If you were to ask maintenance workers to identify the most hazardous Job related to controlling traffic in a work zone, nine times out of ten the answer would be "the flagger."

Flaggers perform an extremely important function for the control of traffic and safety of their fellow workers, but are personally quite vulnerable to the hazards of moving traffic. Thus, flagging is one of the most hazardous activities on the roadway. For this reason, in order to be effective and efficient, the flagger should have certain characteristics. He/she must:

• be intelligent,
• have good judgment,
• be alert, and
• have good eyesight and quick reflexes.

The tools of the flagger are either the flags or the STOP/SLOW Paddle. A recent Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices revision states that flags should only be used in emergency situations. Specifically, it states:

"Hand signaling devices, such as STOP/SLOW Paddle, lights, and red flags are used to control traffic through temporary traffic control zones. The STOP/SLOW Paddle, which gives drivers more positive guidance than red flags, should be the primary hand-signaling device. Flags should be limited to emergency situations and at low-speed and/or low-volume locations which can best be controlled by a single flagger."

The first mission of the flagger is to seek the attention of the driver to an oncoming work situation. However, it is not always possible to get their attention all of the time. Recognizing this, the Strategic Highway Research Program, through worldwide design competition on work zone traffic control safety devices, developed the Flashing STOP/SLOW Paddle. This increases the flagger's conspicuousness to the driver or gives them help in gaining the driver's attention. The importance of a lighted paddle is recognized in the publication cited above. It states:

"To improve conspicuousness, the STOP/SLOW Paddles may be supplemented by one or two symmetrically positioned alternately flashing white high-intensity lamps on each side."

The device looks like a standard flagger paddle with STOP on one side and SLOW on the other. What is different is the addition of two high-intensity white halogen lights mounted above and below or on each side of the STOP message. The lights are powerful enough to be seen at a distance of up to 0.4 mile (0.64 km), even in bright sunlight. With a single press of a button, the lamps flash alternately six cycles, then stop flashing. This allows the flagger the flexibility of activating the lights whenever he or she determines that the approaching drive is inattentive to the presence of a work area.

Use of lights should be reserved for drivers who give the appearance of not preparing to stop. This is considered advisable for two reasons. If drivers get accustomed to always seeing flashing lights on STOP/SLOW Paddles, it is feared the signs will go unnoticed as with many other control devices. A second reason is that conservative use of the lights will make the batteries last longer and lessen the possibility of needing a charge or new batteries during a work shift.

Since the development of the flashing paddle, other variations have appeared on the market. Four of these use strobe lights in place of the halogen bulbs. The strobes are either single or double lights, in either vertical or horizontal positions. One other variety uses two 12-volt light bulbs and a large lens to amplify the lights on STOP face of the paddle.

The concepts for the work-zone safety devices listed on page 10 were developed through the Strategic

November 1995 / Illinois Municipal Review / Page 9

Highway Research Program. The Federal Highway Administration has identified a number of concept device manufacturers/distributors (listed below); however, this does not constitute an endorsement of any product or device.

Each interested party needs to view a variety of the STOP/SLOW Paddles and select the one most favorable to their respective needs and situations. No specific model is being endorsed for purchase. This concept was addressed and adopted in the new Part VI of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. It is the concept that is being promoted for use.

For more information on other highway work zone devices contact Willy Scheller in the Technical Transfer Center at 217/785-5048.

Credits to: Willy Scheller, Technology Transfer Coordinator

MANUFACTURER	TYPE LIGHT	LIGHT POSITION	COST
Med fax. Inc. La Center. WA 98629 206/263-3076, Jack Neighbors	One Strobe Light	Located in the handle below the STOP sign permitting use of 18 inch or 24 inch signs	$99 Paddle $16 Stand
Graham-Migletz Enterprises, Inc., P.O. Box 348, Independence, MO 64050 816/254-1788, Jerry Graham	Two Halogen Lights	Located above and below the STOP message	$400
Columbia Safety Sign Corp. 314 Buckeye St.. Woodland, WA 98674 206/225-7688, John Valdez	One Strobe Light	Located in handle at lower edge of sign. Flashes STOP side only	$95
A/C Enterprise 6621 Idaho Str., Vancouver, WA 98661 206/695-4050, Monte Arehart	Two Strobe Lights	Located on each side of STOP and SLOW messages	$175
Action-West 305 West Main St., Kelso, WA 98626 206/577-9150, Michael Williams	Two Strobe Lights	Located right and left of total sign for STOP and SLOW messages	18" $149 24" $165
Brittney Safety Signs, Inc. 6947 E. 22nd St., Suite B. Tucson, AZ 85713, 602/884-9283, John Hagemann	Two 12-Volt Auto Lights	Located above and below STOP and SLOW messages	24" $250

Page 10 / Illinois Municipal Review / November 1995