TITLE
A Resolution of the Mayor and City Council of the City of Maricopa, Arizona adopting the City of Phoenix 2007 Traffic Barricade Manual with the City of Maricopa amendments for the City of Maricopa, Arizona. Discussion and Action.
AGENDA ITEM DESCRIPTION
One of the primary goals for the City of Maricopa's Transportation Division is to provide both safe and efficient use of the City's transportation facilities. Part of the permitting process within the City Right of Way is to provide temporary traffic control plans (TCP). The traffic control plans can cover anything from a full road closure to a simple lane closure for maintaining landscape. The City of Maricopa must have a document to use for determining if a TCP is complaint with current engineering standards. The City of Phoenix's Traffic Barricade Manual (TBM) defines how certain lane restrictions will need to be signed in order to protect both contractors and the traveling public. The City previously used the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for this purpose. After evaluating alternatives, the City of Maricopa staff has determined the Phoenix TBM is a better fit for the City of Maricopa's urban environment. The manual has many pre-approved traffic control plans that make it more user-friendly for the contractors.
Attachment "A" lists the major elements of the amendment in a narrative, easy to read format that will be easier to use on a day-to-day basis to the Phoenix 2007 TBM.
The proposed Maricopa amendment modifies some of Phoenix's specific requirements to be consistent with the MUTCD where we see no advantage to being more stringent than the MUTCD. The amendment provides more detail and direction on pedestrian accommodations, and other areas where historically there has been difficulty achieving voluntary compliance in Maricopa. It also contains a provision for a new temporary traffic control permit for restrictions of City transportation facilities.
The 2007 edition of the TBM adds new practices and introduces the basic precepts of the City's new and improved procedures for managing its street right-of-way more effectively. This TBM includes improved mechanisms for:
· Better right-of-way management
· Respecting and accommodating those with disabilities
· Gaining authorization to reserve and occupy public right-of-way
· Becoming certified for working in right-of-way
· Maintaining traffic signal visibility
· Improving both pedestrian and worker safety
· Coordinating project work with transit and schools
The City of Phoenix has been a leader in temporary traffic control for urban work zones for over 40 years. The City of Phoenix published its first Traffic Barricade Manual (TBM) in 1961, ten years before the Federal Highway Administration included guidance for work zone traffic control in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). The Phoenix TBM has become a common reference for urban work zones across the country, and especially in this region. Many other valley agencies have adopted revisions of the TBM.
Nine revisions have been published since the first manual, and the City of Phoenix manual continues to provide more detailed guidance and examples tailored to urban work zones than does the national MUTCD. Adopting the current Phoenix manual would also provide a greater degree of uniformity for contractors and barricade companies within the metropolitan area.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends adopting the City of Phoenix 2007 Traffic Barricade Manual.