A Traffic Control Plan, a key element in ensuring safety, describes temporary traffic control measures to facilitate all road users (drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians, including people with disabilities) through a work zone or an incident area. These plans are vital in providing continuity of safe and efficient road user flow when a work zone, incident, or other event temporarily disrupts normal flow. They also allow for including important auxiliary provisions that cannot conveniently be specified in project plans, which can be incorporated into Special Provisions within the traffic control plan.

Traffic control plans range in scope from very detailed to referencing typical drawings in the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, standard approved highway agency drawings and manuals, or specific drawings in the contract documents.  The degree of detail in the Traffic Control Plan depends entirely on the nature and complexity of the situation.