Transportation Safety

Traffic Control Devices

Purpose and Understanding

The purpose of traffic control devices, as well as the principles for their use, is: to promote highway safety and efficiency by providing for the orderly movement of all road users on streets, highways, bikeways, and private roads open to public travel throughout the Nation.

Traffic control devices notify road users of regulations and provide warning and guidance needed for the uniform and efficient operation of all elements of the traffic stream in a manner intended to minimize the occurrences of crashes.

Traffic control devices or their supports shall not bear any advertising message or any other message that is not related to traffic control.

Providing Directions Not confusion

What is a Traffic Control Device?

Traffic control devices shall be defined as all signs, signals, markings, and other devices used to regulate, warn, or guide traffic, placed on, over, or adjacent to a street, highway, pedestrian facility, bikeway, or private road open to public travel by authority of a public agency or official having jurisdiction, or, in the case of a private road, by authority of the private owner or private official having jurisdiction.

Selection and Application of Each Device.

To be effective, a traffic control device should meet five basic requirements: A. Fulfill a need B. Command attention C. Convey a clear, simple meaning D. Command respect from road users; and E. Give adequate time for proper response.

Selection and Application of Each Device.

Design, placement, operation, maintenance, and uniformity are aspects that should be carefully considered in order to maximize the ability of a traffic control device to meet the five requirements listed above. Vehicle speed and traffic volume should be carefully considered as an elements that governs the design, operation, placement, and location of various traffic control devices.

Design of Traffic Control Devices

Devices should be designed so that features such as size, shape, color, composition, lighting or retroreflection, and contrast are combined to draw attention to the devices. The above combination will produce a clear meaning; that legibility and size combine with placement to permit adequate time for response; and that uniformity, size, legibility, and reasonableness of the message combine to command respect.

Placement and Operation of Traffic Control Devices:

Placement of a traffic control device should be within the road users view so that adequate visibility is provided. To aid in conveying the proper meaning, the traffic control device should be appropriately positioned with respect to the location, object, or situation to which it applies. The location and legibility of the traffic control device should be such that a road user has adequate time to make the proper response in both day and night conditions.

Placement and Operation of Traffic Control Devices:

Placement and Operation of Traffic Control Devices:

Traffic control devices should be placed and operated in a uniform and consistent manner. Unnecessary traffic control devices should be removed. The fact that a device is in good physical condition should not be a basis for deferring needed removal or change.

Maintenance of Traffic Control Devices

Functional maintenance of traffic control devices should be used to determine if certain devices need to be changed to meet current traffic conditions. Physical maintenance of traffic control devices should be performed to retain the legibility and visibility of the device, and to retain the proper functioning of the device. Clean, legible, properly mounted devices in good working condition command the respect of road users.

Uniformity of Traffic Control Devices

Uniformity of devices simplifies the task of the road user because it aids in recognition and understanding, thereby reducing perception/reaction time. Uniformity assists road users, law enforcement officers, and traffic courts by giving everyone the same interpretation. Uniformity assists public highway officials through efficiency in manufacture, installation, maintenance, and administration.

Uniformity of Traffic Control Devices

Uniformity means treating similar situations in a similar way. The use of uniform traffic control devices does not, in itself, constitute uniformity. A standard device used where it is not appropriate is as objectionable as a non-standard device; in fact, this might be worse, because such misuse might result in disrespect at those locations where the device is needed and appropriate.

Responsibility for Traffic Control Devices

The responsibility for the design, placement, operation, maintenance, and uniformity of traffic control devices shall rest with the public agency or the official having jurisdiction, or, in the case of private roads open to public travel, with the private owner or private official having jurisdiction. adopts the MUTCD as the national standard for all traffic control devices installed on any street, highway, bikeway, or private road open to public travel. When a State or other Federal agency manual or supplement is required, that manual or supplement shall be in substantial conformance with the National MUTCD. states that traffic control devices on all streets, highways, bikeways, and private roads open to public travel in each State shall be in substantial conformance with standards issued or endorsed by the Federal Highway Administrator.

Signs
The functions of signs are to provide regulations, warnings, and guidance information for road users. Words, symbols, and arrows are used to convey the messages. Signs are not typically used to confirm rules of the road.

Standardization of Location
Standardization of position shall be used but it cannot always be attained in practice. heights and lateral locations of signs for typical installations are dictated by roadway users safety, and its visibility (illustrated in Figure 2A-2) Per standards, Signs can be placed anywhere as long as the location is safe and visible to the roadway users ( locations for some typical signs at intersections, Figures 2A-3 and 2A-4.) Advance signing on an intersection approach help provide information gradually to the roadway users and prepare them ahead of time. (Figure 2A-4.)

Traffic Control Devices (Signs)

Regulatory Signs. Warning Signs and Object Markers Guide Signs for Conventional Roads Guide Signs for Freeways and Expressways Toll Road Signs Preferential and Managed Lane Signs General Information Signs General Service Signs Specific Service (Logo) Signs Tourist-Oriented Directional Signs Changeable Message Signs Recreational and Cultural Interest Area Signs Emergency Management Signs

Regulatory Signs (Size)

Regulatory Signs (Panel)

Regulatory Signs (Panel)

Regulatory Signs (Panel)

Regulatory Signs (Panel)

Regulatory Signs (Applications)

Regulatory Signs (Applications)

Warning Signs and Object Markers

- Function of Warning Signs: Warning signs call attention to unexpected conditions on or adjacent to a highway, street, or private roads open to public travel and to situations that might not be readily apparent to road users. Warning signs alert road users to conditions that might call for a reduction of speed or an action in the interest of safety and efficient traffic operations. - Application of Warning Signs: the use of warning signs shall be based on an engineering study or on engineering judgment.

Warning Signs and Object Markers

- Application of Warning Signs: the use of warning signs shall be based on an engineering study or on engineering judgment. The use of warning signs should be kept to a minimum as the unnecessary use of warning signs tends to breed disrespect for all signs.

In situations where the condition or activity is seasonal or temporary, the warning sign should be removed or covered when the condition or activity does not exist.

Design of Warning Signs

Except as provided Below, or unless specifically designated otherwise, all warning signs shall be diamond-shaped (square with one diagonal vertical) with a black legend and border on a yellow background. A warning sign that is larger than the size shown in the Oversized column in Table 2C-2 for that particular sign may be diamond-shaped or may be rectangular or square in shape. Warning signs shall be designed in accordance with the sizes, shapes, colors, and legends contained in the Standard Highway Signs and Markings book

Design of Warning Signs

Design of Warning Signs

Warning Signs

Warning Signs

Object Markers

Conventional Road Guide Sign:

Guide signs are essential to direct road users along streets and highways, to inform them of intersecting routes, to direct them to cities, towns, villages, or other important destinations, to identify nearby rivers and streams, parks, forests, and historical sites, and generally to give such information as will help them along their way in the most simple, direct manner possible.

Guide Sign, Color, Retroreflection, and Illumination: Except where otherwise requmended for individual signs or groups of signs, guide signs on streets and highways shall have a white message and border on a green background. All messages, borders, and legends shall be retroreflective and all backgrounds shall be retroreflective or illuminated.

Guide Sign Sizes:

The design of upper-case letters, lower-case letters, numerals, route shields, and spacing shall be as provided in the Standard Highway Signs and Markings book. The lettering for names of places, streets, and highways on conventional road guide signs shall be a combination of lower-case letters with initial upper-case letters. The nominal loop height of the lower-case letters shall be 3/4 the height of the initial upper-case letter. When a mixed-case legend letter height is specified referring only to the initial upper-case letter, the height of the lower-case letters that follow shall be determined by this proportion. When the height of a lower-case letter is referenced, the reference is made to the nominal loop height and the height of the initial upper-case letter shall also be determined by this proportion. All other word legends on conventional road guide signs shall be in uppercase letters. The unique letter forms for each of the Standard Alphabet series shall not be stretched, compressed, warped, or otherwise manipulated.

Guide Sign Sizes:

Guide Signs :

Guide Signs :

GENERAL SERVICE SIGNS

GENERAL SERVICE SIGNS

Pavement Marking
Markings on highways and on private roads open to public travel have important functions in providing guidance and information for the road user. Major marking types include pavement and curb markings, delineators, colored pavements, channelizing devices, and islands. Markings are also used to supplement other traffic control devices such as signs, signals, and other markings. In other instances, markings are used alone to effectively convey regulations, guidance, or warnings in ways not obtainable by the use of other devices.

Marking
Markings have limitations. - Visibility of the markings can be limited by snow, debris, and water on or adjacent to the markings. - Marking durability is affected by material characteristics, traffic volumes, weather, and location. - However, under most highway conditions, markings provide important information while allowing minimal diversion of attention from the roadway.

Standardization of Application
Each standard marking shall be used only to convey the meaning prescribed for that marking. Markings that must be visible at night shall be retroreflective unless ambient illumination assures that the markings are adequately visible. All markings on Interstate highways shall be retroreflective. Markings that are no longer applicable for roadway conditions or restrictions and that might cause confusion for the road user shall be removed or obliterated to be unidentifiable as a marking as soon as practical.

Standardization of Application
The materials used for markings should provide the specified color throughout their useful life. Consideration should be given to selecting pavement marking materials that will minimize tripping or loss of traction for road users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists. Delineators should not present a vertical or horizontal clearance obstacle for pedestrians.

Color Standardization of Application

Markings shall be yellow, white, red, blue, or purple. When used, white markings for longitudinal lines shall delineate: A. The separation of traffic flows in the same direction, or B. The right-hand edge of the roadway. When used, yellow markings for longitudinal lines shall delineate: A. The separation of traffic traveling in opposite directions, B. The left-hand edge of the roadways of divided highways and one-way streets or ramps, or C. The separation of two-way left-turn lanes and reversible lanes from other lanes. When used, red raised pavement markers or delineators shall delineate: A. Truck escape ramps, or B. One-way roadways, ramps, or travel lanes that shall not be entered or used in the direction from which the markers are visible. When used, blue markings shall supplement white markings for parking spaces for persons with disabilities. When used, purple markings shall supplement lane line or edge line markings for toll plaza approach lanes that are restricted to use only by vehicles with registered electronic toll collection accounts.

Functions, Widths, and Patterns of Longitudinal Pavement Markings

The general functions of longitudinal lines shall be: A. A double line indicates maximum or special restrictions, B. A solid line discourages or prohibits crossing (depending on the specific application), C. A broken line indicates a permissive condition. D. A dotted line provides guidance or warning of a downstream change in lane function. The widths and patterns of longitudinal lines shall be as follows: A. Normal line4 to 6 inches wide. B. Wide lineat least twice the width of a normal line. C. Double linetwo parallel lines separated by a discernible space. D. Broken linenormal line segments separated by gaps. E. Dotted linenoticeably shorter line segments separated by shorter gaps than used for a broken line.

Pavement Marking

Pavement Marking

Pavement Marking

Pavement Marking

Pavement Marking (FDOT):

Pavement Marking (FDOT):

Pavement Marking (FDOT):

HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SIGNALS

A careful analysis of traffic operations, pedestrian and bicyclist needs, and other factors at a large number of signalized and unsignalized locations, coupled with engineering judgment, has provided a series of signal warrants that define the minimum conditions under which installing traffic control signals might be justified. Engineering judgment should be applied in the review of operating traffic control signals to determine whether the type of installation and the timing program meet the current requirements of all forms of traffic If changes in traffic patterns eliminate the need for a traffic control signal, consideration should be given to removing it and replacing it with appropriate alternative traffic control devices, if any are needed.

Studies and Factors for Justifying Traffic Control Signals

An engineering study of traffic conditions, pedestrian characteristics, and physical characteristics of the location shall be performed to determine whether installation of a traffic control signal is justified at a particular location. The investigation of the need for a traffic control signal shall include an analysis of factors related to the existing operation and safety at the study location and the potential to improve these conditions, and theapplicable factors contained in the following traffic signal warrants: Warrant 1, Eight-Hour Vehicular Volume Warrant 2, Four-Hour Vehicular Volume Warrant 3, Peak Hour Warrant 4, Pedestrian Volume Warrant 5, School Crossing Warrant 6, Coordinated Signal System Warrant 7, Crash Experience Warrant 8, Roadway Network Warrant 9, Intersection Near a Grade Crossing See section 4C. Of the MUTCD

Responsibility for Operation and Maintenance

Prior to installing any traffic control signal, the responsibility for the maintenance of the signal and all of the appurtenances, hardware, software, and the timing plan(s) should be clearly established. The responsible agency should provide for the maintenance of the traffic control signal and all of its appurtenances in a competent manner. To this end the agency should: A. Keep every controller assembly in effective operation in accordance with its predetermined timing schedule; check the operation of the controller assembly frequently enough to verify that it is operating in accordance with the predetermined timing schedule; and establish a policy to maintain a record of all timing changes and that only authorized persons are permitted to make timing changes;

Responsibility for Operation and Maintenance

B. Clean the optical system of the signal sections and replace the light sources as frequently as experience proves necessary; C. Clean and service equipment and other appurtenances as frequently as experience proves necessary; D. Provide for alternate operation of the traffic control signal during a period of failure, using flashing mode or manual control, or manual traffic direction by proper authorities as might be required by traffic volumes or congestion, or by erecting other traffic control devices; E. Have properly skilled maintenance personnel available without undue delay for all signal malfunctions and signal indication failures; F. Provide spare equipment to minimize the interruption of traffic control signal operation as a result of equipment failure; G. Provide for the availability of properly skilled maintenance personnel for the repair of all components. H. Maintain the appearance of the signal displays and equipment.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Traffic Control Signals

When properly used, traffic control signals are valuable devices for the control of vehicular and pedestrian traffic. They assign the right-of-way to the various traffic movements and thereby profoundly influence traffic flow. Traffic control signals that are properly designed, located, operated, and maintained will have one or more of the following advantages: A. They provide for the orderly movement of traffic. B. They increase the traffic-handling capacity of the intersection if: 1. Proper physical layouts and control measures are used, and 2. The signal operational parameters are reviewed and updated (if needed) on a regular basis (as engineering judgment determines that significant traffic flow and/or land use changes have occurred) to maximize the ability of the traffic control signal to satisfy current traffic demands. C. They reduce the frequency and severity of certain types of crashes, especially right-angle collisions. D. They are coordinated to provide for continuous or nearly continuous movement of traffic at a definite speed along a given route under favorable conditions. E. They are used to interrupt heavy traffic at intervals to permit other traffic, vehicular or pedestrian, to cross. Traffic control signals are often considered a panacea for all traffic problems at intersections. This belief has led to traffic control signals being installed at many locations where they are not needed, adversely affecting the safety and efficiency of vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Traffic Control Signals

Traffic control signals, even when justified by traffic and roadway conditions, can be ill-designed, ineffectively placed, improperly operated, or poorly maintained. Improper or unjustified traffic control signals can result in one or more of the following disadvantages: A. Excessive delay, B. Excessive disobedience of the signal indications, C. Increased use of less adequate routes as road users attempt to avoid the traffic control signals, and D. Significant increases in the frequency of collisions (especially rear-end collisions).

Homework
1. Using your own words, explain the five basic requirements that traffic control device should meet?

2. Using table 2B-1, what is the most adequate, minimum and oversized speed limit sign size used for a multilane conventional road?
MUTCD: http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/