# Presentation: 301240

## MUTCD Part 6: Temporary Traffic Control 

**MUTCD Part 6: ****Temporary Traffic Control**** **

**Notes:**
The title to Part 6 has changed to “Temporary Traffic Control”.  This title replaces the “Standards and Guides for Street and Highway Construction, Maintenance, Utility, and Incident Management Operations.”

## Overview of Part 6

- Changes in general
- emphasis on pedestrian, bicyclist, worker safety, and highway –rail grade crossings
- New section and changes to existing  sections
- Check the manual for specific changes

**Notes:**
This presentation will be looking at changes in general in Part 6 as well as new sections and changes in specific sections.  

Overall,  Part six emphasizes the need to make considerations for pedestrian and bicyclist safety and movement  as well as highway grade crossings when setting up temporary traffic control zones.  There also is an emphasis on overall worker safety. 

As always, you should check the Manual for specific changes.  Not every change in part six is covered in this presentation

## Reason for Shift

- Work zones becoming more important
- Increase in road users
- motorists, bicyclists, pedestrians
- Increased need for worker safety
- Minimize delay

**Notes:**
There are many reasons for these changes.  First, there are simply more road users ...more drivers, more pedestrians, and more bicyclists.  

Second, the increase in the number of work zones means that travelers face more delays and inconvenience.  Better management and an emphasis on the temporary aspect of these work zones helps to alleviate driver and road user frustrations, which also helps to increase safety.

Third, and quite important, is the issue of ensuring the safety of the road users and workers.

## Definition of Temporary Traffic Control Zones

- Work zones
- Roadway incidents
- Special events

**Notes:**
The new definition states that  “A temporary traffic control zone is an area of a highway where road user conditions are changed because of a work zone or an incident though the use of temporary traffic control devices, police, or other authorized officials.  An incident area is an area of a highway where temporary traffic controls are imposed by authorized officials in response to a road user incident, hazardous material event, weather related incident, natural disaster, or special event.”

## Temporary Traffic Control Plans

- New Guidance:***  ***
- provides GUIDANCE statement to provide additional information on minimizing the need to reduce speed limits in temporary traffic control zones
- no economic impact on state and local highway agencies

**Notes:**
The provision of speed minimization guidelines in Temporary Traffic Control Zones should have no economic impact on State and local highway agencies.  However, roadway safety and efficiency should increase because research has shown that speed reductions should occur in no greater than 10 mph increments.

## Worker Safety 

- Shadow vehicles
- Crash Cushions
- Other devices to protect workers
- Retroreflective clothing

**Notes:**
Worker safety is of paramount importance to the FHWA.  As a result, the 2000 MUTCD includes important information on shadow vehicles, crash cushions and other devices to protect workers, and flagger procedures, especially the use of retroreflective clothing.

It should be noted that the 2000 MUTCD replaced the term, “protection vehicle” with “shadow vehicle”.  A shadow vehicle may be used to protect the workers from impacts by errant vehicles.  

Additionally, the 2000 Manual provides many references to the use of flaggers and the need to have flaggers look official with the proper retroreflective clothing.

## Sign Placement

- New considerations: not to have signs on sidewalks, bicycle lanes, or other areas designated for pedestrian or bicycle traffic

**Notes:**
Sign placement guidelines are added to the Millennium Edition so that the placement of temporary traffic control signs does not hinder the movement of pedestrians and bicyclists.  Specifically, portable sign supports should not be located on sidewalks, bicycle lanes, or areas designated for pedestrian or bicycle traffic.  

**New Regulatory Signs**

**Notes:**
The Millennium Manual includes New REGULATORY SIGNS.  Several of these signs were in the Typical Application diagrams in the 1993 MUTCD revision, but there was no discussion as to their proper use.

## Stay in Lane Sign

- (New Regulatory Signs -- Section 6F.11)

**R4-9**

**Notes:**
Stay In Lane sign R4-9 may be used where multi-lane shift has been incorporated as part of the temporary traffic control on a highway.  

## Pedestrian Crosswalk Sign

- (New Regulatory Signs -- Section 6F.13)

**R9-8**

**Notes:**
Pedestrian Crosswalk sign R9-8 indicates where a temporary crosswalk has been added.  

## Sidewalk Closed Signs

- (New Regulatory Signs -- Section 6F.13)

**R9-9**

**R9-10**

**R9-11**

**R9-11a**

**Notes:**
Sidewalk closed signs R9-9, R9-10, R9-11a
The SIDEWALK CLOSED, (ARROW) CROSS HERE (R9-11a) sign should be installed just beyond the point to which pedestrians are being redirected.  Support:
These signs are typically mounted on a barricade to encourage compliance.

## New Warning Signs

**New Warning Signs**

**Notes:**
Also, a total of eight new WARNING SIGNS have been illustrated in the new MUTCD.  Similar to the Regulatory Signs, this change has been made because several signs were in the Typical Application diagrams in the 1993 Edition, but there was no discussion as to their proper use.  These signs were added as Guidance.  Shown here are the CENTER LANE CLOSED AHEAD signs, the THRU TRAFFIC MERGE RIGHT (LEFT) sign, an ON RAMP plaque, the RAMP NARROWS sign

## New Warning Signs (cont’d)

**Notes:**
Shown here are the:

Utility Work Ahead sign, the SLOW TRAFFIC AHEAD sign, and the EXIT OPEN, EXIT CLOSED signs.

## Center Lane Closed Ahead Signs

**W9-3, W9-3a**

- (New Warning Signs -- Section 6F.22)

**Notes:**
Center Lane Closed Ahead Signs, W9-3 and W9-3a
Guidance:  The CENTER LANE CLOSED AHEAD (W9-3) sign should be used in advance of that point where work occupies the center lane(s) and approaching motor vehicle traffic is directed to the right or left of the work zone in the center lane.  Option: The Center Lane Closed Ahead (W9-3a) symbol sign may be substituted for the CENTER LANE CLOSED AHEAD (W9-3) word message sign.

## Thru Traffic Merge Right (Left) Sign

**  ****W4-1a**

- (New Warning Signs -- Section 6F.23)

**Notes:**
Thru Traffic Merge Right Sign W4-1a
Guidance: The THRU TRAFFIC MERGE RIGHT (LEFT) (W4-1a) sign should be used in advance of an intersection where one or more lane closures on the far side of a multi-lane intersection require through motor vehicle traffic on the approach to the intersection to use the right (left) lane to proceed through the intersection.

## On Ramp Plaque

- (New Warning Signs -- Section 6F.25)

**W13-4**

**Notes:**
On Ramp Plaque, W13-4
Guidance: When work is being done on a ramp, but the ramp remains open, the ON RAMP (W13-4) plaque should be used to supplement the advance ROAD WORK sign.

## Ramp Narrows Sign

- (New Warning Signs -- Section 6F.26)

**W5-4**

**Notes:**
The Millennium Edition provides Guidance on the new Ramp Narrows Sign, W5-4.  The RAMP NARROWS (W5-4) sign should be used in advance of the point where work on a ramp reduces the normal width of the ramp along a part or all of the ramp.

## Exit Open, Exit Closed Signs

- (New Warning Signs -- Section 6F.28)

**W5-2**

**W5-2a**

**Notes:**
The Millennium Edition provides an Option for the new Exit Open, Exit Closed Signs, W5-2 and W5-2a.  An EXIT OPEN (E5-2) or EXIT CLOSED (E5-2a) sign may be used to supplement other warning signs where work is being conducted in the vicinity of an exit ramp and where the exit maneuver for motor vehicle traffic using the ramp is different from the normal condition.

## Utility Work Sign

- (New Warning Signs -- Section 6F.36)

**W21-7**

**Notes:**
The new Utility Work Ahead Sign, W21-7, has the following Option: The UTILITY WORK (W21-7) sign may be used as an alternate to the ROAD (STREET) WORK (W20-1) sign for utility operations on or adjacent to a highway.  As support, the 2000 MUTCD provides typical examples of where the UTILITY WORK sign is used in Figures 6H-4, 6H-6, 6H-10, 6H-15, 6H-18, 6H-21, 6H-22, 6H-26, and 6H-33.

## Portable Changeable Message Signs

**Notes:**
Portable message signs provide the opportunity to give motorists advance information when traveling through work zones.  Portable message signs are particularly effective when the message has to vary throughout the work zone.  

The 2000 MUTCD adds guidance for message format, placement, and providing treatments for portable changeable message signs.

## Portable Changeable Message Signs (cont’d)

- Guidance on the design of message displays
- top line...problem
- center line...location or distance ahead
- bottom line...driver action
- Guidance for location and providing protection for portable changeable message signs

**Notes:**
This was instituted to add a message format for Portable Changeable Signs in response to recommendations contained in the Older Driver Highway Design Handbook. The Handbook showed that motorists may benefit from having a message in a logical sequence. 

In Section 6F, guidance is provided that states “Messages should be designed taking into account the following factors:   [1] If the message can be displayed in one phase, the top line should present the problem, [2] the center line should present the location or distance ahead, and [3] the bottom line should present the recommend driver action.” 

We have provided guidance for locating and providing protection for portable changeable message signs.  This GUIDANCE will maintain traffic flow efficiency and improve safety.

## Arrow Panels

**Notes:**
Guidance on Arrow Panels has been added to the Millennium Edition of the MUTCD to help maintain traffic flow efficiency and improve safety.  An arrow panel is a sign with a matrix of elements capable of either flashing or sequential displays.  An arrow panel is intended to provide additional warning and directional information to assist in merging and controlling road users through or around a temporary traffic control zone.

## Arrow Panels (cont’d)

- definition of “arrow panel” is a STANDARD
- 1st paragraph changed from SUPPORT to STANDARD
- New Guidance:
- shielding with barrier or crash cushions

**Arrow Panels**** (cont’d)**

**Notes:**
Arrow panels minimum size, legibility distance, number of elements, and other specification are shown on Figure 6F-3.  Type A, B, and C arrow panels shall have solid rectangular appearances.  Type D is a new arrow panel and shall conform to the shape of the arrow.  All arrow panels shall be finished in non-reflective black.  The arrow panel shall be mounted on a vehicle, a trailer, or other suitable support.  A vehicle displaying an arrow panel shall be equipped with rotating lights or strobe lights. 

An arrow panel should be placed on the shoulder of the roadway, or if practical, further from the traveled lane.  It should be delineated with retroreflective temporary traffic control devices, or when within the clear zone, shielded with a barrier or crash cushion.

## Drums

- New standard will provide better uniformity on the top color of all drums

**Notes:**
The new manual includes a new standard on the uniformity of drums.  The standards states that each drum shall have a minimum of two orange and two white stripes with the top stripe being orange.  

## Direction Indicator Barricade

**Notes:**
The direction Indicator Barricade shall consist of a retroreflective horizontal arrow top panel and a striped retroreflective bottom panel, both mounted horizontally to the ground.

The arrow panel shall be black on an orange background.  The stripes on the bottom panel shall be alternating orange and white retroreflective stripes slopping downward at 45 degrees in the direction road users are to pass. The Strips shall be 4 inches wide.  The arrow panel shall be 24 x 12 inches.  The bottom panel shall have a length of 24 inches and a height of 8 inches.  

The direction indicator barricade should be crashworthy.  It may be used in tapers, transitions, and other areas where specific directional guidance to drivers is necessary.  If used, direction indicator barricade should be used in series to direct the driver through the transition and into the intended travel lane.

## Temporary Raised Island

- New Option:
- A temporary raised island MAY be used to  separate motor vehicle traffic flows
- motor vehicle traffic volume range of  4,000 TO 15,000 ADT
- freeways:  22,000 TO 60,000 ADT

- (Section 6F.63, 1st Option Paragraph)

**Notes:**
New OPTION added:  In Section 6F.63, 1st Option paragraph:  “ A temporary raised island may be used to separate motor vehicle traffic flows in two-lane, two-way operations on roadways having a motor vehicle traffic volume range of 4,000 to 15,000 average daily traffic (ADT) and on freeways having a motor vehicle traffic volume range of 22,000 ADT to 60,000 ADT.”

This Option was inserted to provide guidance in the use of temporary raised islands.  It is also published in the AASHTO 1996 Roadside Design Guide, Chapter 9. 

## Multi-Lane Non-Access Controlled

- New Standard:
- for lane closures, a transition containing a merging taper SHALL be used

- (Section 6G.11, 2nd Paragraph)

**Notes:**
New STANDARD:  In Section 6G.11, 2nd Standard paragraph, 2nd sentence, “For lane closures, the merging taper shall use channelizing devices and the temporary traffic barrier shall be placed beyond the transition area.” 

This Standard will provide proper delineation of a lane closure to the road user. 

## Work in Urban Areas

**Notes:**
As we’ve stated earlier, the 2000 Manual gives additional emphasis to bicyclists and pedestrians on the roadway.  

Section 6 G includes changes from Support language to a Standard, that ensures that bicyclists and pedestrians are accommodated during a temporary traffic control zone.  The emphasis is on the need to maintain clear pathways for bicyclists and pedestrians during construction and maintenance work.

## Work Within the Vicinity of Highway-Rail Grade Crossings

- New Guidance:
- early coordination with the railroad company SHOULD occur before work starts
- will improve safety, while having no economic impact on states and local highways agencies

- (Section 6G.18)

**Notes:**
GUIDANCE:  In Section 6G.18, GUIDANCE paragraph “ Early coordination with the railroad company should occur before work starts.”

As it is important that all users of the work area are aware of temporary changes and for continued highway-rail grade crossing operations, early coordination with the railroad company has been recommended. Early coordination should improve road user operations and improve safety, while having negligible economic impact on State and local highway agencies.   This is especially important for maintenance and utility companies. 

## 46 Typical Applications

- More notes
- Highway-rail grade crossing guidance
- Crashworthy treatments
- Pedestrian and bicycle emphasis

**Notes:**
We have 46 typical applications that provide guidance and examples of how to manage a temporary traffic control zone.  The TAs include short-term, medium-term, and long-term applications.  The TAs have been upgraded with new notes, guidance, and management of temporary traffic control work zones around a highway-rail grade crossing.  

## Upgraded TAs

- New notes accompany TAs –10, -30, -32
- New TA-46 added to provide additional information on work zone treatments near highway-rail crossings

- (Figures 6H-10, 6H-30, 6H-32, 6H-46)

**Notes:**
GUIDANCE & OPTION: In Section 6H.01, new notes were added to TA’s -10,  30  & 32 and a new Figure TA-46 was added to provide additional information concerning work zone treatments near highway-rail grade crossings. 

On March 17, 1993, a tractor-semitrailer hauling gasoline was struck by a National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) train resulting in the truck driver and five occupants of three stopped vehicles being killed.  The truck driver was attempting to cross a highway-rail grade crossing  on Cypress Creek in  Fort Lauderdale, Florida and traffic in the area of the crossing was congested because the left and center lanes were closed just beyond the crossing.  As a result of the crash investigation, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommended that the FHWA provide information on channelization of traffic at a work zones to minimize traffic congestion over highway-rail grade crossings.  

The notes and figures displayed are in compliance with the NTSB’s recommendation.  Also, the above changes have been added to provide information for safe and efficient operation of both highway and rail traffic at highway-rail grade crossings within construction and maintenance work zone limits.

Read Section 6H.01  Text Notes for TA-10, TA-30, TA-32 and TA- 46. 

## TA-46: Highway-Rail Grade Crossing

**TA-46: Highway-Rail Grade Crossing**

**Notes:**
TA-46:  Highway-Rail Grade Crossing

TA-46 is new and provides information on Work in the Vicinity of a highway-rail grade crossing.  Important information is provided for early coordination with the railroad company. Early coordination should improve operations and safety at highway-rail grade crossings.  Thus, early coordination with the railroad company SHOULD occur before work starts.  

## TA-12: Lane Closure

**TA-12: Lane Closure**

**Notes:**
TA-12: Lane Closure

This typical application provides new standard and guidance for a Lane Closure on two lane roads using traffic control signals.  

New Standard:
Note 4 added to TA-12 Lane Closure on Two-Lane Road Using Traffic Control Signals:  Stop lines SHALL be installed with temporary traffic control signals
Note 8 added to TA-14, Haul Road Crossing:  Stop lines SHALL be used on existing highways with temporary traffic control signals
These changes will be in compliance with Part 4, Chapter 4D, of the 2000 Millennium Edition of the MUTCD dated December 18, 2000, which discusses the location of stop lines with respect to traffic signals. 

## TA-14: Haul Road Crossing

**TA-14: Haul Road Crossing**

**Notes:**
TA-14: Haul Road Crossing

Typical application 14 provides several notes on Haul Road Crossings.  These are some of the notes:

Note 3 indicates the traffic control method selected shall be used in both directions.

Note 5 provides several procedures for the flagger on the haul road crossing and references Sections 6E.04 and 6E.05.

## TA-17:

**TA-17:**
**Mobile**
**Operations on Two Lane Road**

**Notes:**
TA-17:  Mobile Operations on Two Lane Road

Typical application TA-17 provides guidance on Mobile Operations on Two Lane Road; it includes the following STANDARD: In Section 6H.01, Notes for Figure 6H-17(TA17), Note 2: “ Shadow and work vehicles shall display rotating lights or strobe lights.” 

The changes are:
(1)  The rotating lights or strobe lights will help improve the safety and visibility of the shadow and work vehicles resulting in a reduction in work zone crashes.  Also, the FHWA has change the wording “protection vehicle” to “shadow vehicle” to be in compliance with the AASHTO Roadside Design Guide Book, Chapter 9.1.2.2., Truck-Mounted Attenuators. 
 CAUTION arrow board is added to be in compliance with Section 6F.52 ( PCMS, components).  
 Note 7 is deleted because TA-17 is not for Short Duration work, but mobile operations. 

## TA-18:  Lane Closures on Minor Street

**TA-18:  Lane Closures on Minor Street**

**Notes:**
TA-18:  Lane Closures on Minor Street

Typical Application TA-18 provides standards and guidance on Lane Closures on Minor Street.  Flaggers should be used when the road visibility does not permit drivers  to see the entire transition, work zone and approaching traffic.  

STANDARD:   In Section 6H.01, Notes for Figure 6H-18(TA18), Note1 states: “This temporary traffic control shall be used by only for low-volume, low-speed facilities.” This change simplifies the STANDARD condition statement.  

Note 3 states:   “Where motor vehicle traffic cannot effectively self-regulate one or two flaggers shall be used as illustrated in Figure 6H-10.” This change will improve the movement of traffic around the lane closure. 

## TA-21: Lane Closure on Near Side of an Intersec-tion

**TA-21: Lane Closure on Near Side of an Intersec-tion**

**Notes:**
TA-21: Lane Closure on Near Side of an Intersection

Typical Application-21 provides standards and guidance for Lane closure on near side of an intersection.  This provides for better traffic flow by shifting through traffic to the left lane.  The right lane may have right turn movements which will decrease capacity of lane.  This should make the intersection safer and reduce crashes.  

STANDARD:  Note 1:  “The merging taper shall direct motor vehicle traffic into either the right or left lane, but not both.” This STANDARD will provide for the direction of traffic control around lane closures.

Option:  Note 5: “ A shadow vehicle with a truck-mounted attenuator may be used.” The OPTION of using a shadow vehicle with a truck-mounted attenuator will provide safety to road users and workers. 

Note 6:  “A work vehicle with rotating lights or strobe lights may be used with the high-level warning device.”  This new note will assist in providing warning to road users and workers. 

## TA-28: Sidewalk Detour or Division

**TA-28: Sidewalk Detour or Division**

**Notes:**
TA-28: Sidewalk Detour or Division

Typical Application-28 provides standards and guidance on Sidewalk Detour or Diversion.  

STANDARD:  In Section 6H.01, Notes for Figures 6H-28 (TA28) and 6H-29 (TA29):  Note 1: “Where sidewalks exist, provisions shall be made for disabled pedestrians.” This STANDARD statement provides additional safety for pedestrians. This Note will also provide additional safety for disabled pedestrians and will be in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act  Standards for Accessible Design.   

Note 2: “Curb parking shall be prohibited for at least 15 m (50 ft) in advance of the mid-block crosswalk.”  This STANDARD statement provides additional safety for pedestrians. 

## TA-30: Interior Lane Closure on Multi-Lane Street

**TA-30: Interior Lane Closure on Multi-Lane Street**

**Notes:**
TA-30: Interior lane closure on multi-lane street

TA-30 offers the following GUIDANCE:  In Section 6H.01, Notes for Figure 6H-30 (TA30): Note 1: 2nd sentence added, “Where speed or volume is higher, additional signing such as LEFT LANE CLOSED XX M (FT) should be used between the signs shown.”   This GUIDANCE statement has been added to provide safety instruction for the road users traveling at higher speeds.

## TA-35: Mobile Operation on Multi-Lane Road

**TA-35: Mobile Operation on Multi-Lane Road**

**Notes:**
TA-35: Mobile operation on Multi-lane road

GUIDANCE states:  In Section 6H.01, Notes for Figure 6H-35(TA35): Note 8: “Where the work vehicle occupies an interior lane (a lane other than the far right or far left) of a directional roadway having a right shoulder 3 m (10 ft) or more in width, Shadow vehicle 2 should drive the right shoulder with a sign indicating that work is taking place in the interior lane.”  This change will provide information and guidance to road users of work ahead in the interior lane.

## TA-39: Median Crossover on Freeway

**TA-39: Median Crossover on Freeway**

**Notes:**
TA-39: Median Crossover on Freeway

GUIDANCE:  In Section 6H.01, Notes for Figure 6H-39(TA 39),  Note 6: “When channelizing devices have the potential of leading traffic out of the intended traffic space, the channelizing devices should be extended a distance in meters (feet) of 0.4 the speed limit in km/h (2 times the speed limit in mph)  beyond the end of the transition area as depicted.” 

This change will address a problem of poor guidance for traffic traveling through a two-lane, two-way operation at the end of the construction zone.  Consequently, truck drivers with driver eye height substantially above the road cannot see well enough through adverse weather conditions (fog, heavy rain, snow squalls, etc.) to find anything except the barrels leading back cross the median.  They too often follow the backside of those barrels into the median, resulting in crossover embankment collision, median side slope rollover, and bridge rail impact.  If we are going to use delineators to separate two-lane, two way traffic in construction  zones, provisions should be made to extend the line of delineation well beyond the end of two-lane, two-way traffic in order to achieve “continuity” to fulfill “driver expectancy” under low visibility conditions. 

## TA- 45: Temporary Reversible Lane Using

**TA- 45: Temporary Reversible Lane Using**
**Movable Barriers**

**Notes:**
TA-45:  Temporary Reversible Lane Using Movable Barriers

A new Figure 6H-45 (TA-45), Temporary Reversible Lane Using Moveable Barriers, and notes for Figure 6H-45 have been added.  Many jurisdictions are using moveable barriers; therefore, we have added a new Figure and guidance and support notes have been added for these devices which were not in the 1988 MUTCD, Revision 3, dated September 3, 1993.

Guidance has been added to accommodate unbalanced peak-period traffic.  There are four motor vehicle traffic phases:

Phase A-two travel lanes northbound and one lane southbound.
Transition Phase A to Phase B – one travel lane in each direction.
Phase B-one travel lane northbound and two lanes southbound.
Transition Phase B to Phase A – one travel lane in each direction.

The typical application on the left illustrates the placement of devices during Phase A.  The typical application on the right shows conditions during the transition from Phase A to Phase B.

Multilane divided highway.

Diagram of both phases are shown.

Read the full text for Notes for Figure 6H-45 (TA-45)

## TA-37: Double Lane Closure on Freeway

**TA-37: Double Lane Closure on Freeway**

**Notes:**
TA-37: Double lane closure on Freeway

An OPTION has been added in Section 6H.01, Notes for Figure 6H-37(TA37).  Note 4 says, “ If a paved shoulder having a minimum width of 3 m (10 ft) and sufficient is available, the left and center lanes may be closed and traffic carried around the work space on the right lane and a right shoulder.” 

This change will provide additional information for the movement of traffic along the right shoulder because the shoulder width is wide enough to safely accommodate traffic. 

## TA-38: Interior Lane Closure on Freeway

**Notes:**
TA-38: Interior Lane closure on freeway

FHWA has added an OPTION statement.  In section 6H.01, Figure 6H-38(TA38) Note 9 says, “ If a paved shoulder having a minimum width of 3 m (10 ft) and sufficient is available, the left and center lanes may be closed and traffic carried around the work space on the right lane and a right shoulder.”   This change will provide additional information for the movement of traffic along the right shoulder because the shoulder width is wide enough to safely accommodate traffic.

## Questions?