What is a "temporary traffic control zone"?

A temporary traffic control zone is specifically designed to ensure the safety of both the workers involved in construction activities and the traveling public. During highway construction, such zones are established to redirect traffic around work areas, manage road closures, or create alternate routes. This helps maintain a safe environment for work to occur while minimizing disruptions to the flow of traffic.

In these zones, traffic control devices—such as cones, barrels, barriers, and signage—are set up to alert drivers to the presence of construction, provide guidance on detours, and enforce temporary speed limits as necessary. The term "temporary" signifies that these zones are not meant to be permanent fixtures; rather, they exist only for the duration of the construction work.

Other options do not appropriately define a temporary traffic control zone. For instance, zones permanently reducing speed limits focus on long-term traffic management rather than short-lived construction needs. Dedicated parking areas for construction equipment cater to storage rather than traffic management. Zones meant to monitor traffic patterns year-round do not pertain to construction activities. Thus, the defining characteristic of a temporary traffic control zone is its function in safely redirecting traffic during temporary construction scenarios.