Traffic Control

OBJECTIVES
At the end of the discussion, the student
must be able to:
•define what is Road Traffic Control.
•determine the different traffic control
devices.
•know the functions and importance of each
devices.
•determine the functions of a flag person
through the work site area.
•define Sight Distances.
•know the different types of traffic signs.
 Traffic Control

Traffic Control may refer to:

•Air Traffic Control
•Network Traffic Control
•Traffic control in Shipping Lanes
•Urban Traffic Management
•Road Traffic Control
ROAD TRAFFIC CONTROL

Involves directing vehicular

and pedestrian traffic around a
construction zone, accident or
other road disruption, thus
ensuring the safety of emergency
response teams, construction
workers, and the general public.
 ROAD TRAFFIC CONTROL

•Traffic control also includes the use

of CCTV and other means of monitoring
traffic by local or State roadways
authorities to manage traffic flows and
providing advice concerning traffic
congestion.

•Traffic controllers (TC's) are often known

as "lollipop men" from the appearance of
their Stop/Slow signs, known as "Stop bats".
Traffic Control Devices

•Traffic signs
•Variable Message Signs
•High-level warning devices
•Channelizing devices
•Road surface markings
•Traffic Lights
•Rumble Strips
 Traffic Signs

•are signs which use words and/or

symbols to convey information to road
users.

•These devices are made with retro

reflective materials that reflect light
from headlights back towards the
driver's eyes.
 Variable Message Signs

•VMS are electronic traffic control signs

which can exhibit different traffic
messages according to the needs of a
specific road.

•Permanent CMS displays are mounted

on large sign structures overhead or
alongside the road.
Variable Message Signs
High-level warning devices

•are traffic control devices that are

high enough to see over other
vehicles, such as but not limited to
vehicle top, poles and other places
not lower than 7 feet.
High-level warning devices
 Channelizing devices

•are used to warn drivers and

pedestrians and to guide
them through a work zone.
 Channeling Devices

•Traffic Cones
•Tubular Markers
•Vertical Panels
•Construction Barrels
•Barricades
•Temporary Raised Islands
Channeling Devices
Channeling Devices
Road surface markings

•are traffic control devices that are

applied directly to the road surfaces.
They are used to guide and channel
traffic by designating lanes and
indicating stopping points at
intersections.

•Pavement markings may be

permanent or removable.
Road Surface Markings
 Traffic Lights

•Traffic lights are traffic control signals

used to alternately assign right-of-way
to traffic moving in conflicting
directions at an intersection. Traffic
lights feature three different lights that
conveys different meanings.
Traffic Lights
 Rumble strips

•are roughened surfaces that are

either embossed or recessed.

•When a vehicle drives over them, they

make a loud rumbling sound and
vibration.
Rumble Strips
 Delineation

Delineation devices shall be used to

channelize traffic when the traffic flow
is impeded as a result of obstructions,
work areas or narrowing of the
roadway. They are part of the general
category called Traffic Control Devices
and shall be used as a supplement to
signs and barricades.
 Delineation

Where the temporary condition exists

during darkness, delineation shall be
achieved by the use of construction
markers, traffic barrels, barricades,
chevron markers, delineator posts,
flashing beacons or similar devices.
 TAPER

Delineations that are placed across

the closed portion of the road in a
certain angle.

If the work area affects more than one

traffic lane width, each traffic lane
shall be closed separately and a
tangent section provided between the
two tapers.
Taper Length
 Types of taper

Merge Taper - A lane is closed and vehicles in

that lane must merge with traffic in an adjacent
lane.

Shift Taper - Shift in the path of the lanes, but the

normal number of lanes is not reduced.

Shoulder Taper - Work is done on the shoulder

with no or minimal effect into the traffic lane.

Flagger Taper - Opposing the direction of traffic.

Traffic share one lane.
Types of Taper
 DELINEATORS

• Traffic Cones
• Flexible Drums
• Tubular Marker (Delineation Post)
 TRAFFIC CONES

Traffic cones are used primarily for

daylight operations but may be used
at night if equipped with white
reflectorized bands. Size is dependant
on traffic speed.

> 50 km/hr = minimum height of 70 cm

< 50 km/hr = minimum height of 45 cm
Night time = minimum height of 70 cm
Traffic Cones
Traffic Cones
Traffic Cones
 FLEXIBLE DRUMS

•Flexible drums are generally used in

work zones where delineation devices
will remain in place for extended
periods of time.

•For night time use, flexible drums are

reflectorized by application of
alternating horizontal bands of orange
and white reflectorized sheeting. There
must be a minimum of two white
bands and three orange bands, being
10 cm deep.
Flexible Drums
Flexible Drums
Flexible Drums
 TUBULAR MARKERS

•Tubular markers are similar to traffic cones in

that they are lightweight and easy to install
and remove.

•They are particularly suited to delineating

traffic lanes or separating two-way traffic for
short duration work.

•These orange markers must have at least

two circular bands of white retroreflective
sheeting.
Tubular Markers
 BARRICADES

•The primary function of barricades is to

delineate a work area in or near the
travelled portion of a roadway and to block
off a portion or all of a lane or roadway
where closures become a necessity.

•Barricades will not be used to channelize

traffic.

TYPES:
 Standard Barricade
 Portable Barricade
 STANDARD BARRICADES

The Standard Barricade is a portable

device having three panels with
reflective orange and black stripes.
Each barricade panel must be 24 cm
wide and 240 cm long. The orange
and black stripes must be at least 15
cm wide.
Standard Barricades
Standard Barricades
 PORTABLE BARRICADES

•The Portable Barricade is light and easy to

handle, store and transport. The intent is to
use this type of barricade for short term road
closures such as a washout. The barricade
consists of one rail with reflective orange and
black stripes.

•The stability of portable barricades may be

enhanced with the use of sandbags
provided they are placed on or close to the
barricade base.
Portable Barricades
Barricades
Barricades
 BARRIERS

•Barriers protect work areas and drivers by preventing

or reducing vehicle penetration into the work areas
and by redirecting errant vehicles in a controlled
manner.

•Where required, concrete barriers are most commonly

used in long duration work zones to:

 Protect workers
 Separate motorists from potentially hazardous
objects and areas in work zones
 Separate opposing lanes of traffic where
barricades or other delineation devices are not
considered adequate
Barriers
 CHEVRON MARKERS

•Shall be installed to provide additional

guidance for motorists as to changes in the
horizontal alignment due to lane closures and
highway diversions.

•The arrow head shall point in the direction of

the turn.
Chevron Markers
 FLASHING LIGHTBOARD

•Flashing light boards are internally illuminated sign

panels or a matrix of lights capable of either flashing or
sequential display.

•The arrow board shall be a minimum size, 1200 mm in

width by 600 mm high, and shall be of a type and
design as approved by the Engineer.

•Flashing light boards are very effective in:

providing additional advance warning; and

providing directional information
Flashing Lightboards
Flashing Lightboards
Flashing Lightboards
RADAR DISPLAY SPEED DESIGN

•Radar Display Speed Signs are electronic

signs that are equipped with a radar unit
that detects an approaching vehicle’s
speed, and displays the information back to
the driver.

•These signs shall be used only as a

supplement to, but not a substitute for,
conventional temporary condition signs and
devices. Their use in the field shall be limited
to installation within the approach area,
where speed control is essential.
 CONTROL VEHICLES

•Short Term Work (low speed or low volume), and Snow

Cleanup Operations, shall be equipped with a vehicle
mounted flashing arrow signal.

•In addition, the vehicle shall be equipped with a blue

strobe light, standard four-way flashers and two
bumper mounted signs, being 150mm high x 450mm
long, with orange and black alternating and opposite
stripes at 45º. The signs shall be reflectorized to
indicate the same shape and color by day or night.
Control Vehicles
 FLAG PERSON

•Under certain conditions during

construction or maintenance activities
on or along a roadway, the use of a
flag person may be required to safely
guide motorists through the work site
area.
 FLAGPERSON EQUIPMENT

The flag person shall wear:

•Hard Hat
•High Visibility Safety Jacket or Vest
•Safety Boots
•Hearing Protection
•Eye Protection
 FLAGPERSON EQUIPMENT

The flag person shall be equipped

with:
•“STOP” reflectorized sign
•“SLOW” reflectorized sign and
• a red signaling baton flashlight (for
night operation)
 FLAGPERSON GUIDELINES

•The flag person is not permitted to use

a radio, cell phone or any other
device which impairs sight, hearing, or
attention while working.

•At no time are flag persons permitted

to use flags to control traffic.

•No flag person shall leave their post.

 WHERE TO STAND

1. Stand outside the lane of traffic.

2. Stand at a distance from the
working area as indicated on the sign
layout diagram, so as to be able to
protect personnel, equipment and
motorists.
3. Stand where you can be seen by
approaching traffic.
SIGHT DISTANCES
STOPPING SIGHT DISTANCE

•the sum of the distance travelled during

the perception and reaction time and
the braking distance.

STOPPING SIGHT DISTANCE FOR

AUTOMOBILES AND TRUCKS
 INTERSECTION SIGHT
DISTANCE
•Intersection sight distance is defined by
TAC as the sight distance available from a
point where vehicles are required to stop
on the intersecting road, while drivers are
looking left and right along the major
roadway, before entering the
intersection. The sight distance is
considered adequate when it allows the
driver to safely enter an intersection and
make the turning maneuvers permitted
by the intersection layout, without
significantly affecting vehicles travelling
on the main roadway.
Intersection Sight Distance
INTERSECTION SIGHT DISTANCE

Sight distance for turning movement

Road Traffic Signs
 Regulatory signs

• traffic signs that regulate roadways to help

drivers use the roadways in an orderly
fashion.
•regulatory signs use the following shapes:
octagon , equilateral triangle with the point
down and vertical rectangle
•the colors used for regulatory signs are red
and white.
 Stop Sign

Go Sign
 GIVE Yield Sign
WAY

Yield to Pedestrians Sign

 Danger Warning Signs

This signs are used to warn drivers and allow

adequate time for a cautious response.

This signs are often diamond-shaped ,

pentagon-shaped and potential
obstructions ahead.

The colors used for warning signs are yellow

and green because these are brighter color
makes these signs more visible in foggy or
rainy conditions.
Typical Construction Signs
Typical Construction Signs
Typical Construction Signs
Typical Construction Signs
INCIDENT SIGNING
 Traffic Incident

•A traffic incident is an emergency

road user occurrence, a natural
disaster, or other unplanned event
that affects or impedes the normal
flow of traffic.
 CLASSES OF TRAFFIC
INCIDENT
•Minor—expected duration under 30 minutes

•Intermediate—expected duration of 30
minutes to 2 hours

•Major—expected duration of more than 2

hours
Traffic Incident Management Area

•is an area of a highway where

temporary traffic controls are installed,
as authorized by a public authority or
the official having jurisdiction of the
roadway, in response to a road user
incident, natural disaster, hazardous
material spill, or other unplanned
incident.
 Incident Signing

•Temporary traffic control/condition

signs shall be used to notify oncoming
traffic that the normal flow of traffic
may be impeded due to the result of
(1) an incident (crash) on or near the
roadway ahead, (2) and/or removal
of disabled vehicles on, or back on, to
the roadway by tow trucks.
 Incident Sign

•The placement of signs during daylight hours

shall be titled ‘SIGNING FOR TOWING
OPERATIONS’ . The placement of signs during
night time hours shall be as per the “Lane
Closed”. However, in this situation the
‘CONSTRUCTION AHEAD’ signs (TC-1) are to
be changed to the ‘INCIDENT AHEAD’ sign
(TC-301). During night time hours, the
signage may be reduced if police officers
are in attendance with emergency vehicles
and coning in place for traffic control.
Incident Sign
 Incident Signing
TOWING DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS
INFORMATIVE/GUIDANCE SIGN

•Informative traffic signs, also known as guide

signs. Informative signs are green, blue or
white.

•Informative signs are often horizontally

rectangular, while roadway designation signs
can be shaped like shields or rectangles.
INFORMATIVE/GUIDANCE SIGN
INFORMATIVE/GUIDANCE SIGN
Temporary Traffic Control

•The primary functions of TTC at a

traffic incident management area are
to inform road users of the incident
and to provide guidance information
on the path to follow through the
incident area.
Temporary Traffic Control
Signs

•Temporary signs that road work crews

post in construction zones to warn of
danger or regulate.

•This traffic are orange, and often in

the shape of a diamond or horizontal
rectangle.
Temporary Traffic Control
Signs
Temporary Traffic Control
Signs
Temporary Traffic Control
Signs
 SUMMARY

Road traffic control is one of the types of traffic

control. it refers to the directing vehicular and pedestrian
traffic around a construction zone, accident or other road
disruption, thus ensuring the safety of emergency response
teams, construction workers, and the general public.

To control the road traffic, traffic devices are

used. Such traffic devices are traffic signs, variable
message signs, high-level warning devices , channelizing
devices , road surface markings, traffic lights and rumble
strips. flag persons are also used in road traffic control.

The different types of traffic signs are regulatory

signs, incident, informative and incident signs.
EXERCISES
 EXERCISES

1-2. What is Road Traffic Control?

3-4. What is delineation?
5. It provides the necessary distance for the
traffic to clear the work area and return to the
normal traffic lanes.
6. It is similar to traffic cones in that they are
lightweight and easy to install and remove.
tubular markers
7-8. Give examples of delineators.
9. Responsible to safely guide motorists through
the work site area.
 EXERCISES

10. The sum of the distance travelled during

the perception and reaction time and the
braking distance.
11. These are electronic traffic control signs
which can exhibit different traffic messages
12. These are traffic control devices that are
applied directly to the road surfaces.
13-15. What are the common channelizing
Devices?