Traffic control plans that draw themselves
Pick a typical application, enter the posted speed and lane offset, and the taper, cone spacing and advance warning signs lay themselves out to the MUTCD. Change the speed and the whole plan re-computes.
Posted speed limit, off-peak 85th-percentile speed prior to work starting, or anticipated operating speed.
How far traffic is moved sideways — usually the width of the closed lane.
Merging taper length
245ft
L = W × S² ÷ 60 = 12 × 35² ÷ 60 = 245.0 ft
MUTCD 11th Ed, Tables 6B-3 and 6B-4 — at least L
Plan view
8 devices at 35 ftLength is to scale; the lateral offset is exaggerated so the taper is legible.
All taper types at these conditions
MUTCD 11th Ed, Table 6B-3Merging taper
at least L
245 ft
Shifting taper
at least 0.5 L
125 ft
Shoulder taper
at least 0.33 L
85 ft
One-lane, two-way traffic taper
50 ft min, 100 ft max
50 ft
Downstream taper
50 ft min, 100 ft max
50 ft
Channelizing devices
MUTCD 11th Ed, Section 6K.01Maximum spacing in this taper
1 × 35 mph
35 ft
Devices required
One at each end, evenly spaced between
8
The plan does the arithmetic
Every number on the sheet traces back to a table in the MUTCD 11th Edition, and every plan prints the citation.
Parametric tapers
Taper length comes from Table 6B-4 and the type multiplier from Table 6B-3. Change the posted speed and the taper re-lays itself.
Correct device spacing
Channelizing devices space at 1× the speed in a taper and 2× on a tangent, per Section 6K.01. The run repopulates as you drag it.
Advance warning series
Signs place at the Table 6B-1 A/B/C distances for your road type, at their MUTCD-minimum sizes.
54 typical applications
Every Chapter 6P figure, from lane closure with flaggers to sidewalk detours, as a starting point.
Per-city conformance
Check the plan against the city’s own published checklist — minimum lane width, pedestrian path, notice period — with the source document cited.
Scaled PDF sheet
Submittal-ready at 1"=20' through 1"=60', on 11×17 or 24×36, with title block, legend and auto-generated sign schedule.
Start from a MUTCD typical application
Chapter 6P carries 54 pre-approved layouts. These are the ones the SMB buyer needs most.
TA-10
Lane Closure on a Two-Lane Road Using Flaggers
One lane of a two-lane road closed, alternating one-way traffic controlled by flaggers. The most-requested TTC plan for utility and small civil work.
TA-6
Shoulder Work with Minor Encroachment
Work encroaches slightly into the travel lane; traffic shifts, remaining lane 10 ft minimum.
TA-1
Work Beyond the Shoulder
Work entirely off the roadway, behind the shoulder. Advance warning only, no lane closure.
TA-3
Work on the Shoulders
Shoulder closed with a shoulder taper at 0.33 L. Travel lanes stay open.
TA-18
Lane Closure on a Minor Street
Lane closed on a low-speed, low-volume city street. The common utility-cut sheet.
TA-30
Interior Lane Closure on a Multi-Lane Street
An interior lane of a multi-lane street closed with a merging taper.
How it works
Four steps from address to submittal
Find the site
Search the address and drop the work zone on the aerial.
Pick the application
Choose the MUTCD typical application that matches your work.
Enter the conditions
Posted speed, lane offset and road type. The geometry computes itself.
Export the sheet
Scaled PDF with title block, legend, sign schedule and device takeoff.
Frequently asked questions
What contractors ask before they submit