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Effective Traffic Controls and
Communication on Haulage Roads

Coal Truck Coal Truck


Adequate traffic controls and improved communication can prevent many surface haulage accidents. Surface haulage truck accidents occur due to lack of communication between the drivers of the vehicles or a dispatcher, inadequate traffic controls, or poorly designed haulage roads. Coal mine operators are required to standardize and post traffic rules, signals and warning signs at each mine.

These rules, signals, and warning signs are necessary to control traffic flow and to warn truck drivers to take certain precautions on specific sections of the haulage road. Traffic signs also provide vehicle operators with information such as speed limits, grades, and traffic patterns. In addition traffic signals direct their attention to particular hazards of the road, such as curves, rough surfaces, and steep grades to help ensure safe operation. For example, if the road is steep, the warning signs should warn drivers to use a lower gear and reduce their speed. Posted signs may also alert drivers to use their radios to monitor traffic conditions.

Fatal accidents have occurred when maintenance or utility trucks or pedestrians were run over by haulage trucks. Many of the fatal accidents involving collisions may have been avoided if the drivers had been aware of traffic activities at the mine through some means of communication between them. Many modern surface mining operations provide their truck drivers with effective communication systems to enhance their safety, as well as the safety of others, such as, vendors or contractors entering mine property.

Lack of adequate traffic control rules, signals, warning signs, poorly designed haulage roads, and poor communication have been identified as factors in many haulage accidents. MSHA believes all haulage operators should be provided training on rules of the road. Signs (uniform in appearance), locations, traffic patterns, and providing truck drivers with an effective means of communicating among themselves as well as others on mine property would have a positive effect on reducing haulage accidents.

Written by: Indiana Field Office


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