Traffic Control Supervisor Program
CDOT's Traffic Control Supervisor (TCS) Program oversees the training approval and training standards for TCSs on CDOT construction projects. CDOT does not offer training for external traffic staff, consultants, contractors, companies, or vendors.
The Traffic Control Supervisor (TCS) is responsible for designing, setting up, and maintaining temporary traffic control in a work zone. Per CDOT Specification 630.11, the Traffic Control Supervisor shall be certified as a worksite traffic supervisor by an authorized entity and shall have a current flagger certification from an authorized entity. CDOT maintains separate training requirements depending on one's role on a construction project and more information can be found on this page.
TCS Endorsement - The endorsement issued by CDOT or other approved vendors upon completing the 2-day Traffic Control Supervisor (TCS) training and passing the exam.
TCS Certification - The certification issued by approved vendors upon completing the 2-day Traffic Control training, passing the exam, and obtaining the required number of in-field hours set forth by the specific training vendor.
CDOT approved vendors that can provide training for an endorsement or certification include the following:
- American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA)
Exam passing score of 82%, 4,000 in-field hours to obtain a TCS Certification, and a 4-year recertification period. - Colorado Contractors Association (CCA)
2,000 in-field hours to obtain a TCS Certification, and a 3-year recertification period. - Western Colorado Contractors Association (WCCA)
2,000 in-field hours to obtain a TCS Certification, and a 3-year recertification period. - National Safety Council (NSC)
A 2-year recertification period.
If an individual decides to pursue TCS Certification, the individual is responsible for tracking in-field hours. Currently, in-field hours consist of flagging duties, flagging labor duties, and performing TCS responsibilities in an apprentice-structured format.
PD1512.1 Mandatory Traffic Control Training
Procedural Directive 1512.1 "Mandatory Traffic Control Training" was signed September 22, 2022, and supersedes Policy Memo 22 "Mandatory Traffic Control Training," which was adopted by the Chief Engineer on October 10, 2004. The new Procedural Directive concerns traffic control training requirements for all parties involved in CDOT construction projects.
Procedural Directive 1512.1 establishes requirements and schedules for traffic control-related training for specific CDOT employees, consultants, contractors, and subcontractors that work within temporary traffic control work zones. In line with the Department's "Moving Towards Zero Deaths" initiative, the new Procedural Directive will help to improve work zone safety by ensuring that all parties involved understand and utilize the best practices and procedures when setting up, working in, and taking down work zones.
All Traffic Control Supervisors, including non-CDOT employees, responsible for implementing the Traffic Control Plan and setting up traffic control devices on CDOT construction projects or maintenance work on state highways, must obtain and maintain a TCS Certification through an approved vendor, as listed above, prior to working on CDOT projects. All CDOT Construction contracts must include contractual language or specifications with this requirement.
All Consultant Construction Personnel serving as inspectors or project engineers contracted with CDOT must obtain and maintain TCS Endorsements and Flagger Certifications, through an approved vendor, as listed above, prior to being assigned to CDOT construction projects. All CDOT consultant construction management contracts or task orders must include contractual language defining which consultant personnel require TCS Endorsements and Flagger Certifications.
All Contractor Superintendents and subcontractor supervisors, if implementing, supervising, or inspecting traffic control on CDOT projects, must obtain and maintain TCS Endorsements and Flagger Certifications through an approved vendor, as listed above, prior to being assigned to CDOT construction projects. All CDOT construction contracts must include contractual language or specifications with this requirement.
CDOT requires all employees with specific personnel classifications listed in PD 1512.1 to obtain and maintain a Flagger Certification and a Traffic Control Technician (TCT) Endorsement. CDOT requires all employees with specific personnel classifications listed in PD 1512.1 to progress to obtain and maintain a TCS Endorsement. Once a TCS Endorsement is earned, the CDOT employee will need to maintain a Flagger Certification but does not need to maintain a TCT Endorsement. All required certifications and endorsements are tracked in CDOT's Learning Management System (LMS).
Please see PD 1512.1 for the list of applicable CDOT personnel classifications for the CDOT Division of Maintenance & Operations, Intelligent Transportation Systems Branch, Regions, Area Engineering, Traffic Safety and Engineering Services, Safety Offices, and Permit Offices. PD 1512.1 applies to any CDOT employee in the personnel classifications listed who work as inspectors, assistant project engineers, project engineers, construction testers, and anyone who reviews, signs, or implements Methods of Handling Traffic (MHTs), and/or inspects or is involved with temporary traffic control on CDOT highways.
