Cornell Local Roads Program: Work Zones for Small Short Term Work

What is a typical work zone? (15-20 min)

Use the pocket guides to show the standard work zone, the reason for the three advanced signs and the various parts

Stress buffer space, advanced signs, and need to turn signs when not in use

Some short term work (15-20 min)

Ask for and discuss some typical work that does not fall nice and neat into a typical work zone. Examples include marking work to be done, marking utilities, surveying, inspection, …)

What can be done to be safer in these situations. Examples include, a paint wand, well lit vehicle with flashing lights, proper PPE (vest and hard hat), one advanced sign like used for off shoulder work, two people with one helping watch traffic. Also discuss that this is only done on low volume road with good sight distance. High volume, you need the full work zone.

Some short term work that does need a full work zone (15-20 min)

Review operations where we try to cheat and should not. We need a full work zone (could be mobile).

Trimming a tree, patching a pothole, fixing a downed line or attaching a cable wire

Always assume it will take longer than you think

Presented by Geoggrey R. Scott, PE Technical Assistance Engineer