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Traffic Control Guidance

General Traffic Control Guidance

National Resources

• Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)
• Field Guide on Installation and Removal of Temporary Traffic Control for Safe Maintenance and Work Zone Operations (PDF 847KB)
• Safe and Effective Use of Law Enforcement Personnel in Highway Work Zones:
  • Pocket Guide (HTML, PDF 575KB)
  • Addendum (HTML, PDF 575KB)
• Crashworthy Work Zone Traffic Control 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.
• Work Zone Positive Protection Toolbox (PDF 683KB) - 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.

State-Developed Resources

• Colorado DOT Work Zone Speed Control Report (PDF 462KB) - Explores several methods to reduce the speed of traffic through work zones including variable message signs, presence of law enforcement, and signing methods.
• Michigan State Police Traffic Management Guide (PDF 71KB) - Assists law enforcement professionals in effectively managing local traffic problems, and documenting the results.
• Missouri DOT Traffic Control Guidance
  • Traffic Control for Field Operations Manual - Contains information on temporary traffic control measures on the state highway system.
  • Quality Standards for Temporary Traffic Control Devices (PDF 217KB) - Provides standards to ensure adequate performance and condition of traffic control devices and to aid with compliance with MUTCD Sec. 1A-05.
• North Carolina DOT Work Zone Traffic Control Qualification and Training Web Site - Includes links to NCDOT approved training resources, reports and presentations related to training, and training links. Included in the list of reports and presentations is a document that specifies work zone training requirements for various positions.
• Washington State Work Zone Traffic Control Guidelines (PDF 4MB) - Provides traffic control guidance for common work operations based on principles set forth in part VI of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.

Mobile and Short Duration Work Zones

• NCHRP Results Digest 339: Improving the Safety of Mobile Lane Closures - Explores practices employed by transportation agencies during mobile lane closures and summarizes research carried out on different components of mobile lane closure.
• Maintenance Work Zone Safety: Pocket Guide of MUTCD Guidance on Temporary Traffic Control (PDF 595KB)
• Work Zone Safety: Temporary Traffic Control for Maintenance Operations Brochure (PDF 283KB)
• Identification of Traffic Control Devices for Mobile and Short-Duration Work Operations - Examines mobile and short-duration work zone safety with particular attention to the identification of work zone safety devices, information systems for the reduction of safety and congestion, and implementation of innovative techniques to reduce delays and crashes due to work zones.
• Improving the Safety of Moving Lane Closures (PDF 3.7MB) - Presents the results of Phase I of a study on driver behavior around moving lane closures and the effect of different components of traffic control scenarios, including the number, configuration, and spacing of shadow vehicles and the effect of various traffic control devices and sign messages.
• Public Opinion and Understanding of Advance Warning Arrow Displays Used in Short-Term, Mobile, and Moving Work Zones (PDF 640KB) - Center for Transportation Research and Education at Iowa State University report that examines how well drivers may understand or interpret the message conveyed by arrow displays in work zones depending on the display type and quantity of displays used.
• Traffic Control Handbook for Mobile Operations at Night (PDF 773KB) - Synthesis of current practices for performing mobile highway operations at night.

Night Work/Off-Peak Work

• Improving Traffic Control for Night Work Zones (HTML, PDF 116KB) - Describes strategies for enhanced traffic control devices, visibility of workers and work vehicles, controlling speeding and increasing driver awareness, providing good "glare free" illumination, and accommodating pedestrians.
• Traffic Control Handbook for Mobile Operations at Night (PDF 773KB) - Synthesis of current practices for performing mobile highway operations at night.

Pedestrians in Work Zones

• Webinar: Taking Proper Care of Pedestrians in Work Zones - View the recording of this webinar and download the presentations and accompanying materials.
• Pedestrians Checklist and Considerations for Temporary Traffic Control Zones
• Accommodating Pedestrians in Work Zones (HTML, PDF 296KB) - Provides helpful guidelines that can be used to accommodate pedestrians in work zones.
• Temporary Traffic Control Zone Pedestrian Access Considerations Guidance Sheet (PDF 544KB)

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