R920. Transportation, Operations, Traffic and Safety.R920-8. Flashing Light Usage on Highway Construction or Maintenance Vehicles.
R920-8-1. Purpose.
This rule provides specifications governing the design and use of special flashing lights on vehicles engaged in highway construction and maintenance operations.
R920-8-2. Authority.
This rule is required and authorized by Section 41-6a-1617.
R920-8-3. Definitions.
In addition to the terms defined in Section 41-6a-102, the following terms are defined:
(1) "Engaged" means performing tasks for roadway surface and shoulder maintenance or construction purposes.
(2) "Flashing Amber Lighting System" means one or more amber flashing light.
(3) "Flashing lights" means bursts of light which are distinguishable and capture attention.
(4) "Headlight, taillight, or brake light flashers", also known as "wigwags" means a device used to alter or modify the original vehicle manufacturer's electronically controlled lighting system.
(5) "Highway construction and maintenance vehicles" means both on-road and off-road vehicles or equipment.
(6) "360-degree visibility" means the ability to be seen from all angles.
R920-8-4. Requirements for Vehicles Engaged in Highway Construction or Maintenance Operations on a State Highway.
(1)(a) Except as provided under Subsection (1)(b), beginning July 1, 2015, a vehicle engaged in highway construction or maintenance operations on a state highway that is not protected by traffic control devices compliant to the current Utah Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, must have a flashing amber lighting system with 360-degree visibility.
(b) When the flashing amber lighting system does not provide 360-degree visibility, vehicle hazard lights shall be used in addition to the flashing amber lighting system.
(2) A flashing amber lighting system may be supplemented with flashing white lights on the front and flashing red lights on the rear that do not alter or modify the original manufacturer's electronically controlled lighting system.
R920-8-5. Requirements for a Vehicle Engaged in Snow and Ice Removal from a State Highway.
A vehicle engaged in snow and ice removal from a state highway may supplement flashing amber lights with a green lighting system on the rear of the vehicle and the plows.
R920-8-6. Requirements for All Vehicles Engaged in Highway Construction or Maintenance Operations on Non-State Highways.
A local jurisdiction will determine the appropriate use of flashing lights on construction or maintenance vehicles engaged in construction or maintenance operations on non-state roadways.
R920-8-7. Visibility.
(1) A flashing amber lighting system shall meet or exceed the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Class I certification.
(2) Flashing lights shall be positioned on the vehicle so as to not interfere with the ability to see standard vehicle lighting.
(a) Operation of flashing lights must be used in conjunction with standard vehicle lighting.
R920-8-8. Specific Limitations.
For a vehicle engaged in highway construction or maintenance operations, not including the Utah Department of Transportation's Incident Management Team units:
(1) no red light may be visible from the front of a vehicle;
(2) no flashing white light may be visible from the rear of a vehicle;
(3) blue lights are prohibited; and
(4) headlight, taillight, and brake light flashers, known as wigwags, are prohibited.
R920-8-9. Exceptions.
(1) When multiple vehicles are engaged in highway construction and maintenance operations, and are concentrated within a small area in a work zone, it is acceptable for those vehicles within the perimeter of vehicles to reduce the intensity or turn off the flashing amber lighting systems or supplemental flashing lighting systems to minimize the distractions to motorists and other workers in the work zone.
(2) A delivery vehicle is not required to have a flashing amber lighting system but must use vehicle hazard lights when entering or exiting a work zone.
R920-8-10. Recommended Placement Practice.
(1) A flashing amber lighting system should be placed as high on the vehicle as reasonably capable of being placed.
(2) A green lighting system should be affixed as close to the ends of plow blades on the vehicle as reasonably capable of being placed and extend high enough to provide ample visibility of the green lights.
