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

COMPLETE 2018 MANUAL

INDEX

ZIP FILE OF CAD DRAWINGS

Introduction and SDOT Director's Note

1. General Information
   1. Purpose and Intent
   2. Responsibility
   3. Glossary
2. General Requirements
   1. General
   2. Planning
   3. Time of Work
   4. Work Area
   5. Placing Signs and Equipment
   6. Short Duration and Mobile Work
   7. Speed Control
   8. Parking Control
   9. Existing Traffic Control Devices
   10. Maintenance of Traffic Control Devices
3. Procedure for Obtaining Permission to Work in City Streets
4. Materials and Personnel for Traffic Control
   1. Channelizing Devices
      1. General Application
      2. Vehicular Barricades
         1. General Requirements
         2. Type I and Type II Barricades
      3. Vertical Barricades
      4. Cones
      5. Tubbular Guide Posts
      6. Drums
      7. Others
   2. Channelizing Device Placement
   3. High Level Warning Device
   4. Illumination and Light Device
   5. Pavement Markings
   6. Flagger
      1. Qualifications
      2. Equipment
      3. General
      4. Stations
      5. Control Procedures and Signals
5. Types and Methods of Signing
   1. General Requirements
   2. Regulatory Signs
   3. Warning Signs
   4. Guide Signs
   5. Special Signs
6. Pedestrian Access, Control and Protection
7. Bicycle Access
8. Detours and Street Closures
   1. Permission and Notification
   2. Detour Requirements
   3. Requirements withing Streets Closed to through Traffic
9. Emergency Work
10. Enforcement
11. 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)