Transcript Slide 1

Traffic Control Training
Sauk County ARES/RACES
Baraboo WI
Welcome to the jungle!
Why do I need to know how
to direct traffic?


If you are going to be injured while
volunteering for ARES/RACES it is more
then likely it will be in this capacity!
If you are going to be involved in litigation
as an ARES/RACES Volunteer it will most
likely be as a result of your actions in this
capacity.
Improper Traffic Direction
Techniques Can Result in?






An additional accident
Death
Litigation
Injuries
The need for additional personal and
resources
Public embarrassment
Traffic and Management
Control
Class Learning Goals





Safety First, Second and Always…
Perspectives
Hands, Tools and Gear
Safety Vehicle Placement
Discussion
What kind of driver will I deal
with?







Young inexperienced
Hurried
Abusive
Confused
Elderly
Lost
The INTOXICATED!
When will we be called?
Members may be called upon to
control or manage traffic when no
other public safety agency is
available
Safety!
Staying alert to your
surroundings is the key
to staying alive…
You are not Superman!
Safety Vests
 No
member will direct traffic
or place themselves upon
any road or highway
without their issued safety
vest!
Safety Vests
• Effective Nov 24, 2008
Federal Highway Administration 23 CRR Part
634 Worker Visibility Rule
• Class 2 Vest:
Med visibility on roads with 25 to 50 mph traffic
• Class 3 Vest:
High visibility on roads with speeds over 50 mph
plus drivers must be able to see full range of
body motions from a minimum distance of
1,280 feet.
Hands, Tools and Gear

In a traffic control situation, you may use:
hand signals,
 whistles,
 voice commands,
 flashlights, flares,
 cones, barricades or signs,
 or even a vehicle as safety buffer.

Hand Signals
 Art
of the hand signal
Make eye contact with the driver
Give only one direction at a time.
Hand Signals
Stopping Traffic!
• Point - arm and fingers extended - look straight at
driver
• Hold until driver sees signal
• Raise pointing hand so palm is toward driver
• Hold this position until driver stops
Stopping traffic from two directions
• Stop traffic coming from one direction first
• Hold hand in stop position, turn to the other side repeat
• Don’t lower either arm until cars are halted
Hand Signals
START
Place yourself so one side is towards traffic to be started:
• Point with arm and finger toward first car to be started
• Hold position until you get driver’s attention
• With palm up, swing hand up and over chin, bending arm at
elbow.
• After traffic has started from one side, drop that arm and
start traffic from other side in the same manner
KEEP
MOVING
Continue to use the same signals for the slow and timid
RIGHT TURN
• If car approaches from
right, point toward driver
with right arm
• If car approaches from
left, point with left arm
• Give driver time to see
your gesture, then swing
arm to point in direction
the vehicle is to proceed
• Keep pointing in that
direction until driver
turns
SIGNAL
LEFT
TURN
GENERAL GUIDELINES
Halt traffic in the lanes through which car is to
cross
• If car approaches from the left:
Give stop signal with right arm to stop traffic in lane
through which car is to cross
Hold stop signal with right arm and give turning gesture
with left arm.
• If car approaches from the right:
Turn around to face in direction the car is to go
Halt traffic with right arm and give turning gesture with
left arm
SIGNAL
GENERAL GUIDELINES
LEFT
TURN
Single
Lanes
• On a street with only one lane in each direction:
One driver, turning left, can delay many cars behind
unless the driver’s movement is handled properly
While driver is waiting, signal driver to move into
intersection so cars behind can continue
Point finger at driver, motion to move forward and
point to place where driver is to stop
Permit the left turn when there is a natural break in
opposing traffic, or stop opposing traffic and signal for
the left turn
The Whistle
Who keeps a whistle in their go
gear?
Who needs a whistle
for today’s exercise?
Whistle

Whistle use defined:

One long blast with “stop” hand signal

Two short blasts with the “start” hand signal


Several short blasts to get the
“attention” of a driver
A short, intermittent blast to
“keep the traffic moving”
Pick your favorite
flavor!
Voice Commands
Effective or
Antagonizing?
Voice Commands

Voice is seldom heard in traffic

Hand gestures and the whistle are most efficient

Shouted orders may antagonize a driver

When a driver or pedestrian does not
understand, you should move
closer to the person, and politely
explain the command
Flashlights
A flashlight can be used to direct traffic in an
emergency at night
Flashlights with colored extensions
work for evening, foggy or rainy
weather
Flashlights
DIRECT TRAFFIC



Don’t stand directly in
front of approaching
vehicle
Avoid blinding the driver
with flashlight beam
Use a traffic cone to
enhance safety
HALT TRAFFIC


Swing the flashlight at
arm’s length across the
path of the approaching
vehicle
Allow flashlight beam to
wash across the
pavement as an
elongated moving spot
that can be seen by
driver
Flares
Have you ever lit a road flare?
Flares



Flares can be used to warn
oncoming traffic in situations
where hazards are:
On Shoulder Or Side Of Road
In A Traffic Lane
Night Or Day
Flares
Various
burn
times:
15
20
30
45
60
Flare burn pattern on
road way
min
min
min
min
min
Flares

DO NOT USE:
• Around flammable substance spills such
as gas, oil, etc
• In hazardous environmental conditions
such dry grassy fields and/or high winds
• Do not lay against traffic dots or on top of
painted lane markings
Flares
Oop’s – flare
rolls off road
to dry grass…
Electronic Flares
Cones/Barricades
Cones/Barricades
TRAFFIC CONES/FLARES
KEY: How do devices appear to approaching
motorists ?

Speed Limit
25 mph
35 mph
45 mph
55 mph
65 mph
First
Cone/Flare
68 Feet
112 Feet
167 Feet
227 Feet
301 Feet




Serve as long range
channeling devices
When clearing of roadway is
not immediate
As soon as injuries are
assessed and medical
assistance is summoned
Evenly spaced distances
Convey message to driverswhich direction they are
expected to go
Amber Warning Lights
Typical example of amber lights on rear deck of
car or truck
Positioning of Vehicle and
Equipment
 Remember
an escape route
when directing traffic!
POSITION OF VEHICLES


In this position the
safety vehicle serves as
a shield to protect
against drivers who are
not alert
Impact noise with
safety vehicle would
warn of impending
danger
CHANNEL TRAFFIC OR BLOCK
ENTIRE ROADWAY
Ambulanc e
Ambulanc e
FLARES/CONES
FLARES/CONES
Remember






Safety Safety & Safety
Visibility
Proper Technique
Your Surroundings
An Escape Route
You are not Superman!
Traffic Control Training
This program utilized portions of a
program developed by:
Course Design: Sgt. David Willat
Sonoma County Junior College District
Police Department
2009
Modified by Sauk County Ares/Races
Member Brian Sprecher
Discussion



You are directing traffic. An intoxicated
driver stops at your location. What do you
do?
You are being verbally abused by a driver.
What do you do?
A driver fails to stop and proceeds into an
area off limits. What do you do?
Thanks for your attention!

Stay safe out there! We all want to see
this sign!