Traffic Managment costs???

[Spruce Pirate]

Here's a question for the traffic boffins:

 

P62 Red Book, a "stop -works" board is listed (looks like a school lollipop crossing sign)

 

Nobody seems to stock them and many never even heard of it until they check Red book

 

Subject to the listed restrictions (visibility distance, speed limits, traffic density etc) it can be used to stop traffic for 2 minutes to, for example, reverse a vehicle out of a site onto the carriageway.

 

So, the question is, how would you feel about having your climber in the tree, put in the gob cut, arrange the rigging, signal the 1 of the groundies to stop traffic with the "stop works" board, put the fell cut in, lower the piece and clear the obstruction within 2 minutes and let the traffic through.

 

OK, so I'm not talking A or even B roads, heavy traffic or other significant complicating factors, just a quiet-ish back lane.

 

Any thoughts?

 

I've never used it, but have read about it in the book. I think it sounds ideal for minor single track type C roads.

[ChunksBigBro]

Stop works is acceptable, however has very little requirement for signage so makes is dangerous for operative and traffic, most LA's don't let you use them, they favour stop/go with proper signage, but for 1 limb, 1 tree, no reason why not!

[Spruce Pirate]

Stop works is acceptable, however has very little requirement for signage so makes is dangerous for operative and traffic, most LA's don't let you use them, they favour stop/go with proper signage, but for 1 limb, 1 tree, no reason why not!

 

That is the situation I would envisage using it in, and only on quiet minor roads.

[JimM]

The traffic guy the other day set both lights to red as I was about to put in the back cut. 30 inch oak. Started the cut and then a car went past behind me!

They'd decided the light must be faulty and just gone through.

The traffic guy was very good and diplomatic, pointing out the tree they'd passed and the danger they'd put themselves in.

Not helped though by my shout of "tell him he's a tw@t!"

[Spruce Pirate]

The traffic guy the other day set both lights to red as I was about to put in the back cut. 30 inch oak. Started the cut and then a car went past behind me!

They'd decided the light must be faulty and just gone through.

The traffic guy was very good and diplomatic, pointing out the tree they'd passed and the danger they'd put themselves in.

Not helped though by my shout of "tell him he's a tw@t!"

 

I've had at least one car come through on an all red every time we've done traffic light work. Including a police van! Any more than a minute stopped and folk assume the light is broken.

[codlasher]

With a set of remote controlled lights costing 10k £500 per day and set up by a 12D operator is a reasonable price.

I would hope that the company would have another light head immediately available if one fails. Also the chap doing the set up would stay to help. To me this would be important as has been expressed in an earlier post with drivers shooting lights. This really does happen a lot and is often quite scary!

 

I had a special sign board made warning drivers of longer than normal delays as they often sit and see nothing happening as the tree is just round the corner from where they are requested to stop, they get bored and chance it....Not good!

 

We found that a small limb in the road helps but if you are short handed as is usually the case this is not the easiest thing to do, particularly if the lights are quite a long way apart....I occasionally felt the need for an on site push-bike!

 

I am quite seriously considering setting myself up as an independent 12D operator specialising in roadside tree traffic operations. In the East Anglia region. I would hire in the lights and signage as the occasion arises.....

I think my ten years experience doing roadside trees in almost all roadside situations leaves me well qualified to do so with all existing traffic systems, plus my official qualification too. I'm not covered for dual carriage-ways or motor-ways though but that is a different kettle of fish anyways!

codlasher

 

PS. those rotating lollipop boards are called a ROBOBOARD.

c

Edited July 4, 2013 by codlasher
Addendum;

[kevinjohnsonmbe]

Stop works is acceptable, however has very little requirement for signage so makes is dangerous for operative and traffic, most LA's don't let you use them, they favour stop/go with proper signage, but for 1 limb, 1 tree, no reason why not!

 

Take the point, but, as you say, there's no requirement for signage PROVIDED the sight lines, speed limits, carriage way status and traffic density are within the parameters in the book. The LA not "allowing" use is a mute point I'd say, if you are within the parameters stated on P62, I don't see how they could deny you the use, especially as you wouldn't need to apply prior to using the board (within the parameters.)

[kevinjohnsonmbe]

That is the situation I would envisage using it in, and only on quiet minor roads.

 

Me too! Thanks for sharing your view,

[kevinjohnsonmbe]

The traffic guy the other day set both lights to red as I was about to put in the back cut. 30 inch oak. Started the cut and then a car went past behind me!

They'd decided the light must be faulty and just gone through.

The traffic guy was very good and diplomatic, pointing out the tree they'd passed and the danger they'd put themselves in.

Not helped though by my shout of "tell him he's a tw@t!"

 

I haven't (yet) experienced it, but can easily see how it would happen! People are SO hell-bent on getting where they need (!) to go, my life must be missing something, don't think I've ever been in that much of a rush.

[kevinjohnsonmbe]

 

I had a special sign board made warning drivers of longer than normal delays as they often sit and see nothing happening as the tree is just round the corner from where they are requested to stop, they get bored and chance it....Not good!

 

We found that a small limb in the road helps but if you are short handed as is usually the case this is not the easiest thing to do, particularly if the lights are quite a long way apart....I occasionally felt the need for an on site push-bike!

c

 

 

Additional sign board explaining reason for delay was what I was planning but I thought if its only the front car that sees it, it won't be too long before someone behind them comes through. I guess there's only so much you can do. Branch in the road a good call!