Title
Traffic Barricade Manual Update
Description
This report provides the Transportation, Infrastructure and Innovation Subcommittee with information about proposed changes to the City's Traffic Barricade Manual and requests the subcommittee recommend City Council approval to adopt the Traffic Barricade Manual (Revised 9th Edition). There is no financial impact associated with this request.
THIS ITEM IS FOR CONSENT ACTION.
Report
Summary
Traffic Barricade Manuals have been used by the City of Phoenix since 1961. These manuals help ensure the safety of the thousands of people who must work in Phoenix's public right-of-way while managing traffic effectively when temporary barricades and signage are in place. The Traffic Barricade Manual provides specific information on how to set up barricades and signs, how to become certified to provide barricades in the right-of-way, and what is required to work safely in the roadway and to protect the traveling public. The manual also describes the City’s ordinances and permitting processes necessary for those wanting to work in the right-of-way so that construction work and events can be managed effectively and within a safe environment. Typical users of the manual include City crews, utility and barricade companies, landscapers, construction companies, and event coordinators.
The City’s Traffic Barricade Manual was last updated in 2017 and had substantial changes from the previous 2008 edition. The main resources that the department has used for updating the City’s manual are the Federal Highway Administration’s 2009 Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and the Arizona MUTCD Supplement. These federal and state manuals provide primary guidance regarding temporary traffic control devices, and the City’s existing manual tailored these standards to urban city streets and intersections with limited right-of-way and heavy traffic conditions.
To bring the City’s policies and procedures for temporary traffic control devices in line with current standards and practices, the Street Transportation Department is proposing an update to the manual that includes four minor revisions. The new proposed Traffic Barricade Manual (Revised 9th Edition) provides modified guidance relating to:
- Allowing the use of automated flagging assistance devices (AFAD). AFAD systems are modern technologies that reduce the likelihood of human error in controlling traffic flow in restricted lane situations. These systems allow the certified flagger to control the flow of traffic through temporary traffic control zones when a single lane of travel is shared alternately by vehicles traveling in opposite directions.
- Update to signing and striping requirements to remove the use of raised pavement markers for temporary lane markings on streets that have been paved, micro-sealed, or slurry sealed.
- Expand the number of police agencies whose officers can direct traffic at construction sites within City limits from three (City of Phoenix, Maricopa County, and Arizona Department of Safety) to include all Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certified officers.
- Removal of subsurface obstructions in the right-of-way, including the removal of foundations for construction tower cranes and other similar foundations.
Financial Impact
There is no financial impact to the City and outside stakeholders resulting from the adoption of the Traffic Barricade Manual (Revised 9th Edition).
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
On May 31, 2017, City Council adopted by ordinance (G-6322) the City of Phoenix Traffic Barricade Manual (9th Edition) developed and published by the City Manager.
Public Outreach
Staff has coordinated the proposed update to the Traffic Barricade Manual (Revised 9th Edition) with the affected stakeholders as part of the preliminary draft review process. These stakeholder groups include the American Traffic Safety Services Association - ATSSA (Arizona Chapter), Association of General Contractors - AGC (Arizona Chapter), Arizona Utility Contractors Associations - AZUCA, Arizona Department of Transportation, Development Review Boards, City departments, and utility and barricade companies.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Mario Paniagua and the Street Transportation Department.