HomeMy WebLinkAbout400-15POLICY & PROCEDURE
-400000 CITY OF
Renton
Subject: INTERSECTION AND STREET Index: Public Works
CLOSURE EMERGENCY RESPONSE Number: 400-15
Effective Date: Supersedes: Page: Staff Contact:
ApproTJ,4A,"—
y:
5/24/2019 N/A 1 of 3 Greee ZimmermanLh.'�i
1.0 PURPOSE:
To establish a policy for the assessment and authorization that addresses how dark
intersections are managed and initiates emergency street closure.
2.0 ORGANIZATIONS AFFECTED:
Executive Department
Public Works Department
Police Department
Renton Regional Fire Authority
Valley Communication Center
3.0 REFERENCES:
Revised Code of Washington Chapter 46.61, Title 46, Section 46.61.180(1)
Revised Code of Washington Chapter 46.61, Title 46, Section 46.61.183
Revised Code of Washington Chapter 46.61, Title 46, Section 46.61.185
Renton Municipal Code: Chapter 9, Title IX, Street Closure
4.0 POLICY:
The City of Renton desires to establish a policy to ensure a consistent process for
managing dark intersections and initiating emergency street closures. In the interest of
safety for motorists, pedestrians and workers it is critical that established state and city
codes are strictly followed and a regular process assessing the need for intersection and
street management is implemented.
4.1 Signalized Intersection Without Power.
4.1.1 At any signalized intersection temporarily without power during an
unexpected power outage, temporary signs or other temporary traffic
control devices shall not be installed since nonfunctioning traffic signals
are to be considered all -way stops according to RCW 46.61.183:
400-15 Intersection and Street Closure Emergency Response
p. 2
4.1.1.1 RCW 46.61.183 Nonfunctioning Signal Lights.
Except when directed to proceed by a flagger, police officer, or
firefighter, the driver of a vehicle approaching an intersection controlled
by a traffic control signal that is temporarily without power on all
approaches or is not displaying any green, red, or yellow indication to the
approach the vehicle is on, shall consider the intersection to be an all -
way stop. After stopping, the driver shall yield the right-of-way in
accordance with RCW 46.61.180(1) and 46.61.185.
4.2 Emergency Street Closures.
4.2.1 On -duty commissioned Police Department staff or Public Works
Department Administrator, Director or Manager are authorized to
initiate an emergency street closure.
4.2.2 All inter -departmental communication requesting an emergency street
closure shall be directed to Public Works Division Street Maintenance
Section or the Transportation Maintenance Section. In the event an
effort to contact these sections is unsuccessful, the Transportation
Maintenance Section may be contacted via its pager. After contacting
one of the aforementioned sections, commissioned Police Department
staff may close a street using Police Department vehicles or officers
based on perceived traffic safety until it is determined to use city
equipment to clear the hazard or erect barricades or other traffic control
devices as needed.
4.2.3 An emergency road and/or intersection closure anticipated to extend
beyond two hours shall be appropriately signed and barricaded.
Applicable detour route(s) shall be established if the road is classified as
a principle arterial.
4.2.4 A Public Works Department Administrator, Director or Manager will
decide to close a street based on public safety or if a lack of equipment
exists to adequately maintain the street clear of obstacles or debris. The
preference remains to keep streets open unless the road surface is too
hazardous on which to drive, obstacles interfere with the safe passage of
vehicles, or deemed unsafe by on -duty commissioned Police Department
staff.
4.2.5 An emergency road and/or intersection closure shall not be required to
be staffed by Public Works Department staff once all appropriate signing
and barricading has been installed.
400-15 Intersection and Street Closure Emergency Response
p. 3
5.0 DEFINITIONS:
Not applicable.
6.0 PROCEDURES:
6.1 Partial Street Closures:
6.1.1 When possible, access for emergency vehicles shall be provided
immediately around an affected area.
6.2 Full Street Closures:
6.2.1 When, because of unusual circumstances, access for emergency vehicles
cannot be provided around an affected area, acceptable alternative
measures shall be developed.
6.2.2 When unforeseen emergency conditions occur that result in an
intersection or street closure the Emergency Operations Center, Police
Department, Renton Regional Fire Authority and Valley Communication
Center shall be notified by the appropriate Public Works Department
and/or staff.