This information is intended
to serve as a guide for construction personnel where the Contractor furnishes
and installs traffic control devices and appurtenances. It may also be useful
for maintenance personnel performing the same functions. Inspection procedures
for the various type traffic control devices are outlined, mainly in the form
of checklists, to assist project personnel in performing their duties. This
information points out the various important features of each device and
references the applicable specification or standard drawing. Illustrations are
used for easy recognition of the device or feature being discussed.
All 632
and 633
devices should be checked against the Qualified
Products List before they are incorporated into a project.
See Item 630
for additional information relative to concerns regarding the installation
of foundations for poles and controller cabinets.
This section will be used to
provide additional information about various electrical appurtenances involved
in the traffic signal installations, such as pull boxes, conduit, and ground
rods.
Pull boxes shall be of the
specified sizes (see SCD
HL-30.11 and the plans), typically 18 inches (460 millimeters) or 24 inches
(610 millimeters), and the specified material.
The word on the cover should
be, Traffic, when the pull box is
part of a traffic signal system unless the plans require the word, Electric, or other marking. The word
shall be formed on the surface or displayed on an attached metal plate.
The location of pull boxes
shall be as shown on the plans. However, pull boxes in low drainage areas may
be adjusted to eliminate drainage problems, or feasible methods of positive
drainage may be used in accordance with 611
and details on SCD
HL-30.11 with the approval of the Engineer.
Pull boxes located in
sidewalks, traffic islands, and curbed areas close to the roadway, where wide
turning vehicles could drive over them, may be adjusted to eliminate the
problem, or a concrete pull box with a heavy duty lid may be used with the
approval of the Engineer.
Trenching shall be in accordance
with 625.
Any change in dimensions will require approval by the Engineer.
Trenching may be in earth or
in paved areas according to plan details. Trenching and subsequent restoration
of surfaces in paved areas shall be in accordance with SCD
HL-30.22.
Trenching work in paved areas
shall be divided into two pavement depths for payment: less than 6 inches (150
millimeters) and 6 inches (150 millimeters) or greater (625.20).
The trench in paved areas may
be 4 inches (100 millimeters) wide when cut by a Vermeer type trencher. In this
case, the trench shall be backfilled with concrete full-depth, except the
bottom 4 inches (100 millimeters) above the conduit may be 625.13
tamped backfill.
Metal conduit shall comply
with 725,
with sizes according to the plans. It shall be made from domestically produced steel,
and the domestic steel content of the conduit shall be certified by the
manufacturer or supplier before it is approved for installation.
The routing of loop detector
wire in conduit through curb or under shoulder shall be as shown on SCD
TC-82.10.
Conduit containing cable
and/or wire shall have the terminal at the high end completely sealed in an
approved manner, with removable sealing compound or a molded plastic or rubber
device compatible with the conduit, cable jacket, and wire insulation according
to 625.
After placement, a conduit
which will not have cable or wire pulled into it during construction shall have
a pull wire installed in it. The terminal at the high end shall be sealed with
removable sealing compound, a molded plastic, or a rubber device according to 625.
Difficult pulling and
possible jacket skinning may occur when an attempt is made to install too many
cables or wires within a given conduit. The reason could be design error in new
systems or attempts to insert an excess number or size of cable or wire in
existing conduit.
Good electrical practice
requires that the combined cross-section of all cables and wire within a
conduit should be less than or equal to 40 percent of the conduit inside area:
a1 +
a2 + a3 + etc. < 0.40Ci
a =
Cable or wire across section area, sq. in. (mm²)
Ci =
Conduit inside area, sq. in. (mm²)
A calculation can be made
using the above formula. The cross-section area of conduit, cable, and wire is
shown in TEM
Table 497-1.
A ground rod shall be driven
below groundline near the foundation of every strain
pole and overhead sign or signal support whether there is power in the vicinity
or not, as shown on SCDs TC-21.20, TC-32.10, and TC-32.11.
Ground rods shall comply with
725
and be installed in accordance with 625. A ground wire of insulated 600 volt No. 4 AWG 7-strand soft drawn copper shall be attached by an
exothermic weld. The typical exothermic weld procedure is described in 632.
Insulating varnish shall be
applied to the weld and any exposed conductor.
The following procedure is
typical and may be used unless the manufacturers instructions differ.
1. The end of the ground wire shall be in an
un-flattened, unbent, clean, and dry condition to ensure a good weld.
a. Bent and out-of-round conductor wire will hold the
mold open causing weld material leakage. A cable cutter should be used to make
un-deformed ends. If a hacksaw is used, the insulation should first be peeled,
as the saw tends to coat the cable with plastic material, which must be cleaned
off.
b. Corroded cable shall be cleaned. Oily or greasy cable
should be cleaned with a solvent that dries rapidly and leaves no residue. Very
greasy cable can be cooked out by dipping into molten solder.
c. Wet cable can cause molten metal to blow out of the
mold, and the cable should be dried by a hand torch or a quick drying solvent
such as alcohol.
2. Ground rod ends which have been mutilated in driving
can hold the mold open and should be cut off. Rod ends shall be clean and dry.
3. The weld mold shall be clean before use. Damp or wet
molds can cause porous welds and should be dried by heating.
4. The cable shall be inserted into the side of the mold
so the cable is 1/8 inch (3 millimeters) back from the center of the tap hole.
The mold shall be placed on the ground rod so the cable sits on top of the rod.
A clamp or locking pliers should be used on the rod to keep the mold from
sliding down during the welding process. The conductor should be marked at the
mold surface so it can be verified that the conductor has not shifted before
the weld is made.
5. The steel disk shall be inserted into the crucible and
the cartridge contents poured on top, being careful that the disk is not upset.
The cartridge should be tapped when pouring to make sure the starting powder
comes out and spreads evenly over the welding powder. A small amount of
starting powder should be placed on the top edge of the mold under the cover
opening for easy ignition.
a. The proper cartridge size is marked on the mold tag
and is the approximate weight of the powder in grams.
b. If the proper cartridge size is not available, two or
more small cartridges or part of a larger cartridge can be used.
6. The mold cover will be closed and the starting powder
ignited with a flint gun. If it is necessary to hold down the cover during the
flash of igniting powder, a long tool should be used and the hand should be
kept away.
See 630
for information about pole and support inspection.
This section will be used to
provide additional information about traffic signal supports. Various types of overhead
signal supports are also depicted in TEM
Table 497-4.
Strain poles shall comply
with the certified drawings and the plans.
They shall be galvanized
unless paint is specified in the plans, and the general features should be
inspected in accordance with 630.
Strain poles used to support
traffic signals or signs (SCD
TC-17.10) shall be furnished with one or more span wire clamps with
shackles for attachment of messenger wire (see SCD
TC-84.20).
Only messenger wire may be
attached by wrapping twice around the pole and securing with a three-bolt
clamp, as shown in SCD
TC-84.20, when used on round, tapered steel strain poles. Tether wire shall not use the alternate wrap
method.
Erection of these poles shall
be in accordance with the general procedure given in Section 630,
except as noted in this section.
For the initial rake of
strain poles of the anchor base type, leveling nuts shall be adjusted to
provide a rake of 1/8 to 1/2 inch per foot (11 to 42 millimeters per meter) of
pole in the direction opposite to the contemplated span wires and are to be
made snug tight. Further adjustment may be necessary to ensure that the strain
poles are vertical after the application of span wire load.
Single arm supports shall
comply with the certified drawings, SCD
TC-81.21, and the plans. General features of the support shall be inspected
in accordance with 630,
and except as noted in this section, erection of the support shall be in
accordance with the general procedure given in 630.
Welds shall be inspected
according to 630
and the galvanizing inspected according to 630.
For arms of two telescoping
pieces, a 15-inch (380 millimeters) overlap is required. The overlapped arms
shall be secured with a stainless or galvanized steel through-bolt with hex head washer and nut(s).
An arm clamp with clevis
shall be furnished at each signal position as well as a hole with a rubber
grommet for the outlet of signal cable.
The installation of small
signs and their attachment to the arms should be checked. Any possible
interference between swinging signals and signs should also be checked.
Blind half couplings shall be
located on the pole of the support for mounting pedestrian signal heads or
controller cabinets when required by the plans.
Signal heads shall be
installed so that their bottom surface is 16 to 18 feet (4.9 to 5.5 meters)
above the roadway. The signals shall be installed at essentially the same
elevation. Drop pipes should be used only when necessary to maintain the
clearance between 16 to 18 feet (4.9 to 5.5 meters). If the clearance without a
drop pipe is slightly over 18 feet (5.5 meters), it is permissible to omit the
drop pipe, with the maintaining agencys approval.
Initial rake shall be
adjusted so that under the load of signals, the pole will assume an essentially
vertical position and the arm rise will be within the limits specified on SCD
TC-81.21 (i.e., 3 inches [76 millimeters] minimum and 12 inches [300
millimeters] maximum).
TEM
Figure 498-13 illustrates sag guidelines and vertical clearance standards
for traffic signals.
A cable support assembly
makes use of a flexible, tubular, wire mesh device called a cable grip, which
has a gentle holding action over its length and is used to eliminate strain or
damage to the jacket of cable(s) hanging in the interior of poles.
The support assembly consists
of the grip attached to a single U eye support bale and a sling when
necessary. The grip may be used on an individual cable or a group of cables up
to a maximum of four. The grip shall be the proper size and strength for the
cable(s), of stainless steel or tin coated bronze, and may be either a closed
or split with rod type. The split type is used when a cable end is not
available. In this application, the grip mesh is not a continuous tubular
weave, but is split for wrapping around the cable(s) and is secured by a rod
which is inserted through alternate weaves at each side to form a tube.
The supports bale shall be
hung over the pole J-hook if sufficient length is available; otherwise, a sling
shall be made of messenger wire, clamps, and thimbles. The sling wire is to be
passed through the bale eye, adjusted to the proper length, and hung on the
J-hook.
Pole interiors should be
checked by removing pole caps to verify that cable support assemblies are in
place, hung on the J-hook, and properly adjusted to eliminate cable jacket
strain.
For aerial interconnect
cable, the following standards and guidelines apply:
1. Aerial interconnect cable and accessories shall comply
with SCD
TC-84.20. Interconnect cable may be supported on separate messenger wire or
be the integral messenger, self-supporting type, with a, "figure 8,
cross-section, if specified on the plans.
2. Metal poles with messenger wire supported interconnect
cable are to be furnished with pole clamps. The pole clamp may provide clevis(es) to which the messenger is attached and terminated or
may provide a stud to which a clamp assembly can be bolted.
3. Messenger wire ends are to be looped and secured with
three-bolt clamps or a messenger vise, or a preformed guy grip dead end may be
used (see 632). If clamps or vises are used, the wire tail shall be served (see
632).
Thimbles with a correct groove size for the messenger wire shall be used to
connect to the clevis of the pole clamp.
4. When messenger wire is to be grounded to a metal pole,
a ground clamp, an insulated ground wire, and a bolt tapped into the pole shall
be used (also see item 10 in this section).
5. Wood poles with interconnect cable shall be fitted
with through-bolts holding a clamp assembly or with a thimble eye-bolt to which
the messenger may be attached and terminated.
6. The clamp assembly shall be suitable to the type of
cable support, either messenger wire or self-supported cable with "figure
8" cross-section. Clamp assemblies for "figure 8" interconnect
cable differ slightly from those intended for use with separate messenger,
since the clamp used with "figure 8" must allow a small gap for the
web of the "figure 8" cable which joins the messenger to the cable.
7. When messenger wire or "figure 8" cable is
to be grounded on a wood pole, a ground clamp and an insulated ground wire,
stapled to the pole and covered by a molding, shall be used (see Item 10 in
this section). The ground clamp used with "figure 8" cable shall be a
type with teeth to penetrate the jacket over the messenger. The ground wire
shall be bonded to an existing ground wire or to a ground rod.
8. Standard interconnect cable shall conform to C&MS
Table 732.19-1 and have the number of conductors and wire gauge specified.
There is no difference between standard interconnect cable and signal cable,
only in the application. Interconnect cable of the shielded type may be
specified in the plans. The interconnect cable should be marked with the
correct nomenclature. Solid conductors are not permitted (732),
unless specified in the plans. Splices may be used on long lengths of
interconnect cable (632) and shall be accomplished only in weather tight splice
enclosures. Splice enclosures may be either aerially located on the messenger
wire or be a pole-mounted box type (see SCD
TC-84.20). Where the aerial enclosure is clamped to the span, it should be
within 2 feet (0.6 meter) of a pole to improve accessibility. No measurement
allowance is given for splices.
9. Aerial interconnect cable is to have a sag between
three to five percent of pole spans or is to match existing utility lines.
10. Messenger wire supporting interconnect cable, and the
integral messenger of self-supporting type cable, is to be grounded in cable
runs at the first and last poles and on intermediate poles at intervals not to
exceed 1,200 feet (366 meters). See Item 4 of this section for grounding on
metal poles and Item 7 for grounding on wood poles.
11. As temperatures decrease, interconnect cable gets
stiffer and harder, becoming brittle when below freezing. In very cold weather,
the cable should be handled with care so as not to damage the jacket or
insulation when unreeling, flexing, and installing.
12. Standard interconnect cable may be attached to
supporting messenger wire by lengths of preformed lashing rod or by spinning
wire. Lashing rods shall be of the proper internal diameter to snugly hold the
cable, but not cut into its jacket (see 632).
13. Aerial interconnect cable of the integral messenger,
self-supporting type (with a "figure 8 cross-section) shall have its wind
stability increased by being twisted or spiraled once every15 feet (4.6 meters)
of span. This is done by clamping the tensioned cable to every other pole and
then going to intermediate poles and twisting the cable before tightening their
attachment clamps.
14. When the interconnect cable is attached to a pole and
continues in a relatively straight line past the pole, this is an intermediate
support; however, if the interconnect cable turns at the pole, it is a corner
or turning point. Certain types of clamps may be well suited for intermediate
support applications, while other designs are required for corner clamps. The
clamps shown on the left side in SCD
TC-84.20 are usually not suitable for corner clamps if the change of
direction is more than 10 degrees. See SCD
TC-84.21 when the change of direction is more than about 10 degrees.
Tether wire and accessories
shall comply with SCD
TC-85.20, Plan
Insert Sheet (PIS) 208521 and C&MS
732.185. S-hook wire diameter shall be in accordance with the strain
pole Design Number, as shown in the plans.
The tether span, as shown in
the standard drawings, is designed to yield under either high wind loads or
vehicle snags. The S-hooks are designed to yield in a wind event, allowing the
signal span to revert to a free-swinging configuration. The breakaway tether
anchors are designed to release the tether in the event of a vehicle snag.
The use of a backplate and tethered span increase the frontal area of a
3-section signal head by a factor of approximately nine times that of a free-swinging
signal head without backplates. Such an increase in a
design wind will exceed AASHTO allowable stress levels in the strain pole. For this
reason, it is important to provide a yielding element on the tether span that
unloads the tether at the proper tether wire tension. For purposes of design, ODOT has chosen S-hook sizes based on
the strain pole Design Number. The table in PIS
208521 gives the diameter of the S-hook corresponding to various
pole Design Numbers. The S-hook must be galvanized, mild, low-carbon steel.
High-strength alloy steels, such as Grade 80, sometimes used for load-rated
S-hooks in the rigging industry, are not acceptable. These are much too strong
for the application and will overload the strain pole in a design wind.
The use of breakaway tether
anchors to attach signal heads to tether wire is required. Designs which use an
L-shaped clamp, as shown in SCD
TC-85.20, are acceptable. These shall be properly installed, with the
cable clamped below the pinch bolt and the opening facing downward. This allows
the tether wire to slip out in the event of a vehicle snag.
The turnbuckle used at the
end of the tether span is a tensioning and leveling device used to bring the
tether into its proper configuration after erection. On all spans, the tether
wire must remain essentially horizontal.
The guy grip end also serves as the anchor point for
the safety tie. The safety tie is an accessory feature designed to prevent the
loose end of a tether span from dropping into the roadway in the event of an
S-hook yield. As such, the safety tie need not be particularly strong. In the
event of a strong vehicle snag, the 1/8-inch safety tie is designed to yield at
a lower load than the 1/4-inch tether wire. If a full-strength safety tie
matching the tether wire diameter were used, the possibility would exist of a
snagged tether wire overloading the pole. Since the safety tie is
small-diameter wire rope, it is specified to be stainless steel, with stainless
steel hardware, to minimize corrosion.
This section will be used to
provide additional information about signal span messenger wire and
appurtenances.
Note that tether wire is
distinct from messenger wire. Messenger
wire supports a significant vertical load.
Tether wire does not and is used to prevent:
Messenger wire and
accessories shall comply with SCD
TC-84.20. Messenger wire diameter shall be in accordance with the plans.
The height at which the
messenger wire is to be attached to the pole will, in some instances, be shown
on the plans. In cases where this is not shown, the Contractor is responsible
for determining the proper attachment height. This determination shall consider
the relative elevation of pavement to pole foundation top, the desired
clearance between pavement and the bottom of each signal (i.e., 16 to 18 feet
[4.9 to 5.5 meters]), the sag in the messenger wire (3 to 5 percent), and the
height of each signal.
Alternate methods of
attaching messenger wire to strain poles may be used as follows:
1. Span wire clamp with clevis, anchor shackle, and
thimbles on the messenger wire.
2. Messenger wire wrapped twice around the strain pole
and secured with a three-bolt clamp of the proper size when used on round,
tapered strain poles.
If the messenger wire
attachment to strain poles makes use of the alternative with pole clamps and
anchor shackles, the wire is to be hooked through the shackle using a thimble
and secured with a three-bolt clamp. A preformed guy grip shall not be used for
messenger wire attachment at the pole. Guy grips of the proper size may be used
at bull rings (aerial corners).
Thimbles with a correct
groove size for the messenger wire (or the wire and eye of guy grips) are to be
used at anchor shackles and bull rings. When three-bolt clamps are used, the
wire tail is to be served as shown in the section on messenger wire. See the
section, Messenger Wire, for the installation procedure for preformed guy
grips.
Thimbles with a correct
groove size for the messenger wire or the preformed guy grip shall be used to
connect to anchor type shackles or bull rings at span wire aerial corners.
Messenger wire sag shall
comply with 632
and the section, Sag and Vertical Clearance.
The signal cable shall be
attached to the messenger wire by lengths of preformed lashing rod.
The lashing rod shall be the
proper internal diameter to snugly hold the cable, but not cut into its jacket.
See the section, Wire Lashing, for further information.
A drip loop shall be formed
in the signal cable at each weatherhead and should
extend at least 6 inches (150 millimeters) below the weatherhead.
Cables or groups of cables
(up to a maximum of four), hanging within pole interiors, shall have their
strain relieved by cable support assemblies as described in 632
and SCD
TC-84.20.
Messenger wire may be
attached to various accessories by looping the wire to make an eye.
The wire end shall be secured
by a three-bolt clamp, and the cut wire end or tail shall be served with
construction wire or clamped with a sleeve device, as shown on SCD
TC-84.20. The following illustrations show both serving methods for the
wire tail:
Preformed guy grips are made
of helically shaped, high-strength steel wire. They are available in sizes
fitting the outside diameters of messenger wire and form an eye permitting
attachment to various accessories.
As shown in SCD
TC-84.20, they should be used at bull rings of span wire aerial corners
(see the following illustration). Thimbles are used in the eye of grips in
accordance with standard details in the SCD.
Grips are installed on an end
of the messenger wire by wrapping a first leg of the grip to the messenger
wire. In most cases, the accessory to which the grip is to be attached must be
inserted in the eye of the grip with a thimble before the second leg of the
grip is wrapped. The second leg is then applied to the combined first leg and
messenger wire. The following illustrations show the wrapping sequence.
Guy grips shall not be used
on messenger wire used for span wire sign supports. In this application, wind
load on the signs can cause failure of the grips (see SCD
TC-17.10). Guy grips shall not be used for attachment to signal strain
poles (SCD
TC-84.20(5)).
In certain instances, the
plans will assign a color code usage for each cable or a typical usage by color
code. All connections should be made observing these assignments, and any deviations,
if determined necessary, should be recorded. When a color code usage is not
provided, good electrical wiring practice would still dictate that color code
wiring on the project be consistent.
Typically, white is reserved
for the neutral or common leg of a circuit. The following provides additional
information about various types of cable and wire contained in Table
732.19-1:
1. Signal cable is used as the electrical connection
between signal heads and the controller cabinet at an intersection. The cable
may be either IMSA 19-1, which has a jacket of
polyvinyl chloride, IMSA 20-1, which has a
polyethylene jacket, or IPCEA S-61-402. The number of
conductors and wire gauge shall be as specified on the plans. Conductors shall
be of copper and stranded, and conductor insulation shall be color coded.
Splices are not permitted in signal cable and the cable should be scanned to be
sure that there are none.
a. As temperatures decrease, signal cable gets stiffer
and harder, becoming brittle when below freezing. In very cold weather, the
cable should be handled with care so as not to damage the jacket or insulation
when unreeling, flexing, and installing.
2. Interconnect cable is used as the connection between
intersections for systems of signals.
a. The cable may be either IMSA
19-1, IMSA 20-1, or IPCEA
S-61-402 as in signal cable, or twisted pair/shielded interconnect cable,
conforming to RUS PE-39, may be required by the
plans.
b. Twisted pair/shielded cables are less prone to pick-up
induced current as a result of nearby electrical devices or magnetic fields.
Twisted pair/shielded cables are necessary for certain types of communication
systems which may be used to interconnect signals. The number of conductors and
wire gauge shall be as specified. It should be noted that in the case of
twisted pair/shielded cable, the number of conductors is typically referred to
as the number of pairs or pair count (i.e., six conductor cable would be
referred to as a three-pair cable). Conductors shall be of copper and are
usually solid.
3. Interconnect cable of the integral messenger type is
aerial self-supporting cable with a, "figure 8," cross-section. The
cable may be either IMSA 19-3, which has a jacket of
polyvinyl chloride, or IMSA 20-3, which has a
polyethylene jacket. Shielded versions, IMSA 19-4 and
IMSA 20-4, may be required by the plans. The number
of conductors and wire gauge shall be as specified. Conductors shall be of
copper and stranded, and conductor insulation shall be color coded.
4. Loop detector wire is laid in turns in saw slots cut
into the pavement and routed by the groove to the edge of pavement and to a
pull box. The wire is single-conductor No. 14 AWG.
a. The conductor shall be of copper and stranded. Loop
detector wire consists of detector wire inserted into a flexible plastic tubing
(732)
that meets specifications, IMSA 51-5. The tubing
shall encase the wire completely from the splice at the lead-in cable through
the entire loop turns and back to the splice.
5. Lead-in cable for detector loops is spliced to loop
wire and routed to detector units in the controller cabinet. The cable shall be
two-conductor No. 14AWG with a jacket of 0.04 inch (1 millimeter) minimum black
polyethylene and insulation of polyethylene. Each conductor shall be stranded
copper. The conductor pair shall be twisted and shielded.
6. Power cable is used as the connection between the
service pole or service drop and the controller cabinet. The cable normally is
two-conductor and UL:RHH/RHW/USE
type. The wire gauge shall be as specified. Conductors shall be color coded,
made of aluminum, and stranded.
a. Stranded copper may be substituted with an AWG one gauge higher (wire one size smaller).
b. When specified, power cable may be three-conductor.
Single conductor cables may be substituted for a two (or three) conductor
cable, but color coding should still be provided.
7. Service cable is used to bring power to the vicinity
of an isolated intersection. The cable is normally two-conductor (duplex) and XHHW type or cross-linked polyethylene with a 0.045 inch
(1.14 millimeter) minimum jacket. The wire gauge shall be as specified. The
cable is aerial self-supporting with one conductor being an uninsulated
ACSR (aluminum conductor, steel reinforced) messenger
wire. An insulated conductor of stranded aluminum is twisted around the
messenger. Stranded copper with an AWG one gauge
higher (wire one size smaller) may be substituted for the aluminum conductor.
Three-conductor (triplex) may be specified where two insulated conductors are
twisted around the messenger wire. The uninsulated
messenger serves as the grounded neutral of the power supply.
8. Ground wire is used to connect signal or sign supports
to ground rods. The wire shall be single-conductor No. 4 AWG
made of seven-strand soft drawn copper with white insulation and rated at 600
volts. The wire is used as part of the 625.16
Ground Rod item.
A preformed helical lashing
rod shall be of the proper internal diameter to tightly secure overhead
cable(s) to the messenger wire. A lashing rod should not be loose or so tight
as to be impressed deeply or cut into the cable jacket. If either deficiency is
observed, the proper internal diameter may be determined by the following
formula: C approx. = (0.85) (D+m), where C is the
lashing rod internal diameter, D is the cable jacket diameter, and m is the
messenger wire gauge (all dimensions in inches [millimeters]).
For groups of several cables
of varying diameter, the internal diameter of the lashing rod may be best
determined by a graphic layout to scale.
Signal cable routed on
messenger wire should neatly pass the bull rings in its path. Also, signal
cable routed around an aerial corner formed in the span wire at a bull ring
should have a radius in its routing small enough to form a tangency with the
bull ring.
Power service for traffic
signals shall comply with SCD
TC-83.10 and the plans. It shall consist of the equipment needed to provide
a pole-attached wiring raceway and disconnect switch for use with separately
furnished power cable routed from the service point to the controller cabinet.
Unless otherwise specified, the equipment includes a weatherhead,
a conduit riser with necessary fittings, and attachment clamps as well as a
disconnect switch with enclosure.
A thorough review of the
plans should be made to determine that the specific requirements of the
maintaining agency for power service have been satisfied.
A ground wire shall be used,
as shown on SCD
TC-83.10, leading to a ground rod installed in accordance with 632.
The LB
type fitting under the controller cabinet may have to be installed before
erecting the pole because of interference with the foundation.
When required, an electric
meter base shall be furnished by the applicable utility and installed by the
Contractor as part of the power service work.
Power cable is the only type
cable or wire permitted through the power service conduit riser.
If used, the conduit riser
shall terminate at the meter base; otherwise, termination shall be at the
switch enclosure. From there, the conduit connection to the controller cabinet
is as shown on the plans. Conduit connection could be:
1. Immediately to the controller cabinet on the same
pole.
2. Downward by underground conduit and possibly a pull
box to a nearby foundation-based controller cabinet.
3. Upward by another riser on the pole to span wire and a
remote cabinet location.
The conduit riser shall
comply with 725
and the plans. The weatherhead shall be threaded
aluminum or galvanized ferrous metal. Risers on painted poles shall be painted
to match the poles.
The disconnect switch shall
be a UL listed, single-throw safety switch or circuit breaker which meets the
voltage and capacity requirements of the specifications. The amperage rating of
the fuse or circuit breaker shall be 5 to 10 amperes greater than the peak load
rating of the equipment service. The enclosure shall be a UL listed, water
tight, lockable, stainless steel NEMA Type 4,
supplied with UL listed conduit hubs, and the enclosure shall contain a solid
neutral bar normally grounded to the enclosure.
This section will be used to
provide additional information about other signal equipment and wiring.
While the layout of
controller cabinets may vary, the following requirements and guidelines apply:
1. The prewired cabinet should be checked against
certified drawings, the wiring diagram for the cabinet, and the plans.
2. The cabinet should be fitted with a small door-in-door
(police door), unless otherwise specified. The cabinet should be in good
condition, revealing no evidence of damage, with its material free of cracks
and pinholes. The doors and seals should fit properly. The cabinet exterior
should appear as metallic aluminum, unless a color is specified. The cabinet
interior may be similar to the exterior or may be flat white. The method of
cabinet mounting should be as shown on the plans and the cabinet should be
securely mounted.
3. Cabinets equipped with solid state controllers shall
be provided with a suitable number of sturdy adjustable metal shelves to mount
the specified equipment and to provide the required space for designated future
equipment.
4. The equipment shall be arranged for easy withdrawal
and replacement, without the necessity of disturbing adjacent equipment. The
permanent location of equipment within the cabinet, as well as the shelves
themselves, should allow free circulation of air and not restrict air flow from
fan ducts or vents. Components on shelves and devices on the door shall be
arranged so that a 1-inch (25 millimeter) minimum space separates them when the
door is closed. This minimum space shall not be compromised by plugs, wires,
controls, or similar items. Terminals and panel-mounted devices with exposed
contact points located next to shelf mounted equipment shall be provided with
spacers, shelf lips, or other means to assure that component units cannot be
accidentally moved into contact with any exposed electrical terminal points. A
minimum 4-inches (100 millimeters) clear area from the bottom of the cabinet
should be reserved for the routing of cables. No shelf, component, or
panel-mounted item shall be located in the bottom 6 inches (150 millimeters) of
cabinets, with the exception that terminal blocks only in pedestal or pole
mounted cabinets may be installed as close as 4 inches (100 millimeters) to the
bottom.
5. Ready accessibility should be provided for items such
as load switches, flasher, relays, terminal blocks, and fuses which are mounted
on or plugged into panels on the cabinet back or sides. Switches, controls, and
indicator lights should be easily operable and visible without having to move
equipment from their positions.
6. Major equipment items should bear a name plate, brand,
or indelible marking for identification as to type, model, catalog number, and
manufacturers name or trademark.
7. The furnished controller unit should be checked for
the correct type, number of phases, and available control functions required by
the plans. Controller units should be furnished with all auxiliary equipment
necessary to obtain the operation shown in the plans.
8. When specified, other equipment may be a part of the
prewired cabinet, such as a coordinator, an on-street master, interconnection
equipment, preemption equipment, time clock or weekly programmer, and special
relays.
9. Furnished detector units should be checked to see if
the correct quantity is installed, and the proper type used with each loop and
each detector phase. When multi-channel detector units are furnished, the plans
may require the provision of special cabinet wiring and an adapter harness to
allow single channel detector units to be readily substituted.
10. The prewired cabinet should also be checked for the
following auxiliary equipment:
a. A forced air ventilating fan automatically controlled
by a thermostat shall be furnished.
b. A conflict monitor shall be furnished. When the plans
so specify, according to 733,
an increased capability monitor shall be furnished. The minimum number of
monitor channels, related to the number of phases for the intersection, should
conform to 733.
c. Load switches should be provided in sufficient
quantity for the interval sequence shown in the plans. The switches shall be
solid state NEMA triple-signal type with input
indicator lamps. The minimum number of load switch sockets furnished, related
to the number of phases for the intersection, shall conform to 733.
d. A flasher or flashers shall be solid state NEMA type.
e. Relays required for the proper operation of the specified
equipment shall be furnished.
f. Lightning protection devices shall be furnished for
the protection of solid state controllers. They should be located on the
incoming power line and on loop detector leads where these connect to the
terminal block. When solid state coordinators are furnished, they should be
protected by devices across each conductor and ground on the interconnect
cable.
g. A convenience outlet and lamp shall be furnished. The
outlet should contain at least one standard three-wire plug receptacle of the
ground-fault, circuit-interrupting type. The lamp should be an incandescent
type, located in the upper part of the cabinet and controlled by a switch.
h. A main power breaker shall be furnished. The fan,
convenience outlet, and lamp should be wired on a branch of the AC+ power line
preceding the main breaker, so these may be operated independently of the main
breaker control. This preceding branch should contain an auxiliary breaker
rated at 15 amp.
i.
A radio
interference filter should be installed in the incoming AC+ power line between
the main breaker and solid state equipment. If the equipment furnished does not
provide signal and flasher circuit switching at the zero voltage point of the
power line sinusoid wave form, filters should also be provided for the load
switches and flasher.
j.
A manual control
cord with push button should be furnished only when the plans so require (733).
The cord should be at least 5 feet (1.5 meters) long.
k. Switches required for the proper operation of
specified equipment should be furnished and labeled as to function and setting
position. The following switches should be grouped behind the small
door-in-door (police door): signal shutdown switch, flash control switch, and
an automatic/manual transfer switch (when manual control is specified).
l.
Terminal blocks
should not be obstructed by other equipment. Terminal points should accept
spade-type wiring terminals except for incoming power terminal points which may
be either the type to accept bare wire or spade terminals. Contact between
adjacent terminal points may be either by bus bar or by wire jumpers with spade
terminals.
11. The incoming power bus should be fed from the line
side of the incoming 120 VAC power line after the
circuit has passed through the main power breaker. A signal bus relay should
control power to the bus which supplies power for the signal load switches. The
requirement for radio interference filters (733) should be adhered to, such as
buses supplying load switches and flashers being filtered if load switches do
not switch at the zero voltage point of the power line sinusoid wave form. A
common terminal bus insulated from the cabinet should be furnished for the
connection of the neutral wire of the incoming 120 VAC
power line. This common bus should have sufficient terminal points to
accommodate all potential cabinet wiring as well as field wiring. A separate
common terminal, insulated from the panel, should be used for the interconnect
common (if interconnection is a part of the system).
12. The cabinet should include a ground bus bar with an
adequate number (at least three) of ground terminal points (733).
This bus bar should be grounded to the cabinet. The ground bus bar will
normally be bonded to the common terminal bus using at least a No. 8 AWG copper wire.
13. Wiring bundles should be neatly arranged and grouped
as to voltage and function and should be lashed or restrained so they do not
interfere with the access to equipment, including terminal blocks or buses. The
harnesses should be of sufficient length and should be easily traced through
the cabinet. All conductors should be stranded, with labeled spade-type
terminals or plug connectors. The wiring should be color coded, with solid
white for the AC common, black for the AC line side power (AC+), and solid
green or white with green stripes for the safety ground.
14. Incoming cable and wire should be identified by tags
or bands (632).
The size, material, and method of tag or band identification should be in
accordance with 725,
except that marking may be by indelible pen on plastic tags instead of embossed
letters. The identification on the tags or bands should conform to the wiring
diagram for the cabinet and its intersection, with typical abbreviations in
accordance with the Table
in 632.
15. Two copies of the schematic and wiring diagram for
each cabinet and its intersection should be furnished by the Contractor. The
diagrams are to be updated to reflect any changes made during construction. The
diagrams should be neat and legible on durable paper and folded in a
moisture-proof envelope fastened to the cabinet interior.
As noted in 632,
cables and wires shall be identified as shown in TEM Table 497-2.
1. Signal heads shall conform to the plans, 732
and applicable SCD. Signal heads shall have the correct number of faces
(one-way, two-way, three-way, or four-way) and each face shall be made up of
the correct number of optical sections (one, three, four, or five). Sections
shall be of the correct lens size (i.e., 8 or 12 inches [200 or 300
millimeters]), color, and ball or arrow configuration. Arrow lenses are only to
be the 12-inch (300 millimeter) size. It should be noted that arrow lenses are
made in Rights, Lefts, and Throughs (up). The use of
the proper arrow lens should be checked.
2. Lenses shall be aligned properly in their frames so
their optical configuration directs most of the light to the forward sector.
3. Signal heads shall have a yellow or black finish,
unless otherwise specified in the plan.
4. Cutaway type visors shall be fastened to each optical
section, unless open bottom tunnel visors or other types are specified, and the
interior finish of the visors shall be flat black.
5. Signals should be clean and the assembly tight.
Gaskets should be in good condition and lens door hinges and latches should be
in good working order. All openings not used for mounting purposes shall be
closed by waterproof caps.
6. Five-section faces, arranged in accordance with
applicable SCD and the plans, are to use galvanized pipe, elbows, and tubular
hardware painted to match the signal head.
7. Swinging signals shall be installed in a plumb
condition. A balance adjustor should be used only when necessary to achieve
plumb.
8. Swinging signals suspended from a mast arm shall be
fitted with a universal hanger which permits swinging in both longitudinal and
transverse directions.
9. When specified by the plans, disconnect hangers shall
be used with signal heads.
10. Drop pipes, 1-1/2-inch (38 millimeter) diameter
galvanized pipes, are a source of trouble and are aesthetically unattractive;
therefore, they are intended to be used only when they are necessary to permit
signals to be suspended above the roadway within a clearance of 16 to 18 feet
(4.9 to 5.5 meters). Signals supported by span wire, with sag required between
3 and 5 percent, shall be brought to proper clearance by adjusting the
attachment height of the span wire to the poles. Due to the 2 foot (0.6 meter)
clearance tolerance, drop pipes should not be necessary in most cases.
11. When the plans so specify, backplates
shall be fitted to signal heads.
12. Signal cable shall be routed into the interior of
heads through the entrance fitting using a grommet. The cable shall be routed
to each faces terminal block, which is typically in the yellow indication
section, but may be in the green section. Conductors shall be fitted with
spade-type terminals and shall be fastened securely to the correct terminal
points. Conductors shall be identified according to the wiring diagram. Signal
cable shall not be spliced between signals or in signal face interiors.
13. External signal cable shall be fashioned into a drip
loop extending at least 6 inches (150 millimeters) below the entrance fitting,
but shall not chafe on the signal.
14. Lamps shall be LED only.
15. Each face of a signal head shall be oriented to its
approach of traffic and its locking device securely tightened. Orientation or
aiming of standard signals should be done so the maximum light intensity from a
standard signal is directed slightly below the horizontal center; thus, on a
level approach, the face of the signal should be essentially vertical. When an
approach to a signal is on a grade, the signal may be tilted slightly to point
the signal axis parallel to the grade of the approach. Horizontal aiming should
orient the axis of signal display parallel to the centerline of the approach
for straight approaches when the signal is over the roadway. When the approach
roadway is curved, or when a signal is not over the roadway, the axis should be
directed at a point on the approach which is 175 to 625 feet (54 to 191 meters)
in advance of the intersection, the distance being dependent on the speed of
approaching traffic.
16. When a vehicular traffic signal head has been erected
and faces approaching traffic, it shall either be in operation as a stop-and-go
signal or a flasher, or it shall be covered or bagged. This is an OMUTCD requirement and cannot be ignored. Typically,
the plans will contain an item for Covering of Vehicular Signal Heads, which
will require the Contractor to cover, maintain the covering, and subsequently
remove the covering when the signal is ready to commence operation.
17. Normally, the plans will provide the covering item for
each new signal head, but will not provide them for any existing heads which
are to be removed. The intent is that covering will be necessary for the new
heads until they, and their associated controller and wiring, have been checked
by circuit testing (see 632),
while any existing signals at the intersection will continue to control
traffic. When the new signals are uncovered and placed in operation, the
existing signals can be quickly removed. Specific maintenance of traffic requirements
in any plan may require a different means to assure the unused signals are not
exposed to traffic.
Programmed heads shall
conform to certified drawings and the plans. They are to have the correct
number of optical sections making up each face. Programmed heads have many
points of similarity to regular heads. For more detailed information, see
publications by the manufacturer.
Programmed heads shall be
mounted in a manner permitting little or no motion. If mounted on a mast arm, a
rigid adapter shall be used. Heads of more than three vertical sections mounted
on a mast arm shall be fitted with pipe backbracing,
as shown on SCD
TC-85.20. The pipe shall be a minimum of 17 inches (430 millimeters) behind
the signal center axis so that adequate clearance is provided for the
programming procedure. If heads are supported by span wire, a tether messenger
wire shall be attached to a fitting in the bottom of the signals lower
section.
Customarily the
manufacturers representative will program the signals, but in accordance with
the plans, the Contractor is responsible for the correct aiming and masking of
the signal so as to be visible to drivers or pedestrians only in the area
indicated on the plans.
Pedestrian signal heads shall
conform to 732.5,
certified drawings, the plans, and SCD
TC-85.10. Signals shall have the correct type of light source and lettering
height in accordance with the plans.
Housings shall have a black
finish, unless otherwise specified. Visors shall be fitted over each message,
except one type may have the entire face protected by a flat black sunshade
fastened close to the lens. The interior surface of visors shall be flat black
finish. Signals should be clean and the assembly tight. Gaskets should be in
good condition and lens door hinges and latches in good working order.
Housings shall be positioned
with a minimum set back of 2 feet (0.6 meter) from the curb and a height of 8
to 9 feet (2.4 to 2.7 meters) above the sidewalk for adequate clearance. The
heads shall be oriented toward their crosswalk and locked securely in position.
Push button housings shall
have a yellow finish, unless otherwise specified. The push button shall be
positioned 3-1/2 to 4 feet (1.1 to 1.2 meters) above the sidewalk.
Push buttons on metal poles shall
be installed over a 3/4-inch (19 millimeters) maximum field drilled hole with
edge protected by two coats of zinc-rich paint and a rubber grommet inserted.
The push button housing
curved back shall be positioned over the hole, wiring routed through to the
electrical mechanism, and the housing secured by stainless steel screws. Unused
holes in the housing shall be plugged. Push buttons on wooden poles shall have
their wiring in conduit connected to a fitting of the signal support.
Signal head supports (conduit
and fittings) on wooden poles shall be grounded using a ground clamp and an
insulated ground wire stapled to the pole and covered by a molding.
If specified in the plans,
pedestrian signal heads may be covered in accordance with 632.
OMUTCD addresses standards for the signs used where push
buttons are provided to actuate pedestrian signals. The sign legend shall
conform to the plans.
1. Slots cut into the pavement which form rectangular
detection loops shall be in accordance with the plans and SCD
TC-82.10.
2. The slots shall be a minimum of 3/8 inch (9.5
millimeters) in width and shall have a minimum depth of 2 inches (50
millimeters) in concrete and 4 inches (100 millimeters) in asphalt concrete. SCD
TC-82.10 requires that loop corners be made at a drilled or bored hole,
about 1-1/4 inches (32 millimeters) in diameter, and with the same depth as the
saw slot. Any sharp edges at the saw slots and the holes shall be chiseled out.
3. The slot depth shall accommodate the specified number
of turns of wire laid so that the uppermost wire has a covering of at least 3/4
inch (19 millimeters). The number of wire turns shall comply with the plans and
the table in SCD
TC-82.10. A separate slot leading from the loop to the pavement edge is
typically cut for each loop.
4. When permitted by the Engineer, loops installed in new
asphalt concrete may be sawed, and the loop wire(s) embedded with sealant in a
subsurface course with subsequent covering by the surface course.
5. Some plans may specify the use of preformed loops
placed on the pavement for covering by a surface course of asphalt concrete.
6. If the problem of loop installations in brick streets
is encountered, the Engineer should consult with the local traffic engineer for
recommendations.
7. Loop locations may be adjusted to avoid manholes.
Loops should not be placed across pavement joints. Instead, lateral and
longitudinal adjustments should be considered with the approval of the Project
Engineer. If joint crossing is unavoidable or major pavement cracks are
encountered, the following techniques may be used.
a. In Technique A, the loop wires are laid over the joint
or crack within a 3-inch (75 millimeter) square or circular hole cut to slot
depth. The wires are laid in an S shape and the hole filled with elastic
joint material or asphalt concrete.
b. In Technique B, the slot at the joint or crack is saw
cut to twice-normal width and depth. The wires are laid so as to conform to the
deepened slot, which is injected with soft setting butyl rubber up to the depth
of the original slot. The original slot depth and the remaining perimeter of
the slots are embedded with standard sealant cured to a flexible state.
c. In Technique C, the slot at the joint or crack is
enlarged. The wires are encased in a length of plastic tubing which should be
large enough to loosely hold all wires and may be slit
lengthwise to facilitate construction. Before placing it in the slot, the ends
and the longitudinal slit are to be taped shut to prevent the entry of loop
sealant. The enlarged slot is then filled with loop sealant.
8. Before loop wire is placed, all slots shall be
brushed, blown clean of loose material, and completely dry.
9. Loop detector wire shall be single-conductor No. 14 AWG insulated wire, type IMSA
51-5 with stranded copper conductors, unless otherwise specified. The wire
should be marked at intervals with the wire gauge, UL label and type. The
detector wire is contained inside a flexible plastic tube, as required by IMSA 51-5.
10. The correct turns of loop wire shall be placed in the
slots, to comply with 6323 and the plans. The wire shall be pushed to the
bottom of the slots with a blunt wooden tool (or equivalent) to avoid damaging
the insulation.
11. The wires with tubing at the pavement edge or curb
shall be led into a conduit of the size shown in SCD
TC 82.10. Care should be taken to prevent
excessive slack at the point where the wires enter the conduit. The high end of
the conduit shall be sealed in accordance with SCD
TC 82.10.
12. The detector wire shall be twisted in the conduit
leading from the pavement edge to the pull box. The flexible plastic tubing
shall cover the wire completely from the splice at the lead-in cable, through
the entire loop turns, and back to the splice. The tubing provides extra
protection from abrasion and allows the wire to slide inside the tubing in case
of pavement shift or cracks, thus minimizing the possibility of breakage. Since
wire/tubing includes an air pocket, it will tend to float to the surface when
sealant is applied to the slot. For this reason, it is usually necessary to
wedge short lengths of the tubing, or similar devices, into the slot to wedge
down the tubing/wire. These are usually needed at 1 to 2 foot (0.3 to 0.6
meter) intervals.
13. The slots shall be completely filled with approved
sealant and left undisturbed until cured to a flexible state. Sealants on the
ODOT prequalified list shall be used in accordance with the manufacturers
recommendations. Materials which set-up to a hard or brittle state are not
acceptable.
14. Detector loops are measured as each loop installed
and the item includes wire, pavement cutting, and sealant.
Unless otherwise specified,
loop detector lead-in cable shall be two conductor No. 14 AWG
twisted pair shielded, with a jacket of black polyethylene 0.04 inch (1
millimeters) thick minimum, and polyethylene insulation with conductors of
stranded copper.
Within the pull box, loop
wire ends shall be joined to the conductors of the lead-in cable by soldering
and covered with insulating material. An approved, poured epoxy waterproof
splice kit shall be used. It is understood that epoxy splice kits are easily
damaged by freezing temperatures encountered prior to mixing. Damaged epoxy
components may sometimes be recognized if either of the components has turned
or is streaked milky white.
Lead-in cable shall be routed
to the controller cabinet, fitted with soldered spade-type terminals, and
fastened to the correct points of the terminal block. The lead-in cables
shielding shall be grounded to the ground bus within the cabinet.
If a pull box is not specified
on the plans, the splice between the loop wire and lead-in cable shall be made
in the first entered pole or pedestal, except where the controller cabinet is
mounted on the pole or pedestal. If the controller cabinet is mounted on the
pole or pedestal, the loop wires may be routed directly into the cabinet and no
lead-in cable is necessary.
Traffic control signal
components and the entire system shall be tested, as required by various
specifications, to assure proper operation before acceptance. Ground rods shall
be tested for satisfactory low resistance to ground. A circuit test should be
performed on all conductors to make sure there are no shorts, crosses and high
resistance, or other improper connections. A cable insulation or Megger test shall be performed on all conductors to verify
the integrity of the insulation covering. All traffic control equipment in the
controller cabinet should be checked for correct settings and all controls
manipulated for assurance of an operable system.
Finally, the traffic control
system shall successfully pass a 10-day performance test, which will give an
opportunity for any hidden flaws to reveal their presence. As a final
housekeeping check, equipment should be observed for any evidence of
unattached ground wire, unlatched or unbolted doors, etc.
The results of the various
tests are to be entered by the Contractor on test report forms (TEM
Form 496-6) as required by 632.
All ground rods shall be
tested by the Contractor for earth resistance to ground, as required by 632.
Before the performance of any
cable insulation (Megger) test or the 10-day
performance test, a short-circuit test shall be performed by the Contractor
using a volt-ohmmeter or other approved instrument. Short-circuit tests shall
be conducted with all electrical loads, power sources, equipment grounds, and
earth grounds disconnected (see TEM
Figure 49828).
Signal cable routed to signal
heads may be tested with connection made to the lamp sockets, but without the
lamps being installed.
Each conductor shall be
measured against every other conductor and ground to ensure that no
short-circuits, cross-circuits, or other improper connections exist. Continuity
should not exist between any conductor and any other conductor including
ground.
Each circuit branch shall be
disconnected and tested by the Contractor for continuity by temporarily jumpering each branch at its termination and measuring the
temporarily looped circuit for assurance that no open circuits exist (TEM
Form 496-6). This testing is illustrated in TEM
Figures 498-29 through 498-32. Each circuit branch should be according to
plan, with no high resistance connections and with proper identification.
Lead-in cable for loop
detector wire shall be tested before and after the cable is spliced to the loop
wire.
Circuit continuity of signal
cable may be done by applying 120 volts to each outgoing circuit and observing
that only the specific lamps are lighted.
This testing is illustrated
in TEM
Figures 498-33 and 498-34.
1. Each conductor of cable or wire terminating at the
controller cabinet shall be tested by the Contractor for insulation resistance
measured to ground (TEM
Form 496-6). A listing of the resistance reading for each conductor is to
be included in the test results furnished to the Engineer.
2. Cable and wire insulation can be faulty, but the
imperfections can be easily overlooked, leading to eventual electrical failure
of the wiring. Weakening of insulation properties may be caused by poor storage
conditions and stress due to rough handling during installation. Dirt is
especially troublesome since it is an electricity conductor and can penetrate
small cracks in the insulation.
3. Insulation testing shall be performed with all
conductors disconnected from their points on the terminal block in the cabinet.
This will ensure that there is no voltage present and will prevent damage to
any connected equipment. One Megger instrument
terminal shall be attached to a termination of jumpered
together ends of conductors or to the end of a single conductor cable or wire
undergoing testing. The other Megger instrument
terminal shall be attached to the cabinet ground bus bar.
4. Insulation resistance shall be measured for the wire
of roadway loops after the embedding of the wire with sealant in slots.
5. The meter pointer of the Megger
instrument (or equivalent indication) should be adjusted to zero and the test
switch activated. Test duration should be as recommended by the instrument
manufacturer.
6. The insulation resistance measured to ground for each
conductor shall be no less than 10 megohms. Cable or
wire not meeting this reading shall be replaced.
7. After completion of the cable insulation test, all
cabinet wiring shall be connected in accordance with the wiring diagram. The
Contractor shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Engineer that all
circuits are continuous and operating correctly, free from shorts, crosses, and
unintentional grounds.
Before energizing the traffic
signals the following functional checks should be made:
1. The incoming AC voltage should be checked.
2. Operation of the following equipment should be
checked: cabinet ventilating fan, fan thermostat, and convenience outlet with
lamp (when furnished). The filter(s) used with the fan should be unobstructed.
3. Timing settings on solid state controllers should be
varied over their ranges and all functions activated to verify that the
controls are operable without fault.
4. Timing settings in accordance with the plans should
now be entered on the controller, time clock, etc. and checked for corrections.
On some projects, timing settings will be provided by the maintaining agency
and not listed in the plans.
5. An agreement should be reached with the Contractor and
the maintaining agency on the procedure which will be followed in the event of
a signal failure prior to acceptance.
6. Before signals are energized to control traffic, the
maintaining agency should be notified and given an opportunity to check the
installation and timing settings.
After energizing the traffic
signals the following functional checks should be made. In the event the
signals are controlling traffic at the time, these checks should be made with
caution to protect the safety of workers, pedestrians and drivers.
1. The function of all cabinet switches should be
checked, including the power on/off switch and manual control (when furnished).
2. The traffic signals and controller indicator lights
should be observed to verify that the controller is timing consistently the
intervals and phases set into the controls. A stopwatch is suggested,
especially to check critical short intervals. All controllers functions should
be activated to verify that operation is proper.
3. The detector units should be investigated to determine
which pavement loop(s) or other type sensor is associated with which unit. The
visual indication of units (light, meter, etc.) should be observed to determine
that each vehicle (truck, car, motorcycle, etc.) entering sensor areas are
properly detected on the associated unit and that no extraneous calls occur
when the sensor area is vacant. When a detector unit is set for
"presence," a detection call should continue as long as a vehicle is
positioned over the associated sensor. Concurrent with detection, the
appropriate controller indicator light should exhibit the detection.
4. The flasher switch should be activated to cause the
signal heads to flash. Their indications should be checked to verify if they
are correct. The flasher switch should then to be returned to the normal or
signal mode and a check made of the resumption of normal stop-and-go operation.
5. The conflict monitor should not be activated by normal
signal operation or by the manipulation of cabinet switches. If at any time the
monitor is activated, the Contractor is required to determine the cause of the
problem and make appropriate changes and adjustments before beginning the
10-day performance test. The Contractor should test the conflict monitor by
artificially causing a number of different conflicting indications. The
Contractor should check that at each test, the monitor causes the signals to
flash and places the controller in a "stop timing" mode. Artificial
conflict may be caused by touching a jumper wire between two load switch
outputs that would signal a traffic conflict. Other methods of artificially
caused conflicts may be used at the discretion of the Contractor.
6. Signals which are interconnected should be observed to
determine if offset relationships are maintained in accordance with settings
during all periods of the day.
7. When preemption equipment is furnished as part of the
cabinet installation, the proper functioning of the equipment should be
checked. The equipment should be activated and observations made to determine
if the required sequence of intervals and phases is called for in a correct and
safe manner.
8. On projects having equipment furnished for future use
only, the equipment should be checked to verify that it is properly installed
and operable in a correct manner.
Some signal control
equipment, such as time clocks or switches and weekly programmers, are intended
to vary the timing patterns at different periods of the day or days of the
week. To determine if these required changes are occurring at the proper times,
it is necessary that observations be made to check the operation at transition
times over a period of several days.
The change in timing shall
not be extremely drawn out or abrupt. The accuracy of time clocks and weekly
programmers should be checked. Programmed changes should occur within 5 minutes
of scheduled times for clocks of the electromechanical type and within 1 minute
for clocks of the solid state type. No significant cumulative clock error
should be noted during the 10-day performance test.
After successful completion
of the 10-day performance test, and after a partial or final acceptance of a
project, the Contractor should give the Engineer all manuals, diagrams,
instructions, guarantees, and related material, as required by 632.
It is recommended that the Engineer list this material in the project diary as
a permanent record of the transfer. The Engineer should transfer the material
to the maintaining agency. For ODOT-maintained signals, the material should be
given to the District Roadway Services Manager.
After a traffic control
system project has been accepted by ODOT, the Engineer should immediately
notify the maintaining agency to indicate that as of a specific time and date,
the agency is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the system.
Before acceptance of the
traffic control system, the Contractor shall furnish all personnel and
equipment required to successfully operate the system continuously for 10 consecutive
days without major malfunction or failure (632).
At least 7 days prior to the
beginning of the performance test, the Contractor shall notify the Engineer of
the starting date. The Engineer will notify the maintaining agency.
The Contractor shall arrange
with the utility supplying the power for purchase of the energy required to
conduct the test. All costs of personnel, equipment, electrical energy, and
incidentals required to perform the test are to have been included in the
contract unit prices for the respective items tested.
Minor failures, such as
lamps, a single detector, or an individual signal head, etc. shall be
immediately replaced or repaired and will not cause restart of the test.
A major malfunction or
failure, such as a master or local controller, interconnect equipment, etc.
will cause termination of the test, and after replacement or repair of the
malfunctioning or failed equipment, the beginning of a new 10-day test.
Items which have been
repaired or replaced are to be monitored by the Contractor for a period of 10
days to assure their reliability.
The complete test results are
to be furnished to the Engineer on test reporting forms in accordance with 625.
The Contractor is to record, in the test results, the beginning and end of the
test and the method and date of the correction of each fault.
The Engineer should record
the following events in the project diary: the date the 10-day performance test
began, a day-by-day record of faults as they occur during the test, and the
date of the successful completion of the performance test.
After all wiring is
completed, and all testing completed and accepted, a final inspection of the
traffic control system should be performed to assure a neat and workman-like
appearance.
1. All spare conductors should be connected to the ground
bus bar in the controller cabinet.
2. All ground wires should be properly connected.
3. The spade type ends of conductors should be sound.
After all testing is completed they should be reinstalled on their correct
points of terminal blocks and tightened.
4. A visual check should be made for any signs of arcing,
melted insulation, etc.
5. All debris from wiring work or packaging materials
should be cleaned from the bottom of cabinets.
6. Cabinet vents should be checked to assure that they
are unobstructed and all filters should be clean and in place.
7. Duct sealing material shall be used to seal the
conduit entering the cabinet from the base.
8. All doors on the optical sections of vehicular and
pedestrian signal heads shall be closed and latched.
9. No wires or cable should be visible under the base
plates of poles and pedestals.
10. The handhole covers on poles
and end-frames shall be securely fastened.
11. Pedestals with transformer type bases shall have the
access door securely fastened.
12. The covers on pull boxes shall be securely bolted.
1. Review certified drawings prior to work commencement.
a. Document depth and width of cut for detector loop wire
in pavement.
i.
Cuts blown clean.
ii.
What kind of
material used to fill cuts after loop placement?
b. Foundations.
i.
Excavate as per 503.
ii.
Perform concrete
work as per 511.
iii.
No load applied
for 14 days, 7 days with beam break of 650 pounds or more.
c. Document each type of equipment installed as per
certified drawings provided by supplier and as per individual specifications
included in 632.
2. Test as per 632.
Measure and pay per 632.
1. Review certified drawings prior to starting work.
a. All electrical parts of sufficient capacity and marked
per 633.
b. Diagrams and manuals furnished to Engineer before
installation. Documents modified upon
completion of work.
i.
Controllers
tested and pre-qualified.
ii.
Individual items
provided and documented.
iii.
Test in
accordance with Item 632.
iv.
Measure and pay
as per 633.
v.
Record serial numbers
and manufacturing date for all LED signal lamps installed in the project.
Please refer to the Traffic
Engineering Manual (TEM) for a complete list of forms, supplementary
information, and updates.
Figure 632.H
Exothermic Weld
Figure
632.I Vehicular Signal Heads
Visors for
Signal Heads
Figure
632.J Pedestrian Signal Heads
Figure 632.K Loop
Detector Placement and Installation
Loop Perimeter feet (meters) |
Number of Turns |
|
40 |
(less than 12) |
4 |
40-160 |
(12 to 49) |
3 |
over 160 |
(over 49) |
2 |
Figure
632.L Loop Construction
Figure
632.M Loop Detector Slots and Wiring
Figure
632.N Loop Detector Slots and Wiring
Figure
632.O Loop Detector Wiring
Figure
632.P Magnetometer Probes and Lead-In
Figure
632.Q Ground Rod Testing
Figure
632.R Short-Circuit Test
Figure
632.S Circuit Continuity Test of Loop Wire
(Before Splice to Lead-In Cable)
Figure
632.T Circuit Continuity Test of Loop Wire and Lead-In Cable
Figure
632.U Circuit Continuity Test of Signal Cable Disconnected from Heads or
Other Cables such as Interconnect and Loop or
Magnetometer Lead-In
Figure
632.W Cable Insulation Test (Loop Detector Wire)
Figure 632.X Cable
Insulation Test (Signal Cable)
Figure
632.Y SCD TC-81.20 Signal Support Design Chart
Figure 632.Z Plan Details for Strain Poles
Figure
632.AA Plan Details for Signal Supports - Arm Lengths
(Table is
continued in Figure 632.BB)
Figure
632.BB Plan Details for Signal Supports - Mast Arm Orientation
(Table continued
from Figure 632.AA)