Texas traffic-safety compliance

Close a lane (work zone)

Cone color and impact-safe material. Cones shall be predominantly orange and shall be made of a material that can be struck without causing damage to the impacting vehicle.

Minimum cone height for daytime/low-speed use. For daytime and low-speed roadways, cones shall be not less than 18 inches in height.

Minimum cone height for freeways/high-speed/nighttime use. When cones are used on freeways and other high-speed highways or at night on all highways, or when more conspicuous guidance is needed, cones shall be a minimum of 28 inches in height.

Nighttime cone retroreflectorization required. For nighttime use, cones shall be retroreflectorized or equipped with lighting devices for maximum visibility.

Retroreflective banding for 28-36 inch cones. Retroreflectorization of cones 28 to 36 inches in height shall be provided by a 6-inch wide white band located 3 to 4 inches from the top of the cone and an additional 4-inch wide white band located approximately 2 inches below the 6-inch band.

Retroreflective striping for cones over 36 inches. Cones more than 36 inches in height shall use horizontal, circumferential, alternating orange and white retroreflective stripes 4 to 6 inches wide; each cone shall have a minimum of two orange and two white stripes with the top stripe orange, and non-retroreflective spaces between stripes shall not exceed 3 inches in width.

Permitted uses of traffic cones. Traffic cones may be used to channelize road users, divide opposing vehicular traffic lanes, divide lanes when two or more lanes are kept open in the same direction, and delineate short-duration maintenance and utility work.

Prevent cones from being displaced by wind or traffic. Steps should be taken to minimize the possibility of cones being blown over or displaced by wind or moving vehicular traffic.

Minimum ballast on cones. Ballast should be kept to the minimum amount needed. Cones may be doubled up to increase their weight.

Channelizing devices must be crashworthy. Designs of various channelizing devices shall be as shown in Figure 6K-1. All channelizing devices shall be crashworthy.

Channelizing device spacing for taper and tangent. Spacing between cones, tubular markers, vertical panels, drums, and barricades should not exceed a distance in feet equal to 1 times the speed limit in mph for taper channelization, and should not exceed a distance in feet equal to 2 times the speed limit in mph for tangent channelization.

Extension of channelizing devices beyond transition area. When channelizing devices have the potential of leading vehicular traffic out of the intended vehicular traffic space, the channelizing devices should be extended a distance in feet of 2 times the speed limit in mph beyond the downstream end of the transition area.

Retroreflective material color consistency. The retroreflective material used on channelizing devices shall display a similar color day or night.

Owner/manufacturer identification restriction on devices. Information identifying the owner or manufacturer shall not be displayed on any portion of the device that can be seen by road users approaching the device; any permitted name and telephone number area shall be non-retroreflective and not over 2 inches in height.

Replacement of unserviceable channelizing devices. Channelizing devices that are no longer serviceable shall be replaced.

Taper length criteria by taper type. Minimum taper lengths: Merging Taper at least L; Shifting Taper at least 0.5 L; Shoulder Taper at least 0.33 L; One-Lane, Two-Way Traffic Taper 50 feet minimum, 100 feet maximum; Downstream Taper 50 feet minimum, 100 feet maximum.

Taper length formula (Texas Table 6B-4A). For posted speed 40 mph or less, L = (W x S^2) / 60; for posted speed 45 mph or more, L = W x S. Where L = length of taper in feet, W = width of offset in feet, S = posted speed in mph.

Merging taper lengths and device spacing by speed (Table 6B-4A). Representative merging taper lengths (12 ft offset) and device spacing: 30 mph 180 ft/taper 30 ft/tangent 60 ft; 40 mph 320 ft/40 ft/80 ft; 45 mph 540 ft/45 ft/90 ft; 55 mph 660 ft/55 ft/110 ft; 65 mph 780 ft/65 ft/130 ft; 70 mph 840 ft/70 ft/140 ft; 75 mph 900 ft/75 ft/150 ft.

Downstream taper length and device spacing. If used, a downstream taper should have a minimum length of 50 feet and a maximum length of 100 feet with devices placed at a spacing of approximately 20 feet.

One-lane, two-way traffic taper length and device spacing. A taper having a minimum length of 50 feet and a maximum length of 100 feet with channelizing devices at approximately 20-foot spacing should be used to guide traffic into the one-lane section.

Merging taper tangent separation. Multiple merging tapers should have a tangent length of at least 2 L between them. Adjoining merging and shifting tapers should have a tangent length of at least 1/2 L between them.

High-visibility safety apparel for workers in TTC zone. For daytime and nighttime activity, all workers within the right-of-way inside the TTC zone shall wear high-visibility safety apparel meeting Performance Class 2 or 3 requirements of ANSI/ISEA 107-2015, or equivalent revisions.

High-visibility apparel color requirements. The apparel background (outer) material color shall be fluorescent orange-red, fluorescent yellow-green, or a combination of the two; retroreflective material shall be orange, yellow, white, silver, yellow-green, or a fluorescent version of these colors.

High-visibility apparel for law enforcement handling lane closures. When uniformed law enforcement personnel are used to direct traffic, investigate crashes, or handle lane closures, obstructed roadways, and disasters, high-visibility safety apparel as described in this Section shall be worn by the law enforcement personnel.

Advance warning sign spacing (Texas Table 6B-1A). Suggested advance warning sign spacing 'X' on conventional highways by posted speed: 25 mph=100 ft; 30=120; 35=160; 40=240; 45=320; 50=400; 55=500; 60=600; 65=700; 70=800; 75=900; 80=1000; 85=1100 ft. Expressway/Freeway per Chapter 6P typical applications.

Longitudinal buffer space length (Texas Table 6B-2A). Longitudinal buffer space length by posted speed: 20 mph=40 ft; 25=60; 30=90; 35=120; 40=155; 45=195; 50=240; 55=295; 60=350; 65=410; 70=475; 75=540; 80=615; 85=695 ft.

Redirection of road users requires channelizing devices in transition area. Except for mobile operations, when redirection of the road users' normal path is required, road users shall be directed from the normal path to a new path with appropriate channelizing devices, traffic control devices, and/or TTC methods.

Advance warning required when work space is within traveled way. When the work space is within the traveled way, except for short-duration and mobile operations, advance warning shall provide a general message that work is taking place and shall supply information about highway conditions; TTC devices shall indicate how vehicular traffic can move through the TTC zone.

Run a valet operation

No stopping/standing/parking on roadway side of a parked vehicle. An operator may not stop, stand, or park a vehicle on the roadway side of a vehicle stopped or parked at the edge or curb of a street (double parking prohibited).

No stopping/standing/parking on a sidewalk. An operator may not stop, stand, or park a vehicle on a sidewalk.

No stopping/standing/parking in an intersection. An operator may not stop, stand, or park a vehicle in an intersection.

No stopping/standing/parking on a crosswalk. An operator may not stop, stand, or park a vehicle on a crosswalk.

Safety zone stopping/parking clearance. An operator may not stop, stand, or park between a safety zone and the adjacent curb or within 30 feet of a place on the curb immediately opposite the ends of a safety zone, unless the municipal governing body designates a different length by signs or markings.

No stopping/standing/parking alongside street excavation or obstruction. An operator may not stop, stand, or park a vehicle alongside or opposite a street excavation or obstruction if doing so would obstruct traffic.

No stopping/standing/parking on a bridge, elevated structure, or in a tunnel. An operator may not stop, stand, or park a vehicle on a bridge or other elevated structure on a highway or in a highway tunnel.

No stopping/standing/parking on a railroad track. An operator may not stop, stand, or park a vehicle on a railroad track.

No stopping where an official sign prohibits stopping. An operator may not stop, stand, or park a vehicle where an official sign prohibits stopping.

No standing/parking in front of a driveway (except momentary passenger pick-up/discharge). An operator may not, except momentarily to pick up or discharge a passenger, stand or park an occupied or unoccupied vehicle in front of a public or private driveway.

No standing/parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant (except momentary passenger pick-up/discharge). An operator may not, except momentarily to pick up or discharge a passenger, stand or park a vehicle within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.

No standing/parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection (except momentary passenger pick-up/discharge). An operator may not, except momentarily to pick up or discharge a passenger, stand or park a vehicle within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.

No standing/parking within 30 feet on approach to signal or sign (except momentary passenger pick-up/discharge). An operator may not, except momentarily to pick up or discharge a passenger, stand or park a vehicle within 30 feet on the approach to a flashing signal, stop sign, yield sign, or traffic-control signal located at the side of a roadway.

No standing/parking near a fire station entrance (except momentary passenger pick-up/discharge). An operator may not, except momentarily to pick up or discharge a passenger, stand or park a vehicle within 20 feet of the driveway entrance to a fire station, and on the side of a street opposite the entrance within 75 feet, if the entrance is properly marked with a sign.

No standing where an official sign prohibits standing. An operator may not, except momentarily to pick up or discharge a passenger, stand or park a vehicle where an official sign prohibits standing.

No parking within 50 feet of a railroad crossing (except temporary loading/unloading). An operator may not, except temporarily to load or unload merchandise or passengers, park a vehicle within 50 feet of the nearest rail of a railroad crossing.

No parking where an official sign prohibits parking (except temporary loading/unloading). An operator may not, except temporarily to load or unload merchandise or passengers, park a vehicle where an official sign prohibits parking.

Exception for traffic conflict avoidance or officer/device compliance. Subsections (a), (b), and (c) do not apply if avoidance of conflict with other traffic is necessary or if the operator is complying with the law or the directions of a police officer or official traffic-control device.

Set up a parking lot

Minimum number of accessible parking spaces (Table 208.2). Accessible parking spaces complying with 502 shall be provided per Table 208.2: 1-25 spaces=1; 26-50=2; 51-75=3; 76-100=4; 101-150=5; 151-200=6; 201-300=7; 301-400=8; 401-500=9; 501-1000=2% of total; 1001 and over=20 plus 1 for each 100 (or fraction) over 1000. Calculated separately for each parking facility.

Hospital outpatient facility accessible parking ratio. Ten percent of patient and visitor parking spaces serving hospital outpatient facilities shall comply with 502.

Rehabilitation / outpatient physical therapy accessible parking ratio. Twenty percent of patient and visitor parking spaces serving rehabilitation facilities specializing in treating conditions that affect mobility and outpatient physical therapy facilities shall comply with 502.

Van parking space count. For every six or fraction of six accessible parking spaces required by 208.2, at least one shall be a van parking space complying with 502.

Location of accessible parking spaces. Accessible parking spaces serving a building or facility shall be located on the shortest accessible route from parking to an entrance complying with 206.4; where serving more than one accessible entrance they shall be dispersed on the shortest accessible route to the accessible entrances.

Car and van parking space width. Car parking spaces shall be 96 inches (2440 mm) wide minimum and van parking spaces shall be 132 inches (3350 mm) wide minimum, and shall be marked to define the width, with an adjacent access aisle complying with 502.3.

Van space narrower width exception (wide access aisle). Van parking spaces shall be permitted to be 96 inches (2440 mm) wide minimum where the access aisle is 96 inches (2440 mm) wide minimum.

Access aisle width. Access aisles serving car and van parking spaces shall be 60 inches (1525 mm) wide minimum.

Access aisle length. Access aisles shall extend the full length of the parking spaces they serve.

Access aisle marking. Access aisles shall be marked so as to discourage parking in them.

Access aisle location. Access aisles shall not overlap the vehicular way and may be placed on either side of the parking space, except angled van parking spaces which shall have access aisles located on the passenger side of the parking spaces.

Access aisle slope / level surface. Access aisles shall be at the same level as the parking spaces they serve; changes in level are not permitted, except slopes not steeper than 1:48 shall be permitted.

Van parking vertical clearance. Parking spaces for vans and access aisles and vehicular routes serving them shall provide a vertical clearance of 98 inches (2490 mm) minimum.

Accessible parking sign identification and mounting height. Parking space identification signs shall include the International Symbol of Accessibility complying with 703.7.2.1; signs identifying van parking spaces shall contain the designation "van accessible"; and signs shall be 60 inches (1525 mm) minimum above the finish floor or ground surface measured to the bottom of the sign.

Parking spaces must not obstruct accessible routes. Parking spaces and access aisles shall be designed so that cars and vans, when parked, cannot obstruct the required clear width of adjacent accessible routes.

Measurement of space and aisle width from centerline of markings. Where parking spaces are marked with lines, width measurements of parking spaces and access aisles shall be made from the centerline of the markings.

Political subdivision designation must conform to state standards. A political subdivision must designate a disabled parking space or area by conforming to the standards and specifications adopted by the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation under Section 469.052, Government Code, relating to identification and dimensions. A private property owner may designate without conforming unless required by law.

No parking-space identification sign, no citation. A peace officer may issue a warning but may not issue a citation for an offense under Subsection (a) or (b) to a person who stands a vehicle in a disabled parking space or area that does not have a parking space identification sign identifying the space in accordance with the standards and specifications referred to in Section 681.009(b).

Base fine for accessible-parking offense. An offense under Section 681.011 (except as provided in Subsections (h)-(k)) is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $500 or more than $750.

Offense to block access aisle or curb ramp. A person commits an offense if the person stands a vehicle so that the vehicle blocks an architectural improvement designed to aid persons with disabilities, including an access aisle or curb ramp.

Substantial-compliance defense unavailable. It is not a defense to prosecution under Subsection (a) or (b) that the disabled parking space is not designated in full compliance with the standards referred to in Section 681.009(b) if the space is generally in compliance and is clearly distinguishable as being designated specifically for persons with disabilities.

Scenarios in Texas