Federal baseline traffic-safety compliance

Set up a parking lot

Minimum accessible parking spaces (off-street lots). Off-street parking facilities must provide accessible spaces per the schedule in ADA 2010 Standards Section 208.2. A lot with 1 to 25 total spaces requires at least 1 accessible space; 26 to 50 spaces require 2; 51 to 75 require 3. At least one in every 6 accessible spaces (but not fewer than one) must be van-accessible.

Close a lane (work zone)

Cone color, material, and minimum height. Cones shall be predominantly orange and made of a material that can be struck without causing damage to the impacting vehicle. For daytime and low-speed roadways, cones shall be not less than 18 inches in height. On freeways and other high-speed highways, at night on all highways, or when more conspicuous guidance is needed, cones shall be a minimum of 28 inches in height.

Nighttime retroreflectorization of 28- to 36-inch cones. For nighttime use cones shall be retroreflectorized or equipped with lighting devices. For cones 28 to 36 inches in height, retroreflectorization shall be a 6-inch wide white band located 3 to 4 inches from the top of the cone plus an additional 4-inch wide white band located approximately 2 inches below the 6-inch band.

Retroreflectorization of cones taller than 36 inches. Cones more than 36 inches in height shall have horizontal, circumferential, alternating orange and white retroreflective stripes 4 to 6 inches wide, with a minimum of two orange and two white stripes, the top stripe being orange, and any non-retroreflective spaces between stripes not exceeding 3 inches in width.

Permitted uses of traffic cones. Traffic cones may be used to channelize road users, divide opposing vehicular traffic lanes, divide lanes when two or more lanes are kept open in the same direction, and delineate short-duration maintenance and utility work.

Preventing cone displacement by wind or traffic. Steps should be taken to minimize the possibility of cones being blown over or displaced by wind or moving vehicular traffic. Cones may be doubled up to increase their weight, and ballast should be kept to the minimum amount needed.

Channelizing devices must be crashworthy. Designs of various channelizing devices shall be as shown in Figure 6K-1. All channelizing devices shall be crashworthy.

Channelizing device spacing for tapers and tangents. The spacing between cones, tubular markers, vertical panels, drums, and barricades should not exceed a distance in feet equal to 1 times the speed limit in mph when used for taper channelization, and should not exceed a distance in feet equal to 2 times the speed limit in mph when used for tangent channelization.

Extending channelizing devices beyond transition area. When channelizing devices have the potential of leading vehicular traffic out of the intended vehicular traffic space, the channelizing devices should be extended a distance in feet of 2 times the speed limit in mph beyond the downstream end of the transition area.

Channelizing device retroreflective color day and night. The retroreflective material used on channelizing devices shall display a similar color day or night.

Restriction on owner/manufacturer identification on channelizing devices. Information identifying the owner or manufacturer shall not be displayed on any portion of the device visible to approaching road users; where the highway agency, contractor, or supplier name and telephone number are displayed on the non-retroreflective surface, that area shall be non-retroreflective and not over 2 inches in height.

Replacement of non-serviceable channelizing devices. Channelizing devices that are no longer serviceable shall be replaced.

Redirection of road users in transition area. Except for mobile operations, when redirection of the road users' normal path is required, road users shall be directed from the normal path to a new path with appropriate channelizing devices, traffic control devices, and/or TTC methods.

Taper length criteria by taper type. Merging taper: at least L; Shifting taper: at least 0.5 L; Shoulder taper: at least 0.33 L; One-Lane, Two-Way Traffic taper: 50 feet minimum, 100 feet maximum; Downstream taper: 50 feet minimum, 100 feet maximum.

Taper length calculation formulas. For speeds 40 mph or less: L = (W x S^2) / 60. For speeds 45 mph or more: L = W x S. Where L = taper length in feet, W = width of offset in feet, and S = posted speed limit, off-peak 85th-percentile speed prior to work starting, or the anticipated operating speed in mph.

Downstream taper length and device spacing. If used, a downstream taper should have a minimum length of 50 feet and a maximum length of 100 feet with devices placed at a spacing of approximately 20 feet.

One-lane, two-way traffic taper length and spacing. A taper having a minimum length of 50 feet and a maximum length of 100 feet with channelizing devices at approximately 20-foot spacing should be used to guide traffic into the one-lane section, and a downstream taper should be used to guide traffic back into their original lane.

Shifting taper length. A shifting taper should have a length of approximately ½ L.

Shoulder taper length. If used, shoulder tapers should have a length of approximately 1/3 L. If a shoulder is used as a travel lane, a normal merging or shifting taper should be used.

Recommended advance warning sign minimum spacing. Recommended minimum spacing between advance warning signs (dimensions A/B/C): Urban low speed 100/100/100 feet; Urban high speed 350/350/350 feet; Rural 500/500/500 feet; Expressway/Freeway 1,000/1,500/2,640 feet.

Advance warning sign placement on urban streets. On urban streets, the effective placement of the nearest warning sign to the TTC zone, in feet, should range from 4 to 8 times the speed limit in mph, with the high end used when speeds are relatively high.

Advance warning sign placement on rural highways. On rural highways the effective placement of the first warning sign in feet should be from 8 to 12 times the speed limit in mph, and the advance warning area should extend 1,500 feet or more for open highway conditions.

Advance warning sign placement on freeways and expressways. On freeways and expressways, advance warning sign placement should extend as far as ½ mile or more.

Stopping sight distance as a function of speed. Stopping sight distance values (posted/off-peak 85th-percentile/anticipated operating speed): 20 mph=115 ft; 25 mph=155 ft; 30 mph=200 ft; 35 mph=250 ft; 40 mph=305 ft; 45 mph=360 ft; 50 mph=425 ft; 55 mph=495 ft; 60 mph=570 ft; 65 mph=645 ft; 70 mph=730 ft; 75 mph=820 ft.

No work or storage within buffer space. Neither work activity nor storage of equipment, vehicles, or material should occur within a buffer space.

High-visibility safety apparel for workers in TTC zone. For daytime and nighttime activity, all workers, including emergency responders, within the right-of-way who are within the TTC zone shall wear high-visibility safety apparel that meets the Performance Class 2 or 3 requirements of ANSI/ISEA 107-2015, or equivalent revisions.

High-visibility apparel color requirements. The apparel background (outer) material color shall be fluorescent orange-red, fluorescent yellow-green, or a combination of the two as defined in the ANSI standard. The retroreflective material shall be orange, yellow, white, silver, yellow-green, or a fluorescent version of these colors.

High-visibility apparel for law enforcement handling lane closures. When uniformed law enforcement personnel are used to direct traffic, investigate crashes, or handle lane closures, obstructed roadways, and disasters, high-visibility safety apparel as described in Section 6C.05 shall be worn by the law enforcement personnel.

Flagger high-visibility apparel for nighttime activity. For flagger wear during nighttime activity, high-visibility safety apparel that meets the Performance Class 3 requirements of ANSI/ISEA 107-2015, labeled as meeting the ANSI 107-2015 standard performance for Class 3 risk exposure, should be worn.

Speed limit reduction limited to 10 mph. A TTC plan should be designed so that vehicles can travel through the TTC zone with a speed limit reduction of no more than 10 mph; a reduction of more than 10 mph should be used only when required by restrictive features.

MUTCD is the national standard for traffic control devices. The MUTCD approved by the Federal Highway Administrator is the national standard for all traffic control devices installed on any street, highway, or bicycle trail open to public travel.

State MUTCD substantial conformance requirement. Where State MUTCDs or Supplements are required, they shall be in substantial conformance with the national MUTCD, conforming as a minimum to the Standard statements in the national MUTCD, and shall not contain statements that contravene or negate Standard or Guidance statements in the national MUTCD.

Two-year adoption of MUTCD changes by States. States and other Federal agencies shall adopt changes issued by the FHWA to the National MUTCD within two years from the effective date of the final rule.

Traffic control devices in construction areas must conform to MUTCD. All traffic control devices installed in construction areas using Federal-aid funds shall conform to the MUTCD, and traffic control plans for handling traffic and pedestrians and protecting workers shall conform to 23 CFR part 630, subpart J.

Post no-parking & tow-away zones

Regulatory signs must inform of traffic laws and indicate applicability. Regulatory signs shall be used to inform road users of selected traffic laws or regulations and to indicate the applicability of the legal requirements.

Regulatory sign placement, visibility, and legibility. Regulatory signs shall be installed at or near where the regulations apply; they shall clearly indicate the requirements and be designed and installed to provide adequate visibility and legibility to obtain compliance.

Parking sign shape. Parking, standing, or stopping signs shall be rectangular or square.

Parking sign legend must state applicable regulations. The legend on parking signs shall state applicable regulations, and parking signs shall comply with the standards of shape, color, and location.

Prohibitive parking sign color and symbol. Prohibitive parking signs shall be used where parking is prohibited at all times or at specific times; except as otherwise provided, parking signs shall have a red legend and border on a white background and, when the parking prohibition symbol is used, the symbol "P" shall be black.

Permissive parking sign color. Permissive parking signs shall be used where only time-limited parking or parking in a particular manner is allowed and shall have a green legend and border on a white background.

Order of parking information on the sign. Parking information should be displayed from top to bottom in the order: (A) the restriction or prohibition; (B) times of day applicable; (C) days of week applicable; (D) qualifying/supplementary information; (E) exemptions; and (F) any tow-away message or symbol.

Showing limits of a parking regulation zone with arrows. If the regulation applies to a limited area or zone, the limits should be shown by arrows or supplemental plaques: a single-headed arrow at the end of a zone pointing in the direction the regulation is in effect, a double-headed arrow at intermediate points, and a right and left arrow at a transition point between two zones.

Posting times and days of parking regulations. The times and days for which the parking regulations are in effect shall be posted if they are not in effect at all times of day or all days of the week.

Alternate word messages for restriction zones. As an alternate to arrows to show designated restriction zones, the word messages BEGIN, END, HERE TO CORNER, HERE TO ALLEY, and THIS SIDE OF SIGN may be used.

Use of R8 series single no-parking signs. The R8 series signs may be used where sufficient notice of a parking prohibition is satisfied by single signs; NO PARKING ON PAVEMENT (R8-1) or NO STOPPING ON PAVEMENT (R8-5) may be used in rural areas where parking is allowed on unpaved shoulders; NO PARKING EXCEPT ON SHOULDER (R8-2) or NO STOPPING EXCEPT ON SHOULDER (R8-6) may be used where an adjacent paved shoulder allows parking; the R8-3 symbol sign or word message NO PARKING may be used to prohibit any parking along a roadway.

Snow Emergency Route sign. Where special parking restrictions are imposed during heavy snowfall or a declared snow emergency, a Snow Emergency Route (R7-203) sign should be installed with the legend modified to display the specific regulations; the upper section should display the snow emergency route designation in a white legend and border on a red background.

Metered parking maximum time limit display. If metered parking is subject to a maximum time limit, the appropriate time limit (number of hours or minutes) shall be displayed on the Metered Parking (R7-21 and R7-22) signs and, except as provided, on the Multi-space Parking Meter (R7-20) signs.

Accessible Parking sign requirement. Where parking spaces are reserved for persons with disabilities, the Accessible Parking (R7-8) sign shall be used to designate the space and shall display the official International Symbol of Accessibility.

VAN ACCESSIBLE plaque requirement. Where parking spaces reserved for persons with disabilities are designed to accommodate wheelchair vans, a VAN ACCESSIBLE (R7-8aP) plaque shall be mounted below the R7-8 sign.

Combination prohibition/permissive sign sizing. Where parking is prohibited during certain hours and allowed during others, two 12 x 18-inch parking signs may be used with the red Parking Prohibition (R7-1) sign installed above or to the left of the green Permissive Parking (R7-108) sign; or a single sign (R7-200 or R7-200a) may be used.

NO PARKING words as alternative to symbol. The words NO PARKING may be used as an alternative to the No Parking symbol (R7-2a sign).

Tow-Away Zone plaque. A Tow-Away Zone (R7-201P or R7-201aP) plaque may be mounted below any parking prohibition sign; the word legend TOW-AWAY ZONE may be incorporated into the parking prohibition sign in lieu of a separate plaque. The R7-201P plaque may have a black or red symbol and border on a white background.

Minimum letter height for urbanized parking signs. In general, the letter height of the principal legend on parking signs sized for urbanized applications should be at least 2 inches.

Angle for signs with arrows indicating restricted zones. When signs with arrows are used to indicate the extent of restricted zones, the signs should be set at an angle of not less than 30 degrees or more than 45 degrees with the line of traffic flow to be visible to approaching traffic.

Sign orientation at perpendicular parking stalls. When signs are placed at the head of perpendicular parking stalls, the signs should be parallel to the roadway facing the parking stall.

Intermediate signs in long parking zones. If the zone is long, signs should be used at intermediate points within the zone.

Back-to-back signs at zone transition (90-degree mounting). If signs are mounted at 90 degrees to the curb line, two signs should be mounted back to back at the transition point between two parking zones, each with an appended THIS SIDE OF SIGN (R7-202P) supplemental plaque.

Emergency Restriction sign design. Emergency Restriction signs shall be rectangular and shall have a black legend and border on a white background.

Emergency parking/stopping restriction sign use. The EMERGENCY PARKING ONLY (R8-4) sign or the EMERGENCY STOPPING ONLY (R8-7) sign may be used to discourage or prohibit shoulder parking, particularly where scenic or other attractions create a tendency for road users to stop temporarily.

MUTCD is the national standard for traffic control devices. The MUTCD approved by the Federal Highway Administrator is the national standard for all traffic control devices installed on any street, highway, or bicycle trail open to public travel.

Parking areas excluded from MUTCD applicability. For MUTCD applicability, parking areas, driving aisles within parking areas, and private highway-rail grade crossings are not included in the definition of open to public travel.

State MUTCD substantial conformance requirement. Where State MUTCDs or Supplements are required, they shall be in substantial conformance with the national MUTCD, conforming as a minimum to the Standard statements in the national MUTCD, and shall not contain statements that contravene or negate national MUTCD Standard or Guidance statements.

Two-year adoption of MUTCD changes. States and other Federal agencies shall adopt changes issued by the FHWA to the National MUTCD within two years from the effective date of the final rule.

Scenarios in Federal baseline