Equipment World Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/521868
EquipmentWorld.com | June 2015 73 N ighttime paving is that nearly ubiqui- tous scene played out across the United States beginning in late spring. While it's viewed as a hindrance to late commuters, night owls or overnight trucking, it's a necessary part of paving contracting in order to meet deadlines, avoid traffic congestion, and in some cases, blistering heat. When working at night, it's all about visibility, both on and sur- rounding the job. Lighting plans Work zone illumination means much more than simply setting a few light towers and attaching bal- loon lights to equipment. You need a strategy, because different tasks involved in paving require different levels of light. According to the American Traffic Safety Ser- vices Association's Nighttime Lighting Guidelines for Work Zones, available on workzonesafety.org, a lighting plan involves five steps: 1. Determine the work being done and light levels needed. This in- volves simply cataloguing the work that needs to be done, then figur- ing the amount of light needed for these tasks. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and state departments of transportation offer minimum lighting requirements for specific tasks. See the "Lighting task categories" sidebar on page 74 for specific examples. 2. Determine the amount of area in the work zone needing to be illu- minated. This is the area to be cor- doned off or segregated in which work will be completed. 3. Pick the type of lighting sys- tem and lighting sources needed. The four general types of lighting include factory-installed lights on equipment, roadway luminaires on temporary poles, balloon lighting, and portable light plant towers. It's important to note, however, that lights on equipment lighting cannot be considered part of the amount of light required. 4. Determine the locations for the lights. Consider where tasks will be completed and any areas where equipment and personnel will need to travel. 5. Test the plan and make adjust- ments. Essentially a dry run, testing involves measuring light levels, as well as checking for glare not only for personnel, but also passing traffic and any residential impacts. highway contractor | by Chris Hill | ChrisHill@randallreilly.com Crews placing precast panels and sealing the joints between them on this section of Interstate 215 in Utah require a variety of lighting needs. Equipment updates, lighting plans maximize nighttime paving efforts Lighting the way: