Michigan Technological University

Guidelines for Traffic

Control at Surface Mines

Michigan Mine Safety & Health

Training Program
 Michigan Technological University

Contents
Purpose of Traffic Control Guidelines
Standards for Coal & Metal/Nonmetal Operations
What Mine Operators need to know about Traffic
Control
What Equipment Operators need to know about Traffic
Control
Regulatory Signs
Traffic Patterns
Warning Signs
Guidance Signs

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 Michigan Technological University

Purpose Of Traffic Control Guidelines

All kinds of sizes of vehicles travel roads at surface

operations. These vehicles are operated by drivers
who have varying levels of experience traveling
these mine haulage roads. This means that there
is a need for good traffic control on these roads.

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Standards for Metal/Nonmetal Operations

56/57.9100(a)
Rules governing speed, right-of-way, direction of
movement, and the use of headlights to assure
appropriate visibility, shall be established and
followed at each mine.
56/57.9100(b)
Signs or signals that warn of hazardous conditions
shall be placed at appropriate locations at each
mine.
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What Mine Operators need to know

about Traffic Control
Planning and Signs
Design
Standardization
Placement
Visibility
Maintenance
Hazard Awareness
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What Equipment Operators need

to know about Traffic Control
Haulage Routes
Traffic Patterns
Haulage Safety Procedures
Characteristics of the Vehicle
Reporting Unsafe Conditions

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Regulatory Signs
These signs give information about the
rules of the road.
Disobeying these signs can result in
disciplinary action even if they don't
result in an accident.

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Stop Signs
Stop signs need to be located as close as possible to the
point where a vehicle is supposed to stop. Use "STOP
AHEAD" signs in cases of limited sight distances.
Supplement stop signs with "4-Way" or "All Way" signs
where multi-way stops are required. Examples of places
where stop signs might be used include: intersections of
secondary roads and main haul roads, intersections where
sight distance is limited, intersections of haul roads and
public roads, and places where accidents have occurred in
the past.
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Yield Signs
Yield signs need to be located as close as
possible to the point where vehicles are
supposed to yield. Place "Yield Ahead"
signs in advance of the "Yield" signs where
necessary. Yield signs assign the right-of-
way where secondary roads intersect main
haul roads, or where two haul roads
intersect and stopping is not required.
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Speed Limit Signs

Speed limits are based on factors such as road
conditions, grades, surface, visibility, curves,
potential hazards, and the mechanical capabilities
of the haulage equipment used at the mine. Post
speed limits at regular intervals to remind drivers
of applicable speed limits. Also post speed limit
signs near intersections where traffic may be
entering onto the haul road from another road with
a different speed limit.
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Turn Prohibition Signs

These signs are used to restrict certain

types of turns at intersections. They are
also used at intersections to keep traffic
from turning onto a one way road and
traveling in the wrong direction.

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Lane Use Control Signs

These are used at intersections where

drivers are required to turn, or to tell
drivers how certain lanes are to be
used.

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No Passing Signs

No passing signs are placed at the

beginning of (and at intervals within) a
restricted passing area. A "Pass With
Care" sign indicates the end of the no
passing zone.

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Keep Right/Left Signs

These signs are placed at the end of

median dividers and channeling islands
to indicate which side of the median or
island should be used by traffic.

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Do Not Enter Signs

This sign is placed at the end of a one

way road to keep traffic from entering
the roadway and traveling in the wrong
direction. "Wrong Way" signs
supplement "Do Not Enter" signs.

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One Way Signs

These signs are placed at appropriate

corners of intersections facing traffic
entering or crossing the one way road.

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Traffic Pattern Signs

Changes in traffic patterns need:
Sign of Advanced Warning
Sign Where Change Begins
Sign Indicating When Change Should Be
Complete
Pattern reminder
Left Lane Driving
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Traffic Patterns - Left Lane Driving

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Warning Signs
These signs indicate the presence of a
hazard.
Ignoring these signs can result in an
accident.

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Curve Signs
These signs help to warn drivers about
potentially hazardous curves which may
not be obvious to them. Supplement
the sign with a "Reduced Speed Limit"
sign if the safe speed for negotiating
the curve is less than the posted speed
limit.
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Steep Grade Warning Signs

These signs provide drivers with

advanced warning of steep downgrades
where they need to exercise special
caution. Post the percent grade, length
of grade, and any special gearing
requirements to better prepare the
driver to descend the grade safely.
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Escape Ramp & Berm Signs

Escape ramp and berm signs give

drivers advance warning of their
location in case of an emergency.

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Intersection Warning Signs

Intersection warning signs inform

drivers in advance about obscured
intersections or where crossing or
turning traffic may not be immediately
visible.

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Narrow Roadway Signs

These signs warn drivers in advance

that the roadway ahead narrows to
such an extent that two vehicles cannot
pass each other safely.

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Roadway Condition Signs

These signs let drivers know about

sharp rises or drops in the roadway
surface that could create hazardous
conditions, or affect the safe handling
of the vehicle.

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Traffic Pattern Warnings

These signs remind the driver of the

prevailing traffic pattern.

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Advance Warning Signs

Advance warning signs give drivers

enough lead time to safely complete a
maneuver. These signs are also used in
cases of limited sight distance and in
advance of a change in regulations.

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Railroad Crossing Signs

Used to Identify railroad crossings.

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Other Warning Signs

Other warning signs are used for

special conditions such as blasting
zones.

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Guidance Signs
Guidance signs provide information to
drivers, and direct drivers and visitors to
destinations such as offices, shops,
scales, and other areas.

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