Work Beyond the Shoulder
Work entirely off the roadway, behind the shoulder. Advance warning only, no lane closure.
MUTCD Figure 6P-1
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.
Plan view
635 ft, to scaleRedrawn from MUTCD 11th Edition Chapter 6P, which is public domain. Devices are shown at the MUTCD spacing for 35 mph; signs are drawn oversize for legibility.
Computed for your conditions
MUTCD 11th Edshoulder taper
at least 0.33 L
85 ft
Base L
Table 6B-4
245 ft
Device spacing in taper
1 × speed, Section 6K.01
35 ft
Device spacing on tangent
2 × speed, Section 6K.01
70 ft
Advance warning area
Table 6B-1
300 ft
Longitudinal buffer
Table 6B-2
250 ft
Total zone length
935 ft
Sign schedule
Tables 6G-1, 6H-1W20-1 — ROAD WORK AHEAD
36" × 36" minimum
1
Notes from the MUTCD figure
- Option: the ROAD WORK AHEAD sign may be replaced with another appropriate sign such as SHOULDER WORK.
- Option: the ROAD WORK AHEAD sign may be omitted where the work space is behind a barrier, more than 24 inches behind the curb, or 15 feet or more from the edge of any roadway.
- Guidance: if the work space is in the median of a divided highway, an advance warning sign should also be placed on the left-hand side of the directional roadway.
- Standard: vehicle hazard warning signals shall not be used instead of the vehicle’s high-intensity rotating, flashing, oscillating, or strobe lights.
Notes paraphrase the MUTCD figure's own Notes block, preserving the manual's Standard / Guidance / Option force. Read the figure itself before you submit.
Related tools
TA-3 · Work on the Shoulders
Shoulder closed with a shoulder taper at 0.33 L. Travel lanes stay open.
TA-4 · Short-Duration or Mobile Operation on a Shoulder
Mobile shoulder work using vehicle-mounted warning devices.
TA-5 · Shoulder Closure on a Freeway
Freeway shoulder closure with a shoulder taper and freeway-scale sign spacing.