RC Flagman Priority Technology Evaluation Report

The RC Flagman Company is a small Ontario Canada based manufacturer. The Remote Control Flagger was developed by the RC Flagman Company with the direct aid and cooperation of the Ontario Ministry of Transportation. In April 1996 the RC Flagman portable flagging station was introduced to Ohio and also demonstrated in New York, Michigan. As part of the preliminary evaluation, phone calls were made to the Ontario (Canada) Ministry of Transportation to receive comments on performance. No written reports were offered, but comments by the Ministry of Transportation were favorable as to the performance and safety of workers. Typically the unit is used to replace a human flagger at one end of a flagging operation, or to allow a human flagger to perform flagging operations from a safe location off the side of the road. Significant cost, safety, and time benefits may be realized over the conventional flagging methods utilizing “on the road” flaggers with no auxiliary lights. ODOT submitted the portable remotely controlled flagging machine to FHWA for approval as an innovative technology under the PTP program in December 1996. Concurrently, ODOT made a formal request for experimentation as per the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). Both written approvals were granted by July 1997. Three devices were purchased by ODOT in October 1997. ODOT delivered the RC Flagman trailers to three County garages in late October 1997. ODOT work forces used the devices in situations where a flagger would be replaced, and evaluated situations where a flagger could be supplemented.