Traffic control devices must conform to FDOT manual and specifications
All official traffic control signals or devices purchased and installed in the state by any public body or official shall conform with the manual and specifications published by the Department of Transportation.
Certification required prior to sale of traffic control devices
It is unlawful for any public body or official to purchase, or for anyone to sell, any traffic control signal or device unless it conforms with the FDOT manual and specifications and is certified to be of such conformance prior to sale.
Florida adopts MUTCD 11th Edition
The FHWA Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, 11th Edition (December 2023), is adopted and made part of the rules of the Department of Transportation.
Taper length "L" formula for work zones
Taper length L = (W x S^2) / 60 for work zone speed 40 mph or less; L = W x S for work zone speed 45 mph or more, where W = width of offset in feet and S = speed in mph.
Buffer length "B" minimums by work zone speed
Minimum buffer length: 25 mph->155 ft; 30->200; 35->250; 40->305; 45->360; 50->425; 55->495; 60->570; 65->645; 70->730. When B cannot be attained due to geometric constraints, use the greatest length possible but not less than 155 feet.
Work zone sign spacing "X" minimums by road type
Minimum work zone sign spacing: Limited Access Roadways 1,500 ft; Arterials and Collectors with work zone speed 45 mph or more 500 ft; Arterials and Collectors with work zone speed 40 mph or less 200 ft.
Channelizing device spacing for cones/tubular markers
Cones or Temporary Tubular Markers maximum spacing: 25 ft on tapers and 50 ft on tangents, for both work zone speed 45 mph or less and 50 mph or more.
Channelizing device spacing for barricades/panels/drums
Type I/II Barricades, Vertical Panels, or Drums maximum spacing: speed 45 mph or less - Taper 25 ft, Tangent 50 ft; speed 50 mph or more - Taper 50 ft, Tangent 100 ft.
Temporary traffic control devices must be on APL
All temporary traffic control devices shall be ON the Department's Approved Products List (APL), with the appropriate APL number permanently marked on the device in a readily visible location.
Removal of temporary traffic control devices when not needed
All temporary traffic control devices shall be removed as soon as practical when no longer needed; when work is suspended for short periods, devices no longer appropriate shall be removed or covered. Do not store devices on the shoulder, sidewalk, or other roadway facility not affected by the work when work is suspended.
Cones limited to active work zones with workers present
Cones shall be used only in active work zones where workers are present.
Cones must be reflectorized for nighttime use
Cones shall be reflectorized as per the MUTCD with Department-approved reflective collars when used at night.
Channelizing device retroreflective sheeting standard
Furnish channelizing devices having retroreflective sheeting meeting the requirements of Section 990.
No sheeting splicing on channelizing devices
The splicing of sheeting is not permitted on channelizing devices or MOT signs.
Ballast placement limits on channelizing devices
Ballast shall not be placed on top rails or any striped rails or higher than 13 inches above the driving surface.
Delineation of trailer mounted devices
Arrow Boards, Portable Changeable Message Signs, Radar Speed Display Trailer, Portable Regulatory Signs, and any other trailer mounted device shall be delineated with a channelizing device placed at each corner when in use and shall be moved outside the travel way and clear zone or be shielded by a barrier or crash cushion when not in use.
Minimum work zone travel lane widths
Provide minimum work zone travel lane widths: 11' for Interstate with at least one 12' lane provided in each direction (unless formally excepted by FHWA); 11' for all other limited access roadways; and 10' for all other facilities.
Maximum length of lane closures on high-speed highways
For interstates and state highways with a posted speed of 55 MPH or greater, lane closures must not exceed 3 miles (includes taper, buffer, and work zone) in any given direction and must not close two consecutive interchanges.
Road closures on State Highway System must comply with statute
Except for emergencies, any road closure on the State Highway System must comply with Section 335.15, F.S.
High-visibility safety apparel for workers
All workers within the right-of-way shall wear ANSI/ISEA Class 2 apparel; Class 3 may be substituted for Class 2. Replace apparel that is not visible at 1,000 feet.
High-visibility safety apparel for flaggers
For daytime activities, Flaggers shall wear ANSI/ISEA Class 2 apparel; for nighttime activities, Flaggers shall wear ANSI/ISEA Class 3 apparel.
Advance warning signs at extended distance
Advance Warning Signs shall be used at extended distance of one-half mile or more when limited sight distance or the nature of the obstruction may require a motorist to bring their vehicle to a stop.
Speed reduction in 10 MPH increments
For speed reductions greater than 10 MPH, reduce the speed in 10 MPH increments of 'X' distance. Do not reduce the speed below the minimum statutory speed for the class of facility.
Interval spacing for additional Speed Limit signs
Place additional "Speed Limit" signs (R2-1) at intervals of no more than one mile for rural conditions and 1,000 feet for urban conditions.
Type III Barricade unit length
The Type III Barricade shall have a unit length of 6'-0" only. When barricades of greater lengths are required, those lengths shall be in multiples of the 6'-0" unit.
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Sources
- Fla. Stat. 316.0745 - Uniform signals and devices (316.0745(3))
- Fla. Stat. 316.0745 - Uniform signals and devices (316.0745(4))
- Rule 14-15.010, F.A.C. - Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (adopts MUTCD 11th Ed.) (14-15.010)
- FDOT Standard Plans FY 2025-26, Index 102-600 - General Information for Traffic Control Through Work Zones (TTC Tables (Sheet 1) - Taper Length L)
- FDOT Standard Plans FY 2025-26, Index 102-600 - General Information for Traffic Control Through Work Zones (TTC Tables (Sheet 1) - Buffer Length B)
- FDOT Standard Plans FY 2025-26, Index 102-600 - General Information for Traffic Control Through Work Zones (TTC Tables (Sheet 1) - Work Zone Sign Spacing X)
- FDOT Standard Plans FY 2025-26, Index 102-600 - General Information for Traffic Control Through Work Zones (TTC Tables (Sheet 1) - Channelizing Device Spacing)
- FDOT Standard Plans FY 2025-26, Index 102-600 - General Information for Traffic Control Through Work Zones (TTC Tables (Sheet 1) - Channelizing Device Spacing)
- FDOT Standard Plans FY 2025-26, Index 102-600 - General Information for Traffic Control Through Work Zones (Temporary Traffic Control Devices (Sheet 2), Note 1)
- FDOT Standard Plans FY 2025-26, Index 102-600 - General Information for Traffic Control Through Work Zones (Temporary Traffic Control Devices (Sheet 2), Note 2)
- FDOT Standard Plans FY 2025-26, Index 102-600 - General Information for Traffic Control Through Work Zones (Channelizing Device Notes (Sheet 10), Note 8a)
- FDOT Standard Plans FY 2025-26, Index 102-600 - General Information for Traffic Control Through Work Zones (Channelizing Device Notes (Sheet 10), Note 8b)
- FDOT Standard Plans FY 2025-26, Index 102-600 - General Information for Traffic Control Through Work Zones (Channelizing Device Notes (Sheet 10))
- FDOT Standard Plans FY 2025-26, Index 102-600 - General Information for Traffic Control Through Work Zones (Channelizing Device Notes (Sheet 10), Note 6)
- FDOT Standard Plans FY 2025-26, Index 102-600 - General Information for Traffic Control Through Work Zones (Channelizing Device Notes (Sheet 10), Note 4)
- FDOT Standard Plans FY 2025-26, Index 102-600 - General Information for Traffic Control Through Work Zones (Temporary Traffic Control Devices (Sheet 2), Note 3)
- FDOT Standard Plans FY 2025-26, Index 102-600 - General Information for Traffic Control Through Work Zones (Lane Widths (Sheet 3))
- FDOT Standard Plans FY 2025-26, Index 102-600 - General Information for Traffic Control Through Work Zones (Length of Lane Closures (Sheet 3))
- FDOT Standard Plans FY 2025-26, Index 102-600 - General Information for Traffic Control Through Work Zones (General Notes (Sheet 1), Note 3)
- FDOT Standard Plans FY 2025-26, Index 102-600 - General Information for Traffic Control Through Work Zones (High-Visibility Safety Apparel (Sheet 3) - Workers)
- FDOT Standard Plans FY 2025-26, Index 102-600 - General Information for Traffic Control Through Work Zones (High-Visibility Safety Apparel (Sheet 3) - Flaggers)
- FDOT Standard Plans FY 2025-26, Index 102-600 - General Information for Traffic Control Through Work Zones (Advance Warning Signs (Sheet 4, excerpt))
- FDOT Standard Plans FY 2025-26, Index 102-600 - General Information for Traffic Control Through Work Zones (Speed Reduction Signing (Sheet 3), Note 4)
- FDOT Standard Plans FY 2025-26, Index 102-600 - General Information for Traffic Control Through Work Zones (Speed Reduction Signing (Sheet 3), Note 5)
- FDOT Standard Plans FY 2025-26, Index 102-600 - General Information for Traffic Control Through Work Zones (Channelizing Device Notes (Sheet 10), Note 2)
Informational only, not legal advice. Verify with your local building department and the current standards before you build.
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