As a C-31 Construction Zone Traffic Control Licensed Contractor, we provide Traffic Control Plans, Permit Processing, Flagging Personnel, and TC Equipment, including setup, maintenance, and teardown. AirX has been providing Temporary Traffic Control Plans for over fifteen years, predominantly for our potholing projects; more recently, we have expanded by drawing Traffic Control Plans for Trenching, Structure Access & Pole Installations over the past few years.
Traffic Control Plans are generally required any time work is to be done on or near the roadway, affecting traffic lanes, shoulders, sidewalks, crosswalk parking, or bicycle facilities. Traffic Control Plans are typically submitted as part of an Encroachment Permit package, including Permit Applications, Insurance Certificate, Site Plan, and a written description detailing the operations that will take place. The purpose of Traffic Control Plans is to provide guidance and warning necessary for the orderly and predictable movement of traffic through and around work zones, thereby minimizing inconvenience to the public while providing safety and accessibility for all road users and workers.
The order of operations to complete a Traffic Control Plan are as follows:
- The Excavation Areas or Structures are identified from As-Built Plans, field visits, or Construction Design Plans provided by our client. A suitable Work Area is determined based on the necessary equipment to complete the scope of work. Long trenches may need to be broken into phases to minimize traffic impacts.
- We identify the boundaries of what needs to be drawn based on the type of Traffic Control Setup and the Speed Limit of the streets involved; The size and orientation of the Work Area define the Traffic Control Setup necessary (Shoulder Closure, Lane Closure, Flagging, etc.)
- Using Google Earth or drone aerial images, we trace the street layout using AutoCAD software. Curbs, Medians, Sidewalks, Driveways, Street Striping, Bike Lanes, existing traffic signals, and signage are all added to the background drawing to accurately represent the existing conditions in the vicinity of the Work Area. Sometimes a site visit may be necessary to gather additional information relevant to the plan.
- The Excavation Areas and Structures are also added to the plan with their predetermined Work Zones. Working backward from the Work Area, we add the appropriate Buffer Space, Tapers, Advance Warning Signs, and additional signage required by the street’s Speed Limit concerning Local, State, and Federal standards.
- The governing municipality reviews the completed Traffic Control Plan as part of the Encroachment Permit submittal, verifying all relevant dimensions and required signage are clearly labeled and by applicable standards.