Introduction

The purpose of work zone traffic control is to provide a safe work area for workers within the roadway, while facilitating the safe and orderly flow of all road users (motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians including persons with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990) through the work zone.

This manual is intended to provide New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) employees, utility companies, municipalities, and contractors who are involved with the design, set-up and maintenance of highway work zones, or anyone working within the state right-of-way, with the basic principles and elements constituting a safe work zone. The information presented in this manual is based on the requirements set forth in the National Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices and the NYS Supplement, review of work zone manuals from a selection of state and federal agencies, and discussions with members of the NYSDOT Work Zone Traffic Control Committee.

This manual includes basic information on work zone traffic control, including a description of traffic control devices, illustrations of acceptable, commonly used devices, and the proper flagger attire and methods. Color diagrams (typical applications) depicting typical traffic control set-ups for two-lane and multilane highways are intended to show the minimum requirements for a safe work zone set-up. Traffic control or protection can be enhanced for situations that may require additional measures such as high traffic or pedestrian volume, high speeds, restricted sight distance, poor or confusing alignment.