California Strategic Highway Safety Implementation Plan

Challenge Area 14: Enhance Work Zone Safety

Presented to Steering Committee - July 10, 2007
Revised August 21, 2008

California Strategic Highway Safety Implementation Plan

Safety Needs Action Plan (SNAP) for Challenge Area 14
“Enhance Work Zone Safety”
September 25, 2008
 California Strategic Highway Safety Implementation Plan
Challenge Area 14: Enhance Work Zone Safety
Presented to Steering Committee - July 10, 2007
Revised August 21, 2008

SHSIP Challenge Area 14: Safety Needs Action Plan

1. Problem Statement

There were 155 work zone fatalities in California in 2005, which represents a 42% increase over the
annual average of 98 from 1995 to 2004. Work zone fatalities comprise 24% of all occupational fatalities.

2. Performance Measures and Targets

The following will be used to evaluate effectiveness of implementing the strategies and countermeasures.
Performance Measure — Reduction in the number of fatalities and serious injuries associated with work
zones in Challenge Area 14.
Target — By 2010, reduce the number of work zone fatalities by 10% from their 2004 level of 109.

3. Challenge Area Strategies and Countermeasures (Actions)

This section contains strategies and a list of viable actions for each strategy that can be implemented to
address specific safety needs.
First, an overview is shown that ranks our 14 top priority actions and approved by the SHSP Steering
Committee. Only actions for which detailed action plans have been prepared are shown in the overview.
In the overview, action items are ranked by overall Challenge Area priority regardless of the strategy they
implement.
Then, a more detailed look at 30 action items is shown, whether or not a detailed action plan has been
developed for them. These actions are grouped by each of our 5 strategies and then ranked by their
priority within each strategy. All of these actions are believed to be of high priority, and each has received
careful consideration.
Finally, one page detailed write-ups follow for each of the top fourteen priority actions.
 California Strategic Highway Safety Implementation Plan
Challenge Area 14: Enhance Work Zone Safety
Safety Needs Action Plan – August 21,2008

OVERVIEW — Actions for which detailed plans have been developed

Overall
Strategy Action Detail Reference
Priority
Enhance safe driving through work Expand present efforts to create and implement a joint training program
01 zones with education and Improve enforcement. for field personnel and law enforcement officers to better understand each CA14.1.01
enforcement. others’ responsibilities and coordinate activities in the work zone.
Improve data collection and Capture, store, and evaluate
02 Improve collection, storage, and evaluation of work zone crash data. CA14.5.01
analysis. collision data.
Expand improvements to traffic Encourage present efforts to increase use of dynamic merge systems to
03 Improve traffic control in work zones. CA14.2.01
control. reduce rear-end collisions and aggressive driving.
Encourage and permanently fund present efforts to influence driver
Enhance safe driving through work
Use public information to modify behavior with "Slow for the Cone Zone" and Work Zone Awareness
04 zones with education and CA14.1.02
driver behavior. campaigns and to reduce traffic through work zones using project specific
enforcement.
public awareness campaigns.
Encourage present efforts to deploy more and better mobile and
Reduce worker exposure and
05 Use more and better barriers. temporary barriers and attenuators (rather than just cones) to provide CA14.3.02
improve worker visibility.
positive protection for workers and safe deflection of errant vehicles.
Increase work zone training and proficiency of workers and traffic control
06 Improve traffic control in work zones. Train workers. CA14.2.02
staff.
Reduce worker exposure and Encourage present efforts to consider full closures early in the project
07 Reduce exposure to traffic. CA14.3.01
improve worker visibility. design process with the goal of increasing the use of this option.
Develop a web-based system that records and/or gathers in one location
information about the number, duration, and location of actual major,
Improve data collection and minor, blanket, and rolling work zones. Local road work by counties and
08 Gather closure data. CA14.5.02
analysis. cities, including utility companies, will also be gathered. (The system
would provide these data as a minimum; other data needs should be
identified as well.)
Apply advanced technology to Deploy known best practice
09 Encourage incorporation of Safety Edge in construction paving projects. CA14.4.02
enhance work zone safety. technology.
Enhance safe driving through work
Develop new public information Assess the DMV’s California Drivers Handbook for information on work
10 zones with education and CA14.1.03
channels. zone safety and update or expand as necessary.
enforcement.
Form a team to develop industry standards to evaluate innovative
Apply advanced technology to Develop capacity and processes to
11 technology on a routine basis as practitioners propose new methods and CA14.4.01
enhance work zone safety. evaluate technology.
technologies to improve work zone safety.
Expand improvements to traffic Encourage present efforts to improve access and detours for bicyclists
12 Improve traffic control in work zones. CA14.2.03
control. and pedestrians near work zones.

page 3
 California Strategic Highway Safety Implementation Plan
Challenge Area 14: Enhance Work Zone Safety
Safety Needs Action Plan – August 21,2008
Overall
Strategy Action Detail Reference
Priority
Expand improvements to traffic Expand improvements to traffic control and encourage use of project-
13 Improve traffic control in work zones. CA14.2.04
control. specific websites to provide motorists with work zone delay information.
Form team to evaluate best work zone safety practices in other states
Apply advanced technology to Improve technology deployment
14 and to develop Request for Proposal (RFP) purchasing process for CA14.4.03
enhance work zone safety. processes.
innovative technology to allow routine use with minimum legal challenges.

page 4
 California Strategic Highway Safety Implementation Plan
Challenge Area 14: Enhance Work Zone Safety
Safety Needs Action Plan – August 21,2008

Recommended Countermeasures

Enhance safe work zone driving through education and enforcement.

State -
Ref Strategy Ref Action Detail Priority Location Time 4E Cost Benefit
Local
CA14.1 Enhance safe Enforcement works. Public Information campaigns work. California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)
CA14.1.00 Findings
driving through work enforcement and education efforts are significant, outstanding in nature, and effective.
zones with
education and Expand present efforts to create and implement a
enforcement. joint training program for field personnel and law EDU State
Improve
CA14.1.01 enforcement officers to better understand each —1— State NT and and L M
enforcement
others’ responsibilities and coordinate activities in ENF Local
the work zone.
Encourage and permanently fund present efforts
Use public
to influence driver behavior with "Slow for the
information
Cone Zone" and Work Zone Awareness
CA14.1.02 to modify —2— All NT EDU State M-H M
campaigns and to reduce traffic through work
driver
zones using project specific public awareness
behavior
campaigns.
Develop new
Assess the DMV’s California Drivers Handbook
public
CA14.1.03 for information on work zone safety and update —3— State NT EDU State L M
information
or expand as necessary.
channels
Develop new
State
public Develop and distribute work zone awareness
CA14.1.04 4 State MT EDU and M M
information course for driver education classes.
Local
channels
Develop new
Encourage present efforts to tie construction and
public
CA14.1.05 work zone information into Mapquest and other 5 State LT EDU State H L
information
driving aids.
channels
Improve In traffic control plans, provide space to pull over
CA14.1.06 6 State LT ENG State H L
enforcement offenders. This requires further study.
Improve Restrict cell phone use, especially text
CA14.1.07 7 State LT ENF State M-H M
enforcement messaging, in work zones.

page 5
 California Strategic Highway Safety Implementation Plan
Challenge Area 14: Enhance Work Zone Safety
Safety Needs Action Plan – August 21,2008
Improve traffic control in work zone.
State -
Ref Strategy Ref Action Detail Priority Location Time 4E Cost Benefit
Local
CA14.2 Improve traffic For over a decade, Caltrans has shown national leadership in developing and deploying Intelligent Transportation
control in work CA14.2.00 Findings Systems (ITS) and Traffic Management Plans. Also, there are extensive, active, and aggressive present efforts
zones. throughout the organization to implement best practices in traffic control.
Expand
Encourage present efforts to increase use of State
improve-
CA14.2.01 dynamic merge systems to reduce rear-end —1— State NT ENG and M-H H
ments to
collisions and aggressive driving. Local
traffic control
State
Train Increase work zone training and proficiency of
CA14.2.02 —2— State MT EDU and L M
workers workers and traffic control staff.
Local
Encourage present efforts to improve access and
CA14.2.03 detours for bicyclists and pedestrians near work —3— State NT ENG State M M
Expand zones.
improve-
ments to Expand improvements to traffic control and
State
traffic control encourage use of project-specific websites to
CA14.2.04 —4— State NT ENG and M-H M
provide motorists with work zone delay
Local
information.
Promote consistent state and local traffic
Promote
guidelines. For state, appoint Construction Traffic
consistent
CA14.2.05 Managers in all districts to improve coordination 5 State MT EDU State M-H L
traffic
of the work of residential, design, and traffic
guidelines
engineers.
Improve Require certified flaggers and traffic control
CA14.2.06 6 State NT EDU State M M
enforcement supervisors on all projects.
Increase use of speed display trailers in
Reduce
combination with Construction Zone Enhanced
work zone State State
Enforcement Program (COZEEP) and
CA14.2.07 speeds and 7 and NT ENF and M-H M
Maintenance Zone Enhanced Enforcement Zone
speed Corridor Local
Program (MAZEEP) where speeding and
variances
aggressive driving are anticipated.
Encourage present efforts to improve training State
Train
CA14.2.08 and application guidelines for night lighting of 8 State NT EDU and M M
workers
work zones. Local
Per best practices, decrease space between State
CA14.2.09 delineation devices in merge areas and on 9 State NT ENG and L L
Improve curves. Local
delineation State
Improve eradication of deprecated lane markings
CA14.2.10 10 State NT ENG and L L
during long-term closures.
Local

page 6
 California Strategic Highway Safety Implementation Plan
Challenge Area 14: Enhance Work Zone Safety
Safety Needs Action Plan – August 21,2008
State -
Ref Strategy Ref Action Detail Priority Location Time 4E Cost Benefit
Local
Expand
improve- Encourage present efforts to improve use of
CA14.2.11 11 State NT ENG State M L
ments to Highway Advisory Radio (HAR).
traffic control

page 7
 California Strategic Highway Safety Implementation Plan
Challenge Area 14: Enhance Work Zone Safety
Safety Needs Action Plan – August 21,2008
Reduce worker exposure and improve worker visibility.
Ref Strategy Ref Action Detail Priority Location Time 4E State - Cost Benefit
Local
CA14.3 Reduce worker Worker fatalities in work zones are low despite high exposure. No worker fatalities in work zones is a reasonable goal.
CA14.3.00 Findings
exposure and Note: many recommendations in Strategy #2 apply here.
improve worker Reduce Encourage present efforts to consider full
visibility. CA14.3.01 exposure to closures early in the project design process with —1— State NT ENG State L H
traffic the goal of increasing the use of this option.
Encourage present efforts to deploy more and
Use more better mobile and temporary barriers and
CA14.3.02 and better attenuators (rather than just cones) to provide —2— State MT ENG State M-H M
barriers positive protection for workers and safe
deflection of errant vehicles.
Improve visibility of everyone working in work
Improve zones by adopting ANSI Class III safety vests State
CA14.3.03 worker and apparel. NOTE: CHP has reservations about 3 State NT ENG and M L
visibility law enforcement using safety vests and apparel Local
in certain situations.

page 8
 California Strategic Highway Safety Implementation Plan
Challenge Area 14: Enhance Work Zone Safety
Safety Needs Action Plan – August 21,2008
Apply advanced technology to enhance work zone safety.
Ref Strategy Ref Action Detail Priority Location Time 4E State - Cost Benefit
Local
CA14.4 Apply advanced There is a significant backlog of Caltrans-developed and other technologies that has not been deployed. Also,
CA14.4.00 Findings
technology to throughout Caltrans, significant practitioner expertise related to innovation is not being utilized.
enhance work zone Develop
safety. Form a team to develop industry standards to
capacity and evaluate innovative technology on a routine basis
CA14.4.01 processes to as practitioners propose new methods and —1— State NT ENG State L M
evaluate technologies to improve work zone safety.
technology
Deploy
known best Encourage incorporation of Safety Edge in
CA14.4.02 —2— State NT ENG State L M
practice construction paving projects.
technology
Form team to evaluate best work zone safety
Improve
practices in other states and to develop Request
technology
CA14.4.03 for Proposal (RFP) purchasing process for —3— State MT ENG State M M
deployment
innovative technology to allow routine use with
processes
minimum legal challenges.
Deploy off-
the-shelf, Encourage present efforts to deploy maintenance State
CA14.4.04 Caltrans- vehicles that allow rolling work zones: debris 4 State LT ENG and M M
developed vacuums and crack sealers. Local
technology
Encourage national efforts to develop advanced
Vehicle Infrastructure Integration (VII) systems
that enable real-time communications between
Support
drivers and the roadway. VII will be able to
Vehicle
CA14.4.05 directly influence driver behavior with precisely- 5 State LT ENG State M-H H
Infrastructure
timed warnings, guided merges, tailored speed
Integration
limits, lane-holding feedback, and other actions.
The first applications of VII are expected to
directly support work zone safety.

page 9
 California Strategic Highway Safety Implementation Plan
Challenge Area 14: Enhance Work Zone Safety
Safety Needs Action Plan – August 21,2008
Ref Strategy Ref Action Detail Priority Location Time 4E State - Cost Benefit
Local
 Shorten the time required to acquire vehicles
and equipment per Department of General
Improve
Services (DGS) guidelines.
technology
CA14.4.06  Encourage practitioners to identify, evaluate, 6 State LT ENG State M M
deployment
and deploy innovative technology.
processes
 Clarify for all practitioners the steps required to
deploy innovative technology.
Improve
technology Streamline single source purchasing for
CA14.4.07 7 State LT ENG State M M
deployment innovative technology.
processes

page 10
 California Strategic Highway Safety Implementation Plan
Challenge Area 14: Enhance Work Zone Safety
Safety Needs Action Plan – August 21,2008
Improve data collection and analysis.
Ref Strategy Ref Action Detail Priority Location Time 4E State - Cost Benefit
Local
CA14.5 Improve data StateWide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) and Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) data
collection and suggest only the importance of shortening the duration of work zones and only imply that, for maintenance and
analysis. CA14.5.00 Findings landscaping tasks, rolling work zones (workers in vehicles) are safer than fixed work zones. Accordingly, until fatal
collision reports are evaluated one-by-one, all present recommendations in this Challenge Area must be based upon
the expertise of committee members.
Capture, EDU
store, and Improve collection, storage, and evaluation of Near
CA14.5.01 —1— State ENF State M H
evaluate work zone crash data. term
collision data ENG
Develop a web-based system that records and/or
gathers in one location information about the
number, duration, and location of actual major, EDU State
Gather minor, blanket, and rolling work zones. Local Mid
CA14.5.02 —2— State ENF and M M
closure data road work by counties and cities, including utility term
ENG Local
companies, will also be gathered. (The system
would provide these data as a minimum; other
data needs should be identified as well.)

COLUMNS Ref — A reference number for the Challenge Area strategy. Strategy — Strategies for this Challenge Area. Action — Mitigation type. Detail — Mitigation action. Priority — Priority per
the Challenge Area Team. Location — State: the action will be most effective if addressed at a state level; Corridor: the action will be most effective if directed to one or more specific corridors;
County: the action will be most effective if directed to one or more specific counties; City: the action will be most effective if directed to one or more specific cities. Time — Actions may be
completed within one of the following timeframes: NT = Near Term, 0 to 2 years; MT = Mid Term, 2 to 5 years; LT = Long Term, greater than 5 years. 4E — Actions involving predominately one
of the four areas: Education, Emergency Services, Enforcement and Engineering. State/Local — Actions may be conducted from a state or local perspective. Cost — L = Low, using existing
staff and/or available funds; M = Moderate, requiring staff and/or funds greater than $250,000 and less than $500,000; M-H = Moderate-High, requiring staff and/or funds greater than $500,000
and less than $3,000,000; H = High, requiring funds greater than $3,000,000. Benefit — L = Low, reductions in fatalities, serious injuries and injuries will be less than 10%; M = Moderate,
reductions in fatalities, serious injuries and injuries will be greater than 10% and less than 30%; H = High, reductions in fatalities, serious injuries and injuries will be greater than 30%.

page 11
 California Strategic Highway Safety Implementation Plan
Challenge Area 14: Enhance Work Zone Safety
Safety Needs Action Plan – August 21,2008

SNAP Action Plans – Priority 01

Improve enforcement.
Challenge Area 14 Enhance Work Zone Safety
Reference CA14.1.01 Expand present efforts to create and implement a joint training program for
field personnel and law enforcement officers to better understand each
others’ responsibilities and coordinate activities in the work zone.
Detailed Description Description: Joint training to increase safety of officers, workers, and
motorists.
Who: Initial training will be held for California Department of Transportation
(Caltrans) Construction Safety Coordinators, District Safety Coordinators,
Resident Engineers, On-site supervisors, etc., and California Highway
Patrol (CHP) officers and Area Overtime Coordinators, who plan,
coordinate, approve and/or work Maintenance Zone Enhanced
Enforcement Program (MAZEEP) and Construction Zone Enhanced
Enforcement Program (COZEEP) details. Training materials will be
available for subsequent training at the local level.
What: Training (at the state-level) will be conducted on a regular basis,
i.e., quarterly or semi-annually. The training schedule for local level
agencies will have to be determined.
Where: Statewide.
Target Completion Date Near Term – 0 to 2 years; on-going after initial training.
Cost to Implement Low – using existing staff and/or available funds.
Expected Benefit Moderate - reductions in fatalities, serious injuries and injuries will be
greater than 10% and less than 30%.
Contact Person Name: Len Nelson, Caltrans, len_nelson@dot.ca.gov, 916-643-8852,
Celso Izquierdo, Caltrans, Celso_Izquierdo@dot.ca.gov, 916-654-4135,
'Mary Uhazi, CHP, muhazi@chp.ca.gov, 916-657-7222 x 4290.
Strategy Supported CA14.1: Enhance safe driving through work zones with education and
enforcement.
How does action support Personnel responsible for safety in the work zones will have a better
strategy? understanding of each others’ roles resulting in better coordination
between the officer and construction personnel and increase efficiency
and safety.
Known Implementation Joint training will be incorporated into existing staff responsibilities and
Risks / Issues workload.
Known Mitigation Factors Joint training focusing on improved communication and better coordination
will provide awareness and guidance about safety issues, specifically
planning and executing traffic enforcement in work zones.

page 12
 California Strategic Highway Safety Implementation Plan
Challenge Area 14: Enhance Work Zone Safety
Safety Needs Action Plan – August 21,2008

Additional Comments Providing joint training is becoming more important than ever because of
the expected increase in the number of construction projects (with law
enforcement details) and resulting traffic congestion and delays potentially
impacting not only the highways, but also local roads.
8/21/08: Two training dates set for Oct. 22nd (Irvine) and 28th (Woodland).
Refer to Caltrans Safety Task Force #11 30 to 60 day and #8 more than 6
months actions for overlap as we proceed.
7/15/08: Planning “train the trainers” at meeting 7/16.

page 13
 California Strategic Highway Safety Implementation Plan
Challenge Area 14: Enhance Work Zone Safety
Safety Needs Action Plan – August 21,2008

SNAP Action Plans – Priority 02

Capture, store and evaluate collision data.

Challenge Area 14 Enhance Work Zone Safety
Reference CA14.5.01 Improve collection, storage, and evaluation of work zone crash data.
Detailed Description Description: StateWide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS)
collision reports provides a macroscopic view that is valuable in accessing
collision trends, e.g. collisions within a work zone. In order to further
analyze these collisions within work zones, the individual CHP 555 reports
are now necessary to obtain the microscopic view, thus enabling staff to
determine and recommend specific action. Identify Caltrans staff and/or
hire a consultant to create the database, and review CHP 555 reports. ,
Research availability of collision reports for county and city roads not
under CHP jurisdiction.
What: Access to California traffic collision reports (CHP 555 and
county/city reports); analysis methodology to identify potential solutions.
Where: Statewide.
Target Completion Date Near Term – 0 to 2 years.
Cost to Implement Moderate - requiring funds greater then $250,000 and less than $500,000.
Expected Benefit High - reductions in fatalities, serious injuries and injuries will be greater
than 30%.
Contact Person Name: Joe Jeffrey, Road Tech, ATSSA, joe@road-tech.com, 916-714-
1466, Bob Bosler, UC Davis, rhbosler@ucdavis.edu, 530-752-7946 and
Ken Kochevar, FHWA, ken.kochevar@fhwa.dot.gov, 916-498-5853.
Strategy Supported CA14.5: Improve data collection and analysis.

How does action support Presently available data (SWITRS) cannot be used to suggest or evaluate
strategy? mitigation strategies or actions. The data available in the CHP 555 reports
offer more specific details needed to determine specific remedies.
Analyzing similar data at the local level will provide relative information for
counties and cities, and comprehensive information about collisions in the
work zones when merged with the state data.
Known Implementation The CHP 555 reports contain personal information about the parties
Risks / Issues involved in traffic collisions. This information should not be disclosed.
Known Mitigation Factors CHP 555 reports are already used locally to analyze collisions with no
issues regarding privacy.

page 14
 California Strategic Highway Safety Implementation Plan
Challenge Area 14: Enhance Work Zone Safety
Safety Needs Action Plan – August 21,2008

Additional Comments SWITRS and Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) data suggest
only the importance of shortening the duration of work zones and only
imply that, for maintenance and landscaping tasks, rolling work zones
(workers in vehicles) are safer than fixed work zones. Analysis based on
data from CHP 555 reports and the expertise of committee members will
produce better recommendations from this Challenge Area.
9/25/08: Caltrans DRI has funded analysis of CHP 555s related to
accidents in construction and work zone and review of all other available
data internal to Caltrans. Athough this research budget is currently
"suspended", a SWITRS run has identified CHP 555's of interest in
District 3, 2 researchers have been designated "parties of interest,"
and a review of physical copies will begin soon. SHSP CA 14 has
provided a template for analysis that will be used in the review of the
555s.
7/15/08: We met with AHMCT and discussed our basic data requirements.
Dr. Ravani has gotten approval and funding from Caltrans to begin the
study. Jessica Wong will be the lead researcher. Waiting for Notice to
proceed from Caltrans DRI. We will meet regularly with AHMCT to refine
our data needs.

page 15
 California Strategic Highway Safety Implementation Plan
Challenge Area 14: Enhance Work Zone Safety
Safety Needs Action Plan – August 21,2008

SNAP Action Plans – Priority 03

Expand improvements to traffic control.

Challenge Area 14 Enhance Work Zone Safety
Reference CA14.2.01 Encourage present efforts to increase use of dynamic merge systems to
reduce rear-end collisions and aggressive driving.
Detailed Description Description: Dynamic merge & queue warning systems automatically
display messages on portable signs telling drivers when to merge or when
to expect slow or stopped traffic.
What: A series of portable sensors measures traffic speeds. Portable
changeable message signs (PCMS) upstream of detected slowing warn
drivers to prepare to stop.
Where: Statewide.
Target Completion Date Near Term – 0 to 2 years.
Cost to Implement Moderate -High - requiring staff and/or funds greater than $500,000 and
less than $3,000,000. Cost for one year project: $75,000 to $150,000.
Expected Benefit High - reductions in fatalities, serious injuries and injuries will be greater
than 30%.
Contact Person Name: Jacqui Ghezzi, Caltrans, jacqueline_y_ghezzi@dot.ca.gov, 916-
651-9050, Joe Jeffrey, Road Tech, joe@road-tech.com, 916-714-1466.
Strategy Supported CA14.2: Improve traffic control in work zones.

How does action support In California, 26% of all work zone fatalities occur in end of queue
strategy? collisions. Dynamic merge systems can be used to warn of slow and
stopped traffic. One Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) study found
that if drivers had just ½ second more warning, it would eliminate 60% of
all rear-end collisions. 1
Known Implementation These are not a sole source product. At least four vendors can provide
Risks / Issues these systems today. But Caltrans does not have an approved
specification so districts are reluctant to require them.
Known Mitigation Factors Several states are already using these systems and a specification could
be generated quickly by using what is already available.
Additional Comments By displaying “real-time” warning messages only on the PCMS
immediately upstream of slowed traffic, PCMS messages will be viewed as
more reliable, especially when daily commuters represent a large
percentage of the traffic in any specific area.
Studies have shown that speeds and throughput increase while travel
delays decrease. Reductions in queue lengths of 56 to 60% are possible
with some simulations showing reductions of up to 75%.
8/21/08: Refer to Caltrans Safety Task Force #2 and #6 30 to 60 day
actions for overlap as we proceed.
7/15/08: District 6 (Diana Gomez) has volunteered for pilot projects. Need
for use guidelines versus queue PCMS truck.

page 16
 California Strategic Highway Safety Implementation Plan
Challenge Area 14: Enhance Work Zone Safety
Safety Needs Action Plan – August 21,2008

SNAP Action Plans – Priority 04

Use public information to modify driver behavior.

Challenge Area 14 Enhance Work Zone Safety
Reference CA14.1.02 Encourage and permanently fund present efforts to influence driver
behavior with "Slow for the Cone Zone" and Work Zone Awareness
campaigns and to reduce traffic through work zones using project specific
public awareness campaigns.
Detailed Description Description: Provide permanent annual funding specifically for the Slow for
the Cone Zone campaign to ensure program continuity and use of the
identified components that have been successful over the long-term.
What: Establish a permanent funding source(s) for the campaign.
Where: Statewide.
Target Completion Date Near Term – 0 to 2 years.
Cost to Implement Moderate-High – requiring staff and/or funds greater than 500,000 but less
than $3,000,000.
Expected Benefit Moderate - reductions in fatalities, serious injuries and injuries will be
greater than 10% and less than 30%.
Contact Person Name: Caroline Moreno, Caltrans, moreno@dot.ca.gov, 916-653-8879.

Strategy Supported CA14.1: Enhance safe driving through work zones with education and
enforcement.
How does action support Permanent funding will make the campaign sustainable and able to
strategy? continue and build upon existing successful strategies and tactics.
Known Implementation Requesting new grant funds from OTS for each campaign contract
Risks / Issues requires a different outreach strategy each time. This prevents the
campaign from continuing to implement strategies and tactics that have
been proven to be effective at changing driver behavior, and reducing
work zone injuries and fatalities.
Known Mitigation Factors Possible funding could be requested from or included in every major road
construction or repair budget to be allocated for work zone safety
awareness. A percentage of each budget could then be used for
education and enforcement of work zone safety for that specific project.
Additional Comments While the Slow for the Cone Zone campaign has successfully raised
consciousness about the need for safe driving in work zones, there is still
a need to increase awareness of the fact that it is drivers, not workers,
who are most at risk for injury or fatality in work zones. Also, despite the
success of the campaign to date, there is a continual stream of new teen
drivers and immigrants who have not been exposed to the campaign.
8/21/08: Refer to Caltrans Safety Task Force #4 60 to 180 day action for
overlap as we proceed.
7/15/08: Anne Staines to contact Priscilla Tobias at Illinois DOT re: their
funding methods.

page 17
 California Strategic Highway Safety Implementation Plan
Challenge Area 14: Enhance Work Zone Safety
Safety Needs Action Plan – August 21,2008

SNAP Action Plans – Priority 05

Use more and better barriers.

Challenge Area 14 Enhance Work Zone Safety
Reference CA14.3.02 Encourage present efforts to deploy more and better mobile and
temporary barriers and attenuators (rather than just cones) to provide
positive protection for workers and safe deflection of errant vehicles.
Detailed Description Description: Mobile work zone protection device known as the Balsi Beam
consists of high-strength steel box section beams transported by tractor-
trailer that can extend for a protected work zone of 30 ft. Portable metal
barriers can be wheeled into place and removed easily at the end of the
day.
What: Positive protection device within a limited work zone.
Where: Statewide.
Target Completion Date Short Term – 0 to 2 years.
Cost to Implement Moderate-High - requiring funds greater then $500,000 and less than
$3,000,000.
Expected Benefit Moderate - reductions in fatalities, serious injuries and injuries will be
greater than 10% and less than 30%.
Contact Person Name: Bob Bosler, UC Davis, rhbosler@ucdavis.edu, 530-752-7946 and
Len Nelson, Caltrans, len_nelson@dot.ca.gov, 916-643-8852.
Strategy Supported CA14.4: Apply advanced technology to enhance work zone safety.
How does action support Positive protection of workers will reduce exposure to traffic within a
strategy? temporary work zone.
Known Implementation The Balsi beam protects a limited work zone of 30 ft. The beam is used is
Risks / Issues for the highest risk activities in the work zone where workers are required
to be on foot doing maintenance or construction activities. The feasibility of
protecting long work zones (greater than a quarter mile) with portable
barrier will have to be evaluated.
Known Mitigation Factors Specify use of portable barrier for high risk areas. Develop cost effective
portable barrier systems.

page 18
 California Strategic Highway Safety Implementation Plan
Challenge Area 14: Enhance Work Zone Safety
Safety Needs Action Plan – August 21,2008

Additional Comments The prototype Balsi Beam cost approximately $217,000 to build, but
Caltrans expects the cost to drop significantly when other models are
produced. The current use and effectiveness of the device should be
evaluated with an estimated production cost provided.
The most likely implementation of mobile barriers will be for specific
projects with higher work zone risks. These risks may include areas with
complicated geometry, night work, or where worker exposure is highest
due to the type of operation.
9/25/08: The Legislature has funded purchase of 3 sets of Balsi Beams
for deployment and 3 sets of ArmorGuard steel barriers for a two year
pilot project. A crucial report to the Legislature is due in March 2008.
Caltrans DRI is directing both the Balsi Beam deployment and the
ArmorGuard pilot project.
8/21/08: Refer to Caltrans Safety Task Force #3 30 to 60 day and #4 more
than 6 months actions for overlap as we proceed.
7/15/08: DSTF recommendation. Legislature has funded purchase of Balsi
Beams (3 each) as well as a 2 year study of metal barrier at 20 locations.
This study is funded together with the data collection studies.

page 19
 California Strategic Highway Safety Implementation Plan
Challenge Area 14: Enhance Work Zone Safety
Safety Needs Action Plan – August 21,2008

SNAP Action Plans – Priority 06

Train workers.
Challenge Area 14 Enhance Work Zone Safety
Reference CA14.2.02 Increase work zone training and proficiency of workers and traffic control
staff.
Detailed Description Description: Work zone traffic control training.
What: Courses will include Flagger Instructor Training*, Traffic Control
Technician*, Traffic Control Supervisor*, and Design and Operation of
Nighttime Temporary Traffic Control in Work Zones*.
Where: Statewide. *FHWA ATSSA grant courses.
Target Completion Date Near Term – 0 to 2 years.
Cost to Implement Low – using existing staff and FHWA grant courses.
Expected Benefit Moderate - reductions in fatalities, serious injuries and injuries will be
greater than 10% and less than 30%.
Contact Person Name: Bill Ellis, Santa Rosa PWD, BEllis@ci.santa-rosa.ca.us, 707-543-
3820 and Joe Jeffrey, Road Tech, joe@road-tech.com, 916-714-1466.
Strategy Supported CA14.2: Improve traffic control in work zones.

How does action support Trained and certified traffic control personnel will install the traffic control
strategy? system consistent with the CA-MUTCD so it will be more easily
understood and obeyed by the motoring public.
Known Implementation There is limited availability of grant courses (and spaces in each).
Risks / Issues Registration in non-grant courses costs as much as $400 per person.
Known Mitigation Factors The Federal training grant has identified California as an “opportunity
state” meaning we have early access to courses at the subsidized rate of
$25 per person for agency personnel ($50 per person for contractors).
ATSSA is required to market the courses to their target audiences, so
agency resources will only be needed to register agency employees.
Additional Comments The California conversion to the MUTCD makes this continuing training
even more important because we need to clarify and institutionalize the
changes in the California MUTCD.
8/21/08: Refer to Caltrans Safety Task Force #9 more than 6 months
action for overlap as we proceed.
7/15/08: California specific courses now in development thanks to Ed
Yarbrough and Vince Rodriguez.
5/16/08: 7 ATSSA Grant courses to date, 9 more planned so far. 2 flag
inst, 2 night WZ, 4 TCS, 1 Incident TC, 1 Law Enforcement, 1 Utility and 1
“What Everyone Should Know”. 7 courses planned for Expo in February.

page 20
 California Strategic Highway Safety Implementation Plan
Challenge Area 14: Enhance Work Zone Safety
Safety Needs Action Plan – August 21,2008

SNAP Action Plans – Priority 07

Reduce exposure to traffic.

Challenge Area 14 Enhance Work Zone Safety
Reference CA14.3.01 Encourage present efforts to consider full closures early in the project
design process with the goal of increasing the use of this option.
Detailed Description Description: The current process for developing Transportation
Management Plans (TMPs) include deliberation of full road closures. The
existing process examines many factors, such as viable alternate routes
and public acceptance.
What: Engineering.
Where: Statewide.
Target Completion Date Near Term – 0 to 2 years.
Cost to Implement Low – using existing staff and/or available funds.
Expected Benefit High – reductions in fatalities, serious injuries and injuries will be greater
than 30%.
Contact Person Name: Celso Izquierdo, Caltrans, Celso_Izquierdo@dot.ca.gov, 916-654-
4135 and Len Nelson, Caltrans, len_nelson@dot.ca.gov, 916-643-8852.
Strategy Supported CA14.3: Reduce worker exposure and improve worker visibility.
How does action support Enhancement of present worker protection efforts. Full-freeway closures
strategy? offer the advantage of separating all types of traffic from the actual work
being done, thus virtually eliminating interaction between the workers and
the drivers.
Known Implementation This option would only be considered in certain cases, e.g., where good
Risks / Issues detour(s) are available and there is public acceptance of limited access to
businesses on the route that is temporarily closed.
Known Mitigation Factors Public information has to be done early and often.
Additional Comments Worker fatalities in work zones are low despite high exposure. However,
zero worker fatalities in work zones is a reasonable goal. Full road
closures have been used in other states successfully. Weekend closures
have been successful in California.
8/21/08: Refer to Caltrans Safety Task Force #4 and #9 30 to 60 day and
#10 60 to 180 day actions for overlap as we proceed.
7/15/08: DSTF recommendation. Traffic Ops is strengthening Design
Guidelines language. A memo detailing DSTF recommendations has been
sent to Caltrans Health & Safety Advisory Committee for final approval.

page 21
 California Strategic Highway Safety Implementation Plan
Challenge Area 14: Enhance Work Zone Safety
Safety Needs Action Plan – August 21,2008

SNAP Action Plans – Priority 08

Gather closure data.

Challenge Area 14 Enhance Work Zone Safety
Reference CA14.5.02 Develop a web-based system that records and/or gathers in one location information
about the number, duration, and location of actual major, minor, blanket, and rolling work
zones. Local road work by counties and cities, including utility companies, will also be
gathered. (The system would provide these data as a minimum; other data needs should
be identified as well.)
Detailed Description Description: Real-time information about the number, duration, and location of actual
major, minor, blanket, and rolling work zones will be collected electronically; provides
automatic resolution of potential conflicts that may arise from multiple lane closures in any
given area; automatically disseminates updated information to the public (via commercial
providers, local transportation agencies, emergency services, etc.)
What:
1- Central collection of real-time data including the quantity of actual lane closures by
county and district, time of day, length of time closure was in place, and work performed.
Data should be stored in an easily accessible and searchable format.
The statewide Lane Closure System (LCS) currently collects information on all lane
closures in the state except for District 7 which uses its own system. The accuracy of the
LCS data is dependent on field crews calling into the Transportation Management Centers
(TMCs) to notify them when lanes are closed and then reopened again. All TMCs do not
operate 24/7; as a result even when the field crews are able to report the lane closure
status, this information may not be updated until the next day when the TMC is open to
receive or input the information.
Transmission of ‘real-time” data should be facilitated so field crews can provide
information automatically when lane closures are put in place or picked up. (For example,
the field crews would send a short text message to LCS indicating the closure
identification number and status; the electronic system would automatically post the
information transmitted.)
2- When lane closures are requested in LCS, they must be manually reviewed by district
management staff to make sure that there are no conflicts with other work being
conducted on the highway system. In medium to larger districts where lane closures may
number in the hundreds to thousands per week, this can be a very tedious task. Staff
also check closure request information against contract lane requirement charts to make
certain that the contractor does not perform work during periods that might result in traffic
congestion. Automatic conflict resolution would allow contractors to submit lane closure
requests within a shorter time-frame and thus information would be more accurate
(contractors currently must submit requests for closures at least 7 days in advance so
district staff have sufficient time to review requests and resolve potential conflicts).
3- LCS currently provides lane closure information to a website for public dissemination
every 15 minutes. This process would have to be updated to include the items
mentioned above.
Where: Statewide.
Target Completion Mid Term – 2 to 5 years.
Date
Cost to Implement Moderate - requiring staff and/or funds greater than $500,000, but less than $3,000,000.

page 22
 California Strategic Highway Safety Implementation Plan
Challenge Area 14: Enhance Work Zone Safety
Safety Needs Action Plan – August 21,2008

Expected Benefit Moderate - reductions in fatalities, serious injuries and injuries will be greater than 10%
but less than 30%.
Contact Person Name: Jacqui Ghezzi, Caltrans, jacqueline_y_ghezzi@dot.ca.gov, 916-651-9050 and Joe
Jeffrey, Road Tech, joe@road-tech.com, 916-714-1466.
Strategy Supported CA14.5: Improve data collection and analysis.

How does action California lane closure data is incomplete and not timely because field crews are not
support strategy? always able to communicate readily with the TMCs or Communications Centers. A
statewide system with reliable, real-time information would establish a baseline measure
of work zone activity against which to measure our progress against injuries and fatalities.
Known The information in the statewide system would be more accurate if field crews were able
Implementation Risks to easily provide information electronically, and if the information were able to be
/ Issues automatically checked for conflicts and updated. Lane closure applications aren’t an
accurate reflection of the activity level because contractors often apply for 2 or 3 as a
contingency when they may only need one day and the closures not needed are not
cancelled in time.
Known Mitigation None.
Factors
Additional Comments Construction and maintenance activities vary greatly from one year to the next. We can’t
know if we are or to what extent we are succeeding in reducing work zone collisions if we
don’t know how many work zones are in place during a given year.
7/15/08: See priority #2. Lane closure data will also be collected as part of AHMCT study.

page 23
 California Strategic Highway Safety Implementation Plan
Challenge Area 14: Enhance Work Zone Safety
Safety Needs Action Plan – August 21,2008

SNAP Action Plans – Priority 09

Deploy known best practice technology.

Challenge Area 14 Enhance Work Zone Safety
Reference CA14.4.02 Encourage incorporation of Safety Edge in construction paving projects.
Detailed Description Description: Taking into consideration engineering judgment, encourage
the use of a contract specification requiring a Safety Edge (30-35 degree
angle asphalt fillet) in surfacing projects is a simple and cost-effective way
to assure pavement edge safety for vehicles leaving the roadway as well
as overall pavement preservation.
What: Engineering.
Where: Statewide.
Target Completion Date Near Term – 0 - 2 years.
Cost to Implement Low - using existing staff and/or available funds.
Expected Benefit Moderate – reductions in fatalities, serious injuries and injuries will be
greater than 10% and less than 30%.
Contact Person Name: Ken Kochevar, FHWA, ken.kochevar@fhwa.dot.gov, 916-498-
5853 and Frank Julian, FHWA Resource Center,
frank.julian@fhwa.dot.gov, 404-562-3689.
Strategy Supported CA14.4: Apply advanced technology to enhance work zone safety.

How does action support Enhance diffusion of innovation. Incorporating the Safety Edge into asphalt
strategy? paving projects not only helps with vehicles that may veer off the roadway
during construction, but more importantly provide the biggest benefit for
State DOTs over the long term where a drop-off may be when there is
erosion next to the edge of pavement. This near vertical drop would be
eliminated in any situations where the shoulder backing is lost.
Known Implementation The only risk per se is that the data does not point to this being a problem
Risks / Issues in the state of CA. However, the current data does not account for this
type of crash either so it is unknown just how severe it is, if at all.
Known Mitigation Factors The safety edge creates a wedge of asphalt that is both sloped and
compacted to provide an edge that is easier to maneuver and helps
prevent pavement edge cracking over time.
Additional Comments There is a significant backlog of known technologies that has not been
deployed. Georgia was one of the first states to introduce the safety edge
and have had positive results. A recent report done for the American
Automobile Association (AAA) in September 2006 recommends the use of
the safety edge on asphalt projects. A crash reduction factor pooled-fund
project is currently underway 2.
8/29/08: Jason Dietz of FHWA Division office and Frank Julian of FHWA
RC are ready to help when POC is announced.
7/15/08: Construction requires 4:1 taper already. Once point of contact has
been established, FHWA will work through appropriate channels to bring
information to Caltrans on Safety Edge.

page 24
 California Strategic Highway Safety Implementation Plan
Challenge Area 14: Enhance Work Zone Safety
Safety Needs Action Plan – August 21,2008

SNAP Action Plans – Priority 10

Develop new public information channels.

Challenge Area 14 Enhance Work Zone Safety
Reference CA14.1.03 Assess the DMV’s California Drivers Handbook for information on work
zone safety and update or expand as necessary.
Detailed Description Description: Review the current work zone information in the Driver
Handbook and update it accordingly, specifically including data on the
risks to the driver.
What: Public education.
Where: Statewide.
Target Completion Date Near Term – 0-2 years.
Cost to Implement Low – using existing staff and/or available funds.
Expected Benefit Moderate – reduction in fatalities, serious injuries and injuries will be
greater than 10% and less than 30%.
Contact Person Name: DMV and all WZ team members.
Strategy Supported CA14.1: Enhance safe driving through work zones with education and
enforcement.
How does action support Alters driver behavior. Teaches youth or anyone taking the test what to
strategy? expect in a work zone.
Known Implementation There is always the chance that the DMV will be unwilling to make more
Risks / Issues changes to their tests and manual or that the amount of information in the
manual is so large that our message will be watered down.
Known Mitigation Factors Stick with the most important points when adding any information to the
DMV manual.
Additional Comments Enforcement works. Public Information campaigns work. Present Caltrans
enforcement and education efforts are significant, outstanding in nature,
and effective. This type of change has been done in conjunction with DMV
before.
7/15/08: Draft recommendations for a DMV task force? DSTF is also
reviewing handbook and making recommendations. Waiting for point of
contact and direction from DMV.

page 25
 California Strategic Highway Safety Implementation Plan
Challenge Area 14: Enhance Work Zone Safety
Safety Needs Action Plan – August 21,2008

SNAP Action Plans – Priority 11

Develop capacity and processes to evaluate technology.

Challenge Area 14 Enhance Work Zone Safety
Reference CA14.4.01 Form a team to develop industry standards to evaluate innovative
technology on a routine basis as practitioners propose new methods and
technologies to improve work zone safety.
Detailed Description Industry standards are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of new
technology, in conjunction with the National Traffic Data Center to ensure
devices are improving.
Following are examples of technologies that need formal, standardized
evaluation:
 Improvements to night-time visibility.
 Walk-behind worker assistance tools for common maintenance
and landscaping tasks to shorten work zone duration.
 Temporary transverse rumble strips at start of work zones.
 Recorded CB radio messages to warn truckers of slow or stopped
traffic ahead.
 Backup alarms for all vehicles in work zones.

Where: Statewide.
Target Completion Date Mid Term – 2 to 5 years.
Cost to Implement Low – using existing staff and/or available funds.
Expected Benefit Moderate - reductions in fatalities, serious injuries and injuries will be
greater than 10% and less than 30%.
Contact Person Name: Bob Bosler, UC Davis, rhbosler@ucdavis.edu, 530-752-7946 and Joe
Jeffrey, Road Tech, ATSSA, joe@road-tech.com, 916-714-1466,
Strategy Supported CA14.4: Apply advanced technology to enhance work zone safety.
How does action support Provides a streamlined screening process for new technologies that uses
strategy? formal criteria, sets documentation standards, provides a central gathering
point for evaluations, and outlines next steps for deployment.
Known Implementation Present evaluation processes are isolated and ad hoc.
Risks / Issues
Known Mitigation Factors There are lot of beneficial technologies out there.

page 26
 California Strategic Highway Safety Implementation Plan
Challenge Area 14: Enhance Work Zone Safety
Safety Needs Action Plan – August 21,2008

Additional Comments As a group, we easily generated dozens of technologies that we feel would
benefit Caltrans and local DOTs in terms of safety and efficiency. We note
that vendors, field practitioners, and researchers also could and do
generate their own long lists of major and minor innovations of merit. But it
is often difficult for vendors, field practitioners, and researchers to know
how to present innovative technology to Caltrans, and, in our discussions,
we found cases where ad hoc groups rejected further consideration of
innovations presented to them on the basis of informal evaluations.
For Caltrans, we propose numerous entry points for technology proposals
bound together by common web postings and standard evaluation
processes and criteria.
 A field practitioner entry point might look like the Pacific Northwest
Snowfighters Association, a practitioner organization that
evaluates and establishes specifications for winter maintenance
products.
 A vendor entry point would formalize processes that the
Maintenance Fleet Management group uses to evaluate product
demonstrations.
 A researcher entry point would be based upon the evaluation
processes used by the Division of Research and Innovation.

9/25/08: Caltrans published new guidelines in March of this year. In an

unrelated effort, CT DRI is now winding up a year-long, intensive project to
deploy Balsi Beams. To evaluate the guidelines and recommend the next
step, CT DRI has been asked for "Lessons Learned" and "BCP Process
Overview" information.

7/15/08: Caltrans published new guidelines in March of this year. Bob

Bosler to evaluate them and recommend our next steps.

page 27
 California Strategic Highway Safety Implementation Plan
Challenge Area 14: Enhance Work Zone Safety
Safety Needs Action Plan – August 21,2008

SNAP Action Plans – Priority 12

Expand improvements to traffic control.

Challenge Area 14 Enhance Work Zone Safety
Reference CA14.2.03 Encourage present efforts to improve access and detours for bicyclists and
pedestrians near work zones.
Detailed Description Description: Improve compliance with existing CA MUTCD requirements
for accommodating pedestrians in work zones. Develop more detailed
plans to accommodate bicyclists in work zones.
What: CA MUTCD standards, guidance, support and options in
accommodating pedestrians in work zones. Additional designs needed to
better address bicyclists in work zones.
Where: Statewide.
Target Completion Date Near Term – 0 to 2 years
Cost to Implement Moderate - requiring staff and/or funds greater than $250,000 and less
than $500,000.
Expected Benefit Moderate - reductions in fatalities, serious injuries, and injuries will be
greater than 10% and less than 30%.
Contact Person Name: Bill Ellis, Santa Rosa PWD, BEllis@ci.santa-rosa.ca.us, 707-543-
3820 and Ken Kochevar, FHWA, ken.kochevar@fhwa.dot.gov, 916-498-
5853 and Ken McGuire, Caltrans, ken_mcguire@dot.ca.gov, 916-653-
2750 and Richard Haggstrom, Caltrans, Richard_haggstrom@dot.ca.gov,
916-654-6600.
Strategy Supported CA14.2 Improve traffic control in work zones.
How does action support By improving the designs of traffic control in work areas to accommodate
strategy? pedestrians and bicycles, non-compliance for these two groups will be
reduced and correspondingly so will their risk of injury.
Known Implementation The accommodations of pedestrians in particular are expected to increase
Risks / Issues the costs of the work zone traffic control.
Known Mitigation Factors The CA MUTCD currently has standards and guidance to accommodate
pedestrians. It can be anticipated that any typical applications developed
to accommodate bicycles should not be as expensive to implement as
those for pedestrians.
Additional Comments Emphasis on CA MUTCD training is paramount. Standards and guidance
for pedestrians exists but needs to be applied in the field. More work is
needed to provide the same level of detail for bicycles. This action item is
also considered in Challenge Area #13 under action item 13.6 and
Challenge Area #8 under action item 8.6.
7/15/08: Task force will meet separately with bike and ped representatives.

page 28
 California Strategic Highway Safety Implementation Plan
Challenge Area 14: Enhance Work Zone Safety
Safety Needs Action Plan – August 21,2008

SNAP Action Plans – Priority 13

Expand improvements to traffic control.

Challenge Area 14 Enhance Work Zone Safety
Reference CA14.2.04 Expand improvements to traffic control and encourage use of project-
specific websites to provide motorists with work zone delay information.
Detailed Description Description: Project specific websites.
What: Real-time traffic data and video to help motorists choose the best
route and to help distribute project information to the public.
Where: Statewide.
Target Completion Date Near Term – 0 to 2 years.
Cost to Implement Moderate-High - requiring staff and/or funds greater than $500,000 and
less than $3,000,000.
Expected Benefit Moderate - reductions in fatalities, serious injuries and injuries will be
greater than 10% and less than 30%.
Contact Person Name: Joe Jeffrey, Road Tech, joe@road-tech.com, 916-714-1466 and
Celso Izquierdo, Caltrans, Celso_Izquierdo@dot.ca.gov, 916-654-4135.
Strategy Supported CA14.2: Improve traffic control in work zones.

How does action support When drivers can view real-time video or traffic statistics they will often
strategy? choose to take another route or even to postpone the trip thereby reducing
congestion through the work zone and reducing worker exposure.
These websites also increase commuter awareness of the dangers of that
specific work zone, for example queuing, which will result in fewer
collisions. Federal studies show that between 50 and 85% of drivers
surveyed said they changed their route at least sometimes in response to
travel time messages generated by automated work zone information
systems.
Known Implementation The two primary factors that affect the number of these systems used in
Risks / Issues work zones is cost and delivery time. Most systems can be delivered, set-
up and configured in 60 to 120 days. But the ITS work is normally
generated through a change order. So most systems aren’t truly functional
until the project has been in place for 6 months.
Known Mitigation Factors Including project ITS elements in the PS&E’s helps keep the total cost
down, improves customer-vendor communications, and insures that the
system is in place and tested before the project begins.

page 29
 California Strategic Highway Safety Implementation Plan
Challenge Area 14: Enhance Work Zone Safety
Safety Needs Action Plan – August 21,2008

Additional Comments Studies suggest that 10% of all congestion is attributable to work zones.
Caltrans TMP guidelines and the new Federal Work Zone Safety and
Mobility Rule require consideration of congestion mitigation strategies for
larger projects. AWIS products reduce work zone collisions and, at the
same time, help to reduce congestion due to work zones.
8/21/08: Refer to Caltrans Safety Task Force #1 60 to 180 day action for
overlap as we proceed.
From David Lively: Pilot "Transportation Management Center Activity Log"
aka TMCAL LITE database for HQ dispatchers to use; integrate with
"CHIN" web and telephone outputs. Go statewide with the full TMCAL;
district dispatchers will enter incidents, closures, et al in their district
TMCAL databases which will automatically feed into CHIN web and
telephone.
7/15/08: Tie project sites to CHIN (Caltrans Highway Information Network)
site? Prototype website design there now. And it is now easier to link
project sites to master site.

page 30
 California Strategic Highway Safety Implementation Plan
Challenge Area 14: Enhance Work Zone Safety
Safety Needs Action Plan – August 21,2008

SNAP Action Plans – Priority 14

Improve technology deployment processes.

Challenge Area 14 Enhance Work Zone Safety
Reference CA14.4.03 Form team to evaluate best work zone safety practices in other states and
to develop Request for Proposal (RFP) purchasing process for innovative
technology to allow routine use with minimum legal challenges.
Detailed Description Description: Document present new technology purchasing practices,
determine best practices, and then work with Division of Procurement and
Contracts (DPAC) to develop new processes.
What: Purchasing procedures.
Where: Statewide.
Target Completion Date Mid Term – 2 to 5 years.
Cost to Implement Moderate – requiring staff and/or funds greater than $250,000 and less
than $500,000.
Expected Benefit Moderate – reductions in fatalities, serious injuries and injuries will be
greater than 10% and less than 30%.
Contact Person Name: Caroline Moreno, Caltrans, caroline_moreno@dot.ca.gov, 916-654-
4580 and Anne Staines, Proprose, anne@ProProse.com, 916-802-8316.
Strategy Supported CA14.4: Apply advanced technology to enhance work zone safety.
How does action support This action enables deployment of innovative technology on a timely basis
strategy? without costly legal challenges.
Known Implementation The RFP process for innovative technology must be carefully crafted in
Risks / Issues order to avoid unfairness and legal challenges.
Known Mitigation Factors There are many available, backlogged innovations, some developed by
Caltrans itself that can significantly enhance work zone safety.

page 31
 California Strategic Highway Safety Implementation Plan
Challenge Area 14: Enhance Work Zone Safety
Safety Needs Action Plan – August 21,2008

Additional Comments By definition, innovative technology requires research and development.

Innovators usually protect their investments with patents. However, public
agencies typically encounter legal challenges to sole source purchasing.
These legal challenges strongly discourage innovation in the public sector
by increasing costs and time to purchase. Far better is to challenge
industry with open RFPs that reward research and development
investments.
Best practice is a methodology that requires bidders to address issues
with an RFP before the final filing date, not in the form of a protest after the
bid is complete. For example, before a decision, a vendor can protest
criteria, such as life-cycle costs or specific technology specifications, but
after the filing date a vendor can only protest if the process was not
followed. In other states, this has eliminated most issues with RFPs and
has made them a practical way to perform "best value" purchasing and to
obtain innovative, proprietary technology without extensive legal
challenges. Idaho and Seattle DOTs have innovated this approach with
3
success .
9/25/08: Funding for this action is a hurdle. CT DRI will address
purchasing issues as a part of its ArmorGuard project. A "champion" in CT
Legal has been found, and a search is on for a "champion" in CT DPAC.
However, major effort on this issue will not be started until early 2009.

8/21/08: Anne has lined up two contract specialists with experience in this
area. Further discussion to take place once POC is disclosed. Bob B. and
Len N. to be included in the discussion.
7/15/08: Anne Staines has made contact with people in Caltrans and DGS
legal that may be able to help. Funding for this action is a hurdle.

REFERENCES
1. FHWA report number FHWA/TX-03/4413-1.
2. “Safety Impacts of Pavement Edge Drop-Offs” AAA Foundation September, 2006.
3. Washington State House Bill Report 1093, 1995-1996.

page 32