PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION

A review of inventories of work zone safety equipment in Maine showed a severely limited number of devices, and with ratings of their physical conditions as "fair" to "poor." Recognizing the need to protect work zone employees and the traveling public, the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety collaborated with the Maine Department of Transportation's Local Roads Center to provide all interested communities with state-of-the-art equipment and materials to provide adequate safety at work zone sites across Maine.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

To improve work zone safety throughout the state of Maine, authorities agreed:

• To survey Maine communities to determine the types of work zone safety signage and equipment needed
• To provide Maine communities with a package of signs that meet the minimum recommended signage for the majority of maintenance situations
• To provide training for each community receiving a sign package.

STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES

The Maine Bureau of Highway Safety, in collaboration with the Maine Department of Transportation, undertook a survey of local communities to determine the types of signage used to alert motorists to work zone safety areas. They determined that supplies were inadequate, in poor repair, and in need of serious updating.

A request for materials was sent out and more than 80 cities and towns applied for a package of the necessary equipment. This equipment consisted of proper signage, barricades, sign stands, stop/slow paddles, traffic cones, and safety vests.

Additionally, cities and towns accepting the package were required to attend a Work Zone Traffic Control Workshop on proper usage. The workshop was sponsored by the Department's Local Roads Center.

RESULTS

This project has witnessed a record number of applications which were filled through Section 402 funds and in-kind matches from cities and town receiving the sign packages. To date, 202 towns have been outfitted with the work zone sign package. As part of the requirement for receiving the sign package, a responsible municipal employee or official attends a full-day training workshop offered by the Maine Local Roads Center (Technology Transfer Center). This course covers aspects of highway work zones, including tort liability and proper flagging procedures. Total classes to date are 37; total attendees to date are 1,400.

There has been a definite and noticeable improvement in Municipal work zone set-ups and safety. Town crews now are more aware of and concerned with the safety of themselves and motorists. Some towns have combined resources to purchase and use sign packages.

As a result of the project, Maine is now working cooperatively with both New Hampshire and Vermont and is printing a pocket work zone safety guide for all three states. The pocket guide contains information on design standards, definitions, formulas, typical application diagrams, and much more.