This publication sets out the statutory requirements for signing, lighting, and guarding at street works and road works. This is the core reference manual for utility companies, local authorities, street work contractors and others whose day-to-day business involves street works (works by statutory undertakers and other utility companies etc) and road works (works to maintain or repair road infrastructure). The code, which covers all of the UK and includes national variations, is now compulsory for highway/road authorities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It applies to all single carriageway roads and dual carriageways with a speed limit of 40 mph or less. The code is now divided into three parts: Basic Principles, Operations, and Equipment and Vehicles; site layout diagrams have been redrawn to make them easier to understand. There is: increased emphasis on using risk assessment and guidance on what to consider in such assessments; strengthened guidance on providing for pedestrians and cyclists and new guidance on traffic control measures related to road closures, one-way working and temporary road obstructions; enhanced advice on other traffic control measures including works near tramways and railways, and mobile/short duration works; and updated advice on high visibility clothing and the signing and conspicuity requirements for work vehicles. Effective from 1 October 2014 when it will supersede the 2001 edition (ISBN 9780115519581).

As right-of-way acquisition and utilities coordination grow more complex, transportation agencies in the United States are under pressure to streamline the process of providing cleared right-of-way for highway projects. The Federal Highway Administration, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, and the National Cooperative Highway Research Program sponsored a scanning study of England, Germany, Norway and the Netherlands to review best practices in right-of-way and utilities services. In the countries visited, the U.S. delegation observed a philosophy of sensitivity to the needs of property owners affected by highway projects, as well as innovative techniques for compensating owners. Highway agencies emphasize coordination with utilities to minimize delays. Right-of-way professionals undergo formal education and ongoing training to develop expertise in their field. The scanning team's recommendations for U.S. application include encouraging property owner input by involving owners in the design phase and using an in-depth interview process, creating a voluntary land consolidation pilot program, developing education programs for right-of-way professionals, and promoting greater coordination and communication between State transportation departments and utilities.

"The Roadside Design Guide presents a synthesis of current information and operating practices related to roadside safety and is written in dual units-metric and U.S. Customary. This book is a guide. It is not a standard, nor is it a design policy. It is intended to use as a resource document from which individual highway agencies can develop standards and policies. Although much of the material in the guide can be considered universal in its application, several recommendations are subjective in nature and may need modification to fit local conditions. However, it is important that significant deviations from the guide be based on operational experience and objective analysis. The 2011 edition of the AASHTO Roadside Design Guide has been updated to include hardware that has met the evaluation criteria contained in the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 350: Recommended Procedures for the Safety Performance Evaluation of Highway Features and begins to detail the most current evaluation criteria contained under the Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware, 2009 (MASH). For the most part, roadside hardware tested and accepted under older guidelines that are no longer applicable has not been excluded in this edition." -- AASHTO website.