Articles on Gas Detection

Yesterday, I gave you a link to download a new white paper by ISC on “Why Bump Testing Saves Lives”. Today I wanted to let you know about all the other great articles relating to gas detection available on the ISC website. Below is a complete list of all the articles available. It will probably [...]

Why Bump Testing Saves Lives

It can be a pain to do; it takes time, usually when you don’t feel like you have it. Just how important is bump testing your gas detector?

Apparently, it is very important. Your life, in fact, may depend on it. A new white paper available from Industrial Scientific gives you the results of a seven-year [...]

The Basics of Traffic Control (Part 11)

5. Type of Temporary Traffic Control Zone Activities

The five categories of work duration and their time at a location shall be:

A. Long-term stationary is work that occupies a location more than 3 days.

B. Intermediate-term stationary is work that occupies a location more than one daylight period up

to 3 days, or nighttime work lasting more than [...]

The Basics of Traffic Control (Part 10)

4.Temporary Traffic Control Zone Devices

This section defines usage, size, colors, nature and placement for any and all signs, barriers, flags, cones, pavement markings, barricades and signals in TTCs.

A few important notes taken from this section:

All nighttime signs shall be retroreflective

Signs must be legible at all times which means that they must be maintained and replaced [...]

The Basics of Traffic Control (Part 9)

Additionally, this section of the MUTCD contains regulations regarding the Hand-Signaling Devices used by flaggers.

The STOP/SLOW paddle is the preferred hand-signaling device because it provides more guidance to drivers than flgs.

The Standard reads:

“The STOP/SLOW paddle shall have an octagonal shape on a rigid handle. STOP/SLOW paddles shall be at least 450 mm (18 in) wide [...]

The Basics of Traffic Control (Part 8)

Pedestrian and Worker Safety

Essentially, this section covers regulations for protecting pedestrians in TTCs. If the regular pedestrian traffic needs to be rerouted, all precautions should be taken to make sure that they are never led along a path that would endanger them. This section includes sections on protecting pedestrians from overhead hazards, traffic hazards, construction [...]

The Basics of Traffic Control (Part 7)

5. Temporary Traffic Control (TTC)

Following the last section involving temporary traffic control for low-volume roads, this section of the MUTCD covers temporary traffic control in a more generalized context.

“temporary traffic control” is defined in terms of a disruption of the “normal function of the roadway”.

The purpose of this section is to help maintain a safe [...]

The Basics of Traffic Control (Part 6)

4. Traffic Control Devices for Low-Volume Roads

According to the MUTCD section 5, a low-volume road is defined as:

A low-volume road shall be a facility lying outside of built-up areas of Cities, towns, and communities, and it shall have a traffic volume of less than 400 AADT.

A low-volume road shall not be a freeway, expressway, interchange [...]

The Basics of Traffic Control (Part 5)

3. Highway Traffic Signals
Highway traffic signals include the following:

traffic control signals

pedestrian signals

emergency-vehicle traffic control signals

traffic control signals for one-lane, two-way facilities

traffic control signals for freeway entrance ramps

traffic control signals for movable bridges

lane-use control signals

flashing beacons

in-roadway lights

The determination with regards to when and where to place traffic signals is something that is a fairly complex process [...]

The Basics of Traffic Control (Part 4)

2. Markings
In addition to signs are road markings. Road markings help provide guidance and information for drivers. The most obvious markings are, for example, lane restrictions which makes clear whether passing is permitted or not.
The general functions of longitudinal lines are:

A. A double line indicates maximum or special restrictions,

B. A solid line discourages [...]