When many people think of traffic control services, they picture a flagger with a high visibility retroreflective safety vest, hard hat, and stop/slow paddle. While flaggers are important members of the team in two-lane roadway work zones, they’re only one part of the story.
Air traffic control facilities like iconic airport towers help manage the flow of aircraft throughout their respective airspace. This includes directing departures, arrivals, and overflights.
1. Traffic Signals
Traffic signals are an essential part of the traffic control system that gives drivers and pedestrians a way to interact with each other. These devices alternately direct vehicular and pedestrian traffic in intersections, allowing for safe and efficient movement of traffic throughout the area. They are also a major factor in maintaining safe roadways, particularly where there is a high concentration of cars and pedestrians.
While the specifics of how traffic signals function will vary depending on the situation, most of them operate with a similar general purpose in mind: to keep everyone on the road as safe as possible. This means limiting the amount of accidents that can occur and reducing the intensity of those that do happen. Traffic signals can do this by adjusting speed limits and other traffic regulations to reflect the needs of a particular location. For example, a shift toward more bike lanes may necessitate signals that are timed to account for bicycle traffic.
Signals can also be used to give priority to special traffic, such as emergency vehicles. This is done through a process known as “phasing.” There are many different types of phasing, but the basic idea is that different approaches to the intersection are served with distinct phases of the signal.
It’s important to understand how traffic signals work, but it is equally important to note that not every intersection requires a traffic signal. In fact, too many traffic signals can actually cause more problems than they solve, such as excessive vehicle delay and even rear-end collisions. There are many factors that influence whether a traffic signal is needed at a particular intersection, including the layout of the surrounding streets and intersections, rules regarding red-light running, and the type of traffic flow that the intersection typically experiences.
2. Signage
Signs are vital to traffic control, giving instructions and warnings to drivers. They’re also critical to ensuring that drivers understand and obey traffic laws, reducing accidents and other incidents on the road. Signs can be standardized to be easily understood across jurisdictions by using color and shape codes. Circular signs primarily indicate prohibitions or commands, while rectangular and triangular ones convey warnings or supplementary information. These simple codes can help ensure that all drivers are able to read and understand road signage, regardless of their language skills.
Other than standardized signs, traffic control also involves the use of pavement markings to complement signage and further communicate important traffic regulations. For example, parking lots often have striped caution signs painted on lane separators and support pillars to remind drivers of parking rules. They may also use rumble strips to alert drivers that they’ve drifted out of their lane. Other standardized pavement markings include turn arrows, stop lines, and crosswalks.
When a roadway needs to be closed for work, it’s crucial that traffic control plans be put in place to minimize disruptions. That means planning how traffic will be detoured, where signage and devices will go, and how to communicate changes to drivers. Traffic control plans also consider the safety of pedestrians and cyclists, making sure they’re protected from vehicular traffic.
A traffic control company will plan out how to manage traffic in work zones, then deploy the necessary equipment and personnel. This includes flaggers who will direct traffic in a safe and efficient manner. Typically, flaggers are placed in groups of five to 10 and work under a traffic control supervisor. This person is responsible for deploying flaggers properly and communicating with them about work schedules or other important information.
3. Traffic Control Devices
A traffic control device is any sign, signal, marking or equipment that conveys information about road conditions, such as an upcoming curve, construction site or intersection. They can be temporary, like signs used to direct traffic around a work zone, or permanent, such as signals and stop signs. The choice, design and application of traffic control devices are inherently engineering functions that should be made only by an engineer or by persons acting under the supervision or direction of an engineer.
Roadway type and classification significantly influence the selection, design and application of traffic control devices. Different roadways have varying geometry and alignment, which impact visibility and the ability to communicate messages. The design of traffic control devices should consider these factors to ensure uniformity of message and clarity, comprehension, and legibility.
The use of road traffic control devices can help to reduce the number and severity of crashes by directing roadway users toward uniform and predictable behavior; by guiding them on safe operating speeds; and, in conjunction with roadway infrastructure, by physically separating them in time and space. The goal of road traffic control is to ensure that vehicles move safely and predictably through all aspects of the roadway system, including work zones, intersections and other areas where the normal flow of traffic is disrupted.
To do this, trained personnel—traffic control flaggers and supervisors—monitor and adjust traffic control devices as needed. Traffic control personnel also provide safety and warning messages to motorists, ensuring that they are aware of potential risks and have the necessary information to make safe decisions. They should also perform regular physical maintenance on devices to ensure they are visible and functioning properly.
4. Traffic Control Personnel
During road construction or maintenance projects, traffic control technicians and flaggers work to direct vehicles and pedestrians safely through the affected areas. They also collaborate with transportation engineers, local authorities, and construction crews to develop effective work zone traffic management plans that comply with safety protocols. They use their extensive knowledge of traffic signals, signs, and other traffic control devices to optimize the flow of traffic around roadway construction zones. To ensure smooth and safe road operations, many construction projects rely on Keloka Traffic Management for expert planning and control solutions.
Constant vigilance and communication are critical in this role. They regularly monitor traffic patterns, incidents, and accidents to identify problems with traffic control systems or equipment. They are then able to respond quickly to resolve issues and prevent traffic delays or accidents. They also ensure that workers are following proper safety procedures by evaluating their working conditions and equipment on a regular basis.
For new traffic control personnel, it’s important that they receive training on industry best practices and safety protocol. In many cases, this will start with a basic flagger training program such as the ATSSA (American Traffic Safety Services Association) certification for Standard Basic Flagging. This training will help them understand how to communicate effectively with drivers and other traffic control team members using hand signals, radios, or other devices.
Traffic control personnel must also be able to adapt their plans based on weather conditions, as well as any other factors that could affect road usage. For example, they may adjust signal timings to reduce traffic congestion during peak travel times or direct traffic away from areas experiencing a lot of accidents. In addition, they must be able to work with law enforcement and other emergency responders when responding to traffic-related incidents.
5. Road Construction
Road construction is an essential part of maintaining a thriving world. Without roads, raw materials and manufactured goods can’t get where they need to go, and people would have a hard time getting from one place to another. Road construction also helps keep traffic moving smoothly and efficiently, reducing travel times and minimizing frustration for drivers.
Road work zones are often busy areas with multiple activities taking place simultaneously. Traffic control services use barriers, cones, and signs to separate work zones from regular traffic flow, ensuring the safety of workers and motorists. They may also deploy flaggers to direct vehicles and pedestrians through the zone. Communication systems like two-way radios help traffic controllers coordinate with each other and communicate changes in work schedules or lane closures to drivers.
Depending on the type of work being done, entire roads might need to be closed. When this happens, traffic control services create detours and alternative routes to keep traffic moving and minimize disruptions. In some cases, they might even pave a temporary surface for cars to drive on until the construction is completed.
In addition to ensuring the safety of workers and motorists, road construction must also comply with local and state regulations. Traffic control services ensure that these standards are met, preventing costly fines and project delays. They can also assist with environmental compliance, ensuring that construction activities don’t affect the surrounding environment or wildlife.
For example, they might remove road traffic from residential areas, town centers, or historic sites. This can help reduce air pollution in areas of habitation and increase liveability. Alternatively, they might remove traffic from busy urban areas to reduce congestion during peak travel periods.
