6a. Traffic Control_Crest Switchback DxP.pdf

Crest Switchback DxP Stewardship IRSC Cibola National Forest Page 1 of 8 Sandia Ranger District

TRAFFIC CONTROL

Traffic Control: Appendix A provides specifications for service work associated with Item 2: Traffic Control.

Contractor shall furnish a detailed traffic control plan to the Forest Service in accordance with the specifications provided therein. The following additional specifications shall be incorporated into the Contractor’s Traffic Control Plan and followed throughout the duration of the Contract.

Logging and Maintenance Operation Signing Standards: All signs must be manufactured and installed as specified in the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) "Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices" (MUTCD) and Forest Service publication "Standards for Forest Service Signs & Posters" ( EM 7100-15).

Sign Standards:

SHAPE & COLOR: Generally, signs for logging and maintenance operations are either diamond-shaped or rectangular. All signs are reflective orange background with black legend and border unless shown otherwise.

Handpainted, homemade signs are not legal. Fluorescent paint is not reflectorized.

SUBSTRATE: Sign substrate material may be High Density Overlay (HDO) Plywood, Aluminum, Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic, Corrugated Plastic, or Roll-up Fabrics.

SIGN SIZE: Sign size is a factor of speed and MUTCD and Forest Service standards. Where conditions of speed, volume, or special hazard require greater visibility or emphasis, larger signs should be used. Minimum sizes for the most common signs can be found in Figure 4. Refer to the EM-7100-15 for additional sign sizes.

LEGEND: All lettering shall be Series "C" alphabet, conforming to Standard Alphabets for Highway Signs. Letter size is also a function of speed - use letter size and word messages as specified in MUTCD and EM-7100-15.

SIGN PLACEMENT: Signs are to be installed in locations as agreed to in the traffic control plan. All signs are to be removed, covered, or folded when operations are not in progress or the sign message is not applicable. Signs should generally be located on the right-hand side of the roadway. When special emphasis is needed, signs may be placed on both the left and right sides of the road.

Sign message shall be clearly visible to road users, mounted on posts or portable sign stands.

VISIBILITY: Signs shall not obscure each other or be hidden from view by other objects. Avoid locations such as dips in the road, just beyond the crest of a hill, where sign may interfere with normal operation of facility, and trees and foliage that could cover sign.

Signs shall be properly maintained for cleanliness, visibility, retroreflectivity, and correct positioning. Signs that have lost significant legibility shall be promptly replaced.

ORIENTATION: Signs shall be mounted at approximately right angles to oncoming traffic. It may be necessary to rotate a sign slightly off 90 degrees to avoid glare reflecting off the sign face directly into driver’s eyes. An angle of about 93 degrees is recommended. On curves, orient signs to face on-coming traffic, not the road edge. On steep grades, it may be necessary to tilt signs forward (uphill grades) or back (downhill grades) to make it easier for motorists to read.

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Figure 1: Sign Placement Dimensions

Figure 2: Forest Service Minimum Placement Distances for Road Signs. Refer to MUTCD for more detailed specifications.

Sign Supports:

POSTS: Signs are to be mounted on separate posts. Supplemental signs such as speed advisory plates are to be mounted on the same post as the primary sign. Do not mount signs on trees or other signs. Posts may be wood, metal, carsonite, or similar material. Where sign supports cannot be sufficiently offset from the road edge, supports will meet breakaway standards. Single wood posts with less than 24 square inches do not require breakaway design.

TEMPORARY/PORTABLE SUPPORTS: Portable supports may be used for short-term, short-duration, and mobile conditions. MUTCD defines this time period as one work shift, 12 hours or less. All portable supports must meet MUTCD standards, including breakaway. These must be a minimum of one foot above the road surface or more if visibility requires it.

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Figure 3: Examples of Temporary/Portable Supports

Signs: The following signs meet the intent of the Safety standard. This is not a complete listing of signs that may be needed. See table below for a more detailed listing of signs.

FW20-1-30* W21-3-30* FW21-4a-30* FW11-7-24 W22-1-36*

FW8-6-24 FW11-9a-24 W7-3a-24* W13-1-18** W20-7aP-24*

R11-2

* Specify Distance **Specify Speed

BM-L-O BM-R-O

Barricade Markers (See MUTCD for length and stripe size)

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Type 3 Barricade Specifications: Type 3 Barricades used at a road closure may be placed completely across a roadway. Contractor shall assign a person who will provide proper closure at the end of each work day when provision is made for access of authorize equipment and vehicles.

Specifications and Standards for Flaggers:

Qualifications: Flaggers are responsible for public safety and make the greatest number of contacts with the public of any of the Contractor’s personnel. Flaggers shall be trained in proper traffic control practices and public contact techniques. Flaggers shall satisfactorily demonstrate the following abilities:

1. Ability to receive and communicate specific instructions clearly, firmly, and courteously;

2. Ability to move and maneuver quickly in order to avoid danger from errant vehicles;

3. Ability to control signaling devices (such as paddles and flags) in order to provide clear and positive guidance to drivers approaching a temporary traffic control zone in frequently changing situations;

4. Ability to understand and apply proper traffic control practices, sometimes in stressful or emergency situations; and

5. Ability to recognize dangerous traffic situations and warn workers in sufficient time to avoid injury.

STOP/SLOW paddles: STOP/SLOW paddles shall have an octagonal shape on a rigid handle.

STOP/SLOW paddles should be the primary and preferred hand-signaling device because the STOP/SLOW paddle gives road users more positive guidance than red flags.

Flags: Flags, when used, shall be red or fluorescent orange-red in color, shall be a minimum of 24 inches square, and shall be securely fastened to a staff that is approximately 36 inches in length.

The free edge of a flag should be weighted so the flag will hang vertically, even in high winds.

Flagger Procedures: Flaggers shall use a STOP/SLOW paddle, or flags, to control users approaching a temporary traffic control zone. The use of hand movements alone without a paddle or flag to control users shall be prohibited when controlling traffic in a one-lane, two-way operation except when the control is provided by emergency responders at incident scenes or provided by uniformed law enforcement officers (see MUTCD Section 6O.01).

The following methods of signaling with a paddle shall be used:

1. To stop road users, the flagger shall face road users and aim the STOP paddle face toward road users in a stationary position with the arm extended horizontally away from the body. The free arm shall be held with the palm of the hand above shoulder level toward approaching traffic.

2. To direct stopped road users to proceed, the flagger shall face road users with the SLOW paddle face aimed toward road users in a stationary position with the arm extended horizontally away from the body.

The flagger shall motion with the free hand for road users to proceed.

3. To alert or slow traffic, the flagger shall face road users with the SLOW paddle face aimed toward road users in a stationary position with the arm extended horizontally away from the body.

The following methods of signaling with a flag shall be used:

1. To stop road users, the flagger shall face road users and extend the flag staff horizontally across the road users’ lane in a stationary position so that the full area of the flag is visibly hanging below the staff. The free arm shall be held with the palm of the hand above shoulder level toward approaching traffic.

2. To direct stopped road users to proceed, the flagger shall face road users with the flag and arm lowered from the view of the road users, and shall motion with the free hand for road users to proceed. Flags shall not be used to signal road users to proceed.

3. To alert or slow traffic, the flagger shall face road users and slowly wave the flag in a sweeping motion of

Page 5 of 8 Sandia Ranger District the extended arm from shoulder level to straight down without raising the arm above a horizontal position.

The flagger shall keep the free hand down.

Figure 4: Use of Hand Signaling Devices by Flaggers

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Flagger Stations: Flaggers stations shall be located such that approaching road users have sufficient distance to stop at an intended stopping point. Flagger stations shall be located such that an errant vehicle has additional space to stop without entering the workspace. Flagger stations shall be preceded by an advance warning sign or signs. The Flagger Sign (W20-7a) shall be used in advance of any point where a flagger is stationed to control road users. Other warning signs, such as BE PREPARED TO STOP (W3-4), may be used in conjunction with the Flagger Sign.

Figure 5: Stopping Sight Distance as a Function of Speed

Closures:

Two closure scenarios have been identified for this project. During times when Contractor’s Operations are within proximity (150 feet from road centerline; or other reasonably determined distance) of NM-536, the eastbound / westbound highway closure shall be implemented at the 10K Trailhead. When operations are further away from NM-536 and do not present a safety hazard, the northbound / southbound closure for FR 488 (Ellis Trailhead) and the Lower Crest Parking Lot may be implemented. This less intensive closure method is available to allow the Contractor to minimize costs associated with the full highway closure.

Drawings for each of the closure methods are included to this Contract as Attachment 5b. These drawings can be used for the Roadway Work Permit application with NM-DOT.

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Location of Signs:

Sign Sign Type Road Location Closure

1. ROAD WORK 500 FT NM-306 500 feet east of roundabout (WB traffic) EB/WB

2. ROAD WORK 500 FT NM-14 500 feet north of roundabout (SB traffic) EB/WB

3. ROAD WORK 500 FT NM-14 500 feet south of roundabout (NB traffic) EB/WB

4. ROAD CLOSED TO

THROUGH TRAFFIC NM-536 MM 0.0; roundabout entrance (WB traffic) EB/WB

5. LOGGING

OPERATIONS AHEAD NM-536 1,000 feet east of NM-165 junction (WB traffic) ALL

6. ROAD CLOSED

AHEAD NM-536 500 feet east of NM-165 junction (WB traffic) EB/WB

7. ROAD CLOSED TO

THROUGH TRAFFIC NM-536 NM-536 / NM-165 junction (WB traffic) EB/WB

8. END ROAD WORK NM-165 500 feet from NM-536 junction (NB traffic) EB/WB

9. LOGGING

OPERATIONS AHEAD NM-165 500 feet from NM-536 junction (SB traffic) ALL

10. ROAD CLOSED TO

THROUGH TRAFFIC NM-536 NM-536 / FR-438 (Capulin Snow Play) junction (WB traffic) EB/WB

11. LOGGING

OPERATIONS AHEAD NM-536 500’ before MM 11 (WB traffic) ALL

12. BE PREPARED TO

STOP NM-536 1,000 feet before lane closure (Type 3

Barricades, WB traffic) EB/WB

13. FLAGGER SIGN NM-536 500 feet before lane closure (Type 3 Barricades, WB traffic) EB/WB

14. TYPE 3 BARRICADE,

with ROAD CLOSED NM-536 Above 10k turnaround point (WB Lane) EB/WB

15. TYPE 3 BARRICADE

with ROAD CLOSED NM-536 Above 10k turnaround point (EB Lane) EB/WB

FLAGGER SIGN NM-536 Above 10k turnaround point (WB Lane) EB/WB

16. LOG TRUCKS

ENTERING ROAD NM-536 500 feet before FR488 / NM-536 junction (WB traffic) ALL

17. NO LEFT TURN NM-536 FR488/NM-536 junction (WB traffic) NB/SB

18. TYPE 3 BARRICADE

with ROAD CLOSED FR-488 FR488/NM-536 junction NB/SB

19. NO RIGHT TURN NM-536 FR488/NM-536 junction (EB traffic) NB/SB

20. LOG TRUCKS

ENTERING ROAD NM-536 500’ before FR488/NM-536 junction (EB traffic) EB/WB

21. NO LEFT TURN NM-536 Sandia Crest Lower Lot / NM-536 NB/SB

22. TYPE 3 BARRICADE

with ROAD CLOSED Crest Lot Upper entrance of lower Crest Loop

Parking Lot NB/SB

23. TYPE 3 BARRICADE Crest Lot Lower entrance of lower Crest Loop Parking Lot NB/SB

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Document Checklist for Roadway Work Permit

The following table is an example copy of the “Documents Checklist” provided by NMDOT on their ePermitting website. https://www.dot.nm.gov/epermitting/. NMDOT will determine which documents are required for the Roadway Work Permit for this project. This should not be considered as an complete list of documents and some documents may not be applicable to this project / permit (e.g., Agreement with Rail Owner).

Document Name Document Required for Application Other Documents

Agreement with Rail Owner X

Archaeological & Environmental Clearances X

Certificate of Liability Insurance X

Design Plans X

Flagger Certifications X

Indemnification / Hold Harmless Agreement X

Rail Agreement with Contractor X

Railroad Safety, Training, Insurance Flagger X

Revegetation Plan X

Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan X

Traffic Control Plan X

Traffic Control Supervisor Certification X

Vicinity Map X

Other X https://www.dot.nm.gov/epermitting/