Right-of-Way Management

The purpose of the Right-of-Way Management program is to enhance traffic safety and mobility by minimizing unauthorized and improper street and sidewalk restrictions. The goal is to gain high levels of compliance with temporary traffic control rules to ensure the impact to the traveling public is minimized without delaying projects.

WHAT IS RIGHT-OF-WAY?
Right-of-way is land expressly reserved for vehicle/pedestrian traffic and/or utilities. The City of Phoenix Street Transportation Department is the administrating authority of the right-of-way (ROW).

WHY WAS THE PROGRAM DEVELOPED?
For decades, Phoenix has been a leader in temporary traffic control establishing the first Traffic Barricade Manual (Manual) in 1961 with numerous editions since. However, without an enforcement mechanism violations of the Manual were commonplace. These violations caused undue delay, cost, inconvenience, and danger to the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Phoenix. Violations also prevented others from productively using the same public right-of-way. Thus, the City of Phoenix Right-of-Way Management program was established to promote, preserve, and protect the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Phoenix in public ROW. The program was approved by City Council on April 16, 2004, added to City Code: Article XV, and implemented on September 1, 2004.

There are four components to the Right-of-Way Management:

1. Certification, agencies wanting to set and/or remove temporary traffic control are required to go through an annual training program.
2. Impound Authority, The City is given authority to remove and store traffic control devices in emergency situations or as a last resort if the owner will not pick them up.
3. Civil Sanctions, fines for temporary traffic control violations.
4. Parking Meter Fees, fees for taking parking meters out of service.

HOW DOES MY AGENCY GET CERTIFIED?
All agencies wanting to setup and take-down temporary traffic control SHALL obtain CERTIFICATION from the City Traffic Engineer. There are two types of certification and both require attending a training class offered by City staff.

Blanket Certification: Blanket certification is $750 and is for any agency wanting to set AND remove signs and barricades in the ROW. Blanket certification also requires the Supervisory level American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA) certification. To complete this three-part ATSSA certification, contact Dan O'Connor at (602) 243-1218.

Take Down Certification: Take-down certification is $250 and is for any agency that ONLY wants to remove signs and barricades from the ROW, but not set them up.

Information Only: You can also opt to attend our class free of charge, for informational purposes only. This is a great way for your organization to become familiar with, and gain a better understanding of our program. No certifications will be issued to your company unless the requirements listed above are met.

To register for training, call the ROW Administrative Aide at (602)534-5369.

Certifications must be renewed annually.

UPCOMING TRAINING FOR "SET-UP/TAKE-DOWN" CERTIFICATION
Classes to be held on the following dates: February 17, 2009 March 12, 2009 April 14, 2009 May 19, 2009 June 11 and 25, 2009 July 23, 2009 August 13, 2009 September 15, 2009 October 8, 20, and 29, 2009 Classes are held from 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Contact the Administrative Aide at 602.534.5369 to be placed on the roster.	The training will be held at: City of Phoenix City Hall 200 W. Washington Street Phoenix, AZ 85003

CIVIL SANCTIONS

VIOLATION	DESCRIPTION	CIVIL SANCTION
#1	Presents imminent risk of injury or death to the public within the ROW	$1,500
#2	Restricting ROW without proper certification or Temporary Use Permit	$1,000
#3	Restricting traffic during peak hours without authorization	$1,000
#4	Failing to correct violation	$1,000
#5	Unnecessarily restricting traffic at signalized intersections without active work occurring	$1,000
#6	Closing sidewalk improperly OR without Temporary Use Permit	$500
#7	Violating the restriction limits, times, and locations of ROW Temporary Use Permit	$500
#8	Missing/improper use of advance warning signs	$500
#9	Missing/improper use of barricades	$500
#10	Leaving advance warning signs facing traffic AFTER restriction has been removed	$250
#11	Leaving traffic control devices in ROW 24 hours AFTER permit expires	$250
#12	Use of "Unacceptable" traffic control material	$250
#13	Rendering a bus stop inaccessible	$250

HOW DO I REQUEST A STREET OR SIDEWALK CLOSURE?

All persons, contractors, utilities, and other agencies including City departments must obtain a street closure permit (partial or full) for restrictions of all streets and sidewalks within Phoenix. Street closure permits are obtained through the assigned City Crew Foreman or Inspector.

Advance Notice Requirements: For a partial restriction, the request must be received at least 48 hours prior to the restriction by fax, e-mail, or phone by 11:00 a.m. For a full closure, the request must be received at least 72 hours prior to the closure. All calls are processed through the Temporary Restriction and Closure System (TRACS) database for the ROW agent to review for approval or denial. An e-mail notification of the approval or denial is sent to the inspector, requesting agency, and certified agency as applicable. To request a closure, call (602)262-6235. For after hours, call the hotline number: (602)534-5548.

RESERVING PARKING METER SPACE

To preserve public parking and ONLY take metered spaces out-of-service when absolutely necessary, requests must include good justification. If approved, a $35 charge will be assessed for hooding meter(s) on a given City block, and the requestor will be assessed a use fee of $10 per meter, per day. Reserving metered space requires a 48-hour notice, and the request must be received by 11:00 a.m. to guarantee protection of the space. This lead time is necessary to notify abutting land owners and guarantee reservation of the space by hooding meters. To secure metered space, call (602)262-6235.

This publication can be made available in braille, large print, audio tape, or cassette tape upon request. Contact the Street Transportation Department at (602)262-6284 if you would like any of these services. Our TTY phone number is (602)256-4286.