Understanding and Implementing Construction Traffic Control Plans

Construction projects sometimes take place in the middle of busy urban or highway areas, where the public needs to pass through and around the work site. In those situations, project teams need a traffic control plan that dictates the flow of traffic through the worksite to keep workers and public users safe.

Keeping workers and the public safe can be a complicated proposition, and it takes careful planning and execution to reduce the risks of injuries and incidents.

This article aims to guide construction project managers through the essentials of TCPs, highlighting their importance, components and implementation strategies.

What is a traffic control plan?

A traffic control plan (TCP) is a planning document that lays out how pedestrians, cyclists and motorists will use the roadway during construction road work. An effective TCP helps make sure users can get through efficiently while protecting the safety of workers.

There are a couple specific types of traffic control plans. A temporary traffic control plan (TTCP) describes how a work zone can be set up to allow traffic to flow around a construction site, particularly when public roadways are affected. An internal traffic control plan (ITCP) is concerned with the management of vehicular and pedestrian traffic within the boundaries of a construction site. It aims to enhance safety and operational efficiency for workers and equipment operators by organizing internal movements and interactions.

Keys to a Successful Traffic Control Plan

The main focus of traffic control plans is often the safety of workers and the public around the construction site, but efficiency and effective use of space are also important considerations.

Traffic Flow Patterns and Management

A TCP should include ways for users to get around a worksite safely. When the plan blocks or detours sidewalks, it may include details about alternative routes that will accommodate those with disabilities.  There should also be a plan for temporary bus stops and options to cross the street safely.

TCPs may include specific parameters for backing up, since reversing equipment is a well-recognized hazard on construction sites. For instance, it may organize the site to minimize heavy equipment backing up or create a designated area for vehicles to back up.

Signage and Road Markings

Work zones are usually marked with signs indicating that the area is undergoing construction. There are often tools used to move traffic into channels, like pylons or barriers, and signs indicating where the work zone begins and ends.

Work zone size and the distance between signs may vary based in part on the jobsite location and the type and speed of surrounding traffic. For instance, a jobsite on a busy highway will need to give ample distances for drivers traveling at high speeds to be aware of the work and merge into other traffic lanes.

Worker Behavior

When creating ITCPs, project teams should be aware of areas that workers will stand, their potential paths to break areas or toilets and their overall visibility to drivers and equipment operators, and aim to keep construction vehicle traffic as far from those habitual paths as possible. There should be enough signage and markings so that vehicle operators know where they’re supposed to drive and workers know where it’s safe to walk.

Efficiency and Productivity

Alongside safety, productivity is a prime concern in the creation of TCPs. TCPs help minimize traffic disruptions, allowing projects to proceed on schedule and within budget. 

Special Considerations for TCPs

Collaborating with traffic engineers and planners and investing in training and resources for in-house staff can help contribute to successful TCP implementation, by making sure the design team understands the regulations and local guidelines that may impact the TCP.

Construction teams have to consider any specific local laws when drawing up their TCPs. For instance, backing up is a well-known hazard on work sites.

Two states have enacted specific statutes that govern practices for backing up:

Virginia - 16VAC25-97-10 – 50 has ruled that covered vehicles are not allowed to reverse without a ground-level signal person has said it’s safe to do so unless the vehicle has a back up alarm and the driver has visually confirmed that nobody is in the path of the vehicle before reversing.

Washington - WAC 296-155-610 also dictates that the vehicle needs a back up alarm or a ground signal person, and specifies further that dump trucks must have a back up alarm to back up on site. If anyone is in the “backing zone,” the driver needs a signal person to confirm it’s safe to back up or the truck has to have a back up camera.

There may also be Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) guidelines that apply to TCPs. For example, the FWHA requires that traffic management plans be established for all Federal-aid highway projects that are considered to be “significant” projects. Further, it rules that temporary traffic controls be consistent with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Roadside Design Guide.

Steps to Develop a TCP

Developing a TCP should happen early in the construction planning stages, when site plans and parameters may still be fluid. Here are some steps the project team can take to develop a traffic control plan.

1. Conduct a site survey.

   Review and analyze the site to understand its layout and the physical restrictions that will dictate movement around it. Understand the traffic patterns around the site to see what workarounds will need to be established.

2. Understand local regulations.

   Find out if there are local laws, standards or guidelines that govern traffic control in construction zones and work them into the traffic control plan. Work with local traffic departments and police forces and any other relevant agencies for support and approvals.

3. Design traffic controls.

   Establish where traffic will need to be rerouted and decide on detours and alternate routes. Strategize best places to put up signs, markers and barriers to direct traffic according to need.

4. Plan for contingencies.

   Establish procedures for handling emergency vehicles, accidents or unusual traffic patterns while the TCP is in place.

5. Communicate changes to the public.

   Decide on a plan including signs and social media content to make the public aware of the coming traffic diversions.

6. Monitor and evaluate the plan.

   Site staff should conduct regular inspections to check compliance with the TCP, safety and how well it’s working. Gather feedback from the public, authorities and site workers to identify any issues for improvement. Make any necessary changes to improve the TCP as needed.

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Traffic Control Plans Contribute to Safe and Efficient Construction Sites

A well-designed and carefully implemented TCP offers numerous benefits, including improved safety records and fewer accidents, improved efficiency and positive community relations. By mitigating risks, a comprehensive TCP can also lead to significant financial savings.

Contractors can improve their TCPs with open communication and lots of consultation with local authorities, the public and construction stakeholders like subcontractors and materials suppliers.

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