Conemap
Requirements/Colorado

Denver traffic control plan requirements

DOTI Policy 116.1. Denver requires the plan to be prepared by a certified Traffic Control Supervisor — a credential requirement, not an engineer stamp, but it does mean not just anyone on the crew can sign the submittal.

Check a plan against these rulesWhere to submit

Published requirements

Transcribed from Denver's own published document. Each entry cites where it came from and when it was last checked.

  • Traffic control plans submitted for occupancy of the public right-of-way must be prepared by a certified Traffic Control Supervisor (TCS).

    Denver DOTI PT-116.1, Traffic Control Plan · Verified 2026-08-25

  • A 5-foot wide clear pedestrian accessible route is desirable. At a minimum the permittee shall provide a 4-foot wide clear unobstructed pedestrian route on any sidewalk at all times, measured wall to wall rather than handrail to wall.

    4 ft

    Denver DOTI PT-116.1, Pedestrian Accessible Route (PAR) · Verified 2026-08-25

  • Where the pedestrian route is reduced, a 5' by 5' passing area is required at 200-foot minimum intervals.

    200 ft

    Denver DOTI PT-116.1, Pedestrian Accessible Route (PAR) · Verified 2026-08-25

  • In no case shall the clear width of a bicycle lane be less than five (5) feet, excluding gutter pan width. A bicycle lane narrowed below five feet during construction is treated as a bicycle lane closure.

    5 ft

    Denver DOTI PT-116.1, Bicycle facilities · Verified 2026-08-25

  • Where a bicycle lane closure is approved, advance signage shall be placed 125 feet or more ahead, with sign spacing no more than 150 feet between signs.

    Denver DOTI PT-116.1, Bicycle lane closures · Verified 2026-08-25

  • The plan shall clearly show existing road conditions with correct depiction of existing road alignment, north direction, speed limit, road geometry, existing pavement markings, all parking / travel / bike lane assignments, and curb lines.

    Denver DOTI PT-116.1, Traffic Control Plan · Verified 2026-08-25

Source

https://www.denvergov.org/files/assets/public/v/2/doti/documents/permits/dotipt-116.1_traffic_control_procedures.pdf

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Taper length for a Denver work zone

Taper geometry is federal — it comes from MUTCD 11th Edition Tables 6B-3 and 6B-4 wherever you are. What Denver adds is the checklist above.

Posted speed limit, off-peak 85th-percentile speed prior to work starting, or anticipated operating speed.

ft

How far traffic is moved sideways — usually the width of the closed lane.

Open this in the plan builder

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 ft
245 ft12′

Length is to scale; the lateral offset is exaggerated so the taper is legible.

All taper types at these conditions

MUTCD 11th Ed, Table 6B-3

Merging 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.01

Maximum spacing in this taper

1 × 35 mph

35 ft

Devices required

One at each end, evenly spaced between

8

Table 6B-3 states these lengths as minimums. Longer tapers are not automatically better — MUTCD Section 6B.08 notes that extended tapers tend to encourage sluggish operation and delay lane changes, particularly in urban areas with short blocks or frequent driveways.