Traffic Control

by Enzo Garritano, P.Eng., Project Coordinator, CSAO

Placing and removing signs and delineators requires planning

 

Planning

All work on, adjacent to, or encroaching on a public road must be signed and delineated in accordance with the Traffic Control Manual of Roadway Work Operations.

Available from the Ministry of Transportation, this manual outlines the advance warning signs and delineation required for typical roadside construction activities. Project planners should use the manual to ensure compliance.

Traffic control planning must be done before roadwork begins. The following points need to be determined:

• type of roadway where work will be done­one-lane, two-lane, rural, urban, divided, speed limits, traffic volume, etc.
• type of operation­short duration, long duration, moving activity, etc.
• physical dimensions­length of work zone, length of project (if different from work zone)
• sign requirements as per the Traffic Control Manual­number, location, height and method of securing to site (fixed or ballasted)
• type and number of delineators required for given road and speed conditions (use charts in the Traffic Control Manual to determine number and spacing).

Check all signs and delineators before use to ensure that they are clean and in good operating condition. Repair or replace any faded or damaged signs and delineators. Inspection before installation reduces worker exposure to moving traffic.

Placing and Removing Devices

The goal in setting up traffic control devices for roadway construction projects is to provide the motoring public with a clear, well laid-out path of travel. This maximizes worker safety and visibility within the zone. Equally important is making sure that workers assigned to place and remove signs and delineators are well instructed.

Instruction should cover

• personal protective equipment required
• method of communication to be used in setting up and removing traffic control devices
• type, placement, and securing of all signs to be used
• order in which signs will be loaded on the truck­last sign on project to be loaded first, etc.
• required number and spacing of delineators for the site
• proper method of installing signs and delineators­always face oncoming traffic and always keep the device between the worker and traffic (Figure 1)
• proper method of placing traffic control devices ­ always with the flow of traffic. This ensures that oncoming traffic is channeled away from the worker installing the devices (Figure 2)
• proper method of removing traffic control devices­always against the flow of traffic. This ensures that workers are protected from oncoming traffic by the upstream delineators (Figure 3)
• the need to have an escape route planned before workers start placing or removing traffic control devices.

Figure 1

 

Figure 2

 

Figure 3

 

Signs and delineators that offer the best visibility, while still complying with the Traffic Control Manual of Roadway Work Operations, are recommended. For instance, where a reflective arrow board is required, substitute an illuminated arrow board to enhance visibility. Never place more devices, or fewer, than are required by the Traffic Control Manual without consent from the governing road authority.

As shown in Figures 1-3, a trailing vehicle is recommended to help protect workers while they are placing or removing traffic control devices. The vehicle should be positioned far enough behind the operation to protect workers, yet not so close that it affects their view of oncoming traffic. The distance of the trailing vehicle should be adjusted in accordance with the posted speed limit.

 

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