Work Zone Design Tools
- Overview
- Manuals and Guidelines
- TTC Reports
- Technical Memoranda
- TTC Device Standards
- ADA in Work Zones
- Special Provisions
- Sample TTC Plan (PDF)
- Template Sheets
Traffic Engineering Sites
TPAR WORKSHOP and DEMONSTRATION
In June 2010, MnDOT, partnered with ATSSA (American Traffic Safety Services Association) and Northland Chapter of ATSSA, conducting a training session to discuss the latest standards for providing Temporary Pedestrian Access Route (TPAR) facilities through work zone areas. The two day event also included a TPAR device demonstration and provided an opportunity for people with disabilities to talk about the issues for disabled pedestrians in work zones. Attendees included representatives from several stakeholder groups. These groups included disabled pedestrians and/or their representatives, manufacturers of devices, public agencies responsible for pedestrian facilities, private contractors, and engineering organizations.
TPAR devices such as an audible message device, several types of pedestrian channelizers and 2 types of temporary curb ramps were on display for review. Attendees' opinions on the various devices were collected and will be used to develop future TPAR product specifications. A tabulation of the actual comments are now available in a Summary (PDF) document.
TPAR Device Focus Group Evaluation:
To assist MnDOT and the Temporary Traffic Control Industry in developing compliant devices for TPAR applications, several known ADA products were gathered for the demo. The devices were reviewed by three focus groups of people with disabilities and professionals who train people with disabilities to be mobile. The market research interviews gathered information and opinions on the needs of the disabled pedestrians regarding the usefulness of the various TPAR devices (or how they may be improved) and their thoughts on work zone walkway detours. A Summary Report of the comments is available from the Market Research Team.
Presentations from the TPAR Workshop
- Workshop Intro (PPT) (RTF)
- Legal Perspective (PPT) (RTF)
- St. Peter Case Study (PPT) (RTF)
- Draft TPAR Guidance (PPT) (RFT)
Focus Group Review and Demonstration Information:
Workshop & Demo Information and Logistics:
TPAR Guidelines
In 2009, as a part of the development of MnDOT’s Transition Plan, MnDOT Issued Technical Memorandum 10-02-TR-01 Adoption of Public Rights of way Accessibility Guidance to MnDOT staff, cities and counties. The memo makes Public Rights-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG) the primary guidance for accessible facility design on MnDOT projects. MnDOT is currently beginning the integration of PROWAG into the Road Design Manual and other technical guidance.
The Minnesota MUTCD Part 6D requires that pedestrian accessibility be maintained whenever the facility is restricted or realigned due to a construction or maintenance project. Current ADA Standards and Draft Guidelines do not fully address "temporary" challenges faced in work zones. Additional information is needed before the proper guidance and standards may be introduced to contractors and agencies responsible for maintaining accessible routes.
At this time, MnDOT has begun the development of guidance for Temporary Pedestrian Access Routes (TPARs) with new 2011 layouts added to the Minnesota Temporary Traffic Control Zone Layouts - Field Manual. These pages may be downloaded in pdf format. A shop-drawing of the newly approved MnDOT Type IV ADA Pedestrian Barricade as shown in the 2011 Field Manual, is also available online. This barricade has not been crash-tested, and should only be used on or adjacent to walkways.
The preliminary standards or specs contained in the Field Manual document are MnDOT's first attempt to establish such standards for Temporary PAR (TPAR) facilities. The outcome of the TPAR Training & Demo and the TPAR Device Focus Group Evaluations will continue to shape this document into Minnesota's TPAR Standards and Application Guidelines.
Additional standards and guidance for temporary ADA walkways and devices should be found within the Public Right-of-Way Access Guidelines (PROWAG) and the Federal Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD Part 6D).