Page:UK Traffic Signs Manual - Chapter 8 - Part 2- Traffic Safety Measures and Signs for Road Works and Temporary Situations) - Operations 2009.pdf/64

GENERAL VEHICLE ISSUES Where rear facing high visibility markings may be obscured by any device mounted on the vehicle (e.g. lorry-mounted crash cushion (LMCC) or cone laying adaptation), at any time that the vehicle is stopped on a high-speed road, additional markings complying with paragraph O5.2.3 (c) or (d) shall be applied to any face of the device which is displayed to the rear and other road users.

Works vehicles should be kept clean to maintain conspicuity.

Motor vehicles with a maximum gross weight exceeding 7.5 tonnes and trailers with a maximum gross weight exceeding 3.5 tonnes must be fitted with rear markings in accordance with the Lighting Regulations.

Vehicles used for works purposes shall be identified by displaying to the rear the sign to diagram 7404 "HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE". The sign to diagram 7404 variant "MOTORWAY MAINTENANCE" may be used instead when working on motorways only.

Without prejudice to the specific requirements of the following sections, any vehicle stopping on the highway for works purposes or inspections shall be equipped with either a roof-mounted flashing amber warning light bar (comprising at least two independent light sources) or two independent roof-mounted flashing amber warning beacons, visible through 360°.

Roof-mounted flashing amber warning beacons must comply with the requirements of the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations and should also comply with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Regulation 65 on Special Warning Lamps.

If the main roof-mounted beacon is likely to be obscured from the rear by parts of the vehicle or any equipment carried on the vehicle, additional beacons should be fitted toward the rear of the vehicle where they will remain visible.

The roof-mounted beacons shall be in use when entering, leaving or moving within the site, when travelling in traffic at less than the general traffic speed, and when stationary on the hard shoulder.

When stationary within the confines of a fully installed traffic management arrangement, the roofmounted beacons shall be switched off, unless they form part of the guarding of the works, e.g. works on minor roads, or are required for mobile works; see Sections O10 and O11.

Vehicles engaged on snow clearing, gritting operations or similar work shall display a flashing amber warning beacon at all times when operating.

Impact Protection Vehicles (IPV), Mobile Lane Closure (MLC) vehicles, and Mobile Carriageway Closure (MCC) vehicles shall be fitted with a lorry-mounted crash cushion (LMCC). The requirements for LMCCs are given in Departmental Standard TD 49 "Requirements for lorry-mounted crash cushions" (DMRB 8.4.7). As higher specification LMCCs become available their use should be adopted if appropriate.

It should be noted that vehicles fitted with a LMCC currently contravene the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, as amended, with regard to the permissible overhang (regulation 11) when the LMCC is in operational mode. To enable the vehicle to be operated legally, a special dispensation known as a Vehicle Special Order (VSO) must be obtained from the Department for Transport before the vehicle is put into service. Further details about applying for a VSO can be found on the DfT website (www.dft.gov.uk) under the heading “Vehicle special orders section 44 requirement". 62