{"id":908,"date":"2012-01-11T11:32:35","date_gmt":"2012-01-11T16:32:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/parkingsigns.net\/?p=908"},"modified":"2022-02-17T07:44:16","modified_gmt":"2022-02-17T12:44:16","slug":"road-work-signs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.myparkingsign.com/blog\/road-work-signs\/","title":{"rendered":"Road Work Signs – When and Why They Are Used"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Road<\/a> Construction or repairs performed along the roadway can be hazardous for construction workers and drivers alike. Factors such as loose gravel, heavy machinery, blasters, high water, soft shoulders, uneven pavements, smoke, freshly oiled roads and more can cause accidents leading to injuries and fatalities among moving traffic. All this is in addition to the impact that roadside work can have on the smooth flow of traffic, increasing the risk of in-drive accidents.<\/p>\n

To ensure that motorists and pedestrians are protected as much as possible from the hazards of road work sites, Road Work Signs are installed to forewarn road users of conditions along the way. These signs advise drivers and pedestrians to practice caution, and may also serve to direct traffic to an alternate route. Temporary in nature, these signs are used only up until road work is completed.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

MUTCD<\/a> requires the use of diamond-shaped signs with a black legend and orange background to designate construction, maintenance, and utility work zones. As a rule, Road Work Signs must be located on the right side of the roadway. Usually, the first advance warning used is Road Work Ahead or Utility Work Ahead. Towards the end of a work zone, signs such as \u2018End Road Work\u2019 or \u2018End Utility Work\u2019 are commonly seen.<\/p>\n

When are Road Work Signs used?<\/h1>\n

Below are just a few instances in which the installation Road Work Signs are required-<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>Work Performed On The Roadside (Outside Shoulder)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Road<\/a> There is no need for traffic control when construction work is executed outside the roadway (that is, along the road but beyond its shoulder). However, in cases where construction vehicles are parked on the shoulder, when motor vehicles access the work site through the highway, or when any equipment needs to be moved across the roadway, a single sign reading “Road Work Ahead,”\u00a0or “Road Work \u2018X\u2019 FT,” or “Road Work \u2018X\u2019 Miles” is used.<\/p>\n

When vehicles use the road’s shoulder to pass through the construction site, a sign that says “Shoulder Work” is used. Mowing operations must be accompanied by a “Mowing Ahead” sign, which must be installed every 2 miles for projects that extend over a distance exceeding 2 miles. \u00a0A supplementary plate with the “Next X miles” may be positioned below the initial warning sign.<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>Work Performed On Shoulders<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Right<\/a>A warning sign is necessary to protect workers and alert drivers when work is being performed on the highway shoulder. A single Shoulder Work Sign is enough unless paved shoulders of 8 ft or more are closed on expressways and highways, in which case additional warning signs are required to alert traffic. A general warning sign reading “Road Work Ahead,” followed by the more specific “Left Shoulder Closed Ahead” or \u2018Right Shoulder Closed Ahead” signs,\u00a0<\/strong>is used here. An additional plate with “Next \u2018X\u2019 Miles” listed is positioned below the Shoulder Closed Sign when the end of the shoulder closure stretches beyond a distance visible to motorists.<\/p>\n

When the shoulder is not in use but the work going on there has impacted its condition, a sign such as “Low Shoulder Sign” or “Soft Shoulder Sign” is used. The sign should be placed at every 1-mile interval when the condition spreads over a distance greater than a mile. A supplementary plate as mentioned above may be used in this case as well.<\/p>\n

3.Closed Lanes<\/strong>\u00a0on Multi-Lane Roads<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Left<\/a>In cases where a lane is closed on a multi-lane road, advance warnings such as \u2018Left Lane Closed Ahead\u2019 or “Road Work Ahead Right” is used. The sign is generally accompanied with the distance (in feet or miles) for which the lane is closed.<\/p>\n

What are the types of Road Work Signs used?<\/h1>\n

Some of the Road Work Signs that may appear along work sites are:<\/p>\n