Chapter 60
TRAFFIC AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY

Contents

Approved by Richard DeBusk
Revised 11/12

60.1 Policy
60.2 Scope
60.3 Applicability
60.4 Exceptions
60.5 Roles and Responsibilities
60.6 Definitions
60.7 Required Work Processes

Work Process A. General Requirements
Work Process B. Pedestrians
Work Process C. Vehicle Use
Work Process D. Vehicle Accidents and Violations
Work Process E. Parking
Work Process F. Complying with Work Task Specific Regulations
Work Process G. Bicycle Use

60.8 Source Requirements
60.9 Reference Documents
60.10 Appendix. Motor Vehicle Accident Report

 

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60.1 Policy

The Traffic and Pedestrian Safety program ensures that drivers, Berkeley Lab shuttle bus users, cyclists, and pedestrians have a safe transportation experience at the Laboratory. The traffic and pedestrian safety requirements outlined here apply to government and personal vehicle use, Berkeley Lab shuttle bus use, bicycle use, and pedestrians at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab).
Operating a vehicle on the Berkeley Lab site is a privilege, not a right. Drivers or bicyclists who do not comply with the requirements of this program could lose their privilege to drive a motor vehicle or ride a bicycle on the Berkeley Lab site.
There are no specific training requirements for this program, but all employees, visitors, affiliates, and subcontractors should receive a traffic and/or pedestrian orientation from their manager, supervisor, or host as appropriate for their transportation activities.

60.2 Scope

The purpose of this program is to help ensure the safety of every employee, visitor, affiliate, and subcontractor at Berkeley Lab by:

1. Defining safety requirements for all on-site vehicle use (including bicycles), but with a special focus on government vehicles
2. Defining safe practices to ensure pedestrians and vehicles can coexist
3. Defining the specific roles and responsibilities for implementing the Traffic and Pedestrian Safety program at Berkeley Lab.

This program does not address the transportation of radiological (see Radiation Protection) or hazardous materials (see Hazardous Materials Transportation).

60.3 Applicability

The Berkeley Lab Traffic and Pedestrian Safety program applies to all employees, affiliates, and subcontractors who use Berkeley Lab roads and walkways. Additional requirements apply to staff authorized to use government vehicles.

60.4 Exceptions

There are no exceptions to the requirements of the Traffic and Pedestrian Safety program other than those provided by state law, such as adhering to speed limits for emergency vehicles.

60.5 Roles and Responsibilities

60.6 Definitions

60.7 Required Work Processes

Work Process A. General Requirements
Work Process B. Pedestrians
Work Process C. Vehicle Use
Work Process D. Vehicle Accidents and Violations
Work Process E. Parking
Work Process F. Complying with Work Task Specific Regulations
Work Process G. Bicycle Use

Work Process A. General Requirements

1. As a general rule, the speed limit on Berkeley Lab property is 25 mph (40 kmh) unless otherwise posted. Temporary conditions such as road repair, wet weather, poor visibility, and pedestrian traffic require a reduction in speed.
2. Because of peak traffic periods, limited parking, and general congestion, it is recommended that the Berkeley Lab shuttle bus and transportation services be used whenever possible.
3. There are no specific training requirements for this program, but all employees, visitors, affiliates, and subcontractors should receive a traffic and/or pedestrian orientation from their manager, supervisor, or host as appropriate for their transportation activities.

Work Process B. Pedestrians

Pedestrians are subject to the California Vehicle Code. Although they have the right of way at marked crosswalks and unmarked intersections, they must not move into the paths of moving vehicles so suddenly as to constitute a hazard. Pedestrians should stop before using a crosswalk and look in both directions to ensure it is safe to cross. At all other points on roadways, pedestrians must give way to vehicles. It is the responsibility of managers and supervisors to explain traffic rules to new members of their staff who might not be familiar with the California Vehicle Code (for example, visiting researchers).

Work Process C. Vehicle Use

1. Vehicle Use – Private Vehicles
1. As a general guide, the speed limit on Berkeley Lab property is 25 mph (40 kmh) unless otherwise posted. Temporary conditions such as road repair, wet weather, poor visibility, and pedestrian traffic require a reduction in speed.
2. Road use at Berkeley Lab is governed by the California Vehicle Code, which is enforced by UCPD. Road design, including temporary traffic control, is governed by the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
3. Because of peak traffic periods, limited parking, and general congestion, it is recommended that the Berkeley Lab shuttle bus and mass transit be used whenever possible.
2. Vehicle Use – Government Vehicles (Including GEMs)
1. Each division director is responsible for restricting the use of Laboratory vehicles to official Laboratory business and for limiting use of such vehicles to properly authorized personnel. Division directors must appoint vehicle custodians for every government vehicle assigned to their division. Use of an official vehicle for personal convenience or benefit constitutes misuse. Employees who misuse vehicles are subject to disciplinary action and financial responsibility for any accident.
2. Operators of Government Vehicle’s must:
1. Except for GEMs, keep records and logs of usage as required by the forms kept for each vehicle
2. Visually inspect the vehicle’s exterior (360-degree inspection) for any physical damage before use. If any damage is discovered, report such damage to the custodian; if the damage affects safe vehicle operations, have the damage corrected before operation or select another vehicle.
3. Not smoke inside the vehicle 
4. Wear seat belts whenever the vehicle is moving
5. Not use mobile phones when operating the vehicle
6. Secure the vehicle by placing the vehicle in park (no gear in GEMs) and engaging the parking brake before exiting the vehicle
7. Not operate GEM government vehicles off site
8. Comply with all state vehicle code requirements for operating the vehicle, including stopping for stop signs and not exceeding the posted speed limit
9. Report any problems, incidents, or accidents to appropriate law enforcement, Berkeley Lab Security, and the vehicle custodian as soon as possible. Report accidents in person or by phone, and complete the Motor Vehicle Accident Report on the Motor Pool Web site (see the A-Z Index on the Berkeley Lab Web site).

Work Process D. Vehicle Accidents and Violations

1. Reporting. The driver of any Berkeley Lab vehicle involved in an accident must immediately notify his or her supervisor (after responding to an emergency condition, such as receiving medical treatment or having your vehicle towed or removed from the road) and complete a Berkeley Lab Motor Vehicle Accident Report (see an example in the Appendix). The online form can be found through the Berkeley Lab A-Z Index, under Vehicle Accident Report.
2. On-Site Accidents. Any accident involving a vehicle used on official Laboratory business must be reported immediately by the driver to his or her supervisor (after responding to an emergency condition, such as receiving medical treatment or having your vehicle towed or removed from the road). If the driver is unable to make a report, another employee who knows the details of the accident must make the report.
3. Off-Site Accidents
1. The driver should first report the accident to local law enforcement (e.g., City of Berkeley Police Department), then to Berkeley Lab Site Security and his or her supervisor.
2. The employee should obtain adequate information about the drivers involved as well as the owners of the vehicles. Names, addresses, driver's license numbers, vehicle descriptions, damage level, and registration information are essential. A copy of the police report must be sent to Berkeley Lab, so the driver will need the name and department of the investigating officer. A printed card titled "In Case of Accident" is kept in each official vehicle to assist in collecting required information. NOTE: It is good business practice not to admit responsibility for vehicle accidents occurring while on official business. Responsibility will be determined via the accident investigation process.
3. The Environment, Health, Safety, and Security (EHSS) Division must receive copies of all accident reports and will prepare any required reports for DOE. (See Occurrence Reporting).
4. Investigation. Vehicle accidents are investigated by representatives of the Facilities Division Fleet Operations Manager and the Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Committee. Accidents are investigated according to Incident Reviewing and Reporting. This will include a review of any accidents resulting in injury or damage to government property, including structures and vehicles.
5. Licenses. Drivers of official Berkeley Lab vehicles must hold a valid California driver’s license with the necessary endorsements for the class of vehicle they are authorized to operate. (For information about training for forklift operations, see Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) Training.
6. Moving Violations. Any operator of a government vehicle at Berkeley Lab who receives a ticket (violates the California Vehicle Code) must report this violation to his or her manager within one business day.
7. Parking Violations. Parking violations are enforced per Section D.4, Parking Policy Enforcement, in the Parking at Berkeley Lab policy in the RPM.

Work Process E. Parking

1. Vehicles parking on Berkeley Lab property must also adhere to the parking designations, listed below:
   
   

Parking Designation	Definition
Official Vehicle	Only Laboratory vehicles may park here.
Reserved Parking	Only vehicles with designated license numbers may park here.
Time Zone Lanes	All vehicles must be prepared to move at the time indicated.
Compact Car	Vehicles must not extend beyond the rear limit line.
General Parking	Vehicles must be parked in designated places only and must not extend beyond the stripes, the rear limit lines, or the edge of the road.
Permit Parking	Only holders of designated permits are allowed in the indicated parking place.



2. Parking permits are issued by the Badge Office. See Section D.2, Parking Permits and Eligibility, in the Parking at Berkeley Lab policy in the RPM, for a list of parking permits that may be issued for associated authorized parking spaces.

Work Process F. Complying with Work Task Specific Regulations

1. Seat Belt Usage. In accordance with the California seat-belt law (CVC 27315), all employees operating or riding in any vehicle on the Berkeley Lab site must wear a seat belt at all times. The driver must not operate the vehicle until everyone has fastened his or her seat belts.
2. Department of Transportation (DOT) Regulations
1. DOT requirements for drug and alcohol testing are implemented at Berkeley Lab through the Transportation Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing Program, which is a part of the Laboratory’s Workplace Substance Abuse policy in the RPM.
2. The DOT rules apply to all employees and contract labor personnel who hold a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) in order to drive a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) on highways, and/or operate:
1. A vehicle with a gross combination or gross vehicle weight of at least 26,001 pounds inclusive of a towed unit with a gross vehicle rating of more than 10,000 pounds
2. A vehicle originally designed or currently designed to transport 16 or more passengers including the driver or
3. A vehicle of any size used to transport hazardous materials found in the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, and which requires the motor vehicle to be placarded under the Hazardous Materials Regulations.
3. A Berkeley Lab employee or contractor may not drive a Laboratory CMV unless his or her name appears on the current Laboratory CDL-holders list maintained by the Human Resources Department. The list indicates that the driver is subject to the random drug testing provisions of the DOT Rule.
4. The following classifications are subject to the drug and alcohol use rules and substances abuse testing provisions of the DOT Rule:
1. Crane operators
2. Vehicle mechanic
3. Designated health/safety technicians (senior and principal)
5. In addition to being subject to testing for the use of illegal drugs at any time while at work, such individuals are subject to alcohol testing during those periods of time when they are currently performing, have recently performed, are about to perform, or are required to be in readiness to perform and immediately available to perform any of the following safety-sensitive duties as described in the DOT federal regulations, including:
1. At a carrier's facility or any public property waiting to be dispatched
2. Inspecting, servicing, or conditioning a CMV
3. Driving a CMV
4. All time in or upon a CMV except in a sleeper berth
5. Performing, supervising, assisting, or attending CMV loading or unloading, including processing paperwork
6. Performing post-accident duties
7. Repairing, obtaining assistance, or attending a disabled CMV
6. Information regarding the DOT Rule or the Transportation Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing Program can be obtained from the Human Resources Department.

Work Process G. Bicycle Use

1. Berkeley Lab's bicycle safety policy, which reminds bicyclists to exercise caution while traveling on the Laboratory's steep and winding roads, is outlined below:
1. Individuals who wish to ride a bicycle on Laboratory property are encouraged to obtain a permit from the Site Access Office. These voluntary permits are available as a means to facilitate access through the entry gates at the Laboratory for bicyclists.
2. All bicycle riders on Laboratory property must wear helmets that have been approved by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) or the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
3. The use of flashing rear lights and reflective devices or clothing above and beyond what is specified in the CVC is strongly encouraged by the Laboratory to improve the visibility of riders on the roadways.
4. Additionally, cyclists, like operators of motor vehicles and motorcycles, must obey all California Vehicle Code (CVC) and Berkeley Lab traffic and parking regulations when riding on Laboratory property. This includes, but is not limited to:
1. Obeying all posted speed limits or the basic speed law, whichever is slower
2. Obeying all traffic rules and signs
3. Using a headlamp (white lamp) during periods of darkness
2. The use of skateboards is prohibited on site.
3. Bicycle Parking. Bicycles (or motor vehicles) may not be parked in areas that could compromise the access to or use of life safety or emergency equipment (e.g., fire hydrants, fire alarms, fire extinguishers, emergency rescue boxes). Bicycles are also prohibited from being parked in building corridors, stairwells, entrances, or exits, or other areas that could interfere with proper access and egress from Laboratory buildings.

60.8 Source Requirements

• California Vehicle Code (CVC), most current edition
• 10 CFR 851, Worker Safety and Health Program, Appendix A, Section 9, “Motor Vehicle Safety”
• PUB 3000 Chapter 54 Hazardous Material Transportation
• 29 CFR 1910, OSHA General Industry Standards
• 29 CFR 1926, OSHA Construction Industry Standards
• 49 CFR 40, Procedures for Workplace Drug Testing Programs
• 49 CFR 382, Controlled Substances and Alcohol Use and Testing

60.9 Reference Documents

60.10 Appendix

Example of a Motor Vehicle Accident Report Form

(From the Berkeley Lab A-Z Index, under Vehicle Accident Report)

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