Safe Work Zone Design & Management

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  • Course code : RS-A4
  • Delivery: Online/Live
    In-Person
  • Language: English 
  • Starting Date:
    9 February 2027
  • Registration Deadline:
    28 January 2027
  • Total Duration:
    12 hours (4 sessions of 3 hours)
  • Price:
    Standard fee: 1'100 CHF
    IRF Members: 850 CHF


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This course provides a comprehensive understanding of how to design, implement, and manage safe work zones on high-speed and urban roads. It covers temporary traffic management plans, positive protection systems, dynamic message signs, variable speed limits, enforcement solutions, and worker safety practices. Practical scenarios help participants adapt work zone designs to different operational contexts while minimising risks to both workers and road users.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, participants will be able to :

Road Agency engineers, road operators and traffic management staff

Project Managers and public officials

Design consultants and road safety auditors 

Project managers overseeing the transition from pilot ITS projects to operational systems


Target Audience

Design consultants and road safety auditors 
Road Agency engineers, road operators and traffic management staff
Contractors, site supervisors 
Project Manager and public officials

Course Structure

Class 1 - Planning for Safe Workzone
Date: Tuesday 9 February 2027, 14:00-17:15 CET

Building safety into the planning and delivery of roadworks.
Key topics:
• Applying Safe System principles to protect workers and road users.
• Understanding workzone risks: traffic speed, exposure, visibility, queues and changing layouts.
• Assessing site conditions, traffic demand and the needs of pedestrians, cyclists and people with disabilities.
• Choosing a works strategy: closures, diversions, staging and working hours.
• Defining responsibilities for design, approval, implementation and supervision.
• Building safety requirements and resources into procurement, contracts and construction planning.
• Preparing a risk assessment and identifying when plans need to be reviewed

Class 2 -  Designing Safe Temporary Traffic Arrangements
Date: Thursday, 11 February 2027, 14:00-17:15 CET

Translating the risk assessment into a coherent, legible and workable site layout.
Key topics:
• Designing the approach, transition, working area and return to normal traffic conditions.
• Aligning temporary speed management with the layout, risks and likely road user behaviour.
• Selecting and positioning temporary signs, markings, delineation and lighting.
• Providing separation and protection: safety zones, temporary barriers and impact protection.
• Considering barrier performance, deflection, terminals and transitions in the available space.
• Maintaining safe and accessible routes for pedestrians and cyclists, public transport and property access.
• Checking layouts for lane closures, contraflow, junctions and short-duration or mobile works.

Class 3 - Managing Workzone Safety
Date: Tuesday, 16 February 2027, 14:00-17:15 CET 

Keeping the approved design effective throughout the works lifecycle.
• Planning safe installation, changes between stages and removal of traffic management.
• Managing construction vehicle access, reversing and interactions with workers and public traffic.
• Using briefings, inspections and documented handovers to maintain consistent site control.
• Checking signs, barriers, temporary surfaces, visibility and routes during day and night operations.
• Managing queues, breakdowns, emergency access and unexpected changes in traffic or weather.
• Coordinating contractors, road operators, emergency services and affected communities.
• Defining escalation, corrective action and circumstances requiring works to stop.

Class 4 -   Monitoring Performance and Improving Practice
Date: Thursday, 18 February 2027, 14:00-17:15 CET

Using evidence and practical tools to strengthen workzone safety and delivery.
Key topics:
• Selecting useful indicators: speeds, queue lengths, intrusions, near misses and inspection findings.
• Applying proportionate technology: queue warnings, speed feedback, intrusion alerts and digital workzone information.
• Understanding technology limitations, maintenance needs and integration with operational response.
• Using site reviews, incident investigations and contractor feedback to identify recurring weaknesses.
• Balancing safety, network disruption and delivery needs when reviewing alternative arrangements.
• Closing out works safely and transferring lessons into future designs and contract requirements.

Course Instructors : TBD

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