48761534.pdf

\n\n--- Page 1 ---\n\nGAINESVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDER TITLE ACCREDITATION Traffic Services: Traffic Direction and CALEA 61.4.2, 61.4.1, 61.3.3, Control; Escorts, Motorist Assistance, 61.3.2 (a-e) School Crossing Guard Program, Traffic Safety Education PRIOR REVISIONS 12/01/98; 06/24/02; PROPONENT UNIT Patrol Support Bureau-Traffic Unit ATTACHMENT N/A NUMBER ISSUE DATE REVISION DATE TOTAL PAGES 61.10 07/01/1998 03/23/2020 9 I. PURPOSE: This Order establishes procedures for controlling and directing traffic, providing assistance to motorists, addressing roadway hazards, and addressing non-sworn members who direct and/or control traffic. II. POLICY: Members of the Gainesville Police Department shall direct and control traffic as required by the members’ assignments, and/or by conditions or emergency situations that require deviation from normal traffic control operations. Members shall provide traffic assistance, in accordance with these procedures, to persons in need of services. Additionally, the Department shall provide traffic safety information for the purpose of promoting traffic education, and shall participate in community traffic safety and awareness efforts. III. PROCEDURE: A. Traffic Problems: 1. Notifying Traffic Engineering: Members observing a traffic engineering deficiency or problem shall notify the City Traffic Engineering Department as follows: [CALEA 61.3.1.a]. i. Evaluation By Traffic Engineering Required: For issues that need to be evaluated, the member should complete a brief IOC or e-mail summarizing the problem, and then forward it to Traffic Engineering. This ensures a record of the reported problem. a. Examples may include, but are not limited to, 1) A traffic signal that cycles too fast or too slowly. 2) An intersection that does not have, but may need, some type of traffic control installed. 3) An intersection or stretch of road that may require a volume or speed survey.\n\n--- Page 2 ---\n\nGAINESVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT ii. No Evaluation Required: For issues that do not need protracted evaluation, the member may ask the Combined Communications Center personnel to report the problem directly to Traffic Engineering. 2. Addressing Hazardous / Dangerous Situations: If the traffic engineering deficiency poses a serious hazard, the member shall take immediate action, (such as directing traffic), to rectify or minimize the problem. He/she shall not leave until the problem is corrected, he/she is relieved, or he/she is needed for a greater emergency. NOTE: Examples of situations requiring immediate attention include, but are not limited to, red lights out at single-indicated intersections, entire traffic signals with no power, stop signs missing, etc. 3. Conditions Allowing for a Delayed Response: If the condition is such that the presence of an officer/FST is not required, notification of Traffic Engineering through the CCC is sufficient. 4. Citizen Complaints: i. Members shall refer citizens to Traffic Engineering regarding complaints that require prior evaluation as stated in Section III, A, 1, i, (above) of this Order. ii. Members receiving citizens’ reports of other conditions, such as a traffic light out or a traffic signal missing or malfunctioning, shall comply with the procedures outlined in III, A, 2., and III. A, 3 in their entireties. B. Traffic Direction Requirements:[CALEA 61.3.2] 1. Equipment: Any member who directs traffic, or is in the roadway controlling traffic, shall wear a retro-reflective traffic vest and fluorescent gloves. [CALEA 61.3.2.e] 2. Traffic Signals: [CALEA 61.3.2.c] i. Manual Override: Members may override the automated signal by opening a traffic box’s signal control panel and switching to a manual cycle. a. Approved Situations: Approved situations include planned traffic control activities (e.g. UF football game days). b. Returning the Signal to Normal Mode: When a signal has been switched to manual override, the member will return the signal to the automatic cycle before leaving the intersection. ii. Signal Malfunctions: If the traffic signal malfunctions (is on flash, refusing to cycle, or refusing to return to normal after being on manual) member shall request that Communications notify traffic engineering personnel to respond, and shall direct traffic (when indicated) until the deficiency can be corrected. 2\n\n--- Page 3 ---\n\nGAINESVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT a. Absent exigent circumstances, members will not try to get the light to return to a regular cycle unless specifically directed by traffic engineering personnel to do so. b. Traffic engineering personnel will assess the problem on arrival. 3. Hand Signals: The following describes the expected positions and actions of the member when he/she is manually directing traffic to stop, go or turn: i. Stop: The member’s arm shall be extended with the palm of the hand facing oncoming traffic. ii. Proceed/Go: The member shall point at the driver or pedestrian, establish eye contact, bend the arm at the elbow, and wave the arm forward. iii. Right/Left Turn: The member shall point at the driver or pedestrian, establish eye contact, and wave the arm in the direction the driver is to go. 4. Whistle Signals: Whistle signals shall will normally be coordinated with hand signals and be of sufficient volume to be generally audible i. Stop: One long whistle blast. ii. Proceed / Go: Two short blasts. iii. Attention: A series of short whistle blasts. iv. These devices may be used to route or control traffic away from or through a particular area due to a traffic crash, construction, missing or inoperative traffic control devices, or other applicable situation. [CALEA 61.3.2.d] 5. Temporary traffic control devices include, but are not limited to: i. Traffic cones, ii. Barricades, iii. Flares, iv. Temporary signs 6. At Traffic Crashes: When traffic direction and control are needed at the scene of a traffic crash, members shall: [CALEA 61.3.2.a] (see also G.O. 61.6: vehicles need to be moved from the roadway as soon as possible) i. Position their vehicles, with the emergency/warning lights on, behind/between the crash and other traffic, if possible; ii. Direct traffic away from or around the crash scene until relieved or the street is clear of obstructions. 3\n\n--- Page 4 ---\n\nGAINESVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT a. Position orange traffic cones, when available, to mark the crash and divert traffic. b. Use flares if the crash occurred on I-75 at night (supervisors should be equipped with flares); c. Barricades and reflectors are not furnished, nor are they normally available. However, barricades may be requested if needed at a major crash. NOTE: Call-out of City personnel to furnish barricades must be cleared through a supervisor. d. Contact Traffic Engineering to bring and position the portable electronic message board to inform approaching traffic of the situation. 7. At Fire Scenes: Upon arrival at the scene of a fire, members shall: i. Keep entrance, access and exit points clear for emergency vehicles, NOTE: Members shall park their vehicles far enough away to allow the fire apparatus adequate access to the scene. ii. Establish traffic control points around the perimeter set by the officer in charge, iii. Prohibit vehicles from crossing fire hoses, unless fire personnel indicate otherwise. 8. During Adverse Weather: i. Members shall contact Communications personnel and their field supervisors for assistance if they determine that additional personnel or equipment (barricades, etc.) are needed for effective traffic control. [CALEA 61.3.2.b] ii. Members may request that Communications contact the City’s Street Department for barricades. 9. Regarding Roadway Hazards: [CALEA 61.4.2] Members shall do everything possible to address a roadway hazard, defect, or obstruction (such as a downed tree limb or power line, flooded area, progressive sinkhole, etc), and to ensure the safe flow of traffic around the site. [Hazardous materials shall be addressed as out