Georgia traffic-safety compliance

Close a lane (work zone)

Highway work zone begin/end signage. When a highway work zone is designated, signage of adequate size shall be erected at the beginning point warning of increased speeding penalties, and adequate signage shall be erected at the end indicating the zone's end and that increased penalties no longer apply.

Reduced speed zone signage and spacing. When reduced speed zones are established, signage of adequate size shall be erected at the beginning designating the zone and speed limit, and at the end indicating the end and applicable speed limit; signs indicating the reduced speed limit shall be spaced not further than one mile apart throughout the highway work zone.

"Reduced Speed Ahead" advance sign placement. Where the reduced speed limit is at least 10 mph less than the established limit, a sign of adequate size bearing the legend "Reduced Speed Ahead" shall be erected at least 600 feet in advance of the beginning of the speed zone.

Signage conformance to MUTCD. Any signage required by this Code section shall conform to applicable provisions of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices; movable or portable speed limit signs are permitted in highway work zones.

Removal of conflicting regulatory signage. Any existing regulatory signage conflicting with signage erected under this Code section shall be removed, covered, folded, or turned so as not to be readable by oncoming motorists.

Conditions required to cite work-zone speeding. To cite or convict for speeding in a work zone, the required signage must be present plus either work zone personnel, or barriers, on-site work vehicles, or shoulder/pavement drop offs that constitute a hazard to the traveling public.

Work-zone speeding penalty. A person convicted of exceeding the speed limit in a designated highway work zone is guilty of a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature, punishable by a fine of not less than $100.00 nor more than $2,000.00 or imprisonment not to exceed 12 months, or both.

Traffic control devices must meet MUTCD and be NCHRP 350 compliant. All traffic control devices used during construction shall meet the standards in the MUTCD and comply with the Specifications, Project Plans, and Special Provisions; all traffic control devices used on any project shall be NCHRP 350 compliant.

Channelization device reflectorization. Channelization devices shall meet the requirements of Section 913, Type III or IV high intensity sheeting.

Channelization device reflectorization on non-interstate highways. On all other highways, reflectorization for channelization devices (and permanent mounting height construction signs and object markers) shall meet the reflectorization requirements of Section 913, Type III or IV unless otherwise specified.

Traffic control plan submittal before work. Prior to construction, the Contractor shall submit detailed staging and traffic control plans, including all traffic shifts, detours, bridge widening, paces, lane closures or other activities that disrupt traffic flow, to the Project Engineer for prior approval before beginning any work.

Advance submittal before major traffic shift. At a minimum of 14 days before a major traffic shift on the project, the Contractor shall submit additional traffic control details to the Project Engineer.

Lane closure reporting lead time. Lane closures and other traffic interruptions should be reported a week in advance and at no time less than three (3) days prior to implementing; notice of openings should be given two weeks in advance and notice of detours one week prior.

No work before traffic control devices placed. No work shall begin on any phase of the project unless the appropriate traffic control devices have been placed according to the Contract requirements.

Worksite Traffic Control Supervisor required. The Contractor shall designate a qualified Worksite Traffic Control Supervisor (WTCS) responsible for selecting, installing and maintaining all traffic control devices per the Plans, Specifications, Special Provisions and MUTCD, with training per Part VI of the MUTCD, available on a 24-hour basis and able to respond to an emergency within 45 minutes of notification.

Flagger certification and equipment. All flaggers shall meet MUTCD requirements, be certified from a Department approved training program with proof of certification available, wear high-visibility clothing in compliance with MUTCD, and use a Stop/Slow paddle meeting MUTCD requirements.

Work zone speed limit reduction range. The minimum reduction of the posted speed limit will be no less than 10 mph (16 kph) and a maximum reduction of no greater than 20 mph (32 kph).

Temporary speed reduction triggers. A temporary speed reduction zone will be established when workers are near a travel lane, when work is being performed near a travel lane, when temporary concrete barrier is located less than 2 feet from the travelway, or when the Contractor's request is justified.

Reduced-speed signing sequence (R2-5a and R2-1). Erect a standard R2-5a (Reduced Speed Ahead) sign a minimum of 600 ft (183 m) in advance of the reduced speed zone; erect a standard R2-1 (Speed Limit XX) sign a minimum of 600 ft in advance of the beginning of the reduced speed zone if the limit will be reduced 20 mph total (reducing in 10 mph increments).

Work Zone regulatory sign placement. Erect a black on white regulatory R2-Special (Work Zone/Speed Limit XX/Minimum Fine $100) sign 600 ft (183 m) past the previous advance sign.

Intermediate speed limit sign spacing in reduced zone. Erect intermediate R2-1 (Speed Limit XX) signs at intervals not exceeding one mile within the reduced speed zone.

End-of-zone speed limit sign. Erect a standard R2-1 (Speed Limit XX) sign 600 ft (183 m) past the work zone posting the normal speed limit for the roadway, and cover or remove all existing speed limit signs while the temporary reduction is in effect.

Notice prior to placing new speed zone in operation. The Area Engineer shall notify the District Construction Engineer and District Traffic Engineer in writing a minimum of 48 hours prior to placing the new speed zone in operation.

Correction of traffic control deficiencies. If deficiencies in traffic control are not satisfactorily corrected within a reasonable time period, or a maximum of 24 hours after notification, the Project Engineer will initiate enforcement steps.

Reduced clearance reporting. If conditions during construction or traffic interruption reduce the horizontal clearance to less than 16 feet and/or reduce the vertical clearance to less than 15 feet, the reduced clearances shall be clearly noted under "Additional Information" on the Traffic Interruption Report.

Temporary speed reductions must comply with Georgia law. Temporary speed limit reductions in work zones must comply with Georgia Law (Code Section 40-6-188).

Scenarios in Georgia