Page:UK Traffic Signs Manual - Chapter 8 - Part 1 (Traffic Safety Measures and Signs for Road). Designs 2009.pdf/17

PLANNING THE WORKS

The detailed programme is usually developed during the planning of the construction works. However, the designer should consider the need for a realistic programme when establishing contract length, considering constraints and closedowns. The requirements of the (not applicable in Scotland) must also be taken into account.

A key objective of the temporary traffic management arrangements is to minimise traffic delays and disruption while maintaining a safe site and the safety of the public.

Road works schemes involve a compromise between getting the work done as quickly as possible and keeping the traffic ﬂowing freely and safely. It is therefore important to plan the activities (including the placing and removal of traffic management arrangements) to optimise work, and safety and efficiency, to minimise traffic and road user congestion, delay and inconvenience.

Maintenance works should be undertaken in the minimum time taking up the minimum of road space, but without compromising safety. Where practicable, additional resources or time-reducing techniques should be employed.

Space at road works sites is often at a premium and consideration should be given to ensuring that the works and traffic management scheme can be carried out in a safe manner and minimising the disruption to traffic. In particular, the project designer and traffic management designer should consider:

16
 * number and width of temporary traffic lanes, including use of hard shoulder (Section D3.3);
 * safety zones and the necessary working space (Section D3.2);
 * adequacy of work-space for the proposed work operations and for storage of materials and equipment, including consideration of the selection of suitable plant and machinery to do the work planned (Section D3.2 and Section D3.24);
 * arrangements for access to and exit from the site. (Section D3.21);
 * option of using static or mobile traffic management (Section D6.24 and Part 2: Operations, Section O10);
 * option of using convoy working where lateral safety clearance is restricted (not applicable for use on motorways) (Section D7);
 * option of using contra-ﬂow trafﬁc management technique on dual carriageways (Section D6.4);
 * lane restrictions and use of temporary speed limits (Section D3.7); and
 * spacing of temporary road works signs and installation of signals and barriers. (Section D4.4 and Part 2: Operations, Section O4).