Traffic Control Manual
14.31.1.1

Traffic control procedures in British Columbia must meet the requirements of the latest edition of the "Traffic Control Manual for Work on Roadways" (the Traffic Control Manual) issued by the Ministry of Transportation and Highways (MOTH), Highways Engineering Branch, and the requirements of this Part for matters not covered by the manual.

Railway's Responsibilities
14.31.1.2

The railway must ensure that effective traffic control is provided and used whenever the uncontrolled movement of vehicle traffic could be a hazard to the employees.

Note: Effective traffic control may include buffer vehicles, traffic lights, signs, flashing arrow boards, barricades, cone detours, traffic control persons (TCPs) or other techniques and devices, suitable for the prevailing conditions.

Traffic Control Supervisor
14.31.1.4

During a traffic control operation a supervisor must be designated to be responsible for ensuring that

(a) the required traffic control devices are in place;

(b) each member of the traffic control crew wears the required personal protective clothing and equipment;

(c) traffic control persons are positioned in a safe location clear of potential environmental hazards such as a slide or avalanche;

(d) traffic control persons perform traffic control duties competently and safely; and

(e) if 2 or more traffic control persons are required to work as a team at the work site, responsibility for coordination of changes in traffic flow is assigned.

Traffic Control Devices
14.31.1.4

(1) Traffic control devices must be put in place before commencing operations and must be removed when they are no longer required.

(2) Traffic control devices must be spaced at intervals specified in the Traffic Control Manual and signs must be located so as to allow motorists to come to a controlled stop, with due regard for the prevailing weather and road conditions.

When Required
14.31.2.1.

(1) Except as permitted by subsection (2) traffic control persons must be used when any of the following conditions prevail:

(a) traffic is required to pass an employee, equipment or other obstruction which may block all or part of the travelled roadway;

(b) employees or equipment are employed on the travelled way over the brow of the hill, around a sharp curve, or any other location where sight distance is nor adequate for oncoming traffic to have adequate warning of their presence;

(c) it is necessary to institute a one-way traffic system through a work zone where traffic volumes are heavy , approach speeds are high, and a traffic signal system is not used;

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(d) construction vehicle, or other railway equipment traffic is not coordinated with an existing traffic control system, or an existing traffic signal light system is not adequate to regulate traffic, or the work encroaches into an intersection so as to interfere with regular traffic movement;

(e) traffic speed or volume is a hazard to employees while setting up or removing other traffic control devices;

(f) other traffic control devices are not available for emergency protection; and

(g) employees are not adequately protected by other traffic control devices.

(2) The requirement for traffic control persons may be waived where:

(a) adequate protection for employees is provided by other traffic control devices or procedures, or

(b) circumstances' allow self-regulating single lane traffic controlled by signs as specifies in the Traffic Controlled Manual.

Note: Circumstances where subsection (2) applies may include emergency or brief duration obstruction (usually less than 15 minutes) of 1 traffic lane where traffic is light and sight distance is adequate. Typical activities would include crossing flange-way clearing or the removal of debris from a grade crossing.

Selection and Instruction
14.31.2.2

(1) A traffic control person must be a responsible person who has been instructed in, and has demonstrated an adequate knowledge of this Part and the relevant procedures from the Traffic Control Manual.

(2) Railways who require employee to act as traffic control persons must train and instruct those workers in a course acceptable to the board which covers:

(a) environmental factors such as heat, cold and sun;

(b) personal protective clothing and safety equipment;

(c) communication with the travelling public;

(d) working around heavy equipment;

(e) setting up traffic control devices at a worksite;

(f) proper positioning of traffic control persons; and

(g) proper hand signals.

Remain on Duty
14.31.2.3

During traffic control operations a traffic control person must remain on duty at the assigned station until relieved.

Location of TCPs
14.31.2.4

A traffic control person must:

(a) stand in a safe position, preferably on the driver's side of the lane under the TCP's control, be clearly visible and have an unobstructed view of approaching traffic, and

(b) be positioned at least 25 m (80 ft) away from the work area unless circumstances or space requirements such as working at or near an intersection dictate otherwise.

Signs
14.31.2.5

(1) Unless otherwise specified, all traffic control signs must be installed and removed in a sequence which best protects employees during this phase of traffic control.

(2) Except for brief traffic control operations, or in an emergency, signs advising of a traffic control person ahead must be placed in advance of each traffic control person's station, and removed promptly when traffic control persons are no longer on duty at that station.

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Daytime Operations
14.31.3.1

Each traffic control person must be provided with and use:

(a) a traffic control paddle having a reflectorized finish on both sides and, if necessary to relieve fatigue, a non-conductive support staff for the paddle;

(b) high visibility apparel meeting the requirements of Division 10 of this Part;

(c) safety headgear of a high visibility colour with a strip of retro reflective tape about the crown; and

(d) an effective means of communication when traffic control persons are not visible to each other, which under no circumstances means a system of passing batons or similar items to indicate the last vehicle through the zone under control.

Poor Visibility Operations
14.31.3.2

During the hours of darkness, or in other conditions of poor visibility , each traffic control person must be provided with and use, in addition to the equipment required by section
14.31.3.1, a flashlight fitted with a red signalling baton, and spare batteries.

Equipment Maintenance
14.31.3.3

All traffic control equipment, including signs , traffic control paddles and personal protective equipment, must be kept clean and in working condition.

(1) All signalling of traffic must conform with the requirements of the Traffic Control Manual and this Part.

(2) The traffic control person's paddle must not be used to wave traffic on and must never be displayed to traffic in any other than a static manner .

Dust Control
14.31.4.1

Where traffic is diverted onto dusty surfaces, the railway or the principal contractor must maintain good visibility by the application of water or other acceptable material to the grade surface to suppress dust.

Long Periods of Delay
14.31.4.2

Sufficient signs and signals must be used during long periods of traffic delay to keep the travelling motorist advised.

Recovery of Rail Equipment
14.31.4.3

If the recovery of damaged or derailed equipment prevents the safe passage of motorists or if passing motorists pose a danger to the employees engaged in wreck clearing, or other activities, the person in charge must:

(a) warn travelling motorists of the recovery operation by displaying appropriate signs and a 3600 flashing light;

(b) ensure that employees wear appropriate personal protective equipment; and

(c) ensure that any other procedures required by the "Traffic Control Manual" are followed if the activity exceeds the limits for emergency or brief duration work. /

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