Press

Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices defines standards road managers across the U.S. use to install and maintain traffic control devices on roads open to public traffic.

Port Colborne, ON

Drivers in the U.S. may begin to notice a different type of flagger than they are used to in construction zones across the country.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) recently published the 2009 Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). The MUTCD includes numerous improvements; the most notable of which is the inclusion of Automated Flagger Assistance Devices (AFAD).

The Manual defines the standards used by road managers nationwide to install and maintain traffic control deviceson all public streets, highways, bikeways, and private roads open to public traffic. States must adopt the 2009 National MUTCD as their legal State standard for traffic control devices within two years.

An AFAD is a signaling device with a gatearm that workers place on the side of the road at each end of a workzone during a construction project. A flag person controls the device remotely from a safe location off of the roadway.

Ten years worth of Department of Transportation studies have concluded that the devices are more visible to motorists when compared to a human flagger. In addition, the devices allow the flagger to stand off the roadway which significantly decreases their risk of being struck be a vehicle.

The first AFAD was manufactured in 1993, by R.C. Flagman Inc., now known as North America Traffic, and it is still one of the company’s best selling products.

When asked about its popularity, Justin Di Francesco, vice president of North America Traffic stated, “We’ve seen a steady increase in demand for the RCF 2.4. Most people understand that it is a much safer and more cost effective method of controlling traffic compared to traditional flagging methods.”

The RCF 2.4 has been used on thousands of projects in the United States since 1994. It has a 12-inch red stop light that can be seen from up to a half mile away to warn motorists and has a ten-foot gate-arm, similar to those found in a parking lot or at a toll booth for positive vehicle control. The device runs on a bank of batteries and uses a solar panel for recharging. It is designed to be easy to transport from work zone to work zone and takes minutes to set up.

“Inclusion of AFADs in the MUTCD is a huge step forward in keeping construction workers safe and reducing construction costs,” added Di Francesco.

About North America Traffic

North America Traffic was launched as R.C. Flagman in 1993 when Peter Vieveen built the world’s first Remote Controlled Flagman™ out of his garage. At the time, Mr. Vieveen was a senior estimator in the construction industry with over 25 years of construction experience. He understood the importance of reducing costs while increasing safety. North America Traffic now operates a full production facility, and its products have been used on over 3,000 projects across North America. Today, it is the world leader in traffic control systems, with 8 different models of portable traffic signals and flagging systems to meet all traffic control needs.