Search MUTCD Site:

• MUTCD Home
• Site Map

• Knowledge
• 
• Overview
• Evolution of the MUTCD
• Who Uses the MUTCD
• MUTCD Current Edition
• Color Specifications
• Amendment Process
• Experimentations
• Standard Highway Signs (SHS) Publication
• FAQs

• Resources
• 
• MUTCD Team
• 23 CFR 655
• Official Rulings
• Interim Approvals
• Interpretations Issued by FHWA
• State MUTCDs & TCD Info
• Related Links
• Federal Register
• Policy Statements
• Previous Editions of the MUTCD
• Publications

Chapter 6H. Typical Applications

Notes for Figure 6H-36—Typical Application 36
Lane Shift on Freeway

Guidance:

1. The lane shift should be used when the work space extends into either the right or left lane of a divided highway and it is not practical, for capacity reasons, to reduce the number of available lanes.
2. When a lane shift is accomplished by using (1) geometry that meets the design speed at which the permanent highway was designed, (2) full normal cross-section (full lane width and full shoulders), and (3) complete pavement markings, then only the initial general work-zone warning sign is required.
3. When the conditions in Note 2 are not met, the information shown in the typical application should be employed and all the following notes apply.

Standard:

4. Where temporary traffic barriers are installed, the ends of the barrier shall be treated in accordance with the provisions of Section 6F.81.
5. A warning sign shall be used to show the changed alignment.

Guidance:

6. Where the shifted section is longer than 180 m (600 ft), one set of Reverse Curve signs should be used to show the initial shift and a second set should be used to show the return to the normal alignment. If the tangent distance along the temporary diversion is less than 180 m (600 ft), the Double Reverse Curve sign should be used instead of the first Reverse Curve sign. The second Reverse Curve sign should be omitted.
7. If a STAY IN LANE sign is used, then solid white lane lines should be used.

Standard:

8. The minimum width of the shoulder lane shall be 3 m (10 ft).
9. For long-term stationary work, existing conflicting pavement markings shall be removed and temporary markings shall be installed before traffic patterns are changed.

Option:

10. For short-term stationary work, lanes may be delineated by channelizing devices or removable pavement markings instead of temporary pavement markings.
11. Three Lane Reverse Curve signs may be used in place of the Reverse Curve signs. ALL LANES THRU supplemental plaques may be used to emphasize the point that all lanes shift and no lanes are closed.
12. If the shoulder cannot adequately accommodate trucks, trucks may be directed to use the travel lanes.
13. The barrier shown in this typical application is one method that may be used to close a lane for a long-term project.

Guidance:

14. The use of a barrier should be based on engineering judgment.

Option:

15. Type C Steady-Burn warning lights may be placed on channelizing devices and the barrier parallel to the edge of pavement for nighttime lane closures.

Figure 6H-36 Lane Shift on Freeway (TA-36)

Notes for Figure 6H-37—Typical Application 37
Double Lane Closure on Freeway

Guidance:

1. Ordinarily, the preferred position for the second arrow panel is in the closed exterior lane at the beginning of the second merging taper. However, the second arrow panel should be placed in the closed interior lane at the end of the second merging taper in the following situations:
   1. When a shadow vehicle is used in the interior closed lane, and the second arrow panel is mounted on the shadow vehicle;
   2. If alignment or other conditions create any confusion as to which lane is closed by the second arrow panel; and
   3. When the first arrow panel is placed in the closed exterior lane at the end of the first merging taper (the alternative position when the shoulder is narrow).

Option:

2. Flashing warning lights and/or flags may be used to call attention to the initial warning signs.
3. A truck-mounted attenuator may be used on the shadow vehicle.
4. If a paved shoulder having a minimum width of 3 m (10 ft) and sufficient strength is available, the left and adjacent interior lanes may be closed and vehicular traffic carried around the work space on the right lane and a right shoulder.
5. When a shoulder lane is used that cannot adequately accommodate trucks, trucks may be directed to use the normal travel lanes.

Figure 6H-37 Double Lane Closure on Freeway (TA-37)

Notes for Figure 6H-38—Typical Application 38
Interior Lane Closure on Freeway

Guidance:

1. For a long-term closure, a barrier should be used to provide additional safety to the operation in the closed interior lane. A buffer space should be used at the upstream end of the closed interior lane.
2. The first arrow panel displaying a right arrow should be on the left shoulder at the beginning of the taper. The arrow panel displaying a double arrow should be centered in the closed interior lane and placed at the downstream end of the shifting taper.
3. The placement of signs should not obstruct or obscure arrow panels.
4. For long-term use, the dashed lane lines should be made solid white in the two-lane section.

Option:

5. As the arrow panel with a double arrow displayed is key, the arrow panel closing the exterior lane may be moved or omitted if the alignment is such that the two panels create confusion.
6. As an alternative to initially closing the left lane, as shown in the typical application, the right lane may be closed in advance of the interior lane closure with appropriate channelization and signs.
7. A short, single row of channelizing devices in advance of the vehicular traffic split to restrict vehicular traffic to their respective lanes may be added.
8. DO NOT PASS signs may be used.
9. If a paved shoulder having a minimum width of 3 m (10 ft) and sufficient strength is available, the left and center lanes may be closed and motor vehicle traffic carried around the work space on the right lane and a right shoulder.
10. When a shoulder lane is used that cannot adequately accommodate trucks, trucks may be directed to use the normal travel lanes.

Figure 6H-38 Interior Lane Closure on Freeway (TA-38)

Notes for Figure 6H-39—Typical Application 39
Median Crossover on Freeway

Standard:

1. Channelizing devices or temporary traffic barriers shall be used to separate opposing vehicular traffic.

Guidance:

2. For long-term work on high-speed, high-volume highways, consideration should be given to using a temporary traffic barrier to separate opposing vehicular traffic.

Option:

3. When a temporary traffic barrier is used to separate opposing vehicular traffic, the Two-Way Traffic, DO NOT PASS, KEEP RIGHT, and DO NOT ENTER signs may be eliminated.
4. The alignment of the crossover may be designed as a reverse curve.

Guidance:

5. When the crossover follows a curved alignment, the design criteria contained in the AASHTO "Policy on the Geometric Design of Highways and Streets" should be used (see Section 1A.11).
6. When channelizing devices have the potential of leading vehicular traffic out of the intended traffic space, the channelizing devices should be extended a distance in meters (feet) of 0.4 times the speed limit in km/h (2 times the speed limit in mph) beyond the end of the transition area as depicted.
7. Where channelizing devices are used, the Two-Way Traffic signs should be repeated every 1.6 km (1 mi).

Option:

8. NEXT X km (MILES) Supplemental Distance plaques may be used with the Two-Way Traffic signs, where X is the distance to the end of the two-way section.

Support:

9. When the distance is sufficiently short that road users entering the section can see the far end of the section, they are less likely to forget that there is opposing vehicular traffic.
10. The sign legends for the four pairs of signs approaching the lane closure for the noncrossover direction of travel are not shown. They are similar to the series shown for the crossover direction, except that the left lane is closed.

Figure 6H-39 Median Crossover on Freeway (TA-39)

Notes for Figure 6H-40—Typical Application 40
Median Crossover for Entrance Ramp

Guidance:

1. The typical application illustrated should be used for carrying an entrance ramp across a closed directional roadway of a divided highway.
2. A temporary acceleration lane should be used to facilitate merging.
3. When used, the YIELD or STOP sign should be located far enough forward to provide adequate sight distance of oncoming mainline vehicular traffic to select a reasonably safe gap. If needed, YIELD or STOP lines should be installed across the ramp to indicate the point at which road users should YIELD or STOP. Also, a longer acceleration lane should be provided beyond the sign to reduce the gap size needed.

Option:

4. If vehicular traffic conditions allow, the ramp may be closed.
5. A broken edge line may be carried across the temporary entrance ramp to assist in defining the through vehicular traffic lane.
6. When a temporary traffic barrier is used to separate opposing vehicular traffic, the Two-Way Traffic signs and the DO NOT ENTER signs may be eliminated.

Figure 6H-40 Median Crossover for Entrance Ramp (TA-40)

Notes for Figure 6H-41—Typical Application 41
Median Crossover for Exit Ramp

Guidance:

1. This typical application should be used for carrying an exit ramp across a closed directional roadway of a divided highway. The design criteria contained in the AASHTO "Policy on the Geometric Design of Highways and Streets" (see Section 1A.11) should be used for determining the curved alignment.
2. The guide signs should indicate that the ramp is open, and where the temporary ramp is located. Conversely, if the ramp is closed, guide signs should indicate that the ramp is closed.
3. When the exit is closed, a black on orange EXIT CLOSED panel should be placed diagonally across the interchange/intersection guide signs.
4. In the situation (not shown) where channelizing devices are placed along the mainline roadway, the devices’ spacing should be reduced in the vicinity of the off ramp to emphasize the opening at the ramp itself. Channelizing devices and/or temporary pavement markings should be placed on both sides of the temporary ramp where it crosses the median and the closed roadway.
5. Advance guide signs providing information related to the temporary exit should be relocated or duplicated adjacent to the temporary roadway.

Standard:

6. A temporary EXIT sign shall be located in the temporary gore. For better visibility, it shall be mounted a minimum of 2.1 m (7 ft) from the pavement surface to the bottom of the sign.

Option:

7. Guide signs referring to the exit may need to be relocated to the median.
8. The temporary EXIT sign placed in the temporary gore may be either black on orange or white on green.
9. In some instances, a temporary deceleration lane may be useful in facilitating the exiting maneuver.
10. When a temporary traffic barrier is used to separate opposing vehicular traffic, the Two-Way Traffic signs may be omitted.

Figure 6H-41 Median Crossover for Exit Ramp (TA-41)

Notes for Figure 6H-42—Typical Application 42
Work in Vicinity of Exit Ramp

Guidance:

1. The guide signs should indicate that the ramp is open, and where the temporary ramp is located. However, if the ramp is closed, guide signs should indicate that the ramp is closed.
2. When the exit ramp is closed, a black on orange EXIT CLOSED panel should be placed diagonally across the interchange/intersection guide signs.
3. The design criteria contained in the AASHTO “Policy on the Geometric Design of Highways and Streets” should be used for determining the alignment (see Section 1A.11).

Standard:

4. A temporary EXIT sign shall be located in the temporary gore. For better visibility, it shall be mounted a minimum of 2.1 m (7 ft) from the pavement surface to the bottom of the sign.

Option:

5. An alternative procedure that may be used is to channelize exiting vehicular traffic onto the right shoulder and close the lane as necessary.

Figure 6H-42 Work in Vicinity of Exit Ramp (TA-42)

Notes for Figure 6H-43—Typical Application 43
Partial Exit Ramp Closure

Guidance:

1. Truck off-tracking should be considered when determining whether the minimum lane width of 3 m (10 ft) is adequate (see Section 6G.07).

Figure 6H-43 Partial Exit Ramp Closure (TA-43)

Notes for Figure 6H-44—Typical Application 44
Work in Vicinity of Entrance Ramp

Guidance:

1. An acceleration lane of sufficient length should be provided whenever possible as shown on the left diagram.

Standard:

2. For the information shown on the diagram on the right side of the typical application, where inadequate acceleration distance exists for the temporary entrance, the YIELD sign shall be replaced with STOP signs (one on each side of the approach).

Guidance:

3. When used, the YIELD or STOP sign should be located so that ramp vehicular traffic has adequate sight distance of oncoming mainline vehicular traffic to select a reasonably safe gap in the mainline vehicular traffic flow. Also, a longer acceleration lane should be provided beyond the sign to reduce the gap size needed. If insufficient gaps are available, consideration should be given to closing the ramp.
4. Where STOP signs are used, a temporary stop line should be placed across the ramp at the desired stop location.
5. The mainline merging taper with the arrow panel at its starting point should be located sufficiently in advance so that the arrow panel is not confusing to drivers on the entrance ramp, and so that the mainline merging vehicular traffic from the lane closure has the opportunity to stabilize before encountering the vehicular traffic merging from the ramp.
6. If the ramp curves sharply to the right, warning signs with Advisory Speed Limits located in advance of the entrance terminal should be placed in pairs (one on each side of the ramp).

Option:

7. A Type B high-intensity warning flasher with a red lens may be placed above the STOP sign.
8. Where the acceleration distance is significantly reduced, a supplemental plaque may be placed below the YIELD AHEAD sign reading NO MERGE AREA.

Figure 6H-44 Work in Vicinity of Entrance Ramp (TA-44)

Notes for Figure 6H-45—Typical Application 45
Temporary Reversible Lane Using Movable Barriers

Support:

1. This application addresses one of several uses for movable barriers in highway work zones. In this example, one side of a 6-lane divided highway is closed to perform the work operation, and vehicular traffic is carried in both directions on the remaining 3-lane roadway by means of a median crossover. To accommodate unbalanced peak-period vehicular traffic volumes, the direction of travel in the center lane is switched to the direction having the greater volume, with the transfer typically being made twice daily. Thus, there are four vehicular traffic phases described as follows:
   
   1. Phase A—two travel lanes northbound and one lane southbound;
   2. Transition A to B—one travel lane in each direction;
   3. Phase B—one travel lane northbound and two lanes southbound; and
   4. Transition B to A—one travel lane in each direction.

   The typical application on the left illustrates the placement of devices during Phase A. The typical application on the right shows conditions during the transition (Transition A to B) from Phase A to Phase B.

Guidance:

2. For the reversible-lane situation depicted, the ends of the movable barrier should terminate in a protected area or a crash cushion should be provided. During Phase A, the transfer vehicle should be parked behind the end of the movable barrier. During Phase B, the transfer vehicle should be parked behind the end of the movable barrier.

   The transition shift from Phase A to B should be as follows:

   1. Change the signs in the northbound advance warning area and transition area from a LEFT LANE CLOSED AHEAD to a LEFT TWO LANES CLOSED AHEAD. Change the mode of the second northbound arrow panel from Caution to Right Arrow.
   2. Place channelizing devices to close the northbound center lane.
   3. Move the transfer vehicle from south to north to shift the movable barrier from the west side to the east side of the reversible lane.
   4. Remove the channelizing devices closing the southbound center lane.
   5. Change the signs in the southbound transition area and advance warning area from a LEFT TWO LANES CLOSED AHEAD to LEFT LANE CLOSED AHEAD. Change the mode of the second southbound arrow panel from Right Arrow to Caution.
      
3. Where the lane to be opened and closed is an exterior lane (adjacent to the edge of the traveled way or the work space), the lane closure should begin by closing the lane with channelizing devices placed along a merging taper using the same information employed for a stationary lane closure. The lane closure should then be extended with the movable-barrier transfer vehicle moving with vehicular traffic. When opening the lane, the transfer vehicle should travel against vehicular traffic. The merging taper should be removed in a method similar to a stationary lane closure.

Figure 6H-45 Movable Barriers (TA-45)

Notes for Figure 6H-46—Typical Application 46
Work in Vicinity of Highway-Rail Grade Crossing

Guidance:

1. When highway-rail grade crossings exist either within or in the vicinity of roadway work activities, extra care should be taken to minimize the probability of conditions being created, either by lane restrictions, flagging or other operations, where vehicles might be stopped within the highway-rail grade crossing, considered as being 4.6 m (15 ft) on either side of the closest and farthest rail.

Standard:

2. If the queuing of vehicles across active rail tracks cannot be avoided, a uniformed law enforcement officer or flagger shall be provided at the highway-rail grade crossing to prevent vehicles from stopping within the highway-rail grade crossing (as described in Note 1), even if automatic warning devices are in place.

Guidance:

3. Early coordination with the railroad company should occur before work starts.
4. In the example depicted, the buffer space of the activity area should be extended upstream of the highway-rail grade crossing (as shown) so that a queue created by the flagging operation will not extend across the highway-rail grade crossing.
5. The DO NOT STOP ON TRACKS sign should be used on all approaches to a highway-rail grade crossing within the limits of a TTC zone.

Option:

6. Flashing warning lights and/or flags may be used to call attention to the advance warning signs.
7. A BE PREPARED TO STOP sign may be added to the sign series.

Guidance:

8. When used, the BE PREPARED TO STOP sign should be located before the Flagger symbol sign.

Standard:

9. At night, flagger stations shall be illuminated, except in emergencies.

Figure 6H-46 Work in Vicinity of Highway-Rail Grade Crossing (TA-46)

Back to Top