Assessment of Nighttime Flagger-Illumination Practices
Publication: Practice Periodical on Structural Design and Construction
Volume 16, Issue 3
Abstract
Although flaggers are often an integral component of temporary traffic control measures during roadway construction and maintenance, they may be exposed to significant safety hazards associated with the inadequate illumination of flagging operations. To eliminate these hazards, guidelines are needed that provide specific direction and recommendations for optimal illumination of flaggers. This paper presents the findings of a research study that included the evaluation of selected light equipment under actual working conditions and the development of recommendations for flagger illumination. Three types of light equipment were selected for the study: a 12-V spotlight, a 12-V high-intensity discharge (HID) floodlight, and a light tower with a 2,000 W output. Light equipment testing was performed on two projects in the state of Oregon. The findings reveal that flaggers do not feel comfortable when using 12-V spotlight and 12-V HID floodlight systems because of the small amount of light these systems emit compared with a light tower. Project sites containing a greater number and intensity of surrounding artificial lights require light systems with a greater output to illuminate the flagger. One safety problem incurred was that glare from the light tower created a hazard for motorists. However, there was no similar glare hazard for the 12-V spotlight and floodlight. The study revealed site features and flagging operations that can negatively impact the quality of flagger illumination. Two practical tools were developed as a result of the study to assist setting up and performing nighttime flagging operations in a safe manner: a flagger-illumination checklist and a flagger-illumination assessment flowchart. The flowchart is used before flagging operations begin to help plan the operation. The checklist provides guidance for assessing the flagger-illumination requirements on a work site, selecting the appropriate light equipment to use, and determining the appropriate location and setup of the equipment.
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Acknowledgments
Support for the research study was provided by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The researchers would like to thank the flaggers and construction personnel, and the passing motorists, who provided input for the study.
References
Bryden, J. E., and Mace, D. J. (2002). “Guidelines for design and operation of nighttime traffic control for highway maintenance and construction.” NCHRP Report 476, TRB, National Research Council, Washington, DC.
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) (2010). “Fatal occupational injuries at road construction sites by selected characteristics 2005–2009.” The National Work Zone Safety Information Clearing House and Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Washington, DC, 〈http://www.workzonesafety.org/files/documents/crash_data/2005-2009_worker_fatalities.pdf〉 (Jun. 14, 2011).
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) (2003). Traffic control handbook for mobile operations at night: Guidelines for construction, maintenance and utility operations, U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, DC.
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) (2009). Manual on uniform traffic control devices (MUTCD), U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, DC.
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) (2010). Work zone safety and mobility fact sheet, 〈http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/wz/wz_awareness/2009/factsht09.cfm〉 (Jun. 14, 2011).
Odeh, I., El-Rayes, K., and Liu, L. (2009). “Field experiments to evaluate and control glare from light towers in nighttime highway construction.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage., 135(9), 911–919.
Ullman, G. L., Finley, M. D., Bryden, J. E., Srinivasan, R., and Council, F. M. (2008). “Traffic safety evaluation of nighttime and daytime work zones.” NCHRP Report 627, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, Washington, DC.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Practice Periodical on Structural Design and Construction
Volume 16 • Issue 3 • August 2011
Pages: 95 - 105
Copyright
© 2011 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Sep 16, 2010
Accepted: Oct 26, 2010
Published online: Oct 29, 2010
Published in print: Aug 1, 2011
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