No discipline breaks down faster on a job site than traffic control and storage space. The turf wars and project inertia follow. Democracy is a poor way to run traffic control; this regulation requires a czar, one person responsible for and with the authority to sheriff this aspect of sites.
Traffic management concerns efficiency and safety. Done well, the job is enhanced; done poorly, the job can grind to a halt.
For additional perspective on vehicle-related site risks, see Vehicle and Traffic Risks: Construction Sites, Citations, and Insurance.
Site assessment
- Steep grades leading into the site: can they be avoided with an alternate route?
- Are there schools, factories, shopping malls, or other high-traffic areas that need time mapping and route or delivery schedule changes, especially for large, heavy, or wide loads?
- Where are the frequently used pedestrian areas?
- Are tolls or gates present that could delay deliveries?
- What is the speed limit on the site exit roadway; do you need traffic control?
- Where do you have entrance options?
- Are there sensitive neighbors or protected areas that require special handling?
- Is any unrelated street work scheduled near your site?
These questions will guide a logical approach to entrance, exit, and departure strategy.
Review the site plan. Will heavy or long trucks have the same access to storage as smaller and lighter trucks? Are there critical pinch points that need to remain clear?
Planning rules
- Avoid exiting a site within 100 feet of a traffic light; that's a traffic jam waiting to happen.
- Minimize backing up on site.
- Minimize truck traffic through worker foot paths.
- Set a site speed limit of 5 mph maximum.
- Avoid storage and travel in tree protection or other sensitive areas.
- Decide on site access for weather events and the implications for forklift use on wet or icy ground.
- Determine the rules for forklift use: which areas, flagmen requirements, and storage access.
- Will truck tire washing be necessary, and if so, is the water handling and traffic slow-down manageable?
Most site traffic management is logical if you mentally walk through the construction plan from off-site toward storage areas and the most difficult improvement access stations.
Managing traffic and storage in advance of job start is essential; supporting your traffic czar is critical. For related guidance on controls and job-site traffic safety, consult Internal Controls, Risk Management, and Job Site Traffic Safety.
Also consider how storage and moving operations affect liability and property handling; see Office Contents — Moving and Storage Insurance for insurance considerations tied to storage and on-site moving.
If you need help implementing the plan, talk to an agent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should be the traffic czar on a construction site?
The traffic czar should be a designated site supervisor with authority to enforce traffic and storage rules and coordinate deliveries and access.
How can I reduce vehicle-pedestrian conflicts on site?
Separate heavy vehicle routes from pedestrian paths, use barriers or marked walkways, and minimize truck traffic through worker areas.
When is temporary traffic control on public roads necessary?
Temporary control is needed when site exits affect public traffic flow, when oversized loads are scheduled, or when nearby speed limits and intersections create hazards.
What should I consider for forklift use in bad weather?
Plan routes on stable surfaces, limit forklift use on icy or very wet ground, and assign flaggers where visibility or footing is poor.