Traffic control operations on public roadways in Centralia are overseen by public agencies called traffic authorities. Like LawEnforcement agencies, traffic authorities exist at both the national and municipal levels of government, with the Royal Centralia Traffic Authority carrying out traffic control duties on national highways and outside of municipalities, while municipalities maintain their own traffic authorities to operate on city streets.

Officers of a traffic authority are called traffic marshals.

Uniforms

The typical uniform of a traffic marshal consists of a high-visibility safety vest marked TRAFFIC over a grey polo shirt, worn with khaki slacks. The safety vest may be of any color, though blaze orange is the most common, to distinguish from the fluorescent yellow-green vests worn by police. The vest must be worn at all times while working on or near a roadway.

Vehicles and equipment

Vehicles used exclusively for traffic control are usually fluorescent yellow-green light-duty trucks, equipped with an electronic arrow board and amber and green flashing warning lights. Traffic control trucks typically carry traffic cones, road flares, and a selection of commonly used signs, such as ROAD CLOSED, LANE CLOSED, and portable STOP signs.

Former police vehicles are often repurposed as traffic control vehicles, painted fluorescent yellow-green. Such vehicles are often used primarily for parking enforcement, especially in urban areas.

Duties

Traffic control

Accident investigation

Traffic authorities are tasked with the investigation of motor vehicle collisions, including establishing fault and liability. Traffic authorities do not perform enforcement actions such as issuing citations, but may report suspected traffic code violations to the RoyalHighwayPatrol or local police for investigation.

Roadside assistance

Parking enforcement

Traffic authorities are responsible for the enforcement of parking regulations on public streets and public parking lots, as well as the enforcement of disability parking restrictions in private parking lots. Larger agencies often maintain a dedicated parking enforcement division.

Tourist information (Serenity Circle)

Within the SerenityCircle, the small district immediately surrounding the PalaceOfSerenity, there are no traffic signals, and major intersections are controlled by marshals of the QueenCity Metropolitan Traffic Authority at all times. It is common for tourists to stop in an intersection and attempt to ask the traffic marshal for directions. As this creates a hazardous distraction for the marshal directing traffic, the QCMTA has implemented a tourist information program. Every day, a small number of Serenity Circle traffic marshals are assigned to "tourist duty", walking about the district providing directions and information to members of the public.

Traffic marshals on tourist duty wear a distinct uniform, featuring a fluorescent pink high-visibility vest marked INFORMATION, to differentiate themselves from those actively performing traffic control duties. If a marshal is asked for directions while directing traffic, they will direct the driver to the nearest tourist information guide: "Please go talk to my colleague in the pink vest. They should be able to help you."