Traffic control by stop and go boards
Use remotely controlled Stop/Go boards where possible. When using these boards, the following conditions must be met:
- The length of the coned area is no more than 170 metres;
- Use of the boards is restricted to daylight hours;
- An unobstructed view of both approaches is maintained;
- The operative is less than 100 metres from both boards;
- Traffic flow is less than 850 vehicles/h.
Coned area length in metres | Maximum two-way traffic flow | |
Vehicles per three minutes | Vehicles per hour | |
| up to 100 | 70 | 1400 |
| up to 200 | 63 | 1250 |
| up to 300 | 53 | 1050 |
| up to 400 | 47 | 950 |
| up to 500 | 42 | 850 |
For numbers and minimum size of cones, and dimensions D and E, see table back cover.
An information board (omitted here for clarity) must be displayed.
Place the stop / go boards where they will be in full view of approaching drivers. They may be located on either side of the carriageway.
See p52 for guidance on unobstructed width past the works.
A supplementary distance plate is required for roads with a speed limit of 50mph or more.
For roads with a speed limit of 50mph or more an assessment should be made as to whether 'for' and a distance should be included on a supplementary plate.
Only use manually rotated boards where the operator is in a position of safety. This must not be within the safety zone. The works length or traffic flow prohibits the use of remotely operated boards.
Only use if a risk assessment has determined that remotely operated boards are not appropriate. Document the reasons for not using remotely operated boards.
If the site length for manually rotated boards is 20 metres or less, then use a single board positioned at one end or in the middle. It must be seen from both directions.
If two boards are used, then the operative showing 'Go' to oncoming traffic will be the one to control the change in traffic flow. Allow enough time for vehicles to clear before the other board is reversed to show 'Go'. Both boards should display 'Stop' while the shuttle lane clears.
Where two boards are in use and the operatives are not in direct line of sight, then use a two-way radio between operators.
When manually rotated boards are in use at night, they must be directly illuminated uniformly across the sign face. Partial illumination is not permitted, nor is intermittent illumination. Do not use stop/Go boards where there is an uncontrolled junction joining the shuttle lane.