MOT Lane Closure & Detour Planning 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A contractor plans to close a freeway on-ramp overnight. Which agency notification is typically required BEFORE the closure can begin?
- Local utility companies only
- The relevant state DOT or transportation authority (Correct answer)
- The nearest city mayor's office
- The Federal Highway Administration directly
Correct answer: The relevant state DOT or transportation authority
Lane and ramp closures on state or federal highways require advance approval and coordination with the state DOT, which may also notify emergency services and GPS/traffic data providers.
Question 2: Which MUTCD device category is specifically designed to physically prevent vehicles from crossing into a closed lane and can withstand low-speed vehicle impact?
- Traffic cones
- Vertical panels
- Temporary concrete barrier (Correct answer)
- Warning lights
Correct answer: Temporary concrete barrier
Temporary concrete barrier (TCB) provides positive protection by containing errant vehicles and preventing intrusion into the work area, unlike cones or panels that only guide.
Question 3: On a detour plan, the symbol 'D1' appearing in a circle on a sign typically indicates what?
- A dead-end road
- A numbered detour route marker for driver guidance (Correct answer)
- The distance to the first turn in miles
- A temporary designation for a one-way street
Correct answer: A numbered detour route marker for driver guidance
Detour markers like D1, D2, D3 are sequenced route signs placed at each decision point to guide drivers along the approved detour path.
Question 4: A short-term stationary lane closure is expected to last 4 hours. Which impact attenuator setup is MOST appropriate for protecting the work space on a high-speed roadway?
- Shadow vehicle with truck-mounted attenuator (TMA) (Correct answer)
- A row of traffic cones without any vehicle protection
- A single flagger holding a STOP/SLOW paddle
- Portable variable message sign only
Correct answer: Shadow vehicle with truck-mounted attenuator (TMA)
A shadow vehicle with a truck-mounted attenuator provides critical protection for workers by absorbing impact from errant vehicles on high-speed roads.
Question 5: When planning a detour around a road closure in an urban area, which factor MOST directly affects the detour's capacity to handle diverted traffic?
- The color of pavement markings on the detour route
- The level of service and lane capacity of the alternate streets (Correct answer)
- The age of the traffic signals on the alternate route
- The presence of street lighting
Correct answer: The level of service and lane capacity of the alternate streets
The capacity (lanes, turning movements, signal timing) and current level of service of alternate streets determines whether they can absorb the additional traffic volume without failing.
Question 6: MUTCD Part 6 defines four types of temporary traffic control zones in sequence. In the correct order from upstream to downstream, what is the second zone?
- Activity area
- Advance warning area
- Transition area (Correct answer)
- Termination area
Correct answer: Transition area
The correct MUTCD sequence is: (1) Advance warning area, (2) Transition area, (3) Activity area, (4) Termination area.
Question 7: Which condition would require a lane closure plan revision even after initial approval?
- A change in the contractor's work crew schedule
- A significant increase in work zone length that changes signing distances (Correct answer)
- Use of orange cones instead of tubular markers
- Scheduling work during off-peak hours
Correct answer: A significant increase in work zone length that changes signing distances
Extending the work zone length changes required sign spacing, taper lengths, and buffer distances, requiring the TTC plan to be updated and re-approved.
MOT Lane Closure & Detour Planning 3
A contractor plans to close a freeway on-ramp overnight.
Which agency notification is typically required BEFORE the closure can begin?