If you have any questions, please reach out to the

New York State LTAP Center - Cornell Local Roads Program. 

www.nysltap.org / 607-255-8033 / clrp@cornell.edu 

The National MUTCD (Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices) establishes a nationwide standard so that drivers can learn one set of rules that don't change every time they cross a state line. The MUTCD is the accepted standard of the highway industry. Each state may have additional requirements to meet their own needs or situations not listed in the National MUTCD. In New York State there is a Supplement to the National MUTCD. Combined, the National MUTCD and the NYS Supplement are the MUTCD for New York State.

 

The NYS Supplement is found in Volume 17B of the New York Codes, Rules and Regulations. Every municipality should have a copy of both the National MUTCD and the NYS Supplement. Anyone who uses or occupies a highway or road for purposes other than travel and who may affect traffic is required to comply with it. Failure to comply with it greatly increases the legal liability of municipalities in the event of an accident.

 

The NYS Traffic and Vehicle law requires that the following groups must comply with the MUTCD:

• New York State highway and public works officials
• Private contractors
• Emergency response and law enforcement personnel

Utility crews working in public road rights-of-way
The MUTCD contains definitions and descriptions of regulatory, warning, and guide signs; pavement markings; traffic signals; work zone traffic control apparatus; and other devices. When using the MUTCD, it is important to understand the use of these words and their meanings in the document:

• Shall: a mandatory condition that is required - no discretion is allowed
• Should: an advisory condition that is recommended - deviation is allowed to the extent there is reason to do so
• May: a permissive condition that is allowed

Local highway departments have the responsibility for the safety of the public using a public roadway. This includes the control of traffic in a construction or maintenance area. Highway officials should understand their liability for accidents in the work zone.

To increase the effectiveness and safety of the work zone and to minimize potential lawsuits, highway and local government officials should:

• Know and comply with traffic control standards set forth in the MUTCD
• Provide appropriate and properly working traffic control devices at the work site
• Document placement of traffic control devices at the work site
• Inspect work zones regularly and correct traffic control deficiencies
• Remove unneeded material, equipment, and traffic control devices as soon as possible
• Provide advanced warning and protection to motorists, pedestrians, and worked
• Ensure that the signing, channelizing and other devices reflect current work activities

Flaggers should only be used when required to control traffic.

Lesson 1 & 2 review

1. In the MUTCD, three words are used to describe the level of compliance. Which of these words is used when compliance is recommended, but not mandatory?

Answer - Should 

 

2. Who is required by NYS Traffic and Vehicle Law to comply with the MUTCD?

Answer - All of the above, when using or occupying a highway for purposes other than travel which may impact traffic

 

3. To increase the effectiveness and safety of the work zone and to minimize potential lawsuits, highway and local government officials should:

Answer: Provide warning and protection to motorists, pedestrians, and workers

 

 

Your exposure to being hit is the greatest when you are placing or removing traffic control devices in the work zone, so be alert. When setting up the work zone, make sure that all signs and devices are in place before you start any work. First, put up the advance signs in both directions, then position the flagger if there will be one, then complete the transition and work zone channelization areas. Move with the traffic whenever possible, except when closing down the work zone. Pick your traffic controls up in reverse order, starting with the End Road Work sign and working towards the Road Work Ahead sign.

The work zone typically consists of 5 parts:

1. Advanced Warning Area

• This area is the most important since it:
• Gets the public's attention
• Informs the driver of what to expect ahead
• Provides the driver time to react

The Advance Warning Area should use three types of signs:

• General warning (ROAD WORK AHEAD)
• Specific warning (ONE LANE ROAD AHEAD or RIGHT LANE CLOSED AHEAD)
• Specific instructions (FLAGGER AHEAD)

At higher speeds, space the signs 500 feet apart

At lower speeds, space the signs at least 100-350 feet apart

Locations of signs, flaggers, and tapers should be adjusted for field conditions that make them hard to see, such as trees, curves or hills.

2. Transition Area

Narrow pavement, reduction of travel lanes, or a lane closure may require moving traffic out of its normal path. The transition area is where the change in traffic flow occurs, often using cones or barrels. The area where the actual shift is made is called the taper. The length of the taper depends on the approach speed and the width of the shift.

The transition area should:

• Move traffic out of the normal path/flow
• Provide clear directions so that drivers know where to go
• Usually involve tapers
• Vary with speed and distance

3. Buffer Area
The unoccupied space between the transition area and the work area is the buffer area. This area should be free of all equipment, vehicles, and constructions. materials. It provides room to stop for drivers who do not see or who do not follow signs or flagger guidance. The length of this area varies depending on traffic speed, volume, and conditions.

The buffer area is:

• A safety factor in case a driver does not stop
• The place where you can adjust for hills and curves
• A place where vehicles and/or equipment are not allowed

4. Work Area

The work area is where workers and equipment are located. Channelizing devices are used throughout the area to keep traffic in the non-work lane.

Some work zone area safety suggestions are:

• Keep traffic out of the work area, moving with the normal flow
• Remind your workers to keep themselves and equipment out of travel lanes
• Caution flaggers to avoid drifting into the travel lane
• In some situations you may need a flagger to control or slow down traffic
• Be sure to deal with the side roads and business access

5. Termination Area

This area advises drivers that they are past the work site and may resume normal driving. It is good practice to put an END ROAD WORK sign here. A short down stream taper is also recommended. Five cones in 100 feet is fine.

The termination area:

• Lets drivers know the work zone is over
• Is usually a short taper
• Needs an END ROAD WORK sign if it is not obvious

Lesson 3 Review

1. Which of the 5 work zone areas is most important in terms of informing drivers of changing road conditions?

Answer: Advanced Warning Area

 

2. The buffer area is where:

Answer: Drivers can find room to stop if they have not seen or have disobeyed the warning signs or flagger guidance

 

3. Which of the following poses a potential hazard to workers in a work zone?

Answer: All of the above

 

 

Flagging

Flagging is a very important and demanding job whether it be in a work zone, during utility installation or repair, or during an emergency road hazard situation. Flaggers should only be used when required to control traffic. Flaggers protect workers, emergency repair and rescue personnel, and the traveling public. It is unfortunate and sometimes disastrous that too often flagging is assigned to unmotivated or untrained people. Supervisors may assume that everyone knows how to flag when, in fact, road workers need to be trained to be effective flaggers.

Flaggers need the proper attitude, the proper equipment; and proper training. Proper attitude includes being:

• Alert
• Motivated
• Committed

To maintain attention level and alertness, it is important to relieve flaggers regularly. Flagging shifts should not last more than two hours.

Proper equipment

• Stop-slow paddle (preferred) or red flag (in emergency situations)
• High visibility vest or jacket. Orange, yellow, and yellow green are allowed for flagger clothing. Retroreflective material is required for flagging at night. ANSI / ISEA Class II vest, or better, shall be worn by flaggers.
• Suitable clothes/footwear
• Two-way radio to communicate between flaggers if hand signals will not work
• Orange hard hat
• Air horn or whistle to warn other workers if a driver does not stop
• "FLAGGER AHEAD" sign and other work zone traffic control devices prescribed by the MUTCD
• Flagging stations shall be illuminated at night

The stop/slow paddle is the preferred device and should be used wherever practicable.

The signal flag should be used only in emergency situations, in cases where control with a single flagger makes the use of a stop/slow paddle impractical, or at locations where speeds and/or volumes are low. Many local agencies still use flags to control traffic. New equipment should include the recommended stop/slow paddles.

Proper Training

The first rule of flagging is do not stand in the travel lane! The proper place to stand in order to stop traffic is at the right shoulder of the road. That way, if the driver doesn't see the signal to stop or slow down, the flagger won't get hit. Flaggers should always have an escape route. It is preferable for drivers to hit traffic cones and stop in the buffer area than to hit the flagger. Make sure that the sight distance is long enough to allow drivers time to see and react.

It is important to train all flaggers to adhere to standard signals. Non-standard actions will confuse drivers.

 

To Stop Traffic

• Stand on the edge of the road facing traffic
• Hold up your left hand palm outward, like a Police Officer
• Hold the paddle out away from your body, the STOP side toward traffic
• If you are using a flag, hold it out horizontally. Do not wave the flag! It confuses drivers. Make eye contact with the driver
• If necessary, after the first car has stopped you may go to the center of the road to stop succeeding cars.
• If two flaggers are working, use a two-way radio or hand signal to tell the other flagger that your traffic is stopped. Do not use the flag to signal.

To Release Traffic

• After receiving the signal from the other flagger, step back to the shoulder of the road, turn your paddle to SLOW (or drop flag by your side).
• With your free hand, motion traffic to proceed.
• Do not wave the flag! It confuses drivers.

To make sure drivers see your flagger, remember these tips. Flaggers should...

• Be dressed appropriately
• Wear a clean, regulation vest
• Stand alone, away from other people
• Face traffic and make eye contact with drivers
• Be alert and pay attention

Make sure that flaggers have a good escape route in case a driver fails to stop. After they get out of the way, they can use an air horn to alert the other workers.

Lesson 4 Review

1. Highway Superintendents should have a traffic control plan for their work zones.

Answer: True

 

 2. Highway departments can choose any kind of traffic control devices, as long as they work properly.

Answer: False

 

 3. Placing a trained and motivated employee in your work zone as the flagger is the best work zone traffic control policy.

Answer: True

 

4. In New York State proper flagging equipment includes the following:

Answer: Stop-Slow paddle, red flag for emergencies only

 

5. Which is the correct location for a flagger to be posted on a roadway, as seen by the traffic approaching a work zone?

Answer: On the right shoulder facing traffic

 

6. To release traffic properly while flagging, you should:

Answer: While maintaining eye contact with the first vehicle, turn the paddle to Slow or drop the flag to your side

• National MUTCD from the FHWA website
  Printed copies are available for purchase from the following organizations:
  American Association of State Highways and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)
  Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)
  American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA)
• NYS Supplement to the National MUTCD (Volume 17B of NYCRR)
  Also available online from the NYSDOT
• NYSDOT Traffic Engineering and Safety Division
  518-457-0271
• Department of Safety and Health Regional Offices in New York State
• New York State Governor's Traffic Safety Committee
• American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA): 800-272-8772
• Strategic Highway Research Program
• NYS LTAP Center - Cornell Local Roads Program home page
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• FHWA's Safety Core Business Unit

Training Videos

• NYSLTAP-CLRP Safety Shorts: Flagger Basics (3 minutes)
• Be Careful Out There: Keeping Everyone Safe in the Work Zone Webinar (1 hour)
• NYSLTAP - CLRP Topical Tuesday Webinar: Flagging (1 hour)
• A Traffic Plan to Live by: Flagging (25 minutes)
• VDOT Flagger Training (19 minutes)
• Work Zone Safety - Part 1 - Introduction (15 minutes)
• Work Zone Safety - Part 2 - Traffic Control Devices (18 minutes) 
• Work Zone Safety - Part 3 - Length of Zones (15 minutes)
• Work Zone Safety - Part 4 - Typical Applications (15 minutes)
• Work Zone Safety - Part 5 - Flagging Operations (18 minutes)

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We hope you found this tutorial useful. If you have any questions about this tutorial or anything road and street related, please reach out to us. We are happy to help!

www.nysltap.org / 607-255-8033 / clrp@cornell.edu 

NYS LTAP Center - Cornell Local Roads Progam