Work on the Shoulders
Shoulder closed with a shoulder taper at 0.33 L. Travel lanes stay open.
MUTCD Figure 6P-3
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
835 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-1G20-2 — END ROAD WORK
36" × 18" minimum
1
W20-1 — ROAD WORK AHEAD
36" × 36" minimum
1
W21-5 — SHOULDER WORK
36" × 36" minimum
1
Device takeoff
Chapter 6KTraffic cone
shoulder taper: 86 ft at 35 ft max spacing; Shoulder closure: 450 ft at 70 ft max spacing
10
Notes from the MUTCD figure
- Guidance: a shoulder taper should have a length of approximately 0.33 L (MUTCD Table 6B-3).
- Guidance: if the shoulder is used as a travel lane, a normal merging or shifting taper should be used instead.
- Option: the END ROAD WORK sign may be omitted on short-duration work.
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-1 · Work Beyond the Shoulder
Work entirely off the roadway, behind the shoulder. Advance warning only, no lane closure.
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.