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Frequently Asked Questions - Part 6 Temporary Traffic Control

The following list of questions relates to the MUTCD Part 6 Temporary Traffic Control:

1. Does Part 6 of the MUTCD require all workers to wear safety vests?
2. Does Part 6 address the use of police officers?
3. What is the difference between a work zone and a temporary traffic control zone?
4. How long can the FLAGGER sign be left in place during a work day if the work crew is not on the roadway and the flagger is not actively flagging traffic?

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Part 6 Temporary Traffic Control: Frequently Asked Questions

1. Q: Does Part 6 of the MUTCD require all workers to wear safety vests?

A: Part 6 currently contains several provisions for worker protection in highway work zones. These provisions refer to the American National Standard Institute (ANSI) standards that are becoming recognized by most agencies as the national standard for high visibility garments. Section 6E.02 requires persons flagging traffic in a work zone to wear a high visibility garment meeting the "Class 2" ANSI 107-1999 standard and specifies details regarding the colors, visibility, and retroreflectivity of the garment. Section 6E.02 also recommends that for nighttime activity, flaggers should wear a Class 3 high visibility garment. Also, Section 6D.03(B) recommends that all workers exposed to the risks of moving roadway traffic or construction equipment should wear Class 1, 2, or 3 high-visibility safety apparel, with the specific class being selected by a competent person designated by the employer to be responsible for the worker safety plan within the activity area of the job site.

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2. Q: Does Part 6 address the use of police officers?

A: Yes, there are several sections in Part 6 that address the use of police officers in temporary traffic control zones. Section 6E.02, High-Visibility Clothing, recommends that, when uniformed law enforcement officers are used as flaggers, the law enforcement officer should wear the same class of high-visibility clothing as the section requires for civilian flaggers. In Chapter 6H, three "Typical Applications" (TA-10, TA-13, and TA-27) have notes referring to the use of uniformed law enforcement officers as flaggers. Chapter 6I, Control of Traffic Through Traffic Incident Management Areas, makes frequent references to police and uniformed law enforcement officers throughout the Chapter.

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3. Q: What is the difference between a work zone and a temporary traffic control zone?

A: A work zone is one particular kind of temporary traffic control zone. Section 6C.02, Temporary Traffic Control Zone, states that "a temporary traffic control zone is an area of highway where road user conditions are changed because of a work zone or an incident through the use of temporary traffic control devices, uniformed law enforcement officers, or authorized personnel." The same section also states that "a work zone is an area of a highway with construction, maintenance, or utility work activities. A work zone is typically marked by signs, channelizing devices, barriers, pavement markings, and/or work vehicles."

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4. Q: How long can the FLAGGER sign be left in place during a work day if the work crew is not on the roadway and the flagger is not actively flagging traffic?

A: Section 6F.29 states that the FLAGGER sign shall be removed, covered, or turned away from road users when the flagging operations are not occurring. However, the very act of removing, covering, or turning the signs away from road users and then reactivating the signs could put highway workers at risk. Therefore, FHWA does not believe that a literal interpretation of 6F.29 should preclude the use of engineering judgment to adjust for operational conditions for short durations of no flagging activity. In consideration of all relevant provisions in Part 6 of the MUTCD relative to this matter, it is the interpretation of the FHWA that the FLAGGER Signs may be left in place for periods of 15 minutes or less when no flagging activity is occurring, provided that the flaggers must remain in the vicinity of the normal flagging activity during these short periods. Official Interpretation #6-200(I) was issued on this matter on September 22, 2004 and may be viewed in its entirety on the MUTCD website at http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/interpretations/index.htm.

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