COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
MASSACHUSETTS HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
SUBJECT: TRAFFIC SIGNAL REGULATIONS
EFFECTIVE
ISSUED
12/12/2008
12/12/2008
SUPERSEDES
S.O.P. NO.
EFFECTIVE:
S.O.P. NO. HMD-60-03-3-000
PAGE 1 OF 5
DISTRIBUTION
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AUTHORIZED
(signature on original)
PURPOSE:
To establish standard operating procedures (SOP) for the design and review of plans, specifications, estimates and
equipment for the modification or installation of traffic signals on state highway locations to ensure that the process
will be predictable, timely, and applied in a uniform manner within the Access Permit Regulation process throughout
MassHighway.
AUTHORITY:
MassHighway is granted authority to regulate traffic control devices, signs, markings and operation and maintenance
thereof, by M.G.L. Chapter 85, Section 2. Through the adoption of720 CMR13.00 under the authority of M.G.L. c.
81, § 21 and M.G.L. c. 85, § 2, .MassHighway has implemented Standard Operating Procedures for Review of State
Highway Access Permits (S.O.P. # HMD-60-02-3-000) whereby this document shall provide guidance for the
modification or installation of traffic signals through the Access Permit process.
RESPONSIBILITY:
The State Traffic Engineer is directly responsible for the approval and issuance of all Traffic Signal Regulations
(formerly known as Signal Permits) contingent upon the acceptance of the as-built plans and final field signal
operations review by the District Highway Director (DHD) within whose District boundaries said traffic signal
regulation is sought. The District Highway Director retains approval authority over flashing warning beacons outside
of the traffic signal regulation process.
APPLICATION OF PROCEDURES:
These procedures govern the issuance of a traffic signal regulation and the required documentation needed
throughout the process. Please note that all Traffic Signal Regulations submission packages delivered to the District
Office shall be addressed to the District Highway Director with attention to the Permit Engineer; and submission
packages for the Boston Traffic Engineering Section shall be addressed to the State Traffic Engineer.
25% Design package submitted to the MassHighway shall follow the Access Permit SOP and include the following:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
Access Permit application, checklist and Fee (Transmitted to District Office)
Design Plans
Functional Design Report
MEPA Certificate (if applicable)
MHO Section 61 Finding (if applicable)
Identification of ROW Impacts/Land Damage Agreements (as necessary)
Early Environmental Coordination Checklist (EECC)
Note: Only items "b" through "e" need to be submitted to the Boston Traffic Office.
If items required with the EECC have been performed for the proposed offsite roadway and traffic
signal work as part of the MEPA permitting for the related site work, a certified letter from the
Design Engineer stating what items have previously been completed will suffice in lieu of performing
these tasks again as part of the EECC for the offsite permitting under these regulations.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
MASSACHUSETTS HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
SUBJECT: TRAFFIC SIGNAL REGULATIONS
EFFECTIVE
ISSUED
12/12/2008
12/12/2008
SUPERSEDES
S.O.P. NO.
EFFECTIVE:
S.O.P. NO. HMD-60-03-3-000
PAGE 2 OF 5
DISTRIBUTION
PAGE OF
AUTHORIZED
(signature on original)
After approval of the 25% design documents (via written correspondence from the District Highway Director or
designee), the 75/100% package maybe submitted to Boston Traffic Office and the District Permit Engineer. The
75/100% package shall include the following project design documents:
h)
i)
j)
k)
l)
m)
n)
Design Plans
i. Non-Standard foundation/mast arm designs for structural review
ii. Soil boring plans to support foundation design for geotechnical review
Specifications/Special Provisions
Preliminary Right of Way Plans with Title and Deed documentation
Preliminary Design Engineer’s Estimate (for work within the State Highway Layout)
Draft Traffic Signal Regulation Package (former Traffic Signal Permit)
Written response to comments made at the 25% submission
Draft Traffic Signal Maintenance Agreement (proposed Two Party Agreement between
MassHighway and the applicant) for review
The Traffic Signal Regulation package (Draft or As-Built) shall include the following:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
Traffic Signal Regulation application form
Timing and sequence chart
40 scale plan that can be folded into 8 1'2" x 11" page
If the traffic signal is coordinated, coordinated data page shall also be submitted
Clearance calculation worksheet for each approach using formula developed by the Institute of
Transportation Engineers (ITE)
If traffic signals proposed on State highway are to be interconnected with any municipally owned traffic
signals a separate Traffic Signal Maintenance Agreement will be required between MassHighway and the
municipality to control access and/or modifications to the interconnection system and equipment.
Upon approval of the 75/100% design by MassHighway (via written correspondence from the District Highway
Director or designee), the P S & E submission may be submitted to Boston Traffic Office and the District Permit
Engineer and shall include the following project design documents:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
Design Plans
Specifications/Special Provisions
Final Cost Estimate
Written response to comments made at the 75/100% submission
Any and all soil boring information (if available)
Any traffic signal foundation designs that are not consistent with the MassHighway Standard
Drawings for Traffic Signal Structures, shall be designed and stamped by a Structural Engineer,
registered in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Structural Design Calculations shall be included
within the project Specification/Special Provisions package to accompany the proposed Foundation
Design Sheet.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
MASSACHUSETTS HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
SUBJECT: TRAFFIC SIGNAL REGULATIONS
EFFECTIVE
ISSUED
12/12/2008
12/12/2008
g)
h)
i)
SUPERSEDES
S.O.P. NO.
EFFECTIVE:
S.O.P. NO. HMD-60-03-3-000
PAGE 3 OF 5
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Final Alteration Plan and documentation for ROW Impacts (District Only)
Revised Draft Traffic Signal Regulation Package
Traffic Signal Maintenance Agreement package (Boston Traffic Office Only)
The Traffic Signal Maintenance Agreement package shall include the following:
i.
ii.
4.
Two agreements that include original signature pages signed by the project applicant and
stamped with corporate seal and signed by the applicants counsel.
Copy of the Performance Bond(s). The amount of the bond(s) will be determined based on
the Engineer's Cost Estimate. The project applicant can request a delay, in writing, from
MassHighway to obtain the bond(s) if they foresee a delay in construction.
Upon approval of the P S & E submission, the Highway Access Permit can be issued from the District
Permit Office and copied to the Boston Traffic Office which will allow for the approval of the Draft Traffic
Signal Regulation. The Highway Access Permit will allow for construction of all roadway and traffic signal
improvements to commence, and the Draft Traffic Signal Regulation approves the design and proposed
operation of the traffic signal.
The Design Engineer shall submit (3) three sets of the updated Draft Traffic Signal Regulation package to
Boston Traffic Office for processing. Upon approval by the State Traffic Engineer, the signed Draft Traffic
Signal Regulation will be sent to the District Permit Office with a copy to the applicant.
5.
The Boston Traffic Office will then prepare a docket agreement for signature approval by the Commissioner
at the Action Items Meeting. The docket agreement package shall include the following:
a)
b)
c)
d)
Docket Agreement signature page
Two Traffic Signal Maintenance Agreements
Copy of approved Draft Traffic Signal Regulation
Copy of approved Highway Access permit
Upon approval of the Docket Agreement by the Commissioner, the Boston Traffic Office will forward an
original package to the applicant and send a copy to the District Permit Engineer.
6.
Traffic Signal Shop Drawings and Traffic Signal Catalogue cut submittals shall be processed and approved
by the Design Engineer and copied to the District Traffic Engineer for inclusion in the project file. (Hard
copy and PDF format)
7.
In cooperation with the Design Engineer, the General Contractor/Traffic Signal Contractor shall provide the
District Traffic Engineer a detailed listing of the traffic signal equipment installed, including all of the serial
numbers and appropriate warrantee information.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
MASSACHUSETTS HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
SUBJECT: TRAFFIC SIGNAL REGULATIONS
EFFECTIVE
ISSUED
12/12/2008
12/12/2008
SUPERSEDES
S.O.P. NO.
EFFECTIVE:
S.O.P. NO. HMD-60-03-3-000
PAGE 4 OF 5
DISTRIBUTION
PAGE OF
AUTHORIZED
(signature on original)
Upon notification from the Design Engineer of the completion of the traffic signal installation/modification
and associated work, the following steps are required:
a)
b)
c)
d)
9.
Prior to activating the new/updated Traffic Signal System in the test mode, the District Office will
visit the site to ensure that the equipment and intersection layout corresponds to the engineering plans
submitted. Signal cabinet should be inspected to verify equipment meets the MassHighway standard
specifications.
The new/updated Traffic Signal System should be placed in flashing operation for a duration
established by the District Traffic Engineer/District Highway Director. The Traffic Signal System
will then be placed in “stop and go” operation and shall operate for a continuous/incident free 30-day
testing and fine tuning period with no major malfunctions.
Upon successful conclusion of the 30-day testing and fine tuning period, the project
Applicant/Design Engineer shall request in writing a formal traffic signal final inspection. The final
inspection will be conducted by the Design Engineer and the General Contractor/Traffic Signal
Contractor in the presence of the MassHighway District staff to verify construction of the
improvements complies with the approved design plans. (The Design Engineer shall be retained by
the project Applicant to conduct the final inspection and any subsequent follow up inspections).
Once the inspections are completed and any and all punch list items have been addressed, a final AsBuilt Traffic Signal Regulation package shall be prepared by the Design Engineer [See No.2 above]
and forwarded to the MassHighway State Traffic Engineer or designee for signature (3 sets).
Prior to approval of the As-Built Traffic Signal Regulation, the Design Engineer shall also submit (to the
District Traffic Engineer and Boston Traffic Section) via email, USB Flash Drive (Memory Stick) or posted
to an FTP site, the following:
a)
b)
c)
d)
Project plans (PDF format)
Project specifications (Word format)
Final Cost Estimate (Excel Format)
As-Built Traffic Signal Regulation package [See No.2 above for package requirements] (PDF
format) and the following:
i.
ii.
e)
f)
g)
Traffic Signal Layout title sheet and traffic signal data page shall be submitted in the
AutoCAD format used by MassHighway for inclusion into MassHighway Traffic Signal
Inventory database.
Photos of each intersection approach and the inside of the traffic signal controller cabinet for
inclusion into MassHighway Traffic Signal Inventory database (JPEG images)
Executed Traffic Signal Maintenance Agreement package [See No.3 above for package
requirements] (PDF format)
Final Traffic Signal Inspection report letter from Design Engineer/Traffic Signal Contractor (PDF
format)
Approved Highway Access permit (PDF format)
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
MASSACHUSETTS HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
SUBJECT: TRAFFIC SIGNAL REGULATIONS
10.
EFFECTIVE
ISSUED
12/12/2008
12/12/2008
SUPERSEDES
S.O.P. NO.
EFFECTIVE:
S.O.P. NO. HMD-60-03-3-000
PAGE 5 OF 5
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AUTHORIZED
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Once complete, the As-Built Traffic Signal Regulation will act as the official record of the traffic signal
design that was approved and constructed. The timeframe from the start of the traffic signal inspections and
issuance of the As-Built Traffic Signal Regulation should be no longer than 45 business days, provided the
Design Engineer and/or Traffic Signal Contractor respond in a timely manner.
After issuance of the As-Built Traffic Signal Regulation the Applicant/Design Engineer shall send in a
written request to the attention of the District Highway Director for acceptance of the Traffic Signal System.
11.
Pending the language specified in the Traffic Signal Maintenance Agreement, if the traffic signal is under
State jurisdiction, the project Applicant/Design Engineer shall notify MassHighway, in writing, of the
transfer of the electric power cost and other utility billing.
12.
Upon completion of all the transportation improvements the Applicant/Design Engineer may request, in
writing, from the District Highway Director the close out of the Highway Access Permit and release of the
bond(s), subject to any retainage held during the warrantee period.