09/14/2021
It’s getting to that time of year again where the days become shorter and at the time most of us are coming into work and going home, it’s dark outside.
With the hours of daylight getting shorter as we head towards fall/winter, please see below for operational requirements during times of reduced visibility. Stay Alert, Stay Safe!
FAQ about JBLM Requirements During Periods of Reduced Visibility
Last Update: 4 September 2020
Especially during fall and winter, the Joint Base Safety Office receives many questions about the responsibilities of drivers and pedestrians on installation roadways during hours of reduced visibility. Some of these questions undoubtedly arise owing to the many sources of guidance on the subject. Here are some of the more common questions and the answers, as found in the various current official publications. You will notice some inconsistencies among the various policies. Direct questions about a particular requirement to the proponent of the publication.
1. Question: What is meant by periods of reduced or limited visibility?
Reduced visibility is defined as any time from a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise and at any other time when, due to insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions, persons and vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible at a distance of one thousand feet ahead. (JBLM REG 190-5, para 9b(5); RCW 46.37.020)
2. Question: What are the standards that apply to individuals or small groups doing fitness training in reduced visibility?
a. All persons using base streets and roads for fitness training will wear some type of reflective outer garments or device(s). Fitness training includes running, walking, bicycling, and other similar activities. When conducting PT outdoors on JBLM, all personnel in groups or individually will wear reflective safety belts at all times except during hours of daylight (sunrise + 1 hour to 1 hour before sunset). Runners will always carry identification. (JBLM REG 190-5, para 12f; AR 385-10, para 11-11a(7))
b. All Soldiers will wear a reflective belt (blue belts are prohibited due to not being reflective) while wearing the IPFU, whether as a unit or as an individual. The reflective belt may be removed inside fitness centers while lifting weights. (I Corps REG 210-6, para 21).
c. At ALL times, individuals/informal running groups will use sidewalks and road shoulders when available. They will run facing traffic and will not run on the roadway and will not force vehicular traffic to cross traffic lanes. Runners may use roadways that have been marked or coned off for morning PT hours. JBLM Regulation 190-5, 12e.
3. Question: What are the standards for PT formations, tactical road marches and small group running during periods of reduced visibility?
a. Assigned formation safety personnel will run at the front and rear of each squad-size or larger formation. Safety personnel will carry coned flashlights during periods of reduced visibility. (JBLM REG 350-2, Chapter 3-1, b(1), PT Safety).
b. Platoon and larger formations must ensure they have enough road guards to cover intersections. Platoon and larger formations will designate and maintain a minimum of four road guards. (JBLM REG 350-2, Chapter 3-1, b(2), PT Safety)
c. Running groups of squad size and larger will designate one or more straggler control personnel. Straggler control personnel will carry coned flashlights during periods of darkness or limited visibility. (JBLM REG 350-2, Chapter 3-1, b(3), PT Safety)
d. Fluorescent or reflective personal protective equipment shall be provided to and used by all personnel who are exposed to traffic hazards as a part of their assigned duties, for example, marching/running/jogging troops, road guards, traffic control personnel (AR 385-10, para 11-11c(1)).
e. Commanders and responsible individuals will procure reflective belts (Lime Yellow, NSN 8465-01-225-4661) and ensure their use by road guards, the Officers in Charge (OIC)/NCOIC’s of marching/running formations, and soldiers in leading and trailing guard positions of all formations. During the hours of darkness and reduced visibility, road guards and both leading and trailing traffic guards will be equipped with military flashlights with white cone (NSN 6230-00-926-4331). (JBLM REG 350-2, App B, para b)
f. Marching/running formations will face the oncoming traffic and occupy only one lane of the paved roadway at any time (to include individuals leading the formation)…During the hours of darkness or reduced visibility, the leading and trailing traffic guards will march/run 50 meters in front (flashlight beam directed forward) and to the rear (flashlight beam directed rearward) of each formation. At no time will foot marches or runs be conducted on East Gate Road between Gray Army Airfield and State Route 507, DuPont-Steilacoom Road, Jackson Avenue, Pendleton Avenue, Main Street, Flora Road, Vancouver Road, I Street, A Street or any other roadway listed on the PT Route Map as prohibited. (JBLM REG 350-2, App B, para c)
g. The senior member of the formation will ensure that road guards, with reflectorized belt or vest, are posted 50 meters to the front and rear of the formation to halt traffic in all directions prior to crossing a roadway or intersection…Coned lights will be used during hours of darkness or poor visibility. (JBLM REG 190-5, para 12g(3))
h. In the range complex, Foot marches are scheduled per Chapter 4 and are confined to road shoulders. Lead and trail personnel must wear reflective belts or vests, visible to front and rear. All vehicles must slow to 10 mph or less when meeting or passing foot marches. Where a range road is paralleled by an adjacent tank trail, foot marches must be on the tank trail. Routes where foot marches must keep off the pavement and road shoulders are:
(1) East Gate Road between the Main Post cantonment area and State Route 507 (ET318127-ET393097).
(2) Story Road around the south and east sides of Training Area 5 (ET285090-ET328104).
(3) 33d Division Road between Cherry Hill and the Roy Gate (ET326110-ET336055).
(FL REG 350-30, para 14-7a)
i. Night foot marches require pilot and trail military vehicles with hazard flashers illuminated to warn oncoming or overtaking traffic. Oncoming vehicles will slow to 10 mph or less and switch to blackout, marker or parking lights, or will pull off the road at the nearest safe exit, extinguish all but marker or parking lights, and await clearance from the trail vehicle. Units without TOE military vehicles must use GSA admin vehicles, or must post pilot and trail personnel with white flashlights and reflective vests. (FL Reg 350-30, para. 14-7b)
j. All Soldiers will wear the reflective belt horizontally around their rucksack/assault pack for both conditioning and tactical foot marches. During conditioning foot marches, an additional reflective belt will be on the front of the Soldier. During tactical foot marches, commanders will equip every marching Soldier with additional luminous or reflective devices that will allow the Soldier to be seen from the front and rear traffic (I Corps REG 210-6, para 28 a & b).
k. Units should be aware that some GSA and civilian vehicles feature daytime driving lights that cannot be extinguished by the operator regardless of light conditions. It may be necessary for such vehicles to turn off engines while NVD convoys pass. (FL Reg 350-30, para 14-7c)
4. Question: What requirements are there for vehicle operators during periods of reduced visibility?
a. In the State of Washington, you must turn on vehicle headlights from 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise, and during other periods of poor or limited visibility. During hours of darkness, dimming of headlights is required when approaching a vehicle within 500 feet or following a vehicle at a distance of within 300 feet. (RCW 46.37.230)
b. All vehicle operators on base and outside of blackout drive areas will drive with headlights on. Vehicles will never be driven with only parking lights illuminated (JBLM REG 190-5, para 9b(5)).
c. When bicycling on DOD installation during hours of darkness or reduced visibility, bicycles will be equipped with operable head and tail lights, and the cyclist will wear a reflective belt (or reflective upper outer garment) (JBLM REG 190-5, para 9f; AR 385-10, para 11-11b(5)).
d. During hours of darkness bicycle and other human-powered vehicle riders will wear reflector belt, retro-reflective vest/jacket or outer garment containing retro-reflective material. In addition, Every bicycle when in use during the hours of darkness as defined in RCW 46.37.020 shall be equipped with a lamp on the front which shall emit a white light visible from a distance of at least five hundred feet to the front and with a red reflector on the rear of a type approved by the state patrol which shall be visible from all distances up to six hundred feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of head lamps on a motor vehicle. A lamp emitting a red light visible from a distance of five hundred feet to the rear may be used in addition to the red reflector. A light-emitting diode flashing taillight visible from a distance of five hundred feet to the rear may also be used in addition to the red reflector. (RCW 46.61.780, JBLM REG 190-5, para 9f, AFI 92-207, para 3.7.4).
e. You must ensure the original factory equipment on your vehicle is maintained in proper working conditions. (JBLM REG 190-5, para 9b(8))
f. Emergency vehicle operators must operate at speeds that are reasonable for weather, visibility, traffic and roadway conditions. (JBLM REG 190-5, para 9c(2))
g. You must drive your vehicle at speeds that are reasonable and prudent under prevailing conditions, and allow for the actual and potential hazards. (JBLM REG 190-5, para 10c.)
h. Any vehicle lighting and equipment must be in good working order and meet the standards established by RCW 46.37. (JBLM REG 190-5, para 11d)
i. When approaching and passing troop formations (During Physical Training (PT) as well as foot/road marches) from any direction, the speed limit is 10 miles per hour, whether in limited visibility or not. Drivers (to include bicycles) will pass with the utmost caution only after verifying that the roadway ahead is clear. (JBLM REG 190-5, para 10d(1); I Corps Reg 210-6, para 31e, FL Reg 350-30 para 14-7, JBLM REG 350-2, App B, para 3).
j. Motorcycle, moped, motorbike operators must ensure that:
(1) The headlights and taillights of their vehicle are turned on at all times. (JBLM REG 190-5 para 9d(1))
(2) They and all passengers have highly reflective clothing or vests on whenever in operation (JBLM REG 190-5, para 9d(2))
5. Question: What about requirements for night operations with tactical vehicles?
a. All vehicles traveling in convoys on paved installation roadways will turn on headlights and hazard lights, and when possible use warning placards on the lead and trail vehicles. (JBLM REG 190-5, para 9e(1))
b. The lead vehicle of any convoy involving combat vehicles will use appropriate illumination and visibility equipment (lights and 4-way flashers) at all times when operating in the cantonment area. (JBLM REG 190-5, para 10e(2))
c. Night vehicular marches are conducted as follows: (FL Reg 350-30, para 14-8b)
(1) Black-out road marches are prohibited in cantonment areas, on public routes listed below, or on the high-speed portion of East Gate Road west of State Route 507.
(2) During black-out road marches, pilot and trail vehicles will be designated. The pilot will flash its headlights to warn oncoming night vision device (NVD) or service-drive vehicles. Blackout marches have right of way. Oncoming vehicles will slow to 10 mph and switch to blackout, marker, or parking lights, or will pull off the road at the nearest safe exit, extinguish all but marker or parking lights, and await clearance from the trail vehicle. Trail vehicles must be illuminated with hazard flashers or a rotating amber light.
(3) Trainers conducting NVD night marches must ensure that unit NVD training programs adhere to AR 600-55 as a minimum, and that pre-event safety briefings include a review of limitations of the devices, especially restriction of peripheral vision, limits in seeing through obscurants (smoke, fog, dust), need for PM and careful handling of NVDs, risk of overdriving field of view, and temporary loss of night vision.
d. Wheeled vehicle convoys crossing any high-speed public route listed in Chapter 14 of FL Reg 350-30, day or night, must place a ground guide to warn convoy vehicles of oncoming traffic. Convoy vehicles must cross one at a time, and must always yield right-of-way to traffic on the civilian route. Between dawn and dusk, and when visibility is otherwise reduced, convoy vehicles must use service drive lights during crossings. (FL Reg 350-30, 14-8c)
e. Under no circumstances will units attempt to stop civilian traffic on high-speed routes so that convoys can have priority in crossing. Convoys and military vehicles never have the right-of-way on these crossings. (FL Reg 350-30, 14-8c)
f. Individual vehicles crossing a public route listed below will come to a full stop short of the pavement, turn on service lights, ensure that a clear view is available in both directions, and proceed only when there is ample clearance between vehicles in the cross-traffic. (FL Reg 350-30, para 14-8d)
6. Question: What about requirements for other night or reduced visibility operations?
a. All personnel who are exposed to traffic hazards as part of their assigned duties shall wear fluorescent or reflective personal protective equipment; for example, marching, running, and jogging troops (not in a formation), road guards, traffic control personnel, road construction crews, personnel conducting police call, electricians, or telephone repair personnel working on outside overhead lines. (AR 385-10, para 11-11c(1))
