Yesterday, FHWA announced that updates to federal regulations on work zone safety are final and will take effect on December 2. The agency plans to supplement the revisions “in the coming months” with support materials, outreach activities, and other implementation aids.
The Work Zone Safety and Mobility Rule and Temporary Traffic Control Devices Rule revisions proposed in September “are designed to improve work zone safety for roadway workers as well as the movement of motorists traveling through work zones using comprehensive management strategies to ensure safety while also minimizing impacts and traffic disruptions to the traveling public.” FHWA highlighted two aspects of the rules changes in its announcement. They require “the use of positive protection devices, such as temporary concrete barriers, to protect workers from motorized traffic operating at high speeds during construction, utility, and maintenance operations.” They also encourage “use of work zone programmatic reviews, which are more comprehensive, holistic, and data-driven.”