Traffic Control Training

Instructor: Sgt. Don Silverek

Sonoma County Junior College District

Police Department2009

Class Learning Goals

Safety First, Second and Always… Perspectives Hands, Tools and Gear Safety Vehicle Placement Conduct Field Exercise

Perspectives

“It’s more important for police to answer emergency calls than direct traffic.”

Carol Hunt – Charlottesville CERT Team

Perspectives

“There is nothing that shows the skill, finesse, and understanding of human nature like standing in the middle of the road conducting lanes of traffic like a symphony orchestra.”

Dr. Joel F. Shults, Chief, Adams State College Police Department

Traffic and Management Control

A CERT member 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…

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 SignalsSignal General Considerations

STOP • 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 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

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: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 goHalt traffic with right arm and give turning gesture with left arm

SIGNAL GENERAL GUIDELINES

LEFT TURNSingle Lanes

• On a street with only one lane in each direction:

One driver, turning left, can delay many cars behindunless the driver’s movement is handled properly

While driver is waiting, signal driver to move intointersection so cars behind can continue

Point finger at driver, motion to move forward andpoint to place where driver is to stop

Permit the left turn when there is a natural break inopposing traffic, or stop opposing traffic and signal forthe left turn

Take a break

Next topic in ten minutes…

Same intersection – different drivers!

The Whistle

Who keeps a whistle in their CERT gear?

Who needs a whistle

for today’s exercise?

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?

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

Flashlights come in all sizes and types…

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

Don’t stand directly in front of approaching vehicle

Avoid blinding the driver with flashlight beam

Use a traffic cone to enhance safety

HALT TRAFFIC

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

Flares

Have you ever lit a road flare?

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

FlaresVarious burn times:

15 min 20 min 30 min 45 min 60 min

Flare burn pattern on road way

Flares

DO NOT USE: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

Flares

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

Electronic Flares

Cones/Barricades

Cones/Barricades

TRAFFIC CONES/FLARES

KEY: How do devices appear to approaching motorists ?

Speed Limit First Cone/Flare

25 mph35 mph45 mph55 mph65 mph

68 Feet112 Feet167 Feet227 Feet301 Feet

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

Amber Warning Lights

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

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

Ambulance

FLARES/CONES

Ambulance

FLARES/CONES

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.

Class Exercise

Part One (in classroom) Each person will demonstrate the hand signals for:

Stop Forward Right Turn Left Turn

Part Two (in parking lot) Each Person will demonstrate using hand signals /

whistles Stop, Forward, Right Turn & Left Turns Right Turn across a traffic lane Left Turn across a traffic lane Placing a car in a hold position to not block single lane

Exercise Tips

Use the whistle – it works!

Always look around for approaching traffic

Move the biggest group of cars first

Stop all cars prior to switching

Traffic Control TrainingInstructor: Sgt. Don Silverek

707-535-3789

Course Design: Sgt. David Willat

Thank you for attention and participation

Sonoma County Junior College District Police Department

2009