Traffic Control Awareness By: Contra Costa Water District Dec. 2012
Work Zone Traffic Control Traffic Control Zones Traffic Control Signs How to Flag Properly Emergency Vehicles Course Outline Emergencies in the Work Zone Hostile Drivers Traffic Control Awareness 2
Work Zone Traffic Control Influences drivers perception p of risk Provides information on potential hazards Minimizes aggressive behavior Assists in navigation Engineering gconcerns for work zones Primary Focus: Safe and efficient movement of vehicles through work zone Relatively less emphasis on safety of construction workers Traffic Control Awareness 3
Components of Temporary Traffic Control Zones Advanced Warning Area Transition Area Activity Area Work space Traffic space Buffer space Termination Area Traffic Control Awareness 4
Traffic Control Awareness 5 DISTRICT SAFETY TRAINING PROGRAM
Advanced Road dwork kahead Warning The first Advanced Warning Signs Sign On high speed roads (30 55 mph) place this sign about 1050 feet before the flagger s station Equip the sign with flags during the day, and a flashing beacon at night Traffic Control Awareness 6
Flagger Ahead The second Advanced Warning Sign On high h speed roads place this sign about 700 feet before the flagger s station Equip the sign with flags during the day Traffic Control Awareness 7
Prepare to Stop The final Advanced Warning Sign On high h speed roads place this sign about 350 feet before the flagger s station Equip the sign with flags during the day Traffic Control Awareness 8
Cones Place a minimum of 4 cones along the edge of the lane before the flaggers station (more cones needed for roads with higher speed limits) it Space the cones out 10 feet for every 10 MPH speed limit, max. 50 feet apart Equip the cones with reflective sleeves at night Place a cone next to each Advance Warning Sign Traffic Control Awareness 9
Why Is Good Flagging Important? Because there are: Hundreds of fatalities in work zones nationwide Dozens of fatalities on California work zones Traffic Control Awareness 10
Mentally Alert Good Physical Condition Good dflaggers Vision equal to DMV standards Keen hearing Able to stand for long periods of time Courteous and Knowledgeable Authoritative DISTRICT SAFETY TRAINING PROGRAM Traffic Control Awareness 11
Well Dressed Good dflaggerscontinued Daytime Orange or strong yellowgreen vest or shirt Nighttime Safety clothing with reflective stripes Well Equipped Communication method (line of sight or 2 way radio) Stop/Slow Sign Full advance warning sign layout Channelizing devices such as cones Traffic Control Awareness 12 DISTRICT SAFETY TRAINING PROGRAM
The Flagger s Station Visible to approaching motorists Has an escape route Lighting Daytime not in deep shadow Nighttime has area lighting Not hidden by the background Never start a flagging operation until all signs & flaggers are in position Alwaysflag from the closed lane of the shoulder, never from a live traffic lane Traffic Control Awareness 13
STOP SIGN = STOP Gesture: Face Traffic with arm outstretched and palm towards traffic Position: Stand on the Shoulder until the first car is stopped, then move to the center of the road Traffic Control Awareness 14
GO SIGN = SLOW Gesture: Facing traffic move arm in sweeping gesture, end sweep by pointing to the lane traffic is to use Position: Stand in lane when traffic to use left lane & on shoulder when traffic to use the right lane Traffic Control Awareness 15
SLOW SIGN = SLOW Gesture: Facing traffic with arm outstretched and palm down, move arm and hand up and down in pumping motion Position: Stand on shoulder facing traffic Traffic Control Awareness 16
The Lead Flagger When Traffic Must Drive on the Wrong Side There must be a Lead Flagger The job of the Lead Flagger is to prevent conflicts The Lead Flagger coordinates the work Traffic Control Awareness 17
Turn the sign to read STOP Move to the right shoulder Traffic Control Awareness 18
Take a new position near the center of the road because the vehicles approaching the queue need to be able to see you Traffic Control Awareness 19
Wait for the All Clear from the other flagger before releasing your queue Check and be sure that the lane is clear before releasing traffic Traffic Control Awareness 20
Turn the sign to read SLOW And Signal the lead driver to proceed using the left side of the road Direct the other vehicles in the line to drive on the left side of the road And Signal the drivers to SLOW if necessary Traffic Control Awareness 21
Emergency Vehicles Get the Right of Way STOP CLEAR STOP HOLD Basic Procedure for Police, Fire, Ambulances unexpected emergency vehicles the operation off of the traveled way if possible both the traffic and the haul trucks all traffic until the emergency vehicle has passed Traffic Control Awareness 22
Handling Emergency Situations Vehicles Enter Work Zone PROTECT YOURSELF FIRST ASAP Warn the crew that a driver has run the flagger s station! Try to prevent more vehicles from entering the work zone If possible get the license number and a description of the vehicle Plan for this before it happens Traffic Control Awareness 23
Hostile Di Drivers Be in command and control at all times Becourteous but firm Do not get into an argument Keep a safe distance Walk away from any driver who becomes belligerent Get the vehicle s license number and a description of the driver Notify your supervisor of the incident as soon as possible If the driver enters the work zone warn the crew This is an emergency! Traffic Control Awareness 24