Maintenance of Traffic (MOT)

Before construction begins, a Traffic Control Plan (TCP) is developed to outline how traffic will be diverted, routed, or managed around the construction site. The TCP ensures that traffic flow is maintained while work proceeds safely. The plan must consider the following:

• Traffic flow adjustments: Identify detours, lane closures, and alternative routes for vehicles.
• Public safety: Ensure safe crossings for pedestrians, proper signage for all users, and minimize risk to workers.
• Accessibility for emergency vehicles: Ensure that fire trucks, ambulances, and law enforcement can access the area if needed.
• Signage and notifications: Provide adequate signage to inform the public of upcoming work zones and changes in traffic patterns.

Construction projects often require lane reductions or closures to provide a safe working area for construction crews. MOT plans will include:

• Lane closures: Temporary closure of one or more lanes to provide space for construction activities, such as grading, paving, or bridge repairs. These closures must be clearly marked with signs, barriers, and cones.
• Road closures: In cases of extensive construction or when a significant stretch of the road is being rebuilt, complete road closures may be necessary. Diversions or detours are put in place to redirect traffic to alternate routes.
• One-lane traffic: On narrow roads or areas with limited construction space, the road may be reduced to a single lane with alternating traffic controlled by flaggers or automated traffic lights.

Proper signage and traffic control devices are essential in directing traffic safely around and through construction zones. Some of the key devices used include:

• Advance warning signs: These signs inform drivers about upcoming construction, lane reductions, detours, or road closures well before they reach the work zone. Examples include signs that read “Road Work Ahead” or “Detour.”
• Barricades and cones: Used to close lanes or separate construction areas from live traffic. Barricades may be temporary or movable, depending on the needs of the project.
• Message boards: Electronic variable message signs (VMS) are often used to provide real-time updates, such as lane changes, estimated delays, or accidents.
• Speed limit reduction signs: These signs are used to reduce speed limits in construction zones to protect workers and drivers. Often, flaggers will be present to control traffic speed in high-risk areas.

Flaggers play a vital role in managing traffic in construction zones where automated systems may not be sufficient. Flaggers direct drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists safely through the work zone by waving flags or using stop/slow paddles. They are trained to:

• Ensure smooth traffic flow while minimizing the chance of accidents.
• Communicate with other workers to adjust the flow of traffic as needed based on construction progress.
• Provide safety at intersections or areas where heavy machinery may be moving across active lanes of traffic.

Construction zones often impact pedestrians and cyclists as well as motorists. MOT plans include provisions for maintaining safe pedestrian routes around or through construction zones, including:

• Pedestrian detours: Rerouting pedestrians around work zones, especially where sidewalks or crosswalks are blocked or unsafe.
• Crosswalks: Ensuring that safe pedestrian crossings are maintained or re-established in areas where they have been temporarily disrupted.
• Bike lanes: Redirecting cyclists or providing temporary bike lanes to avoid construction equipment or personnel on the road.

Temporary road markings, such as paint and reflective tape, are often used to delineate lanes, direct drivers, and highlight key areas of concern. These markings might include:

• Temporary lane markings on the road surface to guide vehicles through shifted or narrowed lanes.
• Reflective cones and delineators to mark lane boundaries and work zone areas during night-time or low-visibility conditions.
• Curbs, barriers, and rumble strips to direct traffic flow and alert drivers to changes in the road.

MOT focuses not just on safety, but also on minimizing traffic delays caused by roadwork. Effective traffic management strategies include:

• Time-of-day work: Scheduling certain construction activities (e.g., lane closures, grading) during off-peak traffic hours to reduce the impact on rush hour traffic.
• Staggered work schedules: Using phased or staggered construction techniques that allow parts of the roadway to remain open, minimizing bottlenecks and congestion.
• Real-time traffic monitoring: Using traffic sensors or cameras to monitor real-time traffic conditions and adjust signal timings or lane closures based on traffic flow.

An important aspect of MOT is ensuring that emergency vehicles can access construction zones and respond to accidents or emergencies promptly. This includes:

• Dedicated lanes for emergency vehicles that are kept clear of construction activities.
• Emergency vehicle access routes through the work zone if necessary.
• Communication between construction personnel and emergency responders to facilitate safe and fast access.

Keeping the public informed is a key part of MOT. Effective communication helps drivers plan their routes and avoid delays:

• Pre-construction notifications to inform the public of upcoming work zones, expected delays, and alternate routes.
• Construction progress updates provided through electronic message boards, websites, or social media.
• Public meetings or hearings in cases of large-scale projects where traffic changes or detours might have a significant impact on local communities.