# Presentation: 820882

## Revisions to Part 5 –  Traffic Control Devices for Low-Volume Roads

**Revisions to Part 5 – **** Traffic Control Devices for Low-Volume Roads**

**Notes:**
The following slides discuss the significant proposed revisions in Part 5.

## Neighborhood residential streets cannot be classified as                   low-volume roads for which             Part 5 would apply

**Part 5 applies outside built-up areas of cities, towns, communities**

**Notes:**
A new standard is being added that prohibits classifying a residential street in a neighborhood as a low-volume road for the purposes of Part 5 of the MUTCD, as low-volume roads are required to be facilities lying outside the built-up areas of cities, towns, and communities.

## Changes in Part 5                                 re: grade crossings to reflect changes in Part 8

**or**

**Notes:**
Several changes are being made regarding the use and application of STOP signs or YIELD signs at highway-rail grade crossings to be consistent with similar changes in Parts 8 and 10.

## Revisions to Part 6 –  Temporary Traffic Control

**Revisions to Part 6 – **** Temporary Traffic Control**

**Notes:**
The following slides discuss the significant proposed revisions in Part 6.

## Guidance on lengths of short tapers and downstream tapers

**Notes:**
To provide practitioners with more information regarding taper lengths, recommendations are being added that the length of a short taper should be a minimum of 50 feet and that a downstream taper with a length of approximately 100 feet should be used to guide traffic back into their original lane.
In concert with this change, minimum taper lengths are being added to existing Figures 6H-10, 6H-11, 6H-12, 6H-18 and 6H-27 (new Figures 6I-10, 6I-11, 6I-12, 6I-18 and 6I-27).

## Minimum length for                 1-lane, 2-way traffic taper added to Table 6C-3 

**Notes:**
Minimum taper lengths for one-lane, two-way traffic tapers are being added to Table 6C-3.  The existing table contained only maximum lengths, and it is important to also specify minimum lengths.

## High-visibility safety apparel

**- Required for all workers in public right of way**
**- Applies to all roads,           not just on Federal-aid system**
**- Option for law enforcement and first responders to use new ANSI “public safety vests”**

**Notes:**
New provisions are being incorporated into the MUTCD that require the use of high-visibility safety apparel by all workers (including flaggers) within the public right-of-ways of all federal-aid and non-federal-aid streets and highways.  This is an expansion of recent 23 CFR revisions, to extend the applicability from just federal-aid highways to all roads open to public travel.  A new option is being added that allows first responders and law enforcement personnel to use safety apparel meeting a newly-developed ANSI standard for “public safety vests” because this type of vest will better meet the special needs of these personnel.  Also, a recommendation is being added that all on-scene responders and news media personnel in traffic incident areas should wear high-visibility apparel

## Automated flagger assistance device (AFAD)STOP/SLOW paddle type

**Notes:**
A new device called an automated flagger assistance device (AFAD) is being added, which enables a flagger to be positioned out of the lane of traffic when controlling road users through temporary traffic control zones.  The provisions are based on the Interim Approval in 2005.  One type of AFAD uses a remotely controlled STOP/SLOW sign on either a trailer or a movable cart system and a gate arm (with vertical stripes). 

## Red/yellow lens AFAD

**Red/yellow lens AFAD**

**Notes:**
The other type of AFAD uses remotely controlled red and yellow lenses and a gate arm (with vertical stripes). 

## Flaggers shall use a paddle, flag, or AFAD, not just hand signals

**Notes:**
A new requirement is being added that flaggers use a STOP/SLOW paddle, a red flag, or an Automated Flagger Assistance Device to control road users through TTC zones.  This change explicitly deletes the use of hand movements alone from the list of permitted methods to control traffic. 

## Paddles should be placed on a rigid staff having a minimum length of 7 feet

**Notes:**
New provisions are being added to clarify that it is optimal to place a STOP/SLOW paddle on a rigid staff, with minimum length of 7 feet, in order to display a STOP or SLOW message that is stable and high enough to be seen by approaching or stopped traffic. 

## Flagger warning signs may remain displayed for up to 15 minutes when flagging operations are not occurring, only under certain conditions

**Notes:**
An option is being added to allow Flagger signs to remain displayed to road users for up to 15 minutes when flagging operations are not occurring under certain circumstances. This change reflects Official Interpretation #6-200(I), which was issued on September 22, 2004. 

## Option for               self-regulating traffic movement through 1-lane, 2-way constriction on         low volume street        if sight distance is adequate 

**Notes:**
A new option is being added that explicitly allows for the movement of traffic through a one-lane, two-way constriction on a low-volume street or road to be self-regulating, provided that the work space is short enough that road users from both directions are able to see the traffic approaching from the opposite direction through and beyond the work site. This change provides practitioners with more flexibility on low-volume, low-speed roads. 

## 2 flaggers should be used for        1-lane, 2-way constriction unless TTC zone is short enough for flagger to see from one end to the other

**Notes:**
A recommendation is being added that traffic should be controlled by a flagger at each end of a constricted section of roadway, unless a one-lane, two-way TTC zone is short enough to allow a flagger to see from one end of the zone to the other.  This change emphasizes that the preferred method of flagger control is the use of two flaggers.

## New plaques may accompany  Speed Limit signs in TTC zones

**New plaques may accompany  Speed Limit signs in TTC zones**

**Notes:**
New WORK ZONE, FINES DOUBLE, and $XX FINE plaques are being added that may be mounted below the Speed Limit sign if increased fines are imposed for traffic violations within the TTC zone.  New signs are also being added that may be used to mark the beginning and ends of these zones. 

## NEW TRAFFIC PATTERN AHEAD sign

**Notes:**
A new section is added describing the use of the NEW TRAFFIC PATTERN AHEAD sign to provide advance warning of a change in traffic patterns, such as revised lane usage, roadway geometry, or signal phasing. This change reflects current practice in many States and numerous local jurisdictions as documented in the Sign Synthesis Study and provides a uniform legend for this purpose.

## New symbol sign for Uneven Lanes or Shoulder Drop-Off and new supplemental plaques

**Notes:**
 A new symbol version of the Shoulder Drop Off sign is being added to warn road users of a low shoulder to be consistent with Chapter 2C.  An option is being added to permit the use of the proposed new Shoulder Drop Off symbol sign with an UNEVEN LANES supplemental plaque instead of the UNEVEN LANES word sign to be consistent with Chapter 2C. 

## Portable Changeable Message Signs – new provisions

**Number of phases**
**Display times per phase**
**Number of lines of text**
**Placement of messages within each line**
**Techniques for message display**
**Interaction between PCMSs if more than one sign simultaneously visible**

**Notes:**
New requirements are being added for portable changeable message signs regarding the number of phases and number of lines of text, the placement of messages within each line, the techniques for message display, and the interaction between signs if more than one is simultaneously visible to road users.  Changes are also being made to the recommended display time for message phases.
The changes in this section are consistent with the proposed changes for permanent Changeable Message signs as proposed in new Chapter 2M, but with differences to suit the special nature of Portable Changeable Message Signs.  These changes are based on extensive research on changeable message sign legibility, messaging, and operations conducted over a period of many years by the Texas Transportation Institute. 

## New alternating diamond display to indicate caution on an arrow board

**Notes:**
An alternating diamond display is being added as one of the options on an arrow board for a flashing caution display, based on successful experimentation.  This is sometimes called “dancing diamonds”.

## Drums shall not be weighted with sand, water, or other material that would make them hazardous to workers if struck 

**Notes:**
An existing recommendation is being changed to a requirement that prohibits weighting drums with sand, water, or any material to the extent that would make them hazardous to road users or workers when struck.  An existing option is being deleted such that water will no longer be permitted to be used as ballast in longitudinal channelizing devices to provide consistency throughout Part 6, since water will no longer be allowed to be used as ballast for any channelizing device.

## Temporary Lane Separators and Temporary Raised Islands

**Notes:**
A new section is being added that contains provisions regarding the use of optional temporary lane separators that may be used to channelize road users, to divide opposing vehicular traffic lanes, or divide lanes when two or more lanes are open in the same direction, and to provide continuous pedestrian channelization.  The recommended width of temporary raised islands is being reduced from 18 inches to 12 inches to facilitate the use of existing devices that have been successfully used in many applications.

## Temporary RPMs in TTC zones

**More provisions on color, patterns, and spacing, consistent with Part 3**
**Option to use a less expensive pattern of temporary RPMs to substitute for a broken line marking for maximum of 14 days.**

**Notes:**
Provisions are being added to provide more information regarding the color, patterns, and spacing of raised pavement markers in temporary traffic control zones.  The changes repeat certain requirements and recommendations from Part 3 and also provide for optional use of temporary short-term (usually no longer than 14 days) use of a less expensive pattern of raised pavement markers to substitute for a broken line marking. 

## Deletion from MUTCD of:

**Steady Burn Electric Lamps**
**Floodlights**
**Crash Cushions**
**Vehicle Arresting Systems**
**Glare Screens**

**Notes:**
The existing section regarding steady-burn electric lamps is being deleted because most jurisdictions are using other types of warning lights, therefore making steady-burn electric lamps obsolete.  The existing sections regarding floodlights, crash cushions, vehicle arresting systems, and glare screens are being deleted because these items are not traffic control devices and it is not appropriate for the MUTCD to have regulatory language regarding their design or use.

## Preemption of Temporary Traffic Control Signals

**Notes:**
New provisions are being added that require temporary traffic signals that are placed within 200 feet of a highway-rail grade crossing or a highway-light rail transit grade crossing to have preemption unless arrangements are made to prevent traffic from queuing across the tracks.  This is for consistency with the provisions in Parts 4 and 8.

## Black and orange are acceptable colors for rumble strips in TTC zones

**Notes:**
A new standard is being added that black and orange are acceptable colors for transverse rumble strips in TTC zones.  This is based on successful experimentation.

## TTC plan should be developed for all planned special events

**Bike Race**

**Notes:**
In Section 6G.01 Typical Applications, a new GUIDANCE statement is being added recommending that a TTC plan should be developed for all planned special events and approved by the highway agencies having jurisdiction.  The photo shows TTC devices deployed for a planned event – an on-roadway bike race.  
This change helps assure that proper traffic controls are installed when planned special events, such as parades, street fairs, farmers’ markets, etc. impact traffic, and responds to a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report on this subject. 

## Traffic Incident Management Provisions

**Incident Command System (ICS) shall be used**
**On-scene responders and news media personnel should wear           high-visibility apparel**
**Light sticks may be used                             in lieu of flares **

**Notes:**
The sequence of existing Chapters 6H and 6I is being reversed so that the numerous typical application diagrams will be at the end of Part 6 and to enhance the position within Part 6 of the text and figures regarding incident management.
A new standard is being added that the Incident Command System (ICS) as required by the National Incident Management System (NIMS) shall be implemented in traffic incident management areas. This language is per The Department of Homeland Security and Presidential Directives (DHSPD) #5 and #8, which require the adoption of the National Incident Management System and the Incident Command System by all Federal, State, tribal and local governments.  These two systems are required for all planned and unplanned incidents in the United States.
A new recommendation is being added that all on-scene responders and news media personnel should wear high-visibility apparel.
Options are being added regarding the use of light sticks at incidents to reflect the increasingly common use of light sticks by emergency responders as a more convenient and effective device than flares.

## Typical Application Drawings (TA’s)

**Except for the TA “Notes”, information in the TA drawings can generally be regarded as Guidance**
**TA 4 – stationary signs may be omitted for mobile work**
**TA 16 – lanes should be minimum 10 feet wide**
**TA 41 – channelizing devices should be used to physically close the ramp for exit closure**

**Notes:**
Clarification is being added that except for the typical application notes, the information presented in the typical applications can generally be regarded as Guidance.
Typical Application 4 is being clarified to note that stationary signs may be omitted if the work is mobile because the use of such signs is often not practical with mobile operations.
A new recommendation is being added to Typical Application 16 that all lanes should be a minimum of 10 feet in width to be consistent with guidance in other typical applications.
In Typical Application 41, a new recommendation is being added that channelizing devices should be placed to physically close the ramp when an exit is closed.  This change is being made to reflect existing practice, and to provide for positive closure rather than just relying on signs.

## TA’s with freeway lane closures

**(TA 37, 38, 39, 42, 44)**
**Arrow panel shall be used for all freeway lane closures **
**- Separate arrow panel shall be used for each lane for multi-lane closures**

**Notes:**
In Typical Applications 37, 38, 39, 42, and 44, a new requirement is being added that requires that an arrow panel be used for all freeway lane closures because of the high speeds, and that a separate arrow panel be used for each closed lane when more than one freeway lane is closed. The FHWA believes that an arrow panel is essential for safety at all lane closures on freeways due to the high speeds.