Construction and maintenance projects may be performed adjacent to vehicles in motion. Although the construction zone occupies part of the area, drivers can encounter lane closures, speed limitations, detours, pedestrians, construction vehicles, and alternating traffic. For the sake of planning traffic control procedures in an organized way, project managers should approach a professional roadway traffic safety implementation.
To begin with, it is important to assess the impact of the project on traffic. Moreover, the roadway assessment process should include traffic volumes, lane configuration, speed, intersections, access points, visibility, pedestrian traffic, bicyclist traffic, and worker/equipment placement. According to the Oregon Department of Transportation, traffic control plans are intended to support safe and effective movement through or around work zones while providing a safe working environment for highway workers.
Next, on the basis of this information, it is possible to develop a traffic control plan that would be required by the project. According to the nature of the project, a traffic control plan can employ different tools like warning signs, cones, drums, barricades, portable traffic control signals, arrow boards, flaggers, etc. The role of these devices is to show a predictable route through the affected zone.
Personal factors are also crucial in many respects. The traffic-control personnel must be properly trained and educated about their work, able to communicate, be noticeable and be aware of the changes occurring. When considering the flagging operation, it is necessary to use personnel who are well-trained and certified. The Oregon State Department will accept the certified flaggers not only from Oregon, but also from several other states because of its reciprocity program.
The traffic control plan must consider the interests of pedestrians and bicycles. In case of a temporary closing of the road, the alternate routes must be prepared, and particular attention must be paid to the safety of pedestrians. The interests of pedestrians must be taken into consideration while preparing the plan and not when constructing.
The monitoring process is also very important. The traffic situation on the street may change during the period of construction for many reasons, such as weather conditions, peak traffic hours, equipment, stages of construction, etc. A system that worked efficiently in the morning must be altered in the afternoon.
The employment of a professional traffic control company in Salem can turn out to be useful for those construction projects that would need the use of expertise in traffic control and cooperation in the field. With the help of professionals, contractors could look after their construction while professionals in traffic control would attend to the road.
Traffic control, in essence, represents a planning and implementation process. The combination of various elements such as signs, equipment, people, communication, and activity results in providing necessary information to road users and a safe environment for workers.
Stuart Mills is the author of this article. To know more about Worksite traffic management oversight, please visit our website: westflag.com.