managing travel for planned special events - FHWA Operations ...

efore they enter an alternative lane section.The following represent common methodsof designating reversible lanes:• Lane control signals• Roadside signing• Physical markings such as traffic conesand movable barriersFigure 6-45 illustrates the use of lane controlsignals for temporary reversible lane operationin a roadway construction zone. Thesesignals assist motorists in gaining a clearunderstanding of the scope of reversible laneoperation in effect. Similar lane control signalapplications apply to planned specialevents as well.Figure 6-45Temporary Reversible Lane Operation withLane Control SignalsReversible lanes require additional enforcement,particularly at section termini. Lawenforcement should monitor section operationand ensure drivers maintain a relativesafe operating speed. This applies evenwhen the alternative lane section operatescongestion-free. If traffic cones delineatetravel lanes, then high-speed traffic maystrike cones or cause them to blow over.Management and MonitoringThe management of traffic traversing a localflow route on the day-of-event involvesroute guidance and monitoring of trafficcontrol initiatives.Aside from equipment quantity limitations,local street right-of-way and the presence oflateral obstructions may limit the placementof portable CMS at regular intervals along alocal flow route to guide drivers. Instead,the event planning team should design specialroute marker signs for guiding motoriststo venue parking areas and pick-up/drop-offlocations. Each route marker may consist ofa color-coded letter or symbol. Figure 6-46shows an example route marker sign for aparticular special event parking area. Whenerected along a local flow route, the routemarker assemblies collectively trailblaze aroute to the drivers’ destination of choice.As illustrated in Figure 6-47, signs that introduceeach route marker should be placedon all freeway and arterial corridors servingthe event venue. The event planning teammust design and place all route marker assembliesin accordance with standards containedin the Manual on Uniform TrafficControl Devices. Sign fonts must be legibleat free-flow travel speeds.Figure 6-46Route Marker Sign6EVENT PROFILE POST-EVENT ACTIVITIES DAY-OF-EVENT ACTIVITIES ADVANCE PLANNINGOVERVIEW6-55