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Designing and Maintaining a Pedestrian-Friendly Work Zone

This guide provides guidelines for designing and maintaining pedestrian-friendly work zones, ensuring the safety and accessibility of pedestrians. It includes checklists and considerations for diversion routes, pedestrian/work area separation, pathway width, detectable edging, and more.

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Designing and Maintaining a Pedestrian-Friendly Work Zone

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  1. Designing and Maintaining a Pedestrian-Friendly Work Zone Gerald L. Ullman, Ph.D., P.E. Texas Transportation Institute

  2. The MUTCD is clear! The needs and control of all road users (motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians…) through a TTC zone shall be an essential part of highway construction, utility work, maintenance operations…

  3. Pedestrians should… • …not be led into conflicts with work vehicles, equipment or operations • …not be led into conflicts with vehicles moving through or around work site • …be provided with a reasonably safe, convenient, and accessible path • …not have their route severed due to parked vehicles or equipment

  4. Pedestrian TCP Design Checklist • Diversion Route Considerations • Pedestrian/Work Area Separation • Pedestrian/Vehicle Separation • Pathway Width and Surface Needs • Detectable Edging Requirements

  5. TCP Design Checklist (cont’d) • Canopied Walkway Needs • Sight Line Maintenance • Provision of Pedestrian Guidance Information • Other Intersection Needs • Mitigate Path Obstructions • Access to Transit Stops, Businesses, Residences

  6. Diversion Route Considerations Priorities: • Parking lane next to work site • Closed travel lane next to work site (if multi-lane facility) • Sidewalk or path across the street In some cases, a temporary traffic barrier may be needed

  7. Pedestrian/Work Area Separation • Positively protect excavations or drop-offs • Fences or barriers to prevent pedestrian access into work site Fences or barriers should be high enough to prevent climbing over

  8. Pedestrian/Vehicle Separation • Barriers may be needed • High-speed traffic situations • Designed to prevent intrusions • Barricades or channelizing devices may be sufficient • Detectable edging required • Continuous path provided

  9. Pathway Width and Surface Needs • 5 ft width desirable • If less than 5 ft, provide a 5 ft by 5 ft space every 200 ft along route • 3 ft absolute minimum, unless special provisions provided for wheelchairs • Path must be smooth, continuous, hard surface

  10. Detectable Edging • Continuous plastic, metal, wood, etc. • Bottom rail a maximum of 6 inches above ground • Rail at hand height desirable

  11. Canopied Walkway • Required if potential for falling debris • Lighting may be required if intended for use at night

  12. Maintaining Sight Lines • Drivers and pedestrians need to see each other at crossings • Features to check: • Fences • Parking • Signs • Bridge abutments • Work vehicles and equipment

  13. Pedestrian Information Needs • Advance information about sidewalk closures • Clear and positive guidance provided through and around work area • Guidance back to original route provided Ask yourself: What would I tell a driver?

  14. Pedestrian Information (cont’d) Message Design Tips: • Provide distances (blocks or feet) • Describe desired action when possible (“USE OTHER SIDE”) • Orange and black = work zone

  15. Other Intersection Needs • Temporary crosswalks • Traffic signal adjustments • Pedestrian clearance • Maintaining accessibility

  16. Mitigate Path Obstructions • No scaffolding, fencing, etc., protruding into path • No signs lower than 7 ft extending into path

  17. Access Considerations • Transit stops • Access to businesses, residences also need to be considered

  18. In-Field Construction Reviews • Check TCP design at beginning of project, after each phase change • Include as part of regular inspector reviews throughout project • Be vigilant for “accidental” impacts to pedestrians

  19. For more information…. • Checklist for Accommodating Pedestrians in Temporary Traffic Control Areas, December 2007, http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/0-5237-P1.pdf • FHWA Work Zone Safety Grant Program http://www.workzonesafety.org/fhwa_wz_grant/atssa/atssa_pedestrian_checklisthttp://www.workzonesafety.org/fhwa_wz_grant/atssa/atssa_guidance_sheet Gerald Ullman TTI (979) 845-9908 g-ullman@tamu.edu

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