परिचय: Controlling One-Lane Traffic

Closing one lane of a two-lane road is complex. You cannot simply merge traffic. You must stop it. यह एक बनाता है “One-Lane, Two-Way” traffic control zone. यहाँ, drivers must obey a human flagger rather than just following cones.

This setup requires specific road construction signs. You cannot rely on general warnings. Safety depends entirely on advance notice. A driver traveling at 55 mph needs time to perceive the Flagger Ahead sign and come to a complete halt.

Back to Basics: Review the fundamental zones of traffic control in our कार्य क्षेत्र सेटअप 101 मार्गदर्शक.

To protect your crew, you must deploy the strict “Three-Sign Sequence” mandated by the MUTCD.

The Mandatory Sequence for Road Construction Signs

For a flagging operation, एमयूटीसीडी (विशिष्ट अनुप्रयोग 10) requires a specific series of warnings. You must place these road construction signs in a strict order.

कदम 1: General Warning (The “ए” संकेत)

Alert the driver that they are entering a work zone.

• संकेत: Road Work Ahead sign (W20-1).
• कार्रवाई: This grabs attention. It prepares the driver for changed conditions.

कदम 2: Specific Condition (The “बी” संकेत)

Tell the driver the road geometry has changed.

• संकेत: One Lane Road Ahead sign (W20-4).
• Distinction: Do not use a “लिंग बंद” sign here. That implies a merge. “One Lane Road” implies two-way traffic sharing a single lane.

कदम 3: कार्रवाई आवश्यक है (The “सी” संकेत)

This is the most critical warning. It demands a stop.

• संकेत: Flagger Ahead sign (symbol W20-7).
• प्लेसमेंट: Place this sign closest to the flagger station.
• High-Speed Addition: On roads with speeds over 45 मील प्रति घंटा, insert a Be Prepared to Stop sign (W3-4) between the “One Lane Road” और “Flagger” लक्षण. This adds a crucial layer of safety.

Positioning the Flagger Station (MUTCD 6E.02)

Your flagger is the most vulnerable asset on the road. के अनुसार MUTCD Chapter 6E, their position dictates the safety of the entire zone. You must place the station where drivers can see it clearly from the “Decision Sight Distance.”

Visibility and the Flagger Ahead Road Sign

The driver must see the flagger long before they reach the station. This visual contact confirms the warning given by the flagger ahead road sign (W20-7).

• The “Escape Route” नियम: The flagger must always have a clear path to run.
  • उदाहरण: If a semi-truck loses its brakes, the flagger needs an instant exit onto a flat shoulder or ditch. कभी नहीं position a flagger against a guardrail or bridge wall. They will have nowhere to go.
• Stand Correctly: The flagger should stand on the shoulder or in the closed lane. कभी नहीं stand in the open traffic lane.
• Night Operations: If working at night, the flagger station must be illuminated (MUTCD 6E.05). Retroreflective gear alone is not enough. You need overhead lighting.

सामान्य गलती: The “Shadow Trap”

Do not position your flagger in a deep shadow while the approaching road is in bright sunlight.

• The Risk: The driver’s eyes cannot adjust fast enough. The flagger becomes invisible.
• The Fix: Move the station into the sunlight or add auxiliary lighting.

The Buffer Space (Longitudinal Buffer)

Signs warn the driver, but space protects the crew. You must leave a “Buffer Space” between the flagger station and the actual work area.

This empty zone absorbs a runaway vehicle. Even with a high-visibility construction flagger ahead sign, drivers make mistakes. If a car breaks through the station, the buffer gives the crew time to react.

Calculating the Buffer Distance

The buffer length depends strictly on the speed limit.

• The Rule: पर 55 मील प्रति घंटा, you need a stopping distance of at least 495 पैर.
• The Gap: Keep this area completely empty. Do not store tools or trucks here.

Merging vs. रोक: This buffer is empty space. If you need to merge traffic instead of stopping it, read our specific Single Lane Closure Guide.

संचार: आमने-सामने की टक्करों को रोकना

Placing the flagger ahead road sign is only the first step. The two flaggers at opposite ends of the work zone must coordinate perfectly. यदि वे असफल होते हैं, vehicles from both directions enter the single lane simultaneously. This guarantees a head-on collision.

तरीका 1: Visual Contact

Use this only for short zones.

• स्थिति: Flagger A must clearly see Flagger B.
• Limitation: धूल, कोहरा, or large trucks can break this line of sight instantly.

तरीका 2: Two-Way Radios (Mandatory for Blind Spots)

If the work zone includes a curve or a hill, visual signals fail. You must use radios.

• शिष्टाचार: Flagger A must confirm “Traffic Hold” with Flagger B before releasing their lane.
• Redundancy: Always carry spare batteries. If the radio dies, traffic stops.

तरीका 3: Pilot Car

For long zones (ऊपर 1 मील), radios are risky. Drivers might stop or turn around in the work area.

• समाधान: का उपयोग करो “Pilot Car” के साथ “PILOT CAR FOLLOW ME” संकेत (G20-4).
• Control: The pilot car physically leads the queue through the zone. This prevents speeding and unauthorized stops.

The “Short Taper” नियम (50 को 100 पैर)

This is a critical technical distinction. Do not confuse a flagging operation with a lane closure merge.

In a merge, you want a long taper (एल) to guide cars smoothly. In a flagging operation, you want drivers to slow down and stop. A long taper encourages speed. You must use a “Short Taper” instead.

• The Length: The MUTCD requires a maximum taper length of 50 को 100 पैर.
• The Goal: This short, sharp angle forces the driver to recognize the One Lane Road Ahead sign and look for the flagger.
• Device Spacing: Place cones every 20 पैर. This tight spacing creates a clear “gate” leading to the open lane.

चेतावनी: Never use the high-speed “L = W x S” formula here. It is too long. It confuses drivers into thinking they can maintain highway speeds.

देयता जोखिम: Removing Road Construction Signs

Leaving construction signs up after the work shift ends is not just lazy. It is negligent. It creates a legal trap for your company.

The “Crying Wolf” प्रभाव

If a driver sees a construction flagger ahead sign but sees no flagger, they lose trust. They assume the next sign is also a lie.

• The Consequence: When your crew returns the next morning, that desensitized driver will not slow down. They will crash into your station.
• The Lawsuit: If an accident occurs and your logs show signs were left up during non-work hours, you lose the liability case. You failed to maintain the zone.

Cover or Remove

The MUTCD is strict here. When the flagger goes home, the signs must disappear.

• Turn Them: Turn the flagger ahead road sign यातायात से दूर.
• Cover Them: Use a sign cover or bag.
• Fold Them: Use a specialized Roll-Up Sign Stand. This allows you to collapse the sign face instantly without removing the base.

निष्कर्ष: Compliance Saves Lives

A flagging operation is dynamic. It relies on human reaction time. You must give drivers every possible second to stop. You must use the correct 3-sign sequence, calculate the buffer space, and enforce the “Short Taper.”

Do not cut corners. A missing Be Prepared to Stop sign or a hidden flagger station invites disaster.

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अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले प्रश्न: Flagging Operations Setup