902.13 Traffic Control Signals for Emergency-Vehicle Access (MUTCD Chapter 4M)
902.13.1 Application of Emergency-Vehicle Traffic Control Signals (MUTCD Section 4M.01)
Support. An emergency-vehicle traffic control signal is a special traffic control signal that directs all conflicting traffic to stop in order to permit the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle to proceed into the roadway or intersection.
Standard. An Emergency-Vehicle Traffic Control Signal shall be installed only at intersections where an emergency vehicle facility is located on a state highway and the emergency vehicle, upon leaving the facility, enters directly onto that highway.
Option. An emergency-vehicle traffic control signal may be installed at a location that does not meet other traffic signal warrants such as at an intersection or other location to permit direct access from a building housing the emergency vehicle.
An emergency-vehicle hybrid beacon may be installed instead of an emergency-vehicle traffic control signal under the conditions described in EPG 902.14.1.
Guidance. If a traffic control signal is not justified under the signal warrants of EPG 902.3 and if gaps in traffic are not adequate to permit the timely entrance of emergency vehicles, or the stopping sight distance for vehicles approaching on the major street is insufficient for emergency vehicles, installing an emergency-vehicle traffic control signal should be considered. If one of the signal warrants of EPG 902.3 is met and a traffic control signal is justified by an engineering study, and if a decision is made to install a traffic control signal, it should be installed based upon the provisions of EPG 902.4 through EPG 902.9 and EPG 902.11.
The sight distance determination should be based on the location of the visibility obstruction for the critical approach lane for each street or drive and the posted or statutory speed limit or 85th-percentile speed on the major street, whichever is higher.
Standard. For a new emergency vehicle signal installation, the emergency entity, city, or other organization having control over the emergency equipment, shall be required to pay the full cost of construction and will be required to maintain the equipment.
Support. The MoDOT district uses the applicant's request and supporting data to approve the installation. If approval is given, a contract is executed between the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission and the proper local authorities or organization that covers the installation, maintenance, and operation of such a signal.
Normally, a push button is located in the emergency facility. The push button and the connection (wireless or wired) to the signal will be provided and maintained by the emergency facility.
Upon completion of the installation, the requesting party will be responsible for all maintenance, replacement costs, and power costs.
The TR06 Emergency Vehicle Signal Agreement is the standard agreement to be used.
See EPG 902.6.18 for preemption.
902.13.2 Design of Emergency-Vehicle Traffic Control Signals (MUTCD Section 4M.02)
Standard. Except as otherwise provided in this Article, an emergency-vehicle traffic control signal shall meet the requirements of the EPG.
An Emergency Vehicle (W11-8) sign (see EPG 903.3.52) with an EMERGENCY SIGNAL AHEAD (W11-12P) supplemental plaque shall be placed in advance of all emergency-vehicle traffic control signals. If a Warning Beacon is installed to supplement the W11-8 sign, the design and location of the beacon shall comply with the Standards of EPG 902.18.1 and 902.18.3.
Guidance. At least one of the two required signal faces for each approach on the major street should be located over the roadway.
Standard. 12-inch diameter signal indications shall be used for emergency-vehicle traffic control signals.
An EMERGENCY SIGNAL (R10-13) sign (see EPG 903.2.48) shall be installed facing each major-street approach.
If an overhead signal face is provided, the EMERGENCY SIGNAL sign shall be mounted adjacent to the overhead signal face.
Guidance. An approach that only serves emergency vehicles should be provided with only one signal face consisting of one or more signal sections.
Support. See Figure 902.13.2 below for standard emergency vehicle signal installation.
902.13.3 Operation of Emergency-Vehicle Traffic Control Signals (MUTCD Section 4M.03)
Standard. Green signal indications for emergency vehicles at signalized locations operating in the steady (stop-and-go) mode shall be obtained as provided in EPG 902.6.19.
As a minimum, the signal indications, sequence, and manner of operation of an emergency-vehicle traffic control signal installed at a midblock location shall be as follows:
- A. The signal indication, between emergency-vehicle actuations, shall be flashing yellow. The flashing yellow signal shall be displayed in the normal position of the green signal indication, while the steady red and steady yellow signal indications shall be displayed in their normal positions.
- B. When an emergency-vehicle actuation occurs, a steady yellow change interval followed by a steady red interval shall be displayed to traffic on the major street.
- C. A yellow change interval is not required following the green interval for the emergency-vehicle driveway.
Emergency-vehicle traffic control signals located at intersections shall either be operated in the flashing mode (see EPG 902.7.1 and EPG 902.7.3) between emergency-vehicle actuations or be full-actuated or semi-actuated to accommodate normal vehicular and pedestrian traffic on the streets.
Warning Beacons, if used with an emergency-vehicle traffic control signal, shall be flashed only:
- A. For an appropriate time in advance of and during the steady yellow change interval for the major street, and
- B. During the steady red interval for the major street.
Option. An emergency-vehicle traffic control signal sequence may be initiated manually from a local control point such as a fire station, law enforcement headquarters, other emergency vehicle facility, or from an emergency vehicle equipped for remote operation of the signal.