Roadway Standards Section 290 - Temporary Traffic Control

290.1 General

1. Traffic control in the public right-of-way is subject to a permit.
2. All traffic control shall comply with the requirements of the MUTCD, Oregon MUTCD supplement, the ODOT Sign Policy and Guidelines, FHWA's Standard Highway Signs, Oregon Standard Specifications for Construction, Oregon Temporary Traffic Control Handbook for Operations of Three Days or Less, and Oregon Traffic Control Plans Design Manual. Oregon Standard Drawings TM800 series should be used with particular reference to TM844 for temporary pedestrian access routes.
3. Traffic control plans need not generally bear the stamp of an Engineer, except as required by Engineering.  If required due to complexity, plans shall be prepared under the direction of and stamped by an Engineer with expertise in traffic engineering.

290.2 Control of Site

1. At no time shall flagging operations delay traffic for a period greater than twenty (20) minutes.
2. Work and activity zones (construction, restoration, erosion control) shall extend no more than 2500 lineal feet at any one time unless otherwise approved.
3. Open trenches shall extend no more than 250 lineal feet at any one time, unless otherwise approved. 
4. No trenches are to be left unprotected between dusk and dawn.
5. Trenches shall conform to the technical requirements of Section 00405 of the Oregon Standard Specifications for Construction.
6. Trench plating shall be positively secured from movement and shall be ramped with anti-skid coated plate ramps.

290.3 Temporary Pedestrian Accessible Route

If existing pedestrian access will be obstructed by construction, alteration, maintenance or other temporary conditions, a continuous temporary pedestrian accessible route (TPAR) shall be provided consistent with the requirements of this section. Temporary pedestrian accessible routes shall conform to the requirements of Part 6 of the MUTCD, and the most recent update of the Oregon Standard Specifications for Construction, Section 00220.02(b). The temporary pedestrian accessible route plan shall be included in the traffic control plans. County inspectors will inspect the TPAR. If deficiencies are identified the inspector will stop work until such deficiencies are corrected.  TPAR requirements include:

1. In work zones pedestrian access shall not be blocked by parking of vehicles or equipment, materials storage or for any other reason except for construction.
2. The TPAR shall parallel the disrupted pedestrian access route, on the same side of the street where possible.
3. Bicyclists should not routed into the TPAR. If it is necessary to divert bicyclists around the work, provision should be made for a separate route for bicyclists.
4. If the work impacts the accessibility of pedestrian routes through or around the work zone, limit impacts to one corner of an intersection at a time.
5. Close sidewalk at a point where there is an alternate way to proceed and provide signing and other traffic control devices directing pedestrians to an alternate pedestrian route. 
6. The TPAR shall be inspected by the applicant on a regular basis to ensure that it is safe and does not have gaps or surface displacements creating a hazard. 
7. The TPAR shall meet the standards of a pedestrian access route as defined in PROWAG:
   1. Minimum width shall be 48 inches. Provide a 60 by-60 inch passing space every 200 feet along the route.
   2. Surface shall be smooth and nonslip.
   3. Vertical clearance shall be at least 8 feet.
   4. Cross slope shall be no more than 2.0% perpendicular to the direction of pedestrian travel.
   5. Grade shall be less than or equal to the grade of the adjacent road.
   6. Minimum turning space of 4 feet by 4 feet shall be provided wherever it is necessary for pedestrians to turn.
   7. If it is necessary to cross a curb, the TPAR shall include a temporary ramp meeting standards for a curb ramp.
   8. If it is necessary for the TPAR to cross a driveway or construction access truncated dome warning shall be provided. If it is not possible to provide truncated dome warning construction staff shall be provided at all times when construction vehicles are crossing the pedestrian access route.
   9. Night time lighting shall be provided.
8. Provide and maintain Pedestrian Channelizing Devices (PCD) through the period in which the permanent pedestrian access route is disrupted. Pedestrian channelizing devices are intended to prevent those with disabilities from straying into the vehicular way or an active construction area. Caution tape is not sufficient to guide those who are blind or low vision. Use only PCDs that are on the approved ODOT Qualified Products List, that are designed to be ADA compliant. Provide pedestrian channelizing devices:
9. Between the TPAR and any adjacent construction site.
10. Between the TPAR and the vehicular way, if the temporary pedestrian access route is diverted into the street.
11. Between the TPAR and any protruding objects, drop-offs, or other hazards to pedestrians.
12. At a curb ramp if the opposite curb ramp is temporarily and completely blocked, and no adjacent alternate circulation path is provided.
13. When work briefly or intermittently blocks or restricts the use of a pedestrian route, and a temporary detour route is not practicable due to the short duration of the restriction, provide a temporary means of allowing pedestrian access through or around the work area. Means of providing temporary pedestrian accessibility may include, but are not limited to temporarily suspending the work and making the pathway passable, or use of construction staff to guide pedestrians through or around the area.  When a TPAR is created in the public right-of-way, both visual and audible warning shall be provided at both ends of the temporary pedestrian access.
14. When direction signage or warnings are provided they should be located to minimize backtracking. Audible warnings shall be provided for those who are blind or low vision and should include specific directions allowing them to find the desired path.

290.4 Impacts to Traffic Signals

1. In no case may flagging operations take place in conflict with the indications of an operating traffic signal.
2. No flagging operations may take place within 200 feet of an operating traffic signal without a custom traffic control plan subject to a permit.
3. Should traffic control requirements dictate the "turn-off" and/or "turn-on" of a traffic signal, the applicant shall coordinate with the County Traffic Signal Shop at least two business days prior to turn-off and/or turn-on.

290.5 Temporary Road Closures

Temporary road closures are not for the purpose of convenience or cost reduction for an applicant.  Proposed closures shall establish that a clear public safety and convenience benefit would result from a closure.

1. The detour route shall be capable of safely and legally accommodating the detoured traffic.
2. With increasing ADT, functional classification and closure duration, the applicant's burden becomes greater in establishing the benefit of a proposed closure.
3. If a road closure is proposed, the following may be required:
4. Evidence that other methods of traffic control and/or that temporary improvements are not feasible in order to keep the road open. 
5. Time of day restrictions or extension of normal working hours and days.
6. Contract requirements of incentives/disincentives for completing/not completing closure on time.
7. A public engagement plan.
8. Off-site improvements to meet minimum safety of the detour route and/or to return the detour route to its original condition prior to the detour per Section 225.6.