The Traffic Control Manual for In-Street Work defines the basic principles and standards to be observed by all those who perform work within a street right-of-way so that:

• Work areas are safe and congestion is minimized;
• Motorized and non motorized traffic is warned, controlled and protected; and
• All traffic is expedited through the work zone to the extent possible.

Consistent with the standards defined in the Federal Highways Administration’s Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), the Traffic Control Manual defines the following:

• required components of a traffic control plan;
• the circumstances under which a traffic control plan is required as a permit condition for work that takes place in or adjacent to the street right-of-way;
• the appropriate type and location of traffic control devices;
• procedures for obtaining permission to work in the street right-of-way;
• requirements for pedestrian access, control and protection;
• requirements for curb space management including loading, transit and special parking;
• detours and street closures;
• emergency work;
• constraints on time of construction to accommodate time of day and special event  traffic volumes; and
• standard barricades and signing illustrations.

The Traffic Control Manual is produced and maintained by SDOT’s Traffic Management Division. Refer to the Traffic Control Manual website for more information.
SDOT requires a traffic control plan be submitted for review and approval prior to the commencement of work in the public right-of-way when:

• The project will impact pedestrian or vehicle movements on an arterial street; or
• The project will impact pedestrian or vehicle movements in a high impact area as defined by the City Traffic Engineer
• Traffic control cannot be made to match exactly sketches within the City of Seattle Traffic Control Manual for In Street Work (Traffic Control Manual); or
• Other special circumstances exist as determined by the City Traffic Engineer.

When working near King County Metro facilities (trolley wires, bus stops, etc) the Permittee must also coordinate with King County Metro.  Metro can be contacted at Construction.Coordination@metrokc.wa.us or (206) 684-2732.  Additional information regarding King County Metro requirements can be found in the Traffic Control Manual.