California traffic control plan requirements
California publishes its own manual, the CA MUTCD 2026. Taper length, channelizing device spacing and advance warning sign placement come from Part 6; individual cities layer their own submittal checklists on top.
What governs in California
CA MUTCDProvisionalCalifornia publishes its own manual, the CA MUTCD 2026.
- California publishes its own manual; the CTCDC reviewed a 2026 Part 6 in October 2025.
- Outside the launch states — California TTC plans are generally PE-gated, which is a licensing barrier this product does not clear. Its Part 6 has not been transcribed.
We have not read this state’s Part 6 directly, so the figures below are federal MUTCD values. Check them against the governing document before you submit.
California requires a professional engineer stamp
Caltrans requires plans signed and stamped by a California Registered Civil or Traffic Engineer, and most California cities follow. Conemap does not produce stamped plans.
Taper length for California work zones
Enter the posted speed and the width of the lateral offset. The base length L comes from MUTCD 11th Edition Table 6B-4, with the taper-type criterion from Table 6B-3.
Posted speed limit, off-peak 85th-percentile speed prior to work starting, or anticipated operating speed.
How far traffic is moved sideways — usually the width of the closed lane.
Merging taper length
245ft
L = W × S² ÷ 60 = 12 × 35² ÷ 60 = 245.0 ft
MUTCD 11th Ed, Tables 6B-3 and 6B-4 — at least L
Plan view
8 devices at 35 ftLength is to scale; the lateral offset is exaggerated so the taper is legible.
All taper types at these conditions
MUTCD 11th Ed, Tables 6B-3 and 6B-4Merging taper
at least L
245 ft
Shifting taper
at least 0.5 L
125 ft
Shoulder taper
at least 0.33 L
85 ft
One-lane, two-way traffic taper
50 ft min, 100 ft max
50 ft
Downstream taper
50 ft min, 100 ft max
50 ft
Channelizing devices
MUTCD 11th Ed, Section 6K.01Maximum spacing in this taper
1 × 35 mph
35 ft
Devices required
One at each end, evenly spaced between
8