Contra Costa County CERT Program Special Event Traffic Control

Released: 22 January 2010Released: 22 January 2010

Continuing Education Series

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Special Event Traffic Control

Presented by

Officer Jeffrey Fields

Moraga Police Department

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Community Emergency Response TeamCommunity Emergency Response Team

Personal safety is ALWAYS the number one priority

Work as a teamWear specialized personal protective

equipment: vest, gloves, hat and whistle

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Community Emergency Response TeamCommunity Emergency Response Team

Upon completion of this class and successful demonstration of exercise skills, you will be qualified as a CERT Basic Traffic Controller to assist law enforcement officers in directing traffic during community special events.

To remain qualified as a CERT Basic Traffic Controller you must renew this training annually.

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Unit Objectives

Safety First, Second and Always… Perspectives Hands, Tools and Gear Personal Protective Equipment Conduct Field Exercise

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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

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Perspectives

According to the Federal Highway Administration, three worker fatalities occur nationally in cone zones every five days.

Safety First, Second and Always…

Be constantly aware of ALL the traffic around you !!!

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Traffic Management and Control

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Traffic Management and Control

A CERT member with additional training may be called upon to assist local law enforcement with traffic control during special events

Staying alert to your surroundings is the key to staying alive…

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Hands, Tools and Gear

In a traffic control situation, you may use: Stop / Slow signs hand signals whistles voice commands flashlights, flares cones or barricades

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Traffic Controller Position

Never place yourself in the path of a moving vehicle.

Always remain standing and never turn your back on traffic.

Stand alone in a highly visible location. Do not mingle with the event crew, the traveling public, or other people.

Plan an escape route. Do not leave your position for any reason until

relieved.

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Traffic Controller Do’s

Do Stay alert at all times. Don’t be distracted by the event.

Do Use clear and deliberate hand signals when directing traffic.

Do Be friendly and polite with the public, but do not engage in small talk.

Do Have a good idea of the day's events schedule to answer motorists' questions.

Do Treat motorists courteously. Never argue with the occupants of a vehicle.

Do Use proper equipment and warning signs.

Do Be prepared for changing weather by bringing a raincoat, sweater, or warm coat.

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Preferred Traffic Controller Position

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Two Traffic Controllers Operation

When two traffic controllers are required, you must coordinatecommunication procedures prior to the start of operations. The two controllers must be on each end of the traffic diversion zone and you must be able to see each other, or have two-way radios for proper communication. One controller should be the lead controller and coordinate all activities.

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Hand Signals

Art of the hand signal

Make eye contact with the driver

Give only one direction at a time

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Hand Signals

Signal 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

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Hand Signals

START

KEEP MOVING

• Place yourself so one side is towards traffic to be started• Look at the driver and 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

• Continue to use the same signals for the slow and timid

• Talk the drivers through it !

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Hand Signals

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

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Hand Signals

LEFT TURN • Halt traffic in the lanes through which car is to cross

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 go

• Halt traffic with right arm and give turning gesture with left arm

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Whistle

Who keeps a whistle in their CERT gear?

Who needs a whistle

for today’s exercise?

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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”

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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

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Flashlights

A flashlight can be used to direct traffic at night

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Flashlights

Flashlights with colored extensions work for evening, foggy or rainy weather

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Personal Protective Equipment

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Perspectives

“All the flashing lights and noise and uniforms and equipment and excitement makes just another day in the life for you. For the motorist it’s a giddy adventure ride at CrashLand Theme Park. Don’t count on them focusing on you if you don’t make yourself unmistakably the person they need to be watching. Got your glow-vest, whistle, and white gloves ready?”

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

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Exercise

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

for:• Stop

• Forward

• Right Turn

• Left Turn

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Exercise

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

whistles• Stop

• Forward

• Right Turn

• Left Turn

• Right Turn across a traffic lane

• Left Turn across a traffic lane

• Place a car in hold position to not block single lane

Unit Summary

Safety First, Second and Always… Perspectives Hands, Tools and Gear Personal Protective Equipment

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