The Activity Area: Longitudinal Buffer Space

Buffer space must be considered in terms of both the distance parallel to the road, or "longitudinal," and the distance across the road, or "lateral."

The longitudinal buffer space provides an open area between the place where traffic is diverted to a new path and the work space. This buffer area protects workers from vehicles that fail to change to the new path of travel.

The length of the longitudinal buffer space is determined by stopping distances, which are, in turn, affected by the speed at which vehicles will be traveling. The table shown below specifies the needed distance.

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