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Some Findings on Public Outreach for Work Zones

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Outline• Results of WZ SA

• Value (Bang for the buck)

• Possibilities/Successes

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2004 WZ Self Assessment Results

4.9

10.4

8.4

7.8

6.4

6.7

0 5 10 15

Evaluation

Communication & Education

Construction & Operation

Design

Planning & Programming

Leadership & PolicyW

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Avg Section Score

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2004 WZ Self Assessment Results

Distribution of Scores on Communications and Education Section

0.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

12.0

14.0

16.0

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2004 WZ Self Assessment Results• All agencies reported use of a public information plan

during type I, II, and III projects to provide specific, timely project info

• Public info plans use a variety of dissemination techniques

• Websites are widely used resource for disseminating traveler information on WZs – 87% of agencies

• ITS used to collect and disseminate WZ info: avg score was 8.1, with 67% of agencies indicating use during type I, II, and III projects

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2004 WZ Self Assessment Results• Strategies mentioned as being used - outreach

– Website with work zone info– 511– Telephone hotline– Use of media – radio, TV, and newspapers– News releases/media alerts– Work with other agencies/companies that distribute traveler info– Use of a Fax network to distribute road/lane/ramp closure info (not in real-time)– Highway Advisory Radio– Use of DMS/PCMS– Use of WZ ITS– Cameras to collect, disseminate info on WZ conditions to motorists and agency personnel – Installation of permanent ITS, with use during work zones– Establish info center to inform the public about the project, it’s effects, who to contact with

questions– Hold open house meetings when WZ changes– Mail out newsletters to neighborhood groups when project phase/staging changes WZTC

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2004 WZ Self Assessment Results• Strategies mentioned – coordination/education

– Active participant in WZ Awareness Week– Committee working to develop/distribute WZ educational material– Hold an annual WZ safety awareness conference– Work with LTAP to offer educational programs – CDs, conferences, meetings– Coordination with DMV on WZ education– Hold train the trainer sessions (e.g., for police officers on basic WZ safety)– Work with local gov’t, businesses to minimize impacts to traffic and businesses– Hold meetings pre-construction to inform the public about construction– Project meetings with contractors– Work with the Governor’s Safety Council– Public service ad campaigns– Partner with associations such as AGC to educate on WZ safety– Speak at high schools and other training functions

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2004 WZ Self Assessment ResultsComments:

• “Through research efforts, [our state DOT] has learned that providing timely information is important to the public and this activity is integrated into DOT public information efforts.”

• [We] have come a long way in this area. In one year [we] increased the number of our media spots ten-fold.

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2004 WZ Self Assessment Results• Website content (daily road/lane/ramp closings, planned closings,

commuter info, congestion maps)

• Website updates – Range from daily for construction and hourly when maintenance conditions require, to

weekly, to infrequently– Centrally done in some states, in another construction crews statewide can update the

website to keep information timely, other states do it through regional/district offices

• Websites: some project-specific, some statewide

• Make website commuter oriented

• WZ info gathering and dissemination incorporated in regional ITS initiatives

• Some assessment of services (511, website) now taking place

• Public info plan done on a region-wide basis vs project basis

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2004 WZ Self Assessment Results• Challenges

– Have a website but it is not easy to find/get to– Website needs to be updated on a more regular basis– Highway Dept has a website but it does not contain WZ info– Reaching out of state travelers (how?)– ITS use is limited and is decided on a project-by-project basis – no statewide

criteria to guide use

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Value• Caltrans TMP Effectiveness Study/Presentation

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Caltrans TMP Effectiveness Study

Public Information

Motorist Information

Incident Management

Construction StrategiesDemand Management

Alternate Routes

6 TMP Strategies Examined

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But.. WHICH strategies

led to theseGreat Results??

511

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Most Effective Strategies

- Public Awareness

Leave Earlieror Later ..

Use HOV, Bus or Rail

“Which wayshould we

go today..?”

“If you drive I-80, you might want to consider

an alternate route this morning..”

Telecommute ..

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Slogans AND Maps are Good and

Easy to Remember..

Instead of saying

“Bridge Replacement

Project” --...

“Improve Your Driveon the Five!”

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-PUBLIC AWARENESS

• Newspapers • TV News Spots

-ADVANCE SIGNAGE • Before Decision Points• On Preceding Weeks / Weekends

COST VS. BENEFIT (“Bang for the Buck”) $$$ on Brochures, Ads, Flyers, Etc. vs.

Benefit ?? (Media Coverage -- no cost for Major Projects)

-ADHERE TO LANE REQ’MT CHARTS -KEEP LANES OPEN

• Narrow Lane Widths• Shoulder Usage during Peak

Lessons Learned

PUBLIC AWARENESS:

MOST Effective Strategies

facilitate Decision-Making by Driving Public to avoid WZ

CONSTRUCTION

Strategies are also very effective

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Lessons Learned

“Based on our experience, public information is the TMP mitigation strategy that gives us the ‘biggest bang for the buck’ – its effectiveness is greater in urban areas, but still holds true in rural areas.”

- Robert Copp, Caltrans

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Successes – Full Closures• Study looked at 6 sites using full

road closures to reduce project duration/expedite completion

• Each project used extensive public outreach

• All projects reported positive public sentiment, 2 projects received no complaints

• All sites noted reduced impacts to travelers, less congestion on alternate routes than expected

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Successes – Full Closures• Full Closure of I-95 near Wilmington, DE (7 months)

– Emphasis on Public Outreach: Ads in local newspapers, outreach events, public meetings, a “Survival Guide,” creation of a colorful character known as the traffic “creep,” radio, Expresso bus routes

– The morning the full closure started, media were on hand to witness the congestion they expected would ensue. Questioning whether they were in the right place, the media were confused by the lack of congestion.

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The Public as PartnerThe public can be a valuable partner in helping agencies operate work zones effectively.

• Through public information, we can make the public a partner in our efforts to reduce WZ congestion and crashes.– Informing the public – and commercial vehicles – about

WZ conditions

– Giving them the information to make travel decisions

Many people will choose to avoid the area.