Delaware Administrative Code
Title 2 - Transportation
2000 - Department of Transportation
2400 - Division of Transportation Solutions
2403 - Special Events Policies and Procedures - Traffic Management
Section 2403-4.0 - Event Traffic Control
Universal Citation: 2 DE Admin Code 2403-4.0
Current through Register Vol. 28, No. 3, September 1, 2024
4.1 Planned special events typically have impacts on the transportation system and these impacts can be classified as either direct or indirect. Some events have both types of impacts. This section describes the necessary temporary traffic control that is required for those events that have direct impacts on the transportation system. In addition, it describes how the event organizer works with DelDOT on the development of a Transportation Operations Plan for those events with an indirect impact on the transportation system. Guidelines for the use of law enforcement and the use of Portable Changeable Message Signs (PCMS) are also provided.
4.2 Events with Direct Impacts on the Transportation System:
4.2.1 Planned special events with direct
impacts on the transportation system are those events that require a lane or
roadway closure in order for the event to take place. These types of events may
include but are not limited to bike races/tours, marathons, block parties,
parades and festivals. In order to safely and efficiently move traffic around
the event area, temporary traffic control is required and shall comply with the
provisions of Part 6 of the Delaware Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
(DE MUTCD). This information can be found at:
4.2.2 For events that have direct impacts on
the transportation system, the event organizer shall submit a temporary traffic
control plan to DelDOT for review and approval.
4.2.3 Special Events Requiring Lane or
Shoulder Closures:
4.2.3.1 Planned special
events with direct impacts on the transportation system may require the closure
of one or more travel lanes or a shoulder on a two-lane roadway or multi-lane
highway. In order to move traffic safely around the event area, temporary
traffic control is required. In most situations, typical temporary traffic
control cases from the DE MUTCD should be used and the applicable cases are
listed below:
4.2.3.1.1 Two-Lane, Two-Way
Traffic Shoulder Closure
4.2.3.1.2
Multilane, Divided, Non-Access Controlled Highways - Shoulder Closure
4.2.3.1.3 Two-Lane, Two-Way Traffic Lane
Closure
4.2.3.1.4 Multilane,
Divided Highways and Interstates - Lane Closure
4.2.3.2 In most situations a copy of the
standard temporary traffic control case and the accompanying standard notes can
be submitted for review by DelDOT. There are some instances that may require
additional temporary traffic control devices and this will be determined by
DelDOT through consultation with the applicant. Temporary traffic control plans
must be submitted no fewer than six (6) weeks prior to the event.
4.2.3.3 Several of the standard temporary
traffic control cases noted above allow the use of flaggers or require the use
of flaggers to move traffic through the affected area. Due to the dangers
associated with directing traffic, the only people allowed to perform flagging
operations on Delaware's roadways are the following:
4.2.3.3.1 A person with a valid flagger
registration card from the American Traffic Safety Services Association
(ATSSA). That person shall have their flagger card in their possession while
performing flagging duties.
4.2.3.3.2 Uniformed Fire Police
4.2.3.3.3 Uniformed Local Police
4.2.3.3.4 Uniformed State
Police
4.2.3.4 All
personnel performing flagging duties shall wear a safety vest in accordance
with the Delaware MUTCD. All temporary traffic control devices shall conform to
the requirements of the Delaware MUTCD.
4.2.4 Special Events Requiring Roadway
Closures
4.2.4.1 Planned special events with
direct impacts on the transportation system may require the full closure of one
or more roadways. In order to move traffic safely around the event area,
temporary traffic control and a signed detour route is required. Detour routes
shall be determined by DelDOT and an official detour plan with the proper
approval signatures will be developed by DelDOT for the applicant. Requests for
detour plans shall be submitted to DelDOT no less than six (6) weeks prior to
the event. Depending upon the duration of the closure, law enforcement
personnel may be used to direct traffic around the closure area, in lieu of
providing a signed detour route. The use of law enforcement officers in lieu of
a signed detour will be determined by DelDOT in consultation with the
applicant.
4.3 Events with Indirect Impacts on the Transportation System
4.3.1 Planned Special Events may have an
indirect impact on the transportation system based on the number of event
participants or attendees. Events that have indirect impacts on the
transportation system include concerts, sporting events, fairs/carnivals and
other events that attract large crowds of people. While these events may not
require the closure of roads or lanes, they do create an impact to existing
traffic due to the increased traffic volumes (vehicular and/or pedestrian
volumes) that are experienced, sometimes on roadways that are not designed for
the increased traffic or pedestrians. To mitigate these impacts, it is
necessary to develop a Transportation Operations Plan to determine how traffic
will be managed when patrons are arriving at or leaving the event and how the
event traffic will interact with existing traffic. If in addition, to having
indirect impacts on the transportation system, the event requires the closure
of roadways or lanes, please refer to the previous section for additional
information.
4.3.2 The development
of the Transportation Operations Plan will typically be completed by DelDOT's
Traffic Operations and Management Special Events Section with input provided by
Safety and Transportation Management Center staff and the event organizer.
DelDOT and the event organizer will also meet with the state police to discuss
the plan. If the event is within the limits of a municipality, DelDOT and the
event organizer will also meet with the local police and other local
authorities having jurisdiction. The following items are typically reviewed and
determined during the plan development:
4.3.2.1 Location of event, event parking and
entrances/exits to/from the event area.
4.3.2.2 Roadways surrounding the event area
and expected road closures
4.3.2.3
Locations for traffic control points during entry and exit
4.3.2.4 Locations for parking payment,
credential checks, etc.
4.3.2.5
Lane closures to accommodate entry and exit maneuvers from the event area to
minimize impacts to existing traffic and to allow for free flow
movements.
4.3.2.6 Pedestrian
movements around the event area to provide reasonably safe pedestrian
passage
4.3.2.7 Locations for
portable changeable message signs to direct road users to and around the
event.
4.3.2.8 Locations for
traffic management devices such as portable traffic cameras, portable detection
units, etc.
4.3.3 The
planning process for these types of events needs to start early in order to
ensure a smooth event. The event organizer shall submit the Special Event
Permit Application to DelDOT no fewer than 90 days prior to the beginning of
the event. Once the permit is received by DelDOT, a meeting will be scheduled
with the event organizer and other applicable parties to discuss the event and
any operational concerns. This meeting will be scheduled eight (8) weeks prior
to the event date. The final transportation operations plan, with approved
permit, will be completed four (4) weeks prior to the event date. The
Transportation Operations Plan will include locations of all devices necessary
to carry out the plan, including locations of all lane or roadway closures that
may be necessary to facilitate event traffic around the event
area.
4.4 Use of Law Enforcement for Planned Special Events
4.4.1
Law enforcement officers (State Police, Local Police and/or Fire Police) may be
needed to assist with traffic control during a planned special event. Law
enforcement may also be needed to provide escorts for certain types of events
such as foot races, bike races or parades. It is the responsibility of the
event organizer to secure the appropriate number of law enforcement officers
that are needed for the event and the costs of using law enforcement officers,
if applicable, are the responsibility of the event
organizer.
4.5 Use of Portable Changeable Message Signs
4.5.1
Portable Changeable Message Signs (PCMS) are portable devices that can display
a variety of transportation related messages. These devices may be useful for a
planned special event to direct attendees to parking areas and to direct other
road users around the event to avoid traffic delays. The use of PCMS is
governed by the Delaware MUTCD and these devices may only display
transportation related messages. They cannot be used to advertise the event or
provide other non-transportation related messages to the traveling public as
the device themselves can present a distraction to motorists if not used
properly.
4.5.2 DelDOT has
developed an approval form that must be submitted to receive approval to use
PCMS in DelDOT's right-of-way. This form can be found at:
http://deldot.gov/Publications/manuals/de_mutcd/docs/PCMS_Approval_Form.doc
4.5.3 Additional information regarding the
use of PCMS can be found in Part 6 of the Delaware MUTCD and in the memorandum
titled "Portable Changeable Message Signs," which can be found at:
http://deldot.gov/Publications/manuals/de_mutcd/pdfs/Portable_Changeable_Message_Signs.pdf
Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Delaware may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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