1. Traffic Control Training
Sauk County ARES/RACES Baraboo WI

2. Welcome to the jungle!

5. 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.

6. Improper Traffic Direction Techniques Can Result in?
An additional accident
Death
Litigation
Injuries
The need for additional personal and resources
Public embarrassment

7. Traffic and Management Control

8. Class Learning Goals Safety First, Second and Always… Perspectives
Hands, Tools and Gear
Safety Vehicle Placement
Discussion

9. What kind of driver will I deal with?
Young inexperienced
Hurried
Abusive
Confused
Elderly
Lost
The INTOXICATED!

10. When will we be called?
Members may be called upon to control or manage traffic when no other public safety agency is available

11. Staying alert to your surroundings is the key to staying alive…
Safety!
Staying alert to your surroundings is the key to staying alive…

12. You are not Superman!

13. Safety Vests
No member will direct traffic or place themselves upon any road or highway without their issued safety vest!

14. 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

15. 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.

16. Hand Signals Art of the hand signal Make eye contact with the driver
Give only one direction at a time.

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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”

24. Pick your favorite flavor!

25. Voice Commands
Effective or Antagonizing? 25

26. 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

27. Flashlights A flashlight can be used to direct traffic in an emergency at night

28. Flashlights with colored extensions work for evening, foggy or rainy weather

29. 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

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

31. 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

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

33. 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.

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

35. Electronic Flares 35

36. Cones/Barricades 36

37. Cones/Barricades

38. 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

39. 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

40. Positioning of Vehicle and Equipment
Remember an escape route when directing traffic!

41. 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

42. CHANNEL TRAFFIC OR BLOCK ENTIRE ROADWAY

43. Remember Safety Safety & Safety Visibility Proper Technique
Your Surroundings
An Escape Route
You are not Superman!

44. 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

45. 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?

46. Thanks for your attention!
Stay safe out there! We all want to see this sign!