Construction is an essential part of enhancing traffic systems and improving urban and rural areas alike. Traffic halts for no one, however, which means that construction and traffic often coincide, an intersection that requires careful planning and effective implementation to navigate safely and smoothly. But what does that planning look like? And how can you implement proper traffic control of a construction zone when so many unexpected events occur on the road every day?
It All Starts With a Plan
Construction companies can't just create work zones overnight without any traffic control planning. In fact, the degree of planning that goes into even a simple construction zone is immense. It all starts with the drawing of Temporary Traffic Control Plans (TTCPs) and Transportation Management Plans (TMPs). These traffic control drawings allow construction companies to get a detailed look at what their traffic control efforts will look like on the ground before a single shovel hits the dirt.
These plans have to be logical and practical, bearing in mind that they will directly impact the public when they are implemented. They must take into account a large number of factors, including local traffic patterns, the duration of the project, the possibility of road closures (for overnight work, for example), and much more. Working with a trusted partner like Traffic Safety is often a great choice for a construction company, as it frees them up from having to worry about the details of traffic control implementation and allows them to focus on the planning of their construction project.
Delivering On Execution
Once the plan is in place, the construction company must focus on its implementation. Even when working with an experienced traffic safety company, it's important for all members of the construction crew to understand and be on board with the traffic control plan. For their safety and the safety of the public, construction workers should understand the traffic control plan as thoroughly as the construction plan, because the two are closely related.
With a proper plan in place and the right traffic control professionals collaborating with the construction crew, traffic will move smoothly and safely through the work zone. And when unusual circumstances do arise — such as emergency vehicles passing through the zone — everyone will be ready for what comes next.
With a proper traffic control plan in place, everyone wins. The construction company can feel more confident in the safety of their workers and the public can get where they want to go in a timely manner, without endangering the construction crew. It's just one more way good traffic planning and driver safety go hand in hand.