Traffic guard
{{Short description|Person who directs traffic through a construction site or other temporary traffic control zone}}
{{Redirect|Flagger}}
{{Distinguish|Traffic police}}
{{Infobox Occupation
| name= Traffic guard
| image= 250px
| caption= Japanese traffic guard
| official_names= Flagger, Traffic Controller, Traffic Marshall/Traffic Marshal
| type= Employment
| activity_sector= Traffic, Security
| related_occupation= Traffic Police, Security Guard
| average_salary=
}}
Image:Советская регулировщица Н. Клименко в предместье Вены.jpg
File:Chicago 2007-4.jpg in Chicago]]
Traffic guards, also known as traffic controllers, traffic marshalls/traffic marshals or flaggers, are trained to set up warning signs and barricades to slow down the speed of traffic in a temporary traffic control zone. When they are on scene they will set up equipment to warn approaching traffic about the incident.{{cite web |title=Traffic Controllers (Flagger) |url=https://webapps.dot.ny.gov/traffic-controllers-flagger |website=ny.gov |publisher=New York State DOT |access-date=20 September 2021}}
Equipment
Automated traffic controls
In some cases, alternatives to human traffic guards are used for traffic control. Traffic guards may be assisted by Automated flagger assistance devices (AFADs) so that they can stay out of the roadway when directing traffic.{{cite journal |last1=Finley |first1=Melisa D |title=Field Evaluation of Automated Flagger Assistance Devices in Work Zones on Two-Lane Roads |journal=Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board |date=January 1, 2013 |volume=2337 |issue=1 |pages=1–8 |doi=10.3141/2337-01 |s2cid=109343882 |url=https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.3141/2337-01 |access-date=20 September 2021|url-access=subscription }} Temporary traffic lights or yield signs may also be used as an alternative to human traffic guards.{{cite journal |last1=Ullman |first1=G L |last2=Levine |first2=S Z |last3=Booker |first3=S C |title=Flagger safety and alternatives to manual flagging |journal=Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board |date=April 1987 |issue=406–1F |page=56 |url=https://trid.trb.org/view/1186265 |access-date=20 September 2021}}