Quick Answers: Safety
2025
2024
- Where can I find information on how to mitigate and minimize work zone intrusions?
- Black Ice, why does it happen and what can I do?
- How many accessible parking spaces are required for parking areas?
2023
- Stop Bar Lines. Basically, are they required for a Stop Sign to be legal?
- Is there somewhere I can find what PESH training and documentation is required for my crew?
2022
- Vehicle and Traffic Law (VTL) amendment; green lights are now allowed on ice and snow removal vehicles.
- Are "Child with Autism" signs allowed and if so, what are the rules for placing them?
2021
- Where can I find information on performing simple traffic studies for items such as stop sign placement or traffic counts?
- I would like to start a bicyclist safety campaign in my area, and I am looking for some ideas and materials to get me started.
2020
- Can we use signs with LEDs in the border to enhance conspicuity?
- How do I post or assign a speed limit on a dead-end road?
- Does the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) require the use of diamond grade vinyl for stop signs, stop ahead signs, and/or double arrow signs?
- How do I obtain cloth or surgical masks for my employees who have to interact with the public?
- Can we put a concrete barrier across a closed bridge to keep vehicles from going around our Type III barricade?
2019
- Can street name signs be installed on the same post as a STOP sign?
- Where can I find information listing what safety equipment is required for my staff?
- What is the process for requesting the installation of a stop sign at an intersection near a school?
- What standards, requirements, or regulations govern town road striping?
- What are the recommended advanced posting distances for Deaf Child Area signs?
- What is the current acceptable standards for breakaways in posts?
- What are the dimensions that must be maintained for a clear path regarding vegetation and obstacles along a highway?
- Are there any good sources of information about how I can protect my workers from ticks when they are out working in the field?
- Can a municipality have different color cones for work zones so different departments can identify which cones are theirs?
2018
- What options do I have to improve safety and awareness for a blind resident who must cross a roundabout in my town?
- Why do I need to use personal protective equipment (PPE) and what are the best ways to use them?
- If a village installs electric vehicle (EV) charging stations on public parking lots where parking enforcement regulations apply, are there any standards for pavement markings for the charging station areas? For example, should we use green paint for markings?
- Are purple and white acceptable colors for a village to choose for a village trail sign?
- Can I put any design or collection of art treatments in a crosswalk as long as the transverse white lines are present?
- Does the MUTCD allow intersection murals or widespread application of artwork to the street?
- What options do I have to improve safety and awareness for a blind resident who must cross a roundabout in my town?
- When are curve and turn signs required?
- Who has to authorize the placement of traffic lines for passing and no passing zones on a town highway?
- Where can I find chainsaw training resources in NYS?
- Can we still use our old “Men Working” signs until they wear out before we need to switch to the newer "Road Work Ahead" signs?
- Are date and initial stickers required on all signs as opposed to just stop signs?
- I participate in the NYS Office of General Services Road Salt Contract, who do I contact if I am having issues with delivery delays or poor salt quality?
- It appears that the New York State supplement to the MUTCD does not provide any information about whether a fluorescent red or orange flag may be used for traffic control. Can you clarify?
- Should I be removing X-lite guiderails?
2017
- It looks like there is a conflict between the 2009 MUTCD and the Traffic Sign Handbook when discussing speed reduction and the correct use of the W2-5 (reduced speed limit) sign. Can you clarify?
- What is the maximum recommended angle for an intersection?
- Where can I compare highway fatality rates by states, region or MPO?
- What performance level is needed for high-visibility safety apparel in a work zone?
- Do I have to follow the MUTCD?
- When can a single flagger be used?
- Where does the centerline start and stop at an intersection?
- Where can I find information on crash modification factors?
- Is the size of the double arrow sign (W1-7) changing?
- What is the minimum height of a sign?
- What signs are allowed since FLAGGER (W20-7a) & WORKERS (W21-1a) signs shall not be used in New York State according to the NYS Supplement?
- How do I use a roundabout?
2016
- How can I get a quick estimate of traffic volume on my highways without traffic counters or a speed trailer?
- Are Deaf Child and Blind Child Area Signs limited to children?
- What does a blinking left arrow mean?
- What are the NYS requirements for a municipality to remove an existing sign?
- Where do I find guides for placarding hazardous materials on a truck?
- What are ways to protect against trench cave-ins?
- Is there a specific regulation that sets a timer for the replacement of downed signs?
- How close can a residential driveway be to an intersection?
- Can we use three flags to improve “Conspicuity” on our road signs?
- What is a clear definition of a “Clear Zone”?
- How do I sign/stripe a parking space for persons with disabilities on the street?
- Is it true that we have to start using a new handicap sign?
- What are the proper ways to sign one or more parking spaces for persons with disabilities?
- Are we allowed to put 12-inch high street signs (D3-1) on top of a stop sign (R1-1), or should they be put on a separate post?
2015
- What is the proper layout and placement for a stop sign and street sign on a single post?
- When is it acceptable to post more than one sign on a single post?
- What is the minimum size and colors allowed for Street Name Signs?
- How far apart should signs be placed along the highway?
- What sign should be used when all trucks are banned from a highway?
- Can municipalities be compelled to replace their signs to meet the new retroreflectivity standards?
- Are “Turn Around Don’t Drown” signs allowed in New York State?
- Can we use existing rustic box beam in stock to replace rusting rustic box beam?
- What should you do if someone gets burned by hot liquid asphalt?
- Is it acceptable to use other descriptions for driveway entrance plaques (NYW5-16P, NYW5-17) than the “Hospital” and “Fire House” mentioned in the NYS Supplement?
- What does the Board need to do in order to have the Highway Department install a mid-block crosswalk?
- Are two-way bicycle lanes allowed on highways?
- When can a W1-1a or W1-2a combining horizontal warning AND advisory speed be used?
- How wide should a bicycle lane be?
- What are the requirements for the use of roll up speed limit signs used in work zones?
- Can a Police Chief create a ‘Police Parking Only’ spot near the police station?
- What signs can be used to alert drivers to bicycles using the highway?
- When should I use warning signs for bikes, pedestrians, buggies, or other non-typical highway use?
- Do unreported crashes count toward the accident history warrant, or do only reported crashes count?
- Do municipal trucks need to have fire extinguishers?
2014
- Are strobe lights allowed in red signals?
- How do I sign a skewed RR crossing which can cause problems for bikes and motorcycles?
- What is the width of a bike lane?
- Can we put a yield sign to warn drivers to yield when turning left at a sharp intersection?
- Can I paint a single yellow stripe down the center of a highway just for guidance?
- Is a Highway Department permitted to put up a "No parking on pavement" sign without a sidewalk district?
- What are the sign regulations for attaching a "No littering" sign to a speed limit sign post?
- What training and certification is needed for flaggers?
- What do I have to do to meet the sign retroreflectivity standard that goes into effect on June 13, 2014?
- What am I required to do concerning notification, barriers, etc. if I have to close a road temporarily?
- What is the lettering height and spacing for a Political Boundary sign (NY112-2)?
- Where can I find information about improving curve safety?
- What are the requirements for a roadside mailbox?
- A residential area wants a "speed hump" or "speed table." What are they?
- Why can't I use a Slow Moving Vehicle Triangle to mark the end of my driveway?
- What roads need to have Dead End Road signs?
2013
- What is the distance between speed limit signs?
- Can you mark road shoulders as bike lanes?
- Does the type of street (Street, Avenue, Road...) have to be on a street name sign?
- What are work zone traffic control standards in New York State?
- When do you need to install ADA compliant curb ramps as part of a pavement resurfacing project?
- Is the S4-5a sign is still used?
- If the advisory speed (say 55 mph) equals the posted speed limit (55 mph), do you have to place a horizontal curve warning sign?
- Can I use my old steel barrels and homemade wooden barricades in a work zone?
2012
- Where should Dead End Road signs be placed?
- How do I know if there is enough sight distance at an intersection?
- Where can I use the Clearview font?
- What do I do at a traffic signal when the power is out?
- Why are stops signs not recommended for speed control?
- UPDATE Can I use a “Child with Autism” warning sign in New York?
- What is the proper placement of the Railroad Advanced Warning Sign?
- Who is responsible for the placement and maintenance of Advanced Warning signs for railroad crossings?
- Are the requirements for crashworthiness posts to be changed with the proposed revision to the MUTCD?
- What is the status of the “Children at Play” sign?
- Do warning signs near a school need to be fluorescent yellow/green or can they stay yellow?
2011
- What is the “Safety Edge” and why should we use it?
- Can you tell me more about shared lane markings, aka "sharrows"?
- Where should I put 911 emergency or grid address numbers on a street sign?
- What is the minimum size for a Stop sign? Can I use 24 inch signs I have in stock?
- Are there new sizes for work zone signs?
- What traffic control is required in a night time work zone?
- Are there minimum retroreflectivity requirements for pavement markings? If so, what are the expected standards?
- Can we use flags to control traffic?
- Where can I find the proper distances for the advance placement of warning signs?
- What is the text on Reduced Speed Limit Ahead Signs?
2010
- When are retroreflective strips on sign supports required?
- When do sign posts have to meet the new standards for crashworthiness?
- Does a flagger have to wear a vest?
- Can I use my old signs even if they do not meet the requirements of the new 2009 National MUTCD?
- Do I really have to use chevrons and curves on every turn with a change in speed of 15 mph or more?
- Which National MUTCD should be followed in New York State?
2009
- I have a bunch of old signs in inventory. Can I use them even though the designations have changed?
- What is the proper layout for a new sign?
- What are the proper pavement markings in advance of a Railroad Crossing?
- Should all crosswalks be painted?
- What are the requirements for breakaway hardware for sign posts on rural roads?
- What are the requirements for safety vests in the right-of-way?
- Are work zone signs required to be retroreflective?
- Are Work Zone Traffic Control Templates Available?
- Do County Route Markers (M1-6) need to be high intensity?
- Can we keep using our older metal Work Zone signs?
- When and where is it appropriate to use an in-street pedestrian crossing sign?
- What are the minimum traffic volumes for using multiway stop signs?
- What color is a "Cross Traffic Does Not Stop" sign?