FHWA Issues Work Zone Safety Rule

What happened: The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) issued a final rule Nov. 1 that addresses work zone safety, mobility, and temporary traffic control devices. The regulation seeks to improve safety for road users and workers with updates to standards that incorporate performance measures, data-driven assessments, and criteria for positive protection devices.

In Nov. 30, 2023, comments, ARTBA recommended additional clarity, integration of worker safety in training, and stronger positive protection provisions.

Why it matters: Clear safety standards and integrated training are essential to protecting roadway workers and improving jobsite safety and efficiency. While the final rule doesn’t address all of ARTBA’s concerns, FHWA did incorporate a key ARTBA recommendation from its Positive Protection Statement—mandating positive protection devices in high-speed work zones without worker escape routes—unless an engineering study shows otherwise. ARTBA is disappointed the agency made crashworthiness evaluation criteria for these devices voluntary, not mandatory. Check out the final rule.

What’s next: ARTBA will provide members with an assessment in coming weeks and remains committed to advocating for worker safety. Brad Sant or Prianka Sharma are contacts.