RC Flagman Gets Test Run in Washington County

Most highway agencies hire summer help as flaggers, but some are trying another way – using automatic flagging machines. Washington County Public Works rented two RC Flagmans last year. RC stands for Remote Controlled. They used two units for each work zone, one at each end, just like flaggers. An operator used a radio signal to open and close the gates. There are three types of automatic flagging units-the RC flagman that uses a radio signal, another unit that has set timing, and a third that senses vehicles when they drive up to the work zone stop sign. The device may be added to FHWA’s Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). The device is already in the Canadian MUTCD.