Traffic Engineering
Work Zone Safety
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is committed to maintaining the safest possible work zones.
We do this by:
- Developing highway safety policies, standards and guidelines related to work zone safety
- Providing technical guidance, best practices and advice to work zone inquiries from internal and external customers
- Interpreting federal and state regulations and requirements
The Work Zone Safety staff is responsible for developing and issuing the Virginia Work Area Protection Manual, the Work Zone Safety Guidelines for Temporary Traffic Control pocket guide, and other work zone-related material.
We also manage the VDOT Work Zone Traffic Control Training Program and the Virginia Flagger Certification program as well as coordinate Work Zone Awareness Week.
Work Zone Traffic Control Training Requirements
The Virginia Department of Transportation has implemented work zone traffic control training requirements to meet Federal Regulations on Work Zone Safety and Mobility as noted in 23 CFR Part 630J.
The following provides information on training requirements for personnel involved in the planning, designing, supervising, implementation, inspection and maintenance of work zone traffic control. It also provides information for individuals and organizations on developing and/or providing work zone traffic control training courses.
Only persons completing approved work zone traffic control
training courses and possessing the appropriate valid and verifiable
accreditation card will be allowed to oversee temporary traffic control
activities within the Commonwealth of Virginia State Highway System right of
way.
PDFs: 
- The Work Zone Traffic Control Training Procedures (137 KB) contains information on specific personnel training requirements, submittal/approval of sponsor/provider course(s) and Instructor qualifications
- Frequently asked Work Zone Traffic Control Training questions (38 KB)
- Work Zone Traffic Control Training instructor application form (64 KB)
- Listing of approved Work Zone Traffic Control Training Sponsors and Providers (16 KB)
- Listing of approved Work Zone Traffic Control Training Instructors (24 KB)
- VDOT’s standard Basic, Intermediate and Advanced Work Zone Traffic Control course Instructor's Manuals may be obtained by completing the Work Zone Traffic Control Instructor Manual order form (43 KB).
- Listing of the Work Zone Safety Training Committee Members (18 KB)
- Listing of VDOT Work Zone Traffic Control Training Champions (25 KB)
How to Begin a Flagger Certification Program for Your Company
- You must be a certified flagger to administer the program for your company.
- To become a certified flagger, contact a Work Zone Safety coordinator, who will administer the free certification process to you and one additional person.
- The coordinator will make an appointment for you to visit their office to review the basic flagger training video and handout information, and take the flagging certification test.
- The coordinator will proctor a 25-question test (a passing grade is 80 percent) and answer any questions you have.
- To become a certified flagger, contact a Work Zone Safety coordinator, who will administer the free certification process to you and one additional person.
- After receiving your flagger certification card, complete an order form to purchase a Flagger Certification Kit. Orders will be processed within 10 business days of receipt.
- Once you receive the Flagger Certification Kit, you can begin your company's program. You must retain the bottom portion of the employee’s Flagger Certification Card and the Flagging Certification Test answer sheet for your company’s records.
2005 Virginia Work Area Protection Manual
The 2005 edition of the Virginia Work Area Protection Manual (PDF, 26 MB) is effective now for all maintenance operations, and for all project advertisements after Nov. 1, 2005.
The 2007 Work Zone Safety Guidelines for Temporary Traffic Control pocket guide (PDF, 2 MB) is based on the 2005 Virginia Work Area Protection Manual.
Note - The following pages have been revised (with corresponding revision date) in the 2005 Virginia Area Protection Manual:
Page 6E-1 (8/05), Changed “Flaggers shall speak English only while performing their job duty as a flagger at the flagger station” to “Flaggers shall be able to communicate to the traveling public in English while performing their job duty as a flagger at the flagger station.”
Page 6C-6 (10/05), Combined the first two sentences in the second Guidance statement and changed Table 6C-2 to Tables 6C-3 and 4.
Page 6D-6 (10/05), Changed Item E in last Support statement to Item D
Work Zone Safety checklist
To order these materials, complete the forms below.
PDFs:
- 2007 Work Zone Safety Pocket Guide
- 2007 Virginia Flagger Certification Kit
- "What's Wrong with this Work Zone?" Training Video 1
- "What's Wrong with this Work Zone?" Training Video 2
- Virginia Work Area Protection Manual (2005)
Work Zone Crash Facts
The Traffic Engineering Division, through Wilbur Smith Associates, recently reviewed five years of work zone crash data to track trends from both a statewide and a VDOT district perspective.
The 1999-2003 Virginia Work Zone Crash Facts (PDF, 381 KB) report provides a comprehensive overview of traffic crashes occurring in work zones throughout the commonwealth.
