MDTA Work Zone Safety Program The MDTA’s Work Zone Safety Program was developed to improve temporary traffic control (TTC) set-ups on MDTA roadways, which would ultimately improve work zone safety for the traveling public. This program has three main components: Targeted Training – A training course was developed for personnel inspecting and implementing TTC on MDTA facilities. The training is a supplement to the traffic manager certification course and focuses on MDTA-specific requirements (e.g., Bay Bridge, the Fort McHenry, and Baltimore Harbor Tunnels). Inspection – A formal program was developed for TTC inspection reporting and monitoring. MDTA/Consultant construction management and inspection staff assigned to a specific project perform daily TTC inspections, document any corrective actions, and complete a TTC inspection report daily. An Independent Quality Assurance Inspector performs random (i.e. unannounced) TTC inspections on all MDTA roadways during the day or night. The Independent Quality Assurance Inspector completes a TTC Inspection Report. Auditing – Summary reports are generated on all TTC inspections completed by the Independent Quality Assurance Inspector. The process creates accountability of the MDTA/Consultant construction management and inspection staff assigned to specific projects. The MDTA Temporary Traffic Control Inspection and Training Program has resulted in significant improvements in the implementation of TTC on MDTA roadways. In 2023 there were 2,230 inspections completed on construction contracts and annual facility inspections. Since Program inception, the average number of corrective actions per TTC inspection has decreased by 80%, improving work zone safety on MDTA roadways. The Program aligns with MDOT’s mission, goals, and objectives by improving roadway safety for its customers through an intelligent transportation solution. Performance metrics were established that could provide qualitative results to assess the Program’s effectiveness. The performance metrics selected were (1) average number of corrective actions per TTC inspection and (2) percentage of TTC inspections requiring no corrective action. These performance metrics are objective and would provide qualitative results for the MDTA to monitor the effectiveness of the program. When a TTC inspection is completed, any portion of the TTC that did not meet MDOT temporary traffic control requirements (i.e., channelizing device spacing, required taper lengths, proper sign spacing/message, required longitudinal buffer lengths, installed per applicable Temporary Traffic Control Typical Application, etc.) were each noted as a corrective action. To highlight work zone safety, a Work Zone Safety Award Program has been implemented for consultant teams who display the lowest maintenance of traffic infractions against the number of inspections performed.
Facility Safety, Security, and Background Checks In 2020, the MDTA established a background check policy for the Inspection Program, in accordance with the annotated code of Maryland, adopted by the MDTA for criminal background check investigations. Every team leader and assistant working on the Inspection Program must obtain a criminal background check every five years to access MDTA facilities, in particular its complex bridges and tunnels. Regardless of an individual’s credentials, no team leader or assistant is approved to work on the Inspection Program if they do not pass their background check. A designee from each consultant firm submits all confidential personnel information to the Inspection Program team for review and approval. MDTA Police All sworn personnel of the MDTA Police must uphold the laws of the State of Maryland and are responsible for knowing the policies, procedures, and rules and regulations of the MDTA Police as described throughout the MDTA Police Directives Manual and General Orders. Personnel must also conform to the standards established by the MDTA and the Transportation Services Human Resource System (TSHRS). Failure to comply with the standards and rules and regulations as set forth could reflect on the employee’s annual performance evaluation and subject members to disciplinary action. Personnel shall be aware of the ever-changing rules, procedures, and orders of the MDTA Police; ignorance is not justification or an excuse for any violation of MDTA Police policies. In addition to keeping our communities safe, the MDTA Police participate in a number of outreach efforts that emphasize relationship-building, service, and giving back. Officers proactively build connections and meet community members where they are by attending regularly scheduled community meetings, participating in school visits and demonstrations, and hosting large-scale community events like National Night Out, Faith & Blue, BWI Airport Safety Day, and Trunk or Treat. Additionally, officers act as a community resource. MDTA Police Officers serve as child safety seat installation technicians and lead free, lifesaving training including CPR and Citizen Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) classes. Finally, the MDTA Police prides itself on giving back throughout the year. In fiscal year 2024, these efforts included school supply collections and donations, charity patch and coin sales to benefit local causes, blood drives hosted at police headquarters, and the 34th consecutive year of MDTA Police Toys for Tots collections. By partnering with local communities, the MDTA Police are better able to serve our neighbors and those who use and work at MDTA facilities, BWI Airport, and the Port of Baltimore.
27 Environmental, Social, and Governance Report
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