traffic control training instructor: sgt. don silverek sonoma county junior college district police...
TRANSCRIPT
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