---
---
A Guide to Temporary
Traffic Control in Work
Zones
**1. What does MUTCD stand for?**
- **Answer:** Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
- **Rationale:** The MUTCD is the national standard for all traffic
control devices on any street, highway, or bicycle trail open to public
travel in the United States .
**2. In the MUTCD, what is a "Standard"?**
- **Answer:** A statement of required, mandatory, or specifically
prohibitive practice.
- **Rationale:** The word "shall" is typically used. It is not optional; it
must be followed as prescribed .
,**3. In the MUTCD, what is a "Guidance"?**
- **Answer:** A statement of recommended practice in typical
situations, with deviations allowed if engineering judgment is applied.
- **Rationale:** "Should" is the operative word. You can deviate if you
have a valid engineering reason .
**4. In the MUTCD, what is an "Option"?**
- **Answer:** A statement of practice that is a permissive condition
and carries no requirement or recommendation.
- **Rationale:** "May" is used. It is neither required nor discouraged .
**5. According to the Work Zone Safety and Mobility Rule (23 CFR 630
Subpart J), what must be developed for all Federal-aid projects?**
- **Answer:** A Transportation Management Plan (TMP)
- **Rationale:** The Rule requires agencies to develop a TMP to
manage the work zone impacts of all Federal-aid projects .
**6. Which component of the TMP is always required for every
project?**
- **Answer:** A Temporary Traffic Control (TTC) Plan
- **Rationale:** While a TMP may include Transportation Operations
and Public Information components, the TTC plan is the minimum
required element to address safety .
, **7. How does the Rule define a "significant project"?**
- **Answer:** A project that has the potential to cause a relatively high
level of disruption.
- **Rationale:** Significance is based on anticipated work zone impacts
(e.g., high traffic volumes, duration, complexity) rather than solely on
budget .
**8. For significant projects, the TMP must include which additional
components?**
- **Answer:** Transportation Operations Plan (TOP) and Public
Information and Outreach Plan (PIOP)
- **Rationale:** Beyond the basic TTC plan, significant projects require
strategies to manage traffic operations and communicate with the
public .
**9. What is the purpose of the Work Zone Safety and Mobility Rule?**
- **Answer:** To provide a comprehensive framework for managing
work zones to enhance safety and mobility.
- **Rationale:** It moves beyond just traffic control to include policy,
process, and project-level procedures .
**10. Who is responsible for designating a trained person to implement
and monitor the TMP at the project level?**
- **Answer:** Both the State Agency and the Contractor
---
A Guide to Temporary
Traffic Control in Work
Zones
**1. What does MUTCD stand for?**
- **Answer:** Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
- **Rationale:** The MUTCD is the national standard for all traffic
control devices on any street, highway, or bicycle trail open to public
travel in the United States .
**2. In the MUTCD, what is a "Standard"?**
- **Answer:** A statement of required, mandatory, or specifically
prohibitive practice.
- **Rationale:** The word "shall" is typically used. It is not optional; it
must be followed as prescribed .
,**3. In the MUTCD, what is a "Guidance"?**
- **Answer:** A statement of recommended practice in typical
situations, with deviations allowed if engineering judgment is applied.
- **Rationale:** "Should" is the operative word. You can deviate if you
have a valid engineering reason .
**4. In the MUTCD, what is an "Option"?**
- **Answer:** A statement of practice that is a permissive condition
and carries no requirement or recommendation.
- **Rationale:** "May" is used. It is neither required nor discouraged .
**5. According to the Work Zone Safety and Mobility Rule (23 CFR 630
Subpart J), what must be developed for all Federal-aid projects?**
- **Answer:** A Transportation Management Plan (TMP)
- **Rationale:** The Rule requires agencies to develop a TMP to
manage the work zone impacts of all Federal-aid projects .
**6. Which component of the TMP is always required for every
project?**
- **Answer:** A Temporary Traffic Control (TTC) Plan
- **Rationale:** While a TMP may include Transportation Operations
and Public Information components, the TTC plan is the minimum
required element to address safety .
, **7. How does the Rule define a "significant project"?**
- **Answer:** A project that has the potential to cause a relatively high
level of disruption.
- **Rationale:** Significance is based on anticipated work zone impacts
(e.g., high traffic volumes, duration, complexity) rather than solely on
budget .
**8. For significant projects, the TMP must include which additional
components?**
- **Answer:** Transportation Operations Plan (TOP) and Public
Information and Outreach Plan (PIOP)
- **Rationale:** Beyond the basic TTC plan, significant projects require
strategies to manage traffic operations and communicate with the
public .
**9. What is the purpose of the Work Zone Safety and Mobility Rule?**
- **Answer:** To provide a comprehensive framework for managing
work zones to enhance safety and mobility.
- **Rationale:** It moves beyond just traffic control to include policy,
process, and project-level procedures .
**10. Who is responsible for designating a trained person to implement
and monitor the TMP at the project level?**
- **Answer:** Both the State Agency and the Contractor
