Delaware Administrative Code
Title 2 - Transportation
2000 - Department of Transportation
2400 - Division of Transportation Solutions
2402 - Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)
Part 6 - Temporary Traffic Control
Chapter 6F - TEMPORARY TRAFFIC CONTROL ZONE DEVICES
Section 6F.61 - Arrow Boards
Current through Register Vol. 28, No. 3, September 1, 2024
Standard:
01 An arrow board shall be a sign with a matrix of elements capable of either flashing or sequential displays. This sign shall provide additional warning and directional information to assist in merging and controlling road users through or around a TTC zone.
Guidance:
02 An arrow board in the arrow or chevron mode should be used to advise approaching traffic of a lane closure along major multi-lane roadways in situations involving heavy traffic volumes, high speeds, and/or limited sight distances, or at other locations and under other conditions where road users are less likely to expect such lane closures.
03 If used, an arrow board should be used in combination with appropriate signs, channelizing devices, or other TTC devices.
04 An arrow board should be placed on the shoulder of the roadway or, if practical, farther from the traveled lane. It should be delineated with retroreflective TTC devices. When an arrow board is not being used, it should be removed; if not removed, it should be shielded; or if the previous two options are not feasible, it should be delineated with retroreflective TTC devices.
Standard:
05 Arrow boards shall meet the minimum size, legibility distance, number of elements, and other specifications shown in Figure 6F-6.
Support:
06 Type A arrow boards are appropriate for use on low-speed urban streets. Type B arrow boards are appropriate for intermediate-speed facilities and for maintenance or mobile operations on high-speed roadways. Type C arrow boards are intended to be used on high-speed, high-volume motor vehicle traffic control projects. Type D arrow boards are intended for use on vehicles authorized by the State or local agency.
Standard:
07 Type A, B, and C arrow boards shall have solid rectangular appearances. A Type D arrow board shall conform to the shape of the arrow.
08 All arrow boards shall be finished in non-reflective black. The arrow board shall be mounted on a vehicle, a trailer, or other suitable support.
Guidance:
09 The minimum mounting height, measured vertically from the bottom of the board to the roadway below it or to the elevation of the near edge of the roadway, of an arrow board should be 7 feet, except on vehicle-mounted arrow boards, which should be as high as practical.
10 A vehicle-mounted arrow board should be provided with remote controls.
Standard:
11 Arrow board elements shall be capable of at least a 50 percent dimming from full brilliance. The dimmed mode shall be used for nighttime operation of arrow boards.
Guidance:
12 Full brilliance should be used for daytime operation of arrow boards.
Standard:
13 The arrow board shall have suitable elements capable of the various operating modes. The color presented by the elements shall be yellow.
Guidance:
14 If an arrow board consisting of a bulb matrix is used, the elements should be recess-mounted or equipped with an upper hood of not less than 180 degrees.
Standard:
15 The minimum element on-time shall be 50 percent for the flashing mode, with equal intervals of 25 percent for each sequential phase. The flashing rate shall be not less than 25 or more than 40 flashes per minute.
16 An arrow board shall have the following three mode selections:
Guidance:
Standard:
17 An arrow board in the arrow or chevron mode shall be used only for stationary or moving lane closures on multi-lane roadways.
18 For shoulder work, blocking the shoulder, for roadside work near the shoulder, or for temporarily closing one lane on a two-lane, two-way roadway, an arrow board shall be used only in the caution mode.
Guidance:
19 For a stationary lane closure, the arrow board should be located on the shoulder at the beginning of the merging taper.
20 Where the shoulder is narrow, the arrow board should be located in the closed lane.
Standard:
21 When arrow boards are used to close multiple lanes, a separate arrow board shall be used for each closed lane.
Guidance:
22 When arrow boards are used to close multiple lanes, if the first arrow board is placed on the shoulder, the second arrow board should be placed in the first closed lane at the upstream end of the second merging taper (see Figure 6H-37). When the first arrow board is placed in the first closed lane, the second arrow board should be placed in the second closed lane at the downstream end of the second merging taper.
23 For mobile operations where a lane is closed, the arrow board should be located to provide adequate separation from the work operation to allow for appropriate reaction by approaching drivers.
Standard:
24 A vehicle displaying an arrow board shall be equipped with high-intensity rotating, flashing, oscillating, or strobe lights.
25 Arrow boards shall only be used to indicate a lane closure. Arrow boards shall not be used to indicate a lane shift.
Option:
26 A portable changeable message sign may be used to simulate an arrow board display.
