Work Zone Management in the District of Columbia: Deploying a Citywide Transportation Management Plan and Work Zone Project Management System

Abstract

In a growing and congested capital city, the challenges of maintaining traffic during construction of a multimillion dollar transportation program are immense. Managers are tasked with budgeting, planning, designing, procuring, constructing, and monitoring hundreds of projects in a dynamic and politically charged environment. Critically important infrastructure, utility, maintenance, and developer projects—as well as capital area special events—are frequently on a national (or international) stage with a high risk of traffic congestion, safety concerns, and negative public perception. Washington, D.C., is often listed as one of the top 10 tourist destinations in the United States. With a growing resident population, commuters nearly double the number of people in the city each weekday. In addition, Washington, D.C., is often listed as the most congested urban area in the nation. Aside from recurring congestion, project construction and special events frequently strain the existing roadway network. A proactive, citywide approach to managing all work zones is helping to reduce congestion and provide the District Department of Transportation with better control of how best to schedule and approve projects, as well as budget for cost-effective strategies to mitigate work zone congestion. A unique Citywide Transportation Management Plan, including a dynamic Work Zone Project Management System, has been deployed to coordinate and analyze project work zones and special events throughout the city for the next 5 years. Graphical, web-based software tools track and assess cumulative work zone effects. From these results, mitigation strategies are aimed at improving safety and mobility throughout Washington, D.C.