Work Zone Safety | HSIP Application/Procedure update | Traffic Engineering memoranda | MUTCD and Virginia Supplement

Traffic engineering principles are integral to the safe and efficient movement of people and products across the commonwealth. Traffic engineering is the phase of Virginia Department of Transportation which deals with safe, economical, and efficient traffic movement on roads, streets, and highways, their networks, terminals, and abutting lands.

2009 Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and 2011 Virginia Supplement to the MUTCD

The 2009 MUTCD and the 2011 Virginia Supplement were approved by the Commonwealth Transportation Board in December 2011.

All projects advertised on or after Jan. 1, 2012, are required to be in conformance with the 2009 MUTCD and the 2011 Virginia Supplement. Designers should follow the 2009 MUTCD on projects currently in design for letting on or after Jan. 1, 2012.

For more Information regarding the draft version of the 2011 Virginia Supplement and the 2009 MUTCD: http://www.virginiadot.org/business/virginia_mutcd_supplement.asp.

Based on the 2009 MUTCD, VDOT has created a new VA Work Area Protection Manual (WAPM).  The WAPM replaces Part 6 of the 2009 in its entirety.  For more information regarding the WAPM: http://www.virginiadot.org/business/trafficeng-WZS.asp

Refining the specifications - Sheeting, roll-ups, and temporary markings (PDF, 2 MB)

Highway Safety Improvement Program

The 2005 Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU; Public Law 109-59) establishes a new core Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) that is structured to make significant progress in reducing highway fatalities and serious injuries.

The HSIP incorporates the previous Hazard Elimination Safety Program (named HES under TEA-21st) with the Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Program under § 23 USC Section 148, and defines set-aside funds for Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Program under § 23 USC Section 130.

Federal Highway Administration

VDOT has developed a Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) for the Commonwealth of Virginia that involves the identification of high crash locations, an analysis of hazards, problems and countermeasures, and the prioritization and scheduling of improvement projects.

This program includes:

• Highway Safety Program (HSP), previously called HES
• Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Program (BPSP)
• Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Program (H-RGCP)

To apply for Fiscal Year 2001 Safety Improvement Projects, visit the HSIP Application/Procedure Updates page.

Additionally, guidelines and requirements for developing new Proactive HSIP projects using allocations from Fiscal Years 2007 and 2008 have been added.

Road Safety Assessments

A Road Safety Assessments (RSA), alternatively known as Road Safety Audits, are defined as a more formal examination of existing highways or design projects in which a team of independent and multidisciplinary examiners analyzes the site crash history and develops potential safety countermeasures. 

The overall objective is to identify crash trends for roadway users and recommend measures to mitigate them.

VDOT has identified the RSA as a critical strategy to design and construct engineering improvements for several of the emphasis areas in Virginia’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan. These include intersection and roadway departure crashes. 

VDOT’s Traffic Engineering Division promotes RSA as the foundation of providing excellent transportation safety planning and recommends its inclusion throughout the project development/delivery process.

In cooperation with VDOT’s Transportation Mobility Planning Division (TMPD) and as a first step, RSA procedures have been integrated into the Strategically Targeted Affordable Roadway Solutions (START) program.

To systematically implement Rasps in Virginia, the Traffic Engineering  has developed RSA guidelines and tools to bring together relevant RSA resources for all stakeholders.

Approved Products Program

Pre-approved Traffic Control Device Listing - A two-part listing for approved and rescinded traffic control devices

Safety and Operations

• Roundabouts
• Through Truck Restrictions
• Control of Residential Cut-Through Traffic
• Watch for Children Signs
• $200 Maximum Fine Signs
• Traffic Calming
• Flagger Certification Program
• Trucking Resources
• Red Light Running Photo Enforcement
• Accessible Pedestrian Signals Guidelines

Traffic Monitoring Program

VDOT conducts a Traffic Monitoring Program where traffic count data are gathered from sensors in or along streets and highways and other sources. From these data, estimates of the average number of vehicles that traveled each segment of road are calculated.

Traffic volume estimates - County by county statistics that include more than 100,000 segments of roads and highways ranging from several mile sections of interstate highways to very short sections of city streets.