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

Staying alert to your surroundings is the key to staying alive… 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. Lighting • Remove cap to expose the striking plate and place it on the other end of the flare to prevent it from rolling. • Hold at arms length. • Contact and hold the flare against the strike plate. • Turn face away from strike area. • Strike flare and move it away from your body. Extinguishing Pick up at the non-burning end, only if at least three inches remain. • Tap/scrape the side of the burning end against pavement until extinguished. • Do not throw or kick lit flare. • Let short flares (any time the non-burning end feels warm to the touch) burn out. • Do not step on a short flare to extinguish. 14

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 KEEP MOVING 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 18

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 GENERAL GUIDELINES LEFT TURN 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 needs a whistle for today’s exercise? Who keeps a whistle in their go gear? Who needs a whistle for today’s exercise? 22

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? 25

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 HALT TRAFFIC Don’t stand directly in front of approaching vehicle Avoid blinding the driver with flashlight beam Use a traffic cone to enhance safety 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

Have you ever lit a road flare? Flares Have you ever lit a road flare? 30

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 31

Flares Various burn times: 15 min 20 min 30 min 45 min 60 min Flare burn pattern on road way 32

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 Lighting • Remove cap to expose the striking plate and place it on the other end of the flare to prevent it from rolling. • Hold at arms length. • Contact and hold the flare against the strike plate. • Turn face away from strike area. • Strike flare and move it away from your body. Extinguishing Pick up at the non-burning end, only if at least three inches remain. • Tap/scrape the side of the burning end against pavement until extinguished. • Do not throw or kick lit flare. • Let short flares (any time the non-burning end feels warm to the touch) burn out. • Do not step on a short flare to extinguish.

Flares Oop’s – flare rolls off road to dry grass… 34

Electronic Flares 35

Cones/Barricades 36

Cones/Barricades

25 mph 35 mph 45 mph 55 mph 65 mph 68 Feet 112 Feet 167 Feet 227 Feet TRAFFIC CONES/FLARES KEY: How do devices appear to approaching motorists ? 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 drivers-which direction they are expected to go Speed Limit First Cone/Flare 25 mph 35 mph 45 mph 55 mph 65 mph 68 Feet 112 Feet 167 Feet 227 Feet 301 Feet

Typical example of amber lights on rear deck of car or truck 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

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!