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Training and Certification of Assistant 
Traffic Control Managers

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a training video presented by the 
Nebraska Department of Roads.

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Section One: Introduction to Work Zone 
Traffic Control

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Proper maintenance of temporary traffic control 
devices in work zones is vitally important.

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Careful drivers rely on uniform devices 
and applications to guide them safely and

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efficiently through construction areas.

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Work zone devices that are installed
correctly and are well maintained will

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also protect the lives of workers and 
reduce exposure to legal liability for the

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state, counties, cities, and contractors.

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Regular inspections of work zone traffic 
control devices are imperative.

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The purpose of this video and the written 
materials which accompany it,

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is to provide training and certification
of Assistant Traffic Control Managers

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who will inspect work zone traffic control 
devices.

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This training includes the following
topics: national traffic control standards,

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driver characteristics and the need for 
traffic control device uniformity,

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fundamentals of work zone traffic control,
proper maintenance of the following

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traffic control devices: signs,
channelizing devices, lighting devices,

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and pavement markings, importance of good
communication between highway workers

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and managers, and legal issues associated
with work zone traffic control.

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First, let's look at national traffic control 
standards.

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All temporary traffic control devices such
as those used in work zones must conform

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to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control
Devices, known as the MUTCD.

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The MUTCD provides national standards and
guidelines applicable to all streets and

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highways open to public travel.

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There are five requirements traffic 
control devices should meet:

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Devices should: fulfill a need, command 
attention, convey a clear, simple meaning,

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command respect of the motorist, and
give adequate time for proper response.

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In order to meet the needs requirements,
five basic considerations should be kept

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in mind:

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Design: the size, color, shape, 
reflectorization and message of the device.

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Placement: devices should be placed where
they will get the attention of drivers.

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They must be positioned properly in 
relation to the situation in which they apply.

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Location is also very important in regard
to device placement. Although there are no

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specific distance requirements, a device
must be able to give a driver traveling

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at normal speed enough time to make the 
proper response.

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Operation: devices must be placed in a 
uniform and consistent manner to allow

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careful drivers to respond in the proper 
fashion.

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Maintenance: devices must be maintained 
to ensure legibility and visibility.

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They must also be kept clean and in good
working order.

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And finally, uniformity. Uniform devices 
enhance driver recognition, promote

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consistent interpretation, reduce cost by
reducing device inventory, earn motorist

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respect and enforce expectations.

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Excessive use of devices should be avoided
to reduce potentially dangerous conditions.

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Driver characteristics and the need for 
traffic control device uniformity

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Traffic control devices are designed 
with the driver in mind.

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Under normal conditions, motorists are 
required to process large amounts

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of complex information and make decisions
based upon their interpretation

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of that data. When drivers enter a work
zone, additional demands are made on

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drivers' attention. Work zone conditions
will almost always be more difficult for

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the motorist than normal conditions.
Instead of having a clear, unobstructed

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roadway, motorists must face closed lanes,
workers in close proximity, reduced speeds,

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unfamiliar pavement conditions, other
vehicles in the work zone and so on.

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Work zones are also dynamic. As drivers
become accustomed to one phase, work

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progresses and traffic control is altered.

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And, many times, drivers are performing 
at a level below their ability. They are

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often tired, ill, distracted, or impaired
other ways.

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That's why there is little margin for
error when installing and

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maintaining work zone traffic control
devices.

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Signage, cones, drums, barriers, and all
such devices must get a driver's attention

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and give very clear direction to assist
attentive drivers as they safely navigate

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the work zone environment.

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Of course, some drivers will fail to
safely navigate the work zone regardless

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of measures taken to direct and assist
them.

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Fundamentals of work zone traffic control

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The MUTCD calls for fundamental principles
of work zone traffic control.

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These principles are:

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Make safety a high-priority component 
in any work zone project.

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Devices should be comparable to those used
in normal highway situations.

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Every project should have and follow a 
traffic control plan.

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Avoid traffic slow downs, keep reductions
to a minimum and avoid frequent and abrupt

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lane changes, work to minimize duration of
work activities and perform as much work

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as possible during off-peak times.

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Give drivers clear and positive guidance.

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Motorists should have adequate warning
of channelization.

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Perform routine inspections. Work zones 
should be inspected regularly in all

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traffic and weather conditions. This
includes night-time inspections.

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Traffic control should be modified, as
necessary, and devices removed immediately

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when no longer needed. And, lastly, pay
constant attention to roadside safety.

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Keep the roadside area clear of equipment,
vehicles, and materials whenever possible,

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thus minimizing the opportunity for off the
road vehicle impacts.

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Elements of a work zone traffic control plan:

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Every work zone project has a specifically
designed traffic control plan.

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The traffic control manager, employed by
the project contractor, is responsible for

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correct installation and maintenance of
all traffic control devices as called for

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in the plan. Assistant traffic control 
managers must be familiar with the plan

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in order to properly inspect all traffic
control devices in the work zone.

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Every work zone consists of four main
areas. The advance warning area:

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The purpose of the Advance Warning Area
is to tell drivers what to expect as they

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approach the work zone. This is usually
accomplished with signage.

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The Transition Area:

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Redirection or channelization 
of traffic occurs in the Transition Area.

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Cones, drums, panels or other channelizing
devices are typically placed to form

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a taper, which guides traffic through 
the new route.

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The Activity Area

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This is the area in which the actual 
construction is taking place. The Activity

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Area is composed of the workspace which is
reserved for workers, equipment and

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materials, the traffic space, and an
optional buffer space to separate traffic

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flow from the work area.

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The Termination Area