§ 8.5.2. Procedures

A.

Requests For Temporary Traffic Control

Any person wishing to perform any work within the public right-of-way must obtain the proper permit(s) prior to starting such work.

In order to insure proper advance planning and coordination, except in emergency situations as noted in section 8.5.2 C.1, all requests for temporary traffic controls require advance notice be given to the Transportation Division of the Transportation Planning and Sustainability Department. Written notification shall be given on forms provided by the city for all temporary traffic control zones. The advance notification requirements depend on the type of street the activity will occupy and the duration of the activity. The following minimum advance notifications are required for all temporary traffic control zones.

Any person wishing to setup temporary traffic controls in the area bounded by Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Chicon Street (to the river), IH 35, Oltorf Street, and MoPac Boulevard (from Barton Skyway to just north of Enifield Road) must submit requests on forms provided by the city. The Transportation Division will review and coordinate the requests and inform the applicant of dates the activity may proceed.

In all other areas of the city the following notifications requirements shall apply.

•  Long-term stationary - Work that occupies a location more than 3 days. Two (2) weeks advance notice for all roadways and detours.

•  Intermediate-term stationary - Work that occupies a location from overnight to 3 days. Three (3) working days advance notice for Arterial and Collector streets, one (1) working day advance notice for Residential streets and two (2) weeks for detours.

•  Short-term stationary - Daytime work that occupies a location from 1 to 12 hours. Three (3) working days advance notice for Arterial and Collector streets and two (2) weeks for detours.

•  Short, Duration - Work that occupies a location up to 1 hour. Three (3) working days advance notice for Arterial streets.

•  Mobile - Work that moves intermittently or continuously. Three (3) working day advance notice for all streets.

When arterial streets are to be completely close, advance warning signs shall be installed a minimum of one (1) week before the closure. The size, location and wording shall be determined on a case by case basis.

For the purpose of this section; Arterial streets are any street with striping to provide two-lanes or more of traffic in one direction or streets located in the Central Business District (Figure 8-6). Collector streets are any street connecting two (2) or more arterial streets. All others are considered Residential streets.

B.

Incident Management

The primary function of traffic control at an incident area is to move traffic safely and expeditiously through or around the incident. An incident is an emergency work activity, major traffic accidents, natural disaster or special event.

1.

Emergency Operations

Emergency operations are defined under Section 15-2-1 of the City Code as any operations or repairs necessary to prevent imminent damage or injury to the health or safety of the public or any person. During such emergencies, the ability to install proper traffic control may be greatly reduced, and any devices on hand should be used for the initial response as long as they do not present a hazard themselves. If the incident is prolonged, standard temporary traffic control procedures and devices shall be used. Procedures for emergencies are as follows:

a.

Provide temporary traffic control with devices on hand such as cones, vehicles, flaggers or police officers to guide motorist and pedestrians around the incident.

b.

During normal work hours, immediately contact the Transportation Division of the Transportation Planning and Sustainability Department at 974-2217to report the location of the emergency. During non-business hours contact the Electric Department dispatch at 322-9500. The Transportation Division shall determine what, if any, additional temporary traffic controls will be needed at the site.

c.

Provide proper temporary traffic control as required to complete the activity.

2.

Special Events

Special events such as parades, sporting events and nonconstruction street closures for filming and street events, can be planned for and coordinated. Therefore, proper temporary traffic control shall be provided for these events. Procedures for special events are as follows:

a.

Applicants shall make application to the Austin Police Department for parade permits as required under Section 8-11 of the Austin City Code or to the Transportation, Planning and Sustainability Department for Nonconstruction Street Closure permits as required under Section 15-2 of the Austin City Code.

b.

The applicant shall submit a traffic control plan for approval to the Transportation Division of the Transportation, Planning and Sustainability Department, which indicates the proposed route of the parade and/or the streets to be closed, and the locations of all temporary traffic control devices to be used during the event.

c.

The Transportation Division shall determine if the proposed traffic control plan will not interfere with any other previously planned activities and if any temporary traffic control devices other than police officers shall be required for the event.

d.

If temporary traffic control devices are required for the event, the applicant shall provide a letter from a professional barricade company stating that all devices to be used during the event shall be set up and removed by them in accordance with the current addition of the Texas Manual On Uniform Traffic Control Devices and this section.