1. Guidelines for Traffic Control at Surface Mines
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Contents
Purpose of Traffic Control Guidelines
Standards for Coal & Metal/Nonmetal Operations
What Mine Operators need to know about Traffic Control
What Equipment Operators need to know about Traffic Control
Regulatory Signs
Traffic Patterns
Warning Signs
Guidance Signs
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3. Purpose Of Traffic Control Guidelines
All kinds of sizes of vehicles travel roads at surface operations. These vehicles are operated by drivers who have varying levels of experience traveling these mine haulage roads. This means that there is a need for good traffic control on these roads.
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4. Standards for Metal/Nonmetal Operations
Rules governing speed, right-of-way, direction of movement, and the use of headlights to assure appropriate visibility, shall be established and followed at each mine.
56/ (b)
Signs or signals that warn of hazardous conditions shall be placed at appropriate locations at each mine.
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5. What Mine Operators need to know about Traffic Control
Planning and Signs
Design
Standardization
Placement
Visibility
Maintenance
Hazard Awareness
Planning and Signs
Planning for traffic control is an essential part of the overall planning of a mining operation. Whenever possible, traffic control planning should anticipate changing mining conditions and future needs. This is especially true at new mine sites and on new (or changed) haul routes. Signs are one of the most important elements in an effective traffic control plan.
The mine operator is responsible for developing, installing and maintaining signs on haul roads. Signs need to be posted wherever it's necessary to regulate, warn, direct, or inform traffic on haul roads and around installations.
Mine operators should take time to carefully identify locations or situations where signs might be needed. Mine operators also need to reveiw haulage safety procedures followed at the mine to identify other potential locations for signs. Remember that overcrowding signs at one location can lead to confusion.
Signs can be permanent or portable to meet the changing conditions at the mine. Portable signs are used in areas where traffic and road conditions change frequently and are usually placed close to the ground for stability.
Design
Effective signs have certain common characteristics. They are: understandable, legible, and visible to equipment operators, especially at night, and in both good and bad weather.
Standardization
Where possible, sign format and design should follow standard public highway signs. Signs need to be similar in regards to size, shape, color, and lettering throughout the mine site.
Placement
Signs need to be positioned correctly with respect to the situation. Signs also need to be clearly visible and legible. When placing signs, take into account the time it takes a driver to react to the sign, and the mechanical characteristics (such as delay times and braking distances) of the vehicles used at the mine.
Visibility
Signs need to be visible to all equipment operators. Sign size, height, and lateral placement are important to ensure that signs are properly illuminated by vehicle headlights. Studies recommend a vertical height of 5 to 8 feet and a lateral offset of 6 to 12 feet in most situations. Consider using reflectorized signs where necessary, especially if the mine operates either at night or in poor weather conditions.
Maintenance
Maintain signs to ensure legibility and visibility. Clean signs as necessary to keep them visible. Evaluate signs as necessary to make sure they are correct for the conditions
Hazard Awareness
All persons who will operate a vehicle on mine property need to be aware of the traffic plan. For example, a contractor entering the property needs to know if traffic is to drive to the left. They also need to know about potential haulage hazards and haulage safety procedures followed at the mine.
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6. What Equipment Operators need to know about Traffic Control
Haulage Routes
Traffic Patterns
Haulage Safety Procedures
Characteristics of the Vehicle
Reporting Unsafe Conditions
Haulage Routes
Equipment operators sometimes develop a false sense of security by driving the same haul roads every day. This is dangerous because haul roads near active mining operations can change every day. Therefore, operators need to pay close attention to posted signs and to changes in the mines traffic pattern.
Traffic Patterns
Traffic patterns other than the usual right hand patterns used on highways are found at some mines. Equipment operators need to know the meaning of unfamiliar signs before traveling on mine property. They also need to be aware of the traffic pattern used at the mine and where changes in the pattern may occur.
Haulage Safety Procedures
To help prevent accidents, operators need to follow all haulage safety procedures in force at the mine.
Characteristics of the vehicle
This includes things such as visibility, blind spots and braking limitations.
Reporting Unsafe Conditions
Equipment operators are responsible for reporting any unsafe conditions to their supervisor. Examples of unsafe conditions include:
Poorly placed signs - Signs placed too close to or too far away from a potential hazard.
Confusing signs - Not knowing what a sign means.
Overcrowded signs - Too many signs for the operator to read all posted at one location.
Missing signs - Obvious signs not posted or gone.
Out-of-date signs - Signs posted for conditions that no longer exist.
Roadway or berm problems.
Problems with the vehicle.
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Regulatory Signs
These signs give information about the rules of the road.
Disobeying these signs can result in disciplinary action even if they don't result in an accident.
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Stop Signs
Stop signs need to be located as close as possible to the point where a vehicle is supposed to stop. Use "STOP AHEAD" signs in cases of limited sight distances. Supplement stop signs with "4-Way" or "All Way" signs where multi-way stops are required. Examples of places where stop signs might be used include: intersections of secondary roads and main haul roads, intersections where sight distance is limited, intersections of haul roads and public roads, and places where accidents have occurred in the past.
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Yield Signs
Yield signs need to be located as close as possible to the point where vehicles are supposed to yield. Place "Yield Ahead" signs in advance of the "Yield" signs where necessary. Yield signs assign the right-of-way where secondary roads intersect main haul roads, or where two haul roads intersect and stopping is not required.
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Speed Limit Signs
Speed limits are based on factors such as road conditions, grades, surface, visibility, curves, potential hazards, and the mechanical capabilities of the haulage equipment used at the mine. Post speed limits at regular intervals to remind drivers of applicable speed limits. Also post speed limit signs near intersections where traffic may be entering onto the haul road from another road with a different speed limit.
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11. Turn Prohibition Signs
These signs are used to restrict certain types of turns at intersections. They are also used at intersections to keep traffic from turning onto a one way road and traveling in the wrong direction.
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Lane Use Control Signs
These are used at intersections where drivers are required to turn, or to tell drivers how certain lanes are to be used.
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No Passing Signs
No passing signs are placed at the beginning of (and at intervals within) a restricted passing area. A "Pass With Care" sign indicates the end of the no passing zone.
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Keep Right/Left Signs
These signs are placed at the end of median dividers and channeling islands to indicate which side of the median or island should be used by traffic.
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Do Not Enter Signs
This sign is placed at the end of a one way road to keep traffic from entering the roadway and traveling in the wrong direction. "Wrong Way" signs supplement "Do Not Enter" signs.
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One Way Signs
These signs are placed at appropriate corners of intersections facing traffic entering or crossing the one way road.
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Traffic Pattern Signs
Changes in traffic patterns need:
Sign of Advanced Warning
Sign Where Change Begins
Sign Indicating When Change Should Be Complete
Pattern reminder
Left Lane Driving
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18. Traffic Patterns - Left Lane Driving
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Warning Signs
These signs indicate the presence of a hazard.
Ignoring these signs can result in an accident.
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Curve Signs
These signs help to warn drivers about potentially hazardous curves which may not be obvious to them. Supplement the sign with a "Reduced Speed Limit" sign if the safe speed for negotiating the curve is less than the posted speed limit.
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21. Steep Grade Warning Signs
These signs provide drivers with advanced warning of steep downgrades where they need to exercise special caution. Post the percent grade, length of grade, and any special gearing requirements to better prepare the driver to descend the grade safely.
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22. Escape Ramp & Berm Signs
Escape ramp and berm signs give drivers advance warning of their location in case of an emergency.
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23. Intersection Warning Signs
Intersection warning signs inform drivers in advance about obscured intersections or where crossing or turning traffic may not be immediately visible.
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Narrow Roadway Signs
These signs warn drivers in advance that the roadway ahead narrows to such an extent that two vehicles cannot pass each other safely.
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25. Roadway Condition Signs
These signs let drivers know about sharp rises or drops in the roadway surface that could create hazardous conditions, or affect the safe handling of the vehicle.
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26. Traffic Pattern Warnings
These signs remind the driver of the prevailing traffic pattern.
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Advance Warning Signs
Advance warning signs give drivers enough lead time to safely complete a maneuver. These signs are also used in cases of limited sight distance and in advance of a change in regulations.
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28. Railroad Crossing Signs
Used to Identify railroad crossings.
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Other Warning Signs
Other warning signs are used for special conditions such as blasting zones.
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Guidance Signs
Guidance signs provide information to drivers, and direct drivers and visitors to destinations such as offices, shops, scales, and other areas.
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