Traffic Control Manual
The Seattle Traffic Control Manual for In-Street work is available below in PDF format as a complete document or by subject area. You may also visit us in the Seattle Municipal Tower downtown, at 700 Fifth Avenue, to view the manual at either the Permit Counters. The manual was last updated in 2012 with input from all users of the streets, including contractors, utilities, agencies, vendors, and the community at large. Important changes of note are:
- Sign code change to reflect Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices convention
- Added language for curb space use
- Rewrite of pedestrian section to improve traffic control for blind pedestrians
- Rewrite of bicycle access section to improve safety
- Web version to include CAD sketch options
- Changes to reflect Street Car and Pay stations within the City
- Added generic sketches
Traffic Control Manual
Introduction and SDOT Director's Note
- General Information
- Purpose and Intent
- Responsibility
- Glossary
- General Requirements
- General
- Planning
- Time of Work
- Work Area
- Placing Signs and Equipment
- Short Duration and Mobile Work
- Speed Control
- Parking Control
- Existing Traffic Control Devices
- Maintenance of Traffic Control Devices
- Procedure for Obtaining Permission to Work in City Streets
- Materials and Personnel for Traffic Control
- Channelizing Devices
- General Application
- Vehicular Barricades
- General Requirements
- Type I and Type II Barricades
- Vertical Barricades
- Cones
- Tubbular Guide Posts
- Drums
- Others
- Channelizing Device Placement
- High Level Warning Device
- Illumination and Light Device
- Pavement Markings
- Flagger
- Qualifications
- Equipment
- General
- Stations
- Control Procedures and Signals
- Channelizing Devices
- Types and Methods of Signing
- General Requirements
- Regulatory Signs
- Warning Signs
- Guide Signs
- Special Signs
- Pedestrian Access, Control and Protection
- Bicycle Access
- Detours and Street Closures
- Permission and Notification
- Detour Requirements
- Requirements withing Streets Closed to through Traffic
- Emergency Work
- Enforcement
- Barricading and Signing Illustrations
Channelization and Warning Devices Figure
Regulatory Signs Figure
Guide Signs
Pedestrian Control
Full Roadway Closure Typical Detour Plan
Symbols and Legends
Lane closure on a Two Lane Road with Low Traffic Volumes
Work Area on Right Side of Street (Minor Arterials)
Right Lane Closure (4 lane 2-way street)
Left Lane Closure (4 lane 2-way street)
Work Area in Center of Street
Center Lane Closure (one-way street)
Multiple Lane Closure (one-way street)
Traffic Shift Over Centerline
Two-Way Left Turn Lane Closure
Work Area in Center of Intersection
Work Area Beyond Intersection (curb lane)
Work Area Beyond Intersection (center lane)
Work Area Beyond Intersection (center lane - left turn provided)
One Lane Closure (2 lane 2-way street - horizontal curve)
Survey Crew (Intersection - arterial street)