Official Road Work Signs and Work Zone Safety

Equip your construction site with Federal Road Work Signs. As the primary destination for Temporary Traffic Control (TTC), we stock the complete spectrum of MUTCD Part 6 compliant signage. From "Road Work Ahead" and "Detour" markers to "Flagger Ahead" and portable Roll-Up Signs, we supply the high-visibility fluorescent orange solutions required to protect highway crews and guide traffic safely through the work zone.
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The "Typical Application" (TA) Layout

A compliant Work Zone layout follows a specific geometry known as a "TA" (Typical Application).

  • Advance Warning: Three signs (W20-1 Road Work Ahead + specific warnings) spaced according to road speed.
  • The Taper: Traffic cones or drums guiding vehicles out of the lane.
  • The Buffer Space: An empty zone between the taper and the workers to catch errant vehicles.
  • Sign Height: Temporary signs on portable stands must be mounted at least 1 foot off the ground. Signs on fixed posts must be 7 feet high.

Comprehensive Guide to Federal Road Work Signs & TTC Standards

Road Work Signs are the critical communication link between construction crews and the traveling public. Unlike permanent highway signs, Road Work Signs (W20 Series) must convey changing conditions instantly to drivers moving at high speeds. Under MUTCD Part 6 (Temporary Traffic Control), the deployment of these signs is not random; it follows a strict engineering logic designed to guide vehicles safely through the "Activity Area" without incident.

The 4 Components of a Temporary Traffic Control (TTC) Zone

To understand which Road Work Signs you need, you must understand where they fit in the zone. We stock signage for every stage:

  1. Advance Warning Area: This is where the "Road Work Ahead" (W20-1) sign lives. It informs the driver what to expect. On highways, this series includes "Road Work 1 Mile," "Road Work 1/2 Mile," and "Road Work 1000 FT."
  2. Transition Area: This is where traffic is moved out of its normal path. Signs like "Right Lane Closed Ahead" (W20-5) or "Merge Left" are critical here to guide vehicles into the taper.
  3. Activity Area: The work space itself. Here, "Flagger" (W20-7) symbols or "Fresh Oil" signs protect the workers and equipment.
  4. Termination Area: The end of the zone. You must install "End Road Work" (G20-2) signs to legally inform drivers they may resume normal speed and lane usage.

Rigid vs. Roll-Up: Choosing the Right Substrate

Road Work Signs face unique physical demands. We offer two distinct grades:

  • Rigid Aluminum (.080"): The gold standard for Long-Term Stationary projects (lasting more than 3 days). These signs are mounted on driven posts (wood or steel). They offer the highest retroreflectivity and will not flutter in high winds, ensuring legibility during storms.
  • Reflective Roll-Up Vinyl: The industry standard for Short-Term or Mobile Operations (utility trucks, pothole repair). These signs feature a cross-rib fiberglass frame and mount into NCHRP-350 compliant portable spring stands. They are lightweight, rapid-deploy, and require less storage space.

Fluorescent Orange: The Color of Compliance

Standard orange paint is not enough. Road Work Signs must use Fluorescent Orange retroreflective sheeting.

  • Daytime: The fluorescent pigment absorbs UV light and re-emits it, making the sign appear to glow even on cloudy days or at dusk.
  • Nighttime: We use Marathon Grade or Diamond Grade (Type XI) sheeting to ensure the sign reflects headlights from wide angles, critical for twisted alignments in detour zones.

Detour & Directional Management

When a road is fully closed, Detour Signs (M4-9) become the primary navigation tool. A compliant detour requires a continuous trail of "blazes"—signs with arrows installed at every single turn until the driver is returned to the original route. Missing a single Detour Arrow

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions regarding MUTCD compliance, installation standards, and material specifications for regulatory signage.
What is the "A, B, C" spacing rule for Road Work Signs?

The MUTCD requires three warning signs in the Advance Warning Area, spaced apart based on speed.

  • Sign A (First Warning): "Road Work Ahead"
  • Sign B (Second Warning): "Right Lane Closed Ahead"
  • Sign C (Third Warning): "Flagger Ahead" (or similar)
  • Spacing: On a 55 MPH highway, these signs must be spaced 1,500 feet, 1,000 feet, and 500 feet apart, respectively. On urban streets (25 MPH), the spacing reduces to 100 feet between signs.
Do my Roll-Up signs need to be 36" or 48"?

  • 36" x 36": Permitted for low-speed urban streets (35 MPH or less).
  • 48" x 48": Mandatory for Highways, Freeways, and multi-lane high-speed arterials (45 MPH+). Using a 36" sign on a highway is a major violation because it is too small to be read at 65 MPH.
What is NCHRP-350 compliance?

NCHRP-350 (and the newer MASH standard) refers to the crashworthiness of the sign stand. Because Road Work Signs are placed near active traffic, the stand must be tested to ensure that if a car hits it, the stand collapses safely rather than penetrating the windshield. All our portable stands meet these federal crash test standards

Need specific code assistance?

If your project requires a specific State DOT certification or a specialized variation not listed here, please contact our Compliance Support Team for a custom specification sheet.