8.08 Survey Operations
Due to the nature of survey activities being in close proximity of traffic, a Safety Plan should be in place prior to beginning a surveying operation. Exercising proper precautions when working near traffic is vital. The following guidance should be followed when performing surveying operations around and near traffic:
- Use a minimum of two survey personnel to perform any surveying operation within the right of way.
- Avoid working during peak traffic times and during periods of sun glare.
- Refrain from working on opposing sides of the road at the same time in one location.
- Perform work during reasonable weather conditions.
- Stay within 150 ft of the vehicle with a flashing beacon when there is no additional work zone signing or one is outside the work zone.
- Use proper advance signing depending upon work being performed.
- When working in a curved section of roadway, make sure the lead-in signs are pushed back prior to the beginning of the curve.
- Consult the TSC Traffic & Safety Engineer for guidance/notification two weeks prior to survey operations in the roadway.
- Have a site-specific emergency plan.
- Always wear the appropriate personal protective equipment, especially high visibility clothing.
8.08.01 Working without TTCD
Working without TTCD is only allowed when all of the following requirements are met:
- Traffic volume is light. This means that survey personnel can walk from the shoulder to the site on the traveled way, perform their duties, and walk back to the shoulder without interfering with traffic.
- Sight distance in each direction is at least 550 ft. When 550 ft. is not available a lookout may be used to extend coverage
- Vehicles can be parked completely off the traveled way.
When surveying without traffic control, all the following methods should be used:
- All survey personnel should be off the traveled way, on the same side of the roadway, when traffic passes.
- Survey personnel should face traffic whenever possible.
- Survey personnel should have a planned escape route.
Anytime you feel unsafe doing surveying without traffic control, stop and consider adding additional traffic control devices, and even closing a lane.
8.08.02 Setting up Traffic Control
For setting up traffic control devices, install them with the flow of traffic: Signs, Arrow Boards, and then channelizing devices. When removing devices, take them down in the reverse order of the flow of traffic: Channelizing devices, arrow board, and then signs.
8.08.03 Temporary Traffic Control Considerations
Items to consider when going onto the roadway include the time of day, weather conditions, and escape paths. For the time of day, the factors to be aware of include sunlight glare, traffic volumes, lighting levels, and being well rested. For weather conditions, considering rain and wind, as well as if the temporary signs will stay upright. Pre-planning is also essential for a project. Do you know what the site looks like? Do you have the right traffic control to complete the work? Do you need to close a lane? Are there potential escape paths?
There are four basic situations when surveying:
- Working within the paved surface of the roadway, within 150’ of an amber rotating beacon
- Working within the paved surface of the roadway, NOT within 150’ of an amber rotating beacon
- Working outside the paved surface of the roadway within 150’ of an amber rotating beacon
- Working outside the paved surface of the roadway NOT within 150’ of an amber rotating beacon
Situation 1 - On the paved surface of the roadway, within 150’ of an amber beacon
- The survey personnel are covered by law and are not required to place any signs, but additional signs can be added.
- Additional signing may be considered depending on the location and duration of the work taking place.
Situation 2 - Working within the paved surface of the roadway, NOT within 150’ of an amber rotating beacon
- Additional signs are required. The following signs are required:
- Survey Crew or Survey Work Ahead (Can be substituted with Road Work Ahead)
- Work Zone Begins
- End Road Work
Situation 3 - Outside the paved surface of the roadway, within 150’ of an amber beacon
- The survey personnel are covered by law and are not required to place any signs, but additional signs can be added.
- Additional signing may be considered depending on the location and duration of the work taking place.
Situation 4 - Working outside the paved surface of the roadway, NOT within 150’ of an amber rotating beacon
- If the work takes place in less than 1 hour, no signing is required
- If the work takes 1 hour or more, the following signs are required:
- Survey Crew
- Additional signing may be considered depending on the location and duration of the work taking place.
8.08.04 Survey Operations, Locations, and Durations
See table 8-6, below, for common survey operations, locations, and durations.
Table 8-6: Survey Operations
| Survey Operation/Task | Daily Work Location | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile LiDAR Collection Vehicle' | Along Roadway and Shoulders - minimal | Mobile (Survey) |
| Two-Lane, Two-Way | ||
| Multi-Lane | ||
| Freeway | ||
| Target Layout Along Paved Shoulders and Side Roads | Along Roadway and Outside of the Shoulder minor non-vehicle encroachment in travel way | Mobile |
| Two-Lane, Two-Way | ||
| Multi-Lane | ||
| Freeway | ||
| Leveling Along Paved Shoulder | Along Roadway and Outside of the Shoulder minor non-vehicle encroachment in travel way | Mobile |
| Two-Lane, Two-Way | ||
| Multi-Lane | ||
| Freeway | ||
| Access PLSS or Alignment Corner in travel way | In Roadway - Vehicles and personnel short mobile operation | Mobile or Short Duration |
| Two-Lane, Two-Way | ||
| Multi-Lane | ||
| Freeway | ||
| Place Monument (Box) | Occupy lane and/or intersection | Short-Term Duration |
| Two-Lane, Two-Way | ||
| Multi-Lane | ||
| Freeway | ||
| Topographic Mapping Outside of the Shoulder | In ROW but outside of the travel way - Minor to no non-vehicular encroachment on the travel way | Non-Impact |
| Two-Lane, Two-Way | ||
| Multi-Lane | ||
| Freeway | ||
| Location of Drainage Structures and Inverts | In roadways and along paved shoulders | Short Duration |
| Two-Lane, Two-Way | ||
| Multi-Lane | ||
| Freeway | ||
| Survey Operation/Task | Daily Work Location | Duration |
| Topographic Mapping Crossing Traveled Way | Across roadways and shoulders | Mobile, Short Duration, and Short-Term Stationary |
| Two-Lane, Two-Way | ||
| Multi-Lane | ||
| Freeway | ||
| Survey/Measurements of Bridge Structures | Occupy lanes and shoulders | Short Duration to Short-Term Stationary |
| Two-Lane, Two-Way | ||
| Multi-Lane | ||
| Freeway | ||
| Hydraulic Survey of Rivers, Streams, and Drain Crossings | Along Shoulders and Outside of the Shoulder minor to no non-vehicular encroachment in travel way | Short Duration to Short-Term Stationary |
| Encroachment on travel way | ||
| Two-Lane, Two-Way | ||
| Multi-Lane | ||
| Freeway |
