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Contractors who work on our nation’s highways face significant risks of harm from motorists. Surveys of firms working on highways suggest that nearly two-thirds have experienced crashes at work zones, with half of those reporting more than five crashes in a 12-month period. 

In addition, 80% of work zone fatalities related to reckless driving involve drivers or their passengers. The right safety rules can make a difference in keeping workers and drivers safe. 

On November 5, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced updates to the rules regarding work safety zones. These changes, which went into effect December 2, represent the first update to work zone safety rules in 20 years. 

What are the new rules, and how will they protect public safety? 

Requirements for Protective Barriers

The biggest changes center on the implementation of positive protection devices like temporary concrete barriers in work zones and establishing minimum standards and guidance for use. These measures can be a costly part of construction work, which may have prompted contractors to forego them in the past to lower job bids and remain competitive. 

New minimum standards require protective barriers to be employed in work zones that meet certain criteria, including: 

• High traffic volume 
• High speeds (45 mph or faster) 
• No direct way for workers to escape motorized traffic intruding on the workspace 
• Substantial exposure to motorized traffic (work zones in place for two or more weeks) 

Although highway work zones may already implement safety measures like lane closures and reduced speeds, any changes to traffic rules have the potential to surprise or confuse drivers, increasing the risk of mishaps. With the new regulations for barriers, these risks can be further mitigated. 

Additional Updates

Along with the new rules regarding barriers, other updates are intended to reduce hazards and increase safety, starting with guidance for the use of other temporary traffic-control devices and uniformed law enforcement to direct traffic. There are also provisions to ensure the availability of project funding, with new requirements for contract pay items. 

The updates include the implementation of programmatic work zone reviews, requiring state DOTs to review significant work zones and submit results to the FHWA on a five-year timetable. This move should provide valuable information not only about work zone hazards but also the effects of rule changes. 

Expected Benefits of the Changes

The new FHWA rules aim to increase roadway safety for workers and motorists traveling through work zones as part of the larger goal of improving the U.S. transportation system. 

While increased use of positive protective devices should reduce the risk of harm, state reviews will allow for data-driven assessment of work zone management and performance, helping to inform future updates. 

Further steps could be taken to address issues like speeding in work zones, but the current revisions are a step in the right direction when it comes to protecting workers and the general public. 

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