this rule within two years. The Federal Register notice, which provides detailed discussion of the FHWA's decisions on major changes from the 2003 edition, can be viewed at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-28322.pdf (PDF, 716KB).

Crashworthy Work Zone Traffic Control Devices

Federal Highway Administration policy calls for the use of crashworthy channelizers, signs, barricades, barriers, etc., in work zones on the National Highway System.

  • NCHRP Report 350 - "Crashworthy" devices are those that have passed a crash test conducted under NCHRP 350 guidance.
  • Roadside Hardware Work Zone Devices - Information on FHWA policy on crashworthy hardware, the different categories of work zone devices, FHWA Acceptance Letters on all devices that have been deemed crashworthy, and Frequently Asked Questions about work zone devices.

Advance Construction of Federal Aid Projects

On August 26, 2008, the Federal Highway Administration issued the Final Rule on Advance Construction of Federal Aid Projects (23 CFR Part 630) (PDF 55KB). This Rule, which takes effect on September 25, 2008, aims to increase state flexibility in spending federal-aid highway funds. The Rule eliminates the requirement that states reserve federal funds for advance construction projects, some of which might not end up using federal money. That flexibility frees states to use the federal money for other projects. The advance construction procedures have been modified to comply with SAFETEA-LU. Under advance construction procedures, a state may begin projects without a guarantee of federal funds but with federal approval of the project. The state may then later apply to have the project converted to federal aid funding.

Special Experimental Project (SEP-15) to Explore Alternative and Innovative Approaches to the Overall Project Development Process

In 2004, FHWA created the Special Experimental Project (SEP-15) to identify innovative public-private partnership approaches to project delivery. SEP-15 aims to increase project management flexibility, improve efficiency and timely project implementation, and explore new revenue streams. The project also addresses environmental compliance and right-of-way acquisition. State DOT projects approved for participation in SEP-15 may be granted flexibility in meeting FHWA's traditional project approval requirements.

New Item 1/19/10 Transportation Operations, Management and ITS Legislation Tracking Database

The Transportation Operations, Management and ITS Legislation Tracking Database was developed by the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration. The database includes executive orders and passed, pending and failed legislation from 2009 and 2010 that can be searched by state, topic, keyword, year, status, and/or primary sponsor. Topics relate to congestion management, traffic operations, Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), demand management (including HOV and HOT lanes), work zones, and freight management and operations.

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