Traffic Signs for Use at Road Works Reference: Code of Practice for the Lighting, Signing and Guarding of Roadworks, Highways department, Second Issue October 1990

Warning, Regulatory & Informatory Signs Details of sign face to comply with Transport Department (Road Safety and Standards Division) Reflective material to BS 873 or internally/externally illuminated to the satisfaction of Director’s representative of Highways Temporary emergency signs (for use less than 24 hours) at least 300 mm above the ground.

Traffic Control Equipment Minimum carriageway width for two way traffic is 5.5 m Maximum carriageway width 3.7 m and minimum 3 m for alternate one way working with traffic light signals or “Stop/Go” signs

Traffic Control Equipment Portable traffic light (Approved by the Transport Department) signals are preferred where: length of control over 30 m length of control < 30 m and view of oncoming traffic is obscured during hours of darkness If control length < 15 m, one sign is required and located centrally

Cones Boundaries of roadworks to be clearly delineated by cones Cones to comply with BS 873 White portions to be reflectorised Red portions either reflectorised or in florescent finish Traffic cylinders fixed into metal bases may be used or in combination with cones on high speed roads

Cones Spacing: 3 m - low speed roads 9 m - normal spacing 18 m - for long stretches of dual carriageway high speed roads  2 m - for normal lead in tapers 1 m - 45 degrees tapers where traffic control is used or at end tapers

Barriers Portable, stable under adverse weather conditions and appear substantial, where necessary to protect pedestrians and the road work themselves To be visible by day and night, preferably carried with traffic signs or lanterns Wooden or tubular steel poles must not be used as horizontal barriers

Barriers Steel barriers should not be used on high speed roads Excavations on or near footways must be guarded with secure barriers to give warning to blind persons

Road hazard warning lanterns To light up obstructions during hours of darkness Lanterns to comply with BS 3143 Parts 1-4 Yellow in color with amber lenses May show a continuous, intermittent or revolving light Flashing lantern flash or revolve 90 - 150 times per minute

Road hazard warning lanterns Fitted with a supplementary reflector at least 50 cm2 in area Mounted maximum 1.2 m above road level Kerosene burning lanterns are not recommended Low intensity battery operated lanterns are generally preferred

Road hazard warning lanterns Lanterns should be placed at regular intervals along the line of the obstructions. To be placed midway between successive traffic cones: 3, 9 or 18 m in conjunction traffic cone spacing Flashing lanterns at lead-in tapers to be placed in 8 m spacing

Roadmarkings Self-adhesive materials used temporarily to delineate the carriage way edge or to divide the carriageway into traffic lanes To be removed as soon as it has served the purpose Existing markings, if needed, should be removed instead of being covered.

Roadmarkings Or, they should be masked with proprietary black tape and not be black painted. Opposing streams of traffic to be separated by providing a temporary 100 mm wide reflectorised warning line comprising 2 m gaps for speed limit not grater than 70 km/h Line comprising 6 m marks and 3 m gaps for speed limit greater than 70 km/h

Roadmarkings A “when Red Light Shows Wait here” sign or a transverse white reflectorised “Stop” line to show where a driver should stop

Work on Footways and Verges A minimum width 1.5 m to be maintained for pedestrians 2.5 m footway width in high density residential or commercial areas Where it is not practical to provide the minimum widths, Director of Highways o his representative and the Police should be consulted if the adjacent carriageway is to be used for the roadworks.

Work on Footways and Verges Spoil, plants and materials to be protected adequately by continuous barriers and not obstruct any sight lines at the road junction in particular. Warning signs on carriageway are not required if the guarding is further than : 0.5 m from the edge of the carriageway for ordinary roads; 1.2 m from the edge of the carriageway for high speed roads, and does not force pedestrians onto the carriageway.

General Road Works Signs Traffic Sign numbers and Drawing Number series CT174/51-1 to CT 174/51-5 are obtainable from the Road Safety and Standards Division of the Transport Department

Procedures during Road Works Place traffic signs, cones and barriers facing oncoming traffic, starting from the ‘Road Works’ sign, progressing in sequence moving back towards the site Tools and materials not to be left outside the area Site traffic and equipment to be parked within the works area

Procedures during Road Works Site traffic restricted to ‘off peak’ periods Site to be kept tidy, adjacent carriageway and footpaths kept free of loose stones, debris Provide and maintain in good conditions temporary footways for pedestrians If safety clearance between the works & traffiked carriageway is not possible, methods of reducing traffic speed should be employed

Minor works & Minor Roads Works completed within the day time of the day Minor Roads (e.g. local distributor road, speed limit , 50 km/h, infrequent bus-serviced and low pedestrian flows)

Minor works & Minor Roads Both minor works and minor roads may require fewer signs and need not be lit Moving works (e.g. gully emptying, lighting maintenance) to be carried out during periods of low risk and inconvenience Full lane closures for any road works next to central reservation except an operating vehicle is equipped with a multiple sequence warning sign (type and location to be approved by Transport Department and Director of Highways)

Expressways Separate procedures and requirements for works on expressways Engineer Representative must be consulted prior to any commencement of the work

Arrangement of Signs at Road Works Signs to be placed on the verge wherever possible Prior to heavy rainstorm or typhoon, portable signs to be secured or adequately weighted at the bottom Where works impose a temporary height restriction less than 5 m, the warning of “Height Restriction” sign to be attached to the structure(s) built over the carriageway

Arrangement of Signs at Road Works Height restriction less than 4.7 m to be avoided Height gauge to warn drivers should be provided

Siting Distance and Size of Signs Refer to the recommendations and tables stipulated in the Code of Practice

Cones & Tapers A very important feature of all road works When traffic control is provided, a much shorter approach taper is required The line of cones at 45 to the line of the road placed at 1 m spacing ( for both approach and exit tapers) Road hazard warning lanterns showing intermittent light to be placed between each successive cone at 1 m spacing( for both approach and exit tapers)

Check list for designing roadworks layout Operate traffic control if the road width is restricted to 5.5 m or less Check signing, lighting and guarding works comply with the Code Consult the appropriate authorities before starting the work Erect the signs before commencing work and check the layout

Check list for designing roadworks layout Ensure all signs are regularly maintained Keep the site tidy Remove the signs after the road works are completed