Guidelines for Typical Products used in Traffic Control

  • Drums:

    1. All drums must meet NC Specifications for Roads and Structures of Divisions 10 (Materials) & 11 (Traffic Control). These specifications are available on the Contract Standards and Development website.
    2. All drums must be evaluated on a National Transportation Product Evaluation Program (NTPEP) test deck. Visit the NTPEP Web Site for more information on that program.
    3. Self-certification must be provided.
    4. Non-circular drums will not be considered.
    5. All drums must be submitted through the NCDOT Product Evaluation Program (PEP) website for inclusion on the Approved Products List. Additional information on the product approval process is also available on the PEP website. 
    6. Once above requirements have been met, products will be evaluated by the Work Zone Traffic Control Unit and assigned a status of Approved, Approved for Provisional Use, Accepted for Trial Use, Request Additional Information, or Not Approved.
  • Portable Signs & Stands:

    1. All Signs and Sign Stands must meet NC Specifications for Roads and Structures of Divisions 10 (Materials) & 11 (Traffic Control). These specifications are available on the Contract Standards and Development Unit website.
    2. All Signs and Sign Stands must be NCHRP 350 Test Level 2 crash tested and approved as a system (sign and stand crash tested together). Visit the FHWA Web Site for information on NCHRP 350.
    3. Any product specifications, crash test data, and applicable FHWA approval letter(s) must be submitted through the NCDOT Product Evaluation Program (PEP) website. Additional information on the product approval process is also available on the PEP website. 
    4. Once above requirements have been met, products will be evaluated by the Work Zone Traffic Control Unit and assigned a status of Approved, Approved for Provisional Use, Accepted for Trial Use, Request Additional Information, or Not Approved.
  • Portable Changeable Message Signs & Flashing Arrow Boards:

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    1. All Portable Changeable Message Signs and Flashing Arrow Boards must meet NC Specifications for Roads and Structures of Divisions 10 (Materials) & 11 (Traffic Control). These specifications are available on the Contract Standards and Development Unit website.
    2. All Portable Changeable Message Signs and Flashing Arrow Boards must be evaluated on a National Transportation Product Evaluation Program (NTPEP) test deck. Visit the NTPEP Web Site for more information.
    3. All Portable Changeable Message Signs and Flashing Arrow Boards purchased by North Carolina DOT (as opposed to contractor purchased) must have nine (9) character and remote access capabilities. The manufacturer must also have a distributor or some other means to provide 4-hour service when needed.
    4. All Portable Changeable Message Signs and Flashing Arrow Boards must be submitted through the NCDOT Product Evaluation Program (PEP) website for inclusion on the Approved Products List.
    5. Once above requirements have been met, products will be evaluated by the Work Zone Traffic Control Unit and assigned a status of Approved, Approved for Provisional Use, Accepted for Trial Use, Request Additional Information, or Not Approved.
  • Type III Barricades:

    1. All Type III Barricades must meet NC Specifications for Roads and Structures of Divisions 10 (Materials) & 11 (Traffic Control). These specifications are available on the Contract Standards and Development website.
    2. All Type III Barricades must be NCHRP 350 Test Level 2 crash tested and approved with a 48" x 48" sign attached. Visit the FHWA Web Site for information on NCHRP 350.
    3. Any product specifications, crash test data, and applicable FHWA approval letter(s) must be submitted through the NCDOT Product Evaluation Program (PEP). Additional information on the product approval process is also available on the PEP website.
    4. ​​​Once above requirements have been met, products will be evaluated by the Work Zone Traffic Control Unit and assigned a status of Approved, Approved for Provisional Use, Accepted for Trial Use, Request Additional Information, or Not Approved.
  • Temporary Crash Cushions:

    1. All Temporary Crash Cushions must meet NC Specifications for Roads and Structures of Divisions 10 (Materials) & 11 (Traffic Control). These specifications are available on the Contract Standards and Development Unit website.
    2. All Temporary Crash Cushions must be NCHRP 350 Test Level 2 or 3 (whichever applies) crash tested and approved. Visit the FHWA Web Site for information on NCHRP 350.
    3. Sand barrels are not accepted in North Carolina.
    4. Manufacturer installation procedures for soil, asphalt, and concrete bases are required.
    5. Any product specifications, crash test data, and applicable FHWA approval letter(s) must be submitted through the NCDOT Product Evaluation Program (PEP) website. Additional information on the product approval process is also available on the PEP website. 
    6. Once above requirements have been met, products will be evaluated by the Work Zone Traffic Control Unit and assigned a status of Approved, Approved for Provisional Use, Accepted for Trial Use, Request Additional Information, or Not Approved.
  • Truck Mounted Impact Attenuators:

    1. All Truck Mounted Impact Attenuators must meet NC Specifications for Roads and Structures of Divisions 10 (Materials) & 11 (Traffic Control). These specifications are available on the Contract Standards and Development Unit website.
    2. All Truck Mounted Impact Attenuators must be NCHRP 350 Test Level 2 or 3 (whichever applies) crash tested and approved. Visit the FHWA Web Site for information on NCHRP 350.
    3. Any product specifications, crash test data, and applicable FHWA approval letter(s) must be submitted through the NCDOT Product Evaluation Program (PEP) website. Additional information on the product approval process is also available on the PEP website. 
    4. Once above requirements have been met, products will be evaluated by the Work Zone Traffic Control Unit and assigned a status of Approved, Approved for Provisional Use, Accepted for Trial Use, Request Additional Information, or Not Approved. ​
  • Portable Concrete Barriers:

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    1. All Portable Concrete Barriers must meet NC Specifications for Roads and Structures of Divisions 10 (Materials) & 11 (Traffic Control). These specifications are available on the Contract Standards and Development Unit website.
    2. Any barrier that does not meet NC Specifications must be NCHRP 350 Test Level 3 crash tested and approved. Visit the FHWA Web Site for information on NCHRP 350.
    3. Any contractor using barrier other than NC specified barrier must show proof of and follow an acceptable plan to transition this barrier to any other barrier existing on an adjacent project.
    4. Only one type of portable concrete barrier can be used in a run of barrier on a project. It is acceptable to use more than one different type of portable concrete barrier on a project as long as it is not mixed and matched on a run of barrier.
    5. Any product specifications, crash test data, and applicable FHWA approval letter(s) must be submitted through the NCDOT Product Evaluation Program (PEP) website. Additional information on the product approval process is also available on the PEP website. 
    6. Once above requirements have been met, products will be evaluated by the Work Zone Traffic Control Unit and assigned a status of Approved, Approved for Provisional Use, Accepted for Trial Use, Request Additional Information, or Not Approved.
  • Water Filled Barriers:

    1. All Water Filled Barrier must meet NC Specifications for Roads and Structures of Divisions 10 (Materials) & 11 (Traffic Control). These specifications are available on the Contract Standards and Development website.
    2. All Water Filled Barrier must be NCHRP 350 Test Level 2 or 3 (whichever applies) crash tested and approved Test Level 2 approval must not require a retrofit package to comply. Visit the FHWA Web Site for information on NCHRP 350.
    3. Any product specifications, crash test data, and applicable FHWA approval letter(s) must be submitted through the NCDOT Product Evaluation Program (PEP) website. Additional information on the product approval process is also available on the PEP website. 
    4. Once above requirements have been met, products will be evaluated by the Work Zone Traffic Control Unit and assigned a status of Approved, Approved for Provisional Use, Accepted for Trial Use, Request Additional Information, or Not Approved.​​
  • National Transportation Product Evaluation Program - NTPEP

    Evaluation of Flashing Arrow Board (FAB) and Portable Changeable Message Signs (PCMS)

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