On the Move Quarterly Newsletter
On the Move Quarterly NewsletterThe traffic control devices of signs, signals, and pavement markings are the primary elements that keep our streets and roads flowing properly and safely. As such they must do their job during the day and night, as well as in adverse weather and traffic conditions.
In the United States, almost half of all traffic fatalities occurs during the dark hours of evening, night, and early morning. However, only a fourth of all travel takes place during those same hours! Problems with signing and pavement markings are a significant factor in traffic congestion and lead to frequent accidents resulting in major injuries and often death.
Major emphasis is being placed on improving highway safety by AASHTO, FHWA, and all state DOT's. This emphasis has led to the recent revision of the Manual on Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), the implementation of new and improved traffic control devices, and proposed retroreflectivity standards for both signs and pavement markings. The Utah T2 Center is focusing on making this information and these new technologies readily available to local agencies through workshops, training courses, and technical assistance. The following outlines each of these focus areas briefly and the proposed means of delivery.
Several briefings and presentations have been made regarding the revisions and additions to the new MUTCD. The next step is to offer training courses covering each Part of the MUTCD. Courses have already been conducted on Part 1-General, Part 5-Traffic Control Devices for Low Volume Roads, and Part 6-Temporary Traffic Control.
During the next seven months these courses will be offered again along with courses dealing with the applications of Part 2-Signs, Part 3-Markings, Part 7-Traffic Control for School Areas, Part 8-Traffic Controls for Highway-Rail Grade Crossings, and Part 9-Traffic Controls for Bicycle Facilities. The T2 Center will be offering these courses in Utah and will include dates, times and places for these workshops in future newsletters and on-line at [www.utaht2.usu.edu].
A variety of new and improved pavement markings, and traffic control devices have been developed and are ready to be implemented. The Utah T2 Center is conducting a Pavement Marking Test Deck Study for AASHTO. This study involves the placement and evaluation of 94 different pavement marking products covering 29 different brands of waterborne paints, 22 thermoplastics, 14 preformed thermoplastics, nine (9) epoxy paints, four (4) hot applied tapes, seven (7) durable tapes, six (6) temporary tapes, and three (3) other pavement marking materials.
All these products were placed on a section of Interstate 84 near Morgan, Utah, and were applied to both concrete and asphalt pavements surfaces. Evaluations of the performance of these pavement marking products with respect to durability, reflectivity, discernability, color, and removability is being made periodically. The results of these evaluations may be accessed through the study Web site [www.ntpep.usu.edu].
Other new developments include the addition of the color of fluorescent coral for "incident management" signing, a new diagrammatic warning sign showing lane reduction, and a proposed requirement for ANSI Class III high visibility clothing to be used for flaggers. The new MUTCD explains in Section 1A.10 Interpretations, Experimentations, and Changes the process to follow regarding such factors.
The FHWA will not be printing any new manuals but will provide downloadable information of MUTCD changes, interpretations, and new developments via the MUTCD Web site [mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov].
During the past two years much emphasis has been placed on improving the retroreflectivity of signs and pavement markings. This has resulted in two major efforts.
First, FHWA has just completed the conduct of four workshops addressing nighttime visibility of signs and the development of minimum retroreflectivity requirements for signs. One of the key recommendations resulting from these workshops is the need to conduct periodic nighttime visual inspections of signs since there are many other factors that affect night time visibility. Retroreflectivity measurements alone do not assure that signs are clearly visible and discernible at night. Further detail and information on these workshops and the proposed rule making is given on pages 2 and 13 of this newsletter.
Also, a major field evaluation of the retroreflectivity of pavement markings has been initiated by FHWA and nine western state DOT's. This evaluation effort employs vehicle mounted retroreflectivity measurement equipment (Lazer-Lux) that is capable of measuring pavement marking retroreflectivity at highway speeds. This evaluation effort should enable development of service life curves for the various pavement marking materials under a variety of conditions. Further information on this effort can be obtained from Ken Berg of UDOT by e-mail [kenberg@utah.gov].
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has for years worked to develop minimum levels of retroreflectivity for traffic signs and pavement markings that would enhance mobility and increase safety for the driving public. As there have been significant changes in vehicle types, headlights, sign sheeting technology, and the aging driver population, previous research study values, which were based on study parameters for 1985 vehicles and the sign sheeting materials available at the time, have been reconsidered and updated. The Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) is completing its research for FHWA to develop revised minimum retroreflective values for nighttime visibility of signs that will address the current vehicle type, headlights, sign technology, and the aging driver.
The FHWA has also been working with the transportation community to identify and develop options for implementing the minimum levels. Four national workshops on nighttime sign visibility, which shared information on the latest research and current thinking of FHWA on the subject, were recently completed. Participants included representatives from state and local agencies, industry, and LTAP Centers. The primary goal of the workshops was to solicit recommendations from the participants on the future Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) language and to gauge attendees' thoughts on acceptable nighttime sign evaluation methods. Draft rulemaking will begin based on the input received from those workshops. It is anticipated that the rulemaking will be available for comment in 2003, after further coordination with the American Association of State and Highway Traffic Officials (AASHTO) Retroreflectivity Task Force.
A research summary report on minimum retroreflectivity levels for pavement markings is also under development. Upon completion, this report will be distributed to the AASHTO Retroreflectivity Task Force for review and recommendations for minimum requirements. It is anticipated that draft rulemaking will begin upon receipt of the task force's recommendations.
Significant Issues From Industry and State/Local Public Agencies
For additional information, please visit the FHWA retroreflectivity web site at [safety.fhwa.dot.gov/programs/retroref.htm] or contact one of the following by e-mail: Peter Hatzi [peter.hatzi@fhwa.dot.gov], Kenneth Opiela [kenneth.opiela@fhwa.dot.gov], or Greg Shertz [greg.schertz@fhwa.dot.gov].
Participants in the combined APWA, ASCE, UCEA Fall Conference were given a treat by listening to the encouraging stories of Special Forces Sergeant First Class Mr. Layne Morris and Dale Hull, M.D. Sergeant Morris is an Afghan War Veteran and was wounded in action. Dr. Hull was paralyzed, but with perseverance was able to serve as a torch bearer for the 2002 Winter Olympic torch relay! Both speakers were a motivation to all who listened! Thanks to the planning committee for arranging these and other great speakers, and for taking the time to put together such a great conference!
With the expansion of services provided by the Utah T2 Center, and the need to replace student staff because of graduations, we want to welcome aboard two new staff members!
Matthew Turnbow is a senior, majoring in environmental studies and GIS. He joins the team of technical assistant serving local agencies. He and his wife, Kim, are the proud parents of two daughters. When not attending school, spending time with his family and working, he enjoys fly fishing.
Megan Bates is a senior, majoring in technical writing with the College of Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences. She will be serving as the technical writer and review editor for the many reports we prepare for the special projects provided by the T2 Center. When she's not in class or working she likes to play the saxophone and flute.
Welcome to the terrific staff of T2 student technicians and office staff!
One thousand seventy nine (1,079) people were killed in work zones in 2001, according to data released to the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA) by NHTSA. In comparison, calendar year 2000 revealed 1,026 work zone fatalities, and at that time, that figure was reported as an all-time high.
Since 1999, ATSSA has been leading a nationwide campaign to bring work zone safety issues to the attention of the motoring public through a variety of public awareness campaigns, such as National Work Zone Awareness Week and a traveling National Work Zone Memorial that honors those killed in roadway work zones.
"These latest figures are extremely high and are totally unacceptable. Unfortunately we believe in reality, the situation is even worse," said Kathi Holst, president of ATSSA. Holst believes the number might be higher as accidents that occur in roadway work zones are not always recorded as being work zone related. "For example, there is no across-the-board uniformity within police reports," Holst said. "Often times there isn't a block to check on the report that indicates 'work zone,' so many are reported simply as roadway accidents."
But better data collection is only part of the solution to better recognize the problem. The majority of those killed in work zones are motorists, not the workers themselves. This is usually caused by excessive speed, fatigue and in-vehicle distractions.
"Slowing down to posted speeds is the immediate first step," said Holst, "however, drivers should expect the unexpected in work zones."
The breakdown of the figure 1,079 included 641 Drivers, 281 Passengers in Vehicles and 139 Pedestrians.
ATSSA recommends driver's disengage from activities such as the use of cellular phones or onboard navigation systems while driving. Work zones not only have workers present, but also heavy equipment and vehicles that ordinarily are not in the roadway.
For more information, visit ATSSA on the Web at [www.atssa.com].
Our thanks to these important partners for sharing this information and working with us in our efforts to serve the local agencies of Utah.
The following dates for regional training allow the Trust to coordinate their overall provision of services around the state. If you have training needs, please contact the Trust and they can help you set up what you need during the assigned dates for your region.
Plan now to attend the 2002 Risk Management Retreat! The retreat is broken into three separate tracks. The cost for day 1 and day 2 is $25/day for members and $75/day for non-members. There is a dinner on day 2 with a cost of $15/person. Day 3 is a half-day workshop and the cost is $20 for members and $50 for non-members.
These workshops are conducted over the Internet as well as by phone so that interested individuals can participate from across the nation. The visual portion of the program is transmitted over the Internet and the audio portion is transmitted over the phone lines. This format makes it easy for any agency to put on a Click, Listen & Learn workshop. All that is needed is a meeting room with Internet access and a telephone system with a speakerphone. Workshops are two hours in length and normally run from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. MST.
Upcoming CLL Workshops
You can make arrangements directly with APWA on-line at [www.apwa.net/education/cll]. Or contact Dee Hadfield, Utah T2 Center Field Project Manager at 1-800-822-8878 or by e-mail at [dhadfiel@cc.usu.edu].
The Utah T2 Center will be holding a Railroad Safety Workshop in Provo on January 23, 2003.
We will also be holding a Sign Management Workshop in Ogden on January 28, 2003.
T2 Center workshop dates are subject to change, and we also anticipate additional offerings after the first of the year. For questions, or to request a workshop, please call us at 1-800-822-8878.
14-17 ATSSA Flagger Series (Logan)
16-18 Regional County Engineers Conference (Laughlin, Nevada)
23-24 County Road Advisor's Conference (Rapid City, South Dakota)
4-9 Heavy Equipment Operation (Moab)
6-8 Construction Inspection Training (Salt Lake City)
4-7 ATSSA Series (Cedar City)
11-15 Heavy Equipment Operation (Tooele)
14 Railroad Safety Workshop (Salt Lake City)
18-22 Heavy Equipment Operation (St. George)
18-21 ATSSA Series (Ogden)
20-22 UDOT Engineer's Conference (Salt Lake City)
25 Safety Workshop (Richfield)
26 Safety Workshop (Moab)
27 Safety Workshop (Woods Cross)
28-29 Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday
9-12 ATSSA Series (Salt Lake City)
17 Sign Management Workshop (Logan)
17 Soil Cement Workshop (Salt Lake City)
18 ACPA Local Roads Seminar (Salt Lake City)
24-26 Closed for Christmas Holiday
31 Closed for New Year Holiday
Please take 10 minutes and complete our on-line needs assessment!
As more and more utility lines are installed and located underground, all underground facility owners/operators should be aware of Utah law governing buried utilities - Chapter 8a of Title 54 of the Utah Code, "Damage to Underground Facilities Act."
This Act provides the legal basis for the creation of an association to function as the communications link between excavators and underground facility operators in communicating underground excavation activities in the state of Utah. The association was established in 1974 and is known as Blue Stakes.
The Act is designed to minimize utility service interruptions, avoid personal injury and avoid damage to property and equipment by individuals and companies who are involved in excavation activities.
Even though membership and participation in Blue Stakes is voluntary, the Act specifies that if an operator of underground facilities does not belong to or participate in Blue Stakes, the operator is liable for damages incurred by an excavator who has complied with the Act as well as any civil penalties associated with the Act.
The Act also specifies that before excavating, an excavator shall notify each operator with underground facilities in the area of proposed excavation. The Act further clarifies that if there is an association created, notice to that association constitutes notice to each operator.
The service Blue Stakes provides for contractors and homeowners is free of charge. Blue Stakes is governed by a Board of Trustees comprised of individuals from various utility classifications representing member utilities, the Intermountain Utility Contractors Association (IUCA) and Associated General Contractors Association (AGC) representing contractors, and the Utah Transportation Technology Transfer (T2) Center representing engineers. Member utility companies provide funding for the association. Blue Stakes actively supports the national "Dig Safely" campaign and encourages all contractors and homeowners to:
Additional information regarding membership in Blue Stakes can be obtained by contacting W. Gary Hansen, Executive Director, at (801) 538-5700 or e-mail [garyh@bluestakes.org].
In the United States, almost one-half of all traffic fatalities occurs during the dark hours of evening, night, and early morning. However, only a quarter of all travel takes place during those same hours--a startling and grave statistic.
There are a number of reasons for this disparity, such as intoxicated and fatigued drivers. It is also known that drivers receive much less guidance information at night than during the day. For example, during daylight hours, drivers have a number of visual cues, such as signs, pavement markings, roadside vegetation, guardrails, and textured shoulders, making driving relatively simple. This bounty of visual cues allows drivers to focus less on their proper position on the roadway.
At night, however, this changes drastically. On a dark and unlit road, nearly all cues disappear except those that are retroreflective (signs and markings). Those few remaining cues become critical to driving, and should they become so worn that they are no longer visible, the chance to miss the information becomes greater, resulting in a greater chance of driver error, and subsequently, a potential crash.
Retroreflectivity is the property of a material that returns light to the source. In the case of roadways at night, the retroreflective materials may be traffic signs and pavement markings and the source is usually the headlights of a vehicle. Because a driver's eyes are close to a vehicle's headlights, some of the light returned from retroreflective materials reaches the driver's eyes. The amount of light from an object reaching the driver's eyes will have a great impact on how bright that object appears to the driver. Therefore, retroreflective materials that are efficient in returning light to a driver's eyes may appear brighter to the driver than those that are not.
Unfortunately, the retroreflective characteristics of traffic control devices gradually deteriorate over time. As a result, it is important to replace traffic control devices prior to the time when they no longer meet the needs of the nighttime driver. The major question is not whether the devices should be replaced, but when. How do we know when the device no longer meets the needs of the driver?
To address the issue of retroreflective deterioration, the national Manual On Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD 2000) states, "Regulatory, warning, and guide signs shall be retroreflective or illuminated to show the same shape and similar color by both day and night" and "Markings that must be visible at night shall be retroreflective unless ambient illumination assures that the markings are adequately visible." These standards have remained essentially unchanged for 45 years. The MUTCD 2000 also states "To assure adequate maintenance, a schedule for inspecting (both day and night), cleaning, and replacing signs should be established."
Although retroreflectometers are an excellent tool for evaluating the efficiency of retroreflective materials, they are not the only resource available to judge the nighttime visibility of traffic control devices. Nighttime visual inspections of signs and markings can be one of the best methods/tools. Establishing a process to evaluate your jurisdiction's signs and markings for nighttime visibility, and maintaining those devices appropriately, can be a great service to the public and possibly assist your agency in court cases involving visibility of traffic control devices.
The FHWA is currently developing guidance for public agencies to determine the appropriate level of retroreflectivity required by nighttime drivers. Although new retroreflective standards and guidance are not currently in place, all indications are that they will be developed in the near future. Based on the current requirements in the MUTCD, and the knowledge that updated guidelines will be produced, some agencies have initiated nighttime inspection processes to evaluate the visibility of traffic control devices. A systematic process to replace worn out devices can then be implemented to ensure that limited budgets are used efficiently to meet the needs of the nighttime driver.
For additional information, please visit the FHWA retroreflectivity web site at [safety.fhwa.dot.gov/programs/retroref.htm] or contact Greg Shertz [greg.schertz@fhwa.dot.gov].
Registration is now underway for the annual UDOT Engineer's Conference. You can most easily register on-line at [www.dot.utah.utah.gov]. But, if that option is not available to you, please contact Joyanna Peterson at (801) 965-4110.
The cost for non-UDOT registrants is $200 if registered and paid for before November 4, 2002. After that date a $50 late fee will be charged.
Conference participants are on their own to make hotel arrangements. A list of hotels being utilized for the conference is available at the conference Web site (listed above).
So, make your plans now and register to attend this important annual event! You don't want to miss it!
Plan now to attend the 2nd annual Local Roads Seminar, being sponsored by the Utah Chapter of the American Concrete Paving Association and the Utah Technology Transfer (T2) Center.
Topics to be discussed include: subgrade preparation, fundamentals of quality PCCP, flagship projects, urban elements, PCCP rehabilitation and context sensitive solutions, to name a few. The cost to register is $60 and includes lunch. (The cost is $50/person for companies, or divisions, that send 10 or more employees.)
You are also invited to attend a special half-day soil cement presentation on December 17, 2002 at the Little American Hotel. This special workshop is sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Concrete Promotion Council, Utah Chapter and the Utah Technology Transfer (T2) Center. This presentation will cover CTB, RCC and recycling of flexible pavements. Wayne Adaksa, PCA, will be our presenter. The cost for this half-day event is $35.
To register, send your name, company name, address, phone/fax, e-mail and your check or money order to Mitzi McIntyre, P.E., Utah ACPA, 1036 Lincoln Lane, Park City UT 84098 or fax to (435) 647-5972. You can also register on-line at [www.utaht2.usu.edu]. Please indicate which of the two courses you will be attending.
During the next quarter the Utah T2 Center will be offering the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA) flag person and work zone traffic control certification courses. These courses will be conducted in various locations across the state as shown on the calendar of events in this newsletter.
There are three courses associated with this series and they are listed as Flagger, Traffic Control Technician (TCT), and Traffic Control Supervisor (TCS). All courses are recognized by the Utah Department of Transportation in fulfilling their requirements for various levels of traffic control training.
The Flagger training is recommended for all roadway workers, contractors, and supervisors. This is a basic course that prepares each worker to handle the responsibilities associated with highway flagger responsibilities as outlined in Part 6 of the Manual on Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).
In the course each worker will be required to take a short exam and demonstrate their understanding of the rules governing a Flagger through a mock up of a traffic control situation. Each worker will receive Part 6 of the MUTCD, the ATSSA Flagger handbook, and a pocket Traffic Control Manual developed by Utah T2 Center and the Utah Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA) for field use.
The Traffic Control Technician (TCT) course is offered as an introduction to the basic principles of temporary work zone traffic control; this one-day training course is designed to instruct the participant in the underlying principles of temporary traffic control as set forth in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).
ATSSA-qualified Utah T2 Center instructors provide the student with the practical knowledge, techniques, and instruction on the installation and maintenance of traffic control devices to enable them to apply practical concepts. The Utah T2 Center is recommending this course for all workers which may be required to handle Temporary Traffic Control Devices and is accepted by UDOT as a Traffic Control Seminar.
Workers are required to complete a written examination and will receive a certificate of completion.
The Traffic Control Supervisor Course (TCS) is a two-day advanced training course geared to the specific job related duties of the supervisor. The course has been updated and improved to meet the needs of today's work zone Traffic Control Supervisor. It has been the industry standard for nearly 20 years.
Critical life saving knowledge is passed on by experienced instructors who combine multimedia and group activities to solve real problems. Upon completion of the two day course and passing a written examination, participants are mailed a certificate of completion.
The TCS certification program provides supervisory personnel with the opportunity to be certified as a Traffic Control Supervisor.
Requirements to become a certified Traffic Control Supervisor:
Utah T2 Center is recommending that at least one employee from each city, town or county complete the TCS training and certification.
For more information on the cost for this training and how to register, please contact G. Stuart Thompson, Utah T2 Center Field Engineer by calling 1-800-822-8878. Or you can reach him by e-mail at [stuart@cc.usu.edu].
Do you want to know more about asphalt pavement construction? Now is your chance! The National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT) will be conducting a seminar on asphalt pavement construction December 10-12, 2002 at the Sheraton DTC Hotel (7007 South Clinton) in Englewood, Colorado. This event is hosted by the Colorado Asphalt Paving Association (CAPA) and the Rocky Mountain Asphalt Education Center (RMAEC).
This is an educational seminar that will cover HMA mix design, production and construction, and specifications (including end-result and warranty). Instructors for the course will be:
The cost for the course is $400 for CAPA members and $450 for non-members. Each participant will receive the Asphalt Pavement Handbook, the IR/Blaw Knox Paving Manual and Superpave 2001, Compaction Methods and Technology by Chuck Deahl as well as the NCAT workbook containing the slide presentations from each instructor.
You are encouraged to register early since spaces for the course are limited. To register you can send your name, company, address, phone, and e-mail address, along with your check made payable to the Rocky Mountain Asphalt Education Center to: Rocky Mountain Asphalt Education Center, 6880 South Yosemite Court, Suite 110, Englewood, Colorado 80112
Or call (303) 741-6148 with any questions you might have. Fees must be paid in advance unless other arrangements have been made.
The course will run from 8 am to 5 pm each day.
Participants will need to make their own hotel reservations, by calling the Sheraton DTC Hotel directly at (303) 799-6200.