Temporary Traffic Control Signs
Work-zone signs used in California temporary traffic control plans — advance warning, lane and shoulder closures, flaggers, workers, road closures, and detours.
Temporary traffic control (TTC) signs warn, guide, and regulate road users through and around a work zone so that drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and workers can move through safely. In California, TTC signs follow the CA MUTCD 2026 (effective January 18, 2026) — California's adoption of the national MUTCD with state-specific modifications — together with the Caltrans sign specifications and Standard Plans.
A typical California TTC setup is organized into areas: an advance warning area that tells drivers what to expect, a transition area where traffic shifts or merges, an activity area where the work happens, and a termination area that returns traffic to normal. The signs below are the ones most commonly called out on California traffic control plans (TCPs) for these areas.
Sign size, retroreflective sheeting, spacing, and placement all matter. Minimums come from the CA MUTCD, but local agencies — including the City of Los Angeles (StreetsLA and the Bureau of Engineering), LA County DPW, and Caltrans District 7 for state highways in the LA/Ventura region — may require larger signs or additional devices depending on roadway classification, speed, and pedestrian volume.
Browse by Series
Select a series to see all signs in that group with downloads and field-use notes.
W20 Series
The W20 Series covers diamond-shaped fluorescent-orange warning signs used at the beginning of and throughout road work zones.
W21 Series
The W21 Series includes warning signs that alert drivers to workers, equipment operators, and utility crews in or near the traveled way.
W3 Series
The W3 Series covers warning signs that alert drivers to stopping and signaling conditions ahead.
W4 Series
The W4 Series covers warning signs for merging lanes, added lanes, and lane-change conditions.
W9 Series
The W9 Series includes warning signs for lane-ending and divided-highway transitions.
G20 Series
The G20 Series marks the downstream end of a temporary traffic control zone, signaling to drivers that normal roadway conditions have resumed and work zone speed limits and restrictions no longer apply.
M4 Series
The M4 Series provides the directional detour markers used to guide vehicles — and in some cases pedestrians — around a road closure along an approved alternate route.
R11 Series
The R11 Series provides the regulatory signs used to legally close a roadway to all or some traffic.
R9 Series
The R9 Series covers regulatory signs that direct and protect pedestrians and cyclists at crossings, sidewalk closures, and bike facilities.
OM Series
The OM Series covers object markers — retroreflective warning devices used to delineate physical obstructions in or adjacent to the traveled way.
All Temporary Traffic Control Signs
Showing 64 of 64 signs
Warns approaching drivers that a work operation is taking place on or near the roadway ahead so they can slow down and stay alert for changing conditions.
Warns drivers that a detour is ahead and that the normal route will be interrupted, prompting them to prepare to follow an alternate path.
Warns that the road ahead is closed and that through travel will not be possible, giving drivers time to turn or follow a detour before reaching the closure.
Warns that two-way traffic will be reduced to a single shared lane ahead, where opposing directions must take turns through the work area.
Warns that a travel lane is closed ahead and that drivers in that lane will need to merge into an adjacent open lane before the work area.
Warns specifically that the right-hand travel lane is closed ahead so traffic in that lane can merge left in advance of the closure.
Warns specifically that the left-hand travel lane is closed ahead so traffic in that lane can merge right in advance of the closure.
Uses a flagger symbol to warn drivers that a flagger is controlling traffic ahead and that they must be prepared to stop or follow the flagger's directions.
Uses a worker symbol to warn that workers are present on or near the roadway ahead, signaling drivers to reduce speed and increase caution.
Warns that work is taking place on the shoulder ahead, alerting drivers to workers and equipment near the edge of the traveled way.
Warns that the shoulder is closed ahead and is not available for stopping, disabled vehicles, or travel through the work area.
Warns that utility work is taking place on or near the roadway ahead, alerting drivers to utility crews, equipment, and possible lane or shoulder impacts.
Warns drivers that they may have to stop ahead, giving advance notice of a flagging station, queue, or signal that can require stopping.
Uses a symbol to warn that a travel lane is ending and that traffic must merge in the indicated direction where the roadway narrows.
A word-message warning that a travel lane is ending ahead, telling drivers the number of through lanes will be reduced.
Informs drivers of the total length of a work zone, telling them how many miles of road work to expect ahead.
Marks the downstream end of a work zone, informing drivers that they have passed the work area and that normal conditions resume.
Identifies an approved detour route, marking the path drivers should follow around a closure when used with directional arrows.
Combines the word DETOUR with a directional arrow to point drivers toward the correct turn along the detour route.
Marks the end of a detour route, telling drivers they have returned to the original road and the detour is complete.
Directs pedestrians along an alternate accessible route when a sidewalk or crosswalk on their normal path is closed.
A regulatory sign stating that the road is closed to all traffic, posted at the closure point typically on a barricade across the roadway.
A regulatory sign advising that the road is closed ahead, often with a local-traffic or detour message, so drivers can prepare to turn or detour.
A regulatory sign stating that through travel is closed while still allowing local access to properties within the closure.
Prohibits entry into a roadway or lane, telling drivers they must not proceed past the sign in that direction.
Alerts a driver who has entered a roadway in the wrong direction that they are traveling against traffic and must turn around.
Indicates that traffic on the roadway flows in one direction only, to the left, as shown by the horizontal arrow.
Indicates that traffic on the roadway flows in one direction only, to the right, as shown by the horizontal arrow.
Informs pedestrians that a crosswalk is closed and that they must use another crossing rather than the one that is blocked.
Informs pedestrians that the sidewalk is closed at that location, signaling that they must not continue along the blocked walkway.
Tells pedestrians that the sidewalk is closed and directs them to use the sidewalk on the opposite side of the street.
Advises pedestrians of a sidewalk closure ahead and directs them to cross at the indicated location before reaching the closure.
Marks the point where pedestrians should cross because the sidewalk is closed, directing them to the open side at the crossing.
The California application of the ROAD WORK AHEAD warning, reflecting CA MUTCD and Caltrans conventions for legend, size, and fluorescent orange sheeting in work zones.
The California application of the Flagger warning sign, reflecting CA MUTCD and Caltrans flagging practice, sizing, and fluorescent orange sheeting.
The California application of the pedestrian detour marker, used to route pedestrians around sidewalk and crosswalk closures along an accessible alternate path.
Marks an obstruction or hazard within or adjacent to the roadway, using a high-contrast pattern to make the object visible day and night.
A striped object marker that delineates the edge of an obstruction, with the stripes sloping down toward the side traffic should pass.
A striped Type 3 object marker used to mark the end of a roadway or a substantial obstruction, with stripes indicating the direction to pass.
Warns that a STOP sign or temporary stop control is ahead, giving drivers advance notice to slow down before they reach the mandatory stop.
Uses a symbol to warn that two lanes of traffic are merging into one, alerting drivers in both lanes to yield and merge safely.
Marks an established pedestrian crossing and advises drivers that pedestrians may be crossing the roadway at that location.
Designates a lane reserved exclusively for bicycle travel, indicating that motor vehicles must not use the marked lane.
The W20-7a Flagger sign is a California MUTCD work zone warning sign. It is shown here as an educational reference with the official FHWA Standard Highway Signs layout and California sizing guidance.
The W20-8 Slow and Stop (on Stop/Slow Paddle) sign is a California MUTCD work zone warning sign. It is shown here as an educational reference with the official FHWA Standard Highway Signs layout and California sizing guidance.
The W20-1b Path Work (with distance) sign is a California MUTCD work zone warning sign. It is shown here as an educational reference with the official FHWA Standard Highway Signs layout and California sizing guidance.
The W20-2a Bike Detour (with distance) sign is a California MUTCD work zone warning sign. It is shown here as an educational reference with the official FHWA Standard Highway Signs layout and California sizing guidance.
The W20-3a Path Closed (with distance) sign is a California MUTCD work zone warning sign. It is shown here as an educational reference with the official FHWA Standard Highway Signs layout and California sizing guidance.
The W21-1a Workers sign is a California MUTCD work zone warning sign. It is shown here as an educational reference with the official FHWA Standard Highway Signs layout and California sizing guidance.
The W21-2 Fresh Oil sign is a California MUTCD work zone warning sign. It is shown here as an educational reference with the official FHWA Standard Highway Signs layout and California sizing guidance.
The W21-3 Road Machinery Ahead sign is a California MUTCD work zone warning sign. It is shown here as an educational reference with the official FHWA Standard Highway Signs layout and California sizing guidance.
The W21-4 Slow Moving Vehicle sign is a California MUTCD work zone warning sign. It is shown here as an educational reference with the official FHWA Standard Highway Signs layout and California sizing guidance.
The W21-5b Shoulder Closed (with distance) sign is a California MUTCD work zone warning sign. It is shown here as an educational reference with the official FHWA Standard Highway Signs layout and California sizing guidance.
The W21-6 Survey Crew sign is a California MUTCD work zone warning sign. It is shown here as an educational reference with the official FHWA Standard Highway Signs layout and California sizing guidance.
The W21-8 Mowing Ahead sign is a California MUTCD work zone warning sign. It is shown here as an educational reference with the official FHWA Standard Highway Signs layout and California sizing guidance.
The W22-1 Blasting Zone Ahead sign is a California MUTCD work zone warning sign. It is shown here as an educational reference with the official FHWA Standard Highway Signs layout and California sizing guidance.
The W22-3 End Blasting Zone sign is a California MUTCD work zone warning sign. It is shown here as an educational reference with the official FHWA Standard Highway Signs layout and California sizing guidance.
The W23-1 Slow Traffic Ahead sign is a California MUTCD work zone warning sign. It is shown here as an educational reference with the official FHWA Standard Highway Signs layout and California sizing guidance.
The W24-1 Double Reverse Curve (1 lane) sign is a California MUTCD work zone warning sign. It is shown here as an educational reference with the official FHWA Standard Highway Signs layout and California sizing guidance.
The W24-1a Double Reverse Curve (2 lanes) sign is a California MUTCD work zone warning sign. It is shown here as an educational reference with the official FHWA Standard Highway Signs layout and California sizing guidance.
The W24-1b Double Reverse Curve (3 lanes) sign is a California MUTCD work zone warning sign. It is shown here as an educational reference with the official FHWA Standard Highway Signs layout and California sizing guidance.
The W23-2 New Traffic Pattern Ahead sign is a California MUTCD work zone warning sign. It is shown here as an educational reference with the official FHWA Standard Highway Signs layout and California sizing guidance.
The G20-4 Pilot Car Follow Me sign is a California MUTCD work zone guide sign. It is shown here as an educational reference with the official FHWA Standard Highway Signs layout and California sizing guidance.
The G20-5aP Work Zone (plaque) sign is a California MUTCD work zone guide sign. It is shown here as an educational reference with the official FHWA Standard Highway Signs layout and California sizing guidance.
Official Sources (external)
This is an educational reference. Verify sign use, size, placement, and application against the current CA MUTCD, Caltrans sign specifications, Standard Plans, and the reviewing agency. Official source links are gathered in one place.
View official sourcesEducational reference only. This is not an official Caltrans, FHWA, or local agency publication and is not legal or engineering advice. Always verify sign selection, size, placement, spacing, and application against the current CA MUTCD 2026, Caltrans sign specifications, Standard Plans, project documents, and the reviewing agency’s requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the federal MUTCD and the CA MUTCD?
The federal MUTCD is the national standard published by FHWA. California adopts it as the CA MUTCD with state-specific modifications, and the CA MUTCD is what governs traffic control device use on California streets and highways. For California work, always verify against the CA MUTCD 2026, not the federal manual alone.
How far apart should advance warning signs be placed?
Advance warning sign spacing depends on the road type and posted speed. The CA MUTCD provides spacing tables (commonly referenced as A/B/C distances) — shorter on low-speed urban streets and longer on high-speed highways. Always set spacing from the CA MUTCD for the specific facility rather than a single fixed number.
Do temporary traffic control signs have to be orange?
Most warning and guide signs used in TTC zones use a fluorescent orange background with a black legend. Regulatory signs (such as ROAD CLOSED, STOP, or speed limits) keep their standard regulatory colors. Object markers and some guide signs use other standard colors.
Who reviews traffic control plans in Los Angeles?
For work in City of LA right-of-way, StreetsLA (Bureau of Street Services) and the Bureau of Engineering (BOE) may review the TCP. For state highways in LA County, Caltrans District 7 reviews the encroachment permit and TCP. County roads are permitted by LA County DPW. Requirements can exceed CA MUTCD minimums.
Can I download a free quick reference of these signs?
Yes. Use the Download Reference Sheet button above to get a free, printable PDF of the California temporary traffic control signs — no account or login required.
Need temporary traffic control signs for a California work zone?
Public Ready can help you rent, purchase, or coordinate the TTC signs in this list — including TCP sign legends and project-ready sign packages for California public right-of-way work.
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