Training Program for Traffic & Safety Engineers of O&M

Contractors of MoT’s Highways

Structure of presentation

➢ Typical Signage and Safety layouts

➢ Traffic signage devices

➢ Safety devices

➢ Flaggers

➢ Work Vehicles Conspicuity

➢ Related References

Day 5C.
2A. Signage
Elementsand
of Road
safetySafety
for work
Theory
zone&traffic
Practice
control
Typical Application Diagrams

• Typical application diagrams for a

variety of highway conditions are
included in the MOT (2017) Work
Zone Traffic Control

• These are not intended as a

substitute for engineering
judgment, as they should be
altered, when necessary, to fit the
conditions of a particular
temporary traffic control zone.

Day 5C.
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Theory
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Typical Application Diagrams- Case 5A

Day 5C.
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Theory
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Practice
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Typical Application Diagrams- Case 6

Day 5C.
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Theory
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Typical Application Diagrams- Case 8

Day 5C.
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for work
Theory
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Typical Application Diagrams- Case 9

Day 5C.
2A. Signage
Elementsand
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safetySafety
for work
Theory
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Practice
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Traffic control devices

• A road work zone usually requires

drivers of vehicles to temporarily
change their behavior (e.g. their
speed or path).

• Traffic control devices, such as signs,

markings and traffic lights, can help
to inform drivers about the
presence of work zones, the
current traffic regulations, and the
recommended paths to be followed.

Day 5C.
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Theory
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Traffic control devices
• Portable traffic lights can be used to control the
traffic passing through roadworks in alternate
directions.

• Road reflectors - A metallic or plastic road marking

projecting slightly above the road surface or the
hard shoulder, designed to be safely run over by a
vehicle travelling at any speed.
• Routing panels - Oblong rectangular signs
indicating, the change in the number and/or
direction of traffic lanes necessitated by the road
work zone.
Day 5C.
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Traffic control devices
• Traffic markings - painted markings or self-
adhesive tape are used for long-term work zones.

• Traffic signs at road work zones may include both

conventional signs and high-intensity (retro-
reflective) signs

• Two signs in one- Two ordinary signs are

mounted behind each other and are combined in
one set.
Day 5C.
2A. Signage
Elementsand
of Road
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Theory
zone&traffic
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Traffic control devices
• Variable message sign (VMS)- VMS gives the
drivers, in real time, accurate messages generated
from a central unit using an on-line connection.

• Flashing arrow- Warning equipment consisting of a

set of lights creating a signal picture in the shape of
an arrow or cross (X).

• Light- Individual electrically-operated device

emitting a light of a single colour.

Day 5C.
2A. Signage
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Traffic control devices
• Emphasizing beacon- Applied in work zones especially
for purposes of visual guidance and, partly, for the
physical separation of opposite-way lanes.

• Guiding Beacon (Bake)- A rectangular sign with

sloping stripes, mounted directly on a support. It is
used for funneling the traffic in the direction of the
slant of the stripes.

• Traffic cone- A three-dimensional device of conical

shape comprising one or more parts including a base
plate, cone body, and retroreflective surface or surfaces.
Day 5C.
2A. Signage
Elementsand
of Road
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Theory
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Safety devices
• Protective equipment serves
primarily to prevent the entrance
of vehicles or pedestrians inside
the work area and to reduce the
consequences of accidents
involving vehicles running off the
roadway.

• At the same time, it also fulfils the

function of defining and physically
separating the work area
(closure).
Day 5C.
2A. Signage
Elementsand
of Road
safetySafety
for work
Theory
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control
Safety devices
• Guiding barrier- Typically a plastic wall filled with water, sand or
other material, each part coloured uniformly (e.g. red or white)
used to separate opposite-way lanes, or lanes and construction
area.
• Crash barrier- Protective device of a height between 120 and 250
mm and a width between 250 and 350 mm, continuously laid on
the road surface, without anchoring, absorbing the energy of a
possible impact.
• Crash cushion –Truck-mounted attenuator (TMA)- A protective
device which is mounted on the rear, e.g., of a truck and which
absorbs the energy of a possible impact.
• Safety barrier of steel or concrete (temporary barrier)

Day 5C.
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Elementsand
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Practice
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Hazards of Flagging

➢ Risk from equipment and passing

vehicles
➢ Statistics support high risk of
injury
➢ However, more motorists than
workers killed or injured in
temporary traffic control zones

Day 5C.
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Theory
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Practice
control
Flagger Responsibilities

➢ Stop traffic
➢ Reduce the speed of and/or
direct traffic through the work
zone
➢ Protect themselves, work
crew, the general public,
motorists and pedestrians

Day 5C.
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Elementsand
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Theory
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Criteria for Flaggers
➢ Communicate instructions clearly
➢ Maneuver quickly
➢ Control signaling devices
➢ Understand safety traffic control
➢ Recognize dangerous traffic
situations
➢ Know the traffic control plan
➢ Be identified as flaggers by
motorists

Day 5C.
2A. Signage
Elementsand
of Road
safetySafety
for work
Theory
zone&traffic
Practice
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Flagger Authority

• Monitor operations in the

work area
• Communicate with traffic
control supervisor
• Halt operations if hazard arises

Day 5C.
2A. Signage
Elementsand
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Theory
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Flagger Stations

• Position
• Signals
• Approaching the centerline
• Release
• Leaving

Day 5C.
2A. Signage
Elementsand
of Road
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Theory
zone&traffic
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Flagger Stations
• Road users must have sufficient
distance to stop
• Errant vehicle can stop before
entering work space
• Advanced warning signs
• Lighted at night
• Stand on shoulder next to road
• Enter road only after vehicles have
stopped
• Be able to warn workers of danger
• Stand away from shade and
shadows
• Keep workers away
Day 5C.
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Theory
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Warning Lights on Work Vehicles
• Attract the attention of road
users
• Potentially hazardous situation
• Sufficient time for taking
appropriate action
• Warning light standardization
desirable
• Promote driver understanding
• Recognition of lights on work
vehicles
Day 5C.
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Warning Lights on Work Vehicles
• Warning lights should be
visible to drivers from all
angles (360 degrees)

• Larger vehicles should be

equipped with a minimum of
three warning lights

• Warning lights should be

amber in color

• Warning lights should be

turned on
Day 5C.
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Elementsand
of Road
safetySafety
for work
Theory
zone&traffic
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Retro-reflective Markings on Work Vehicles
• Visibility increased by the use of
retro-reflective markings and
appropriate vehicle colors
• Retro-reflective vehicle markings
should supplement warning light
systems
• Retro-reflective material should be
affixed to the back of utility work
vehicles
• Retro-reflective material should be 4”
wide (8” is desirable)
• Fluorescent orange, white, and black
diagonal stripes color pattern
Day 5C.
2A. Signage
Elementsand
of Road
safetySafety
for work
Theory
zone&traffic
Practice
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Work Vehicle Placement

• Place vehicle upstream of work

area to shield on-foot workers
from traffic

• Place upstream to warn vehicles

of an upcoming work zone

• Place equipment trailers

downstream of work area to
avoid being hit by traffic

Day 5C.
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Elementsand
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Theory
zone&traffic
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Truck with attenuator

Day 5C.
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of Road
safetySafety
for work
Theory
zone&traffic
Practice
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Truck with attenuator

Day 5C.
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Improper Placement of Work Vehicle

Day 5C.
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References
International
• PIARC (2012). Improvements in Safe Working on
Roads

Europe
• ARROWS (1998). Advanced Research on Road
Work Zone Safety Standards in Europe. Road Work
Zone Safety Practical Handbook
• ERF (2015). Towards Safer Work Zones

Australia
• Austroads (2019). Code of Practice for Temporary
Traffic Management: Part 10 Sample Layouts

Day 5C.
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References

USA
• NCHRP (2007). Design of Construction Work
Zones on High-Speed Highways. NCHRP Report
581
• FHWA (2012). Manual on Uniform Traffic Control
Devices – 2009 edition, revision 2

KSA
• MOT (2017). Traffic Detours
• MOT (2017). Work Zone Traffic Control

Day 5C.
2A. Signage
Elementsand
of Road
safetySafety
for work
Theory
zone&traffic
Practice
control
Training Program for Traffic & Safety Engineers of O&M
Contractors of MoT’s Highways