Traffic Control vs. Flagging Services: What Is the Difference?

Many contractors search for traffic control services and flagging services, but they may not always know the difference. Both services are important for construction, roadwork, utility projects, and events, but they support the work zone in different ways.

Central Flagger Services provides both traffic control and flagging services in Edmonton, Calgary, and across Alberta.

What Are Traffic Control Services?

Traffic control services are the full setup and management of traffic flow around a work zone or event area. This may include planning, signage, cones, barricades, flaggers, lane closures, road closures, detours, and pedestrian control.

Traffic control services may include:

Work zone traffic management
Temporary traffic signs
Lane closure setup
Road closure support
Detour management
Cone and barricade placement
Pedestrian safety control
Event traffic control
Parking lot traffic control
Certified flaggers

What Are Flagging Services?

Flagging services focus on trained flaggers who directly control traffic at a site. Flaggers guide drivers, stop traffic when needed, allow equipment to cross safely, and help protect workers.

Flagging services may include:

Stop/slow paddle operation
One-way traffic control
Two-way traffic control
Construction entrance flagging
Equipment crossing control
Utility work flagging
Lane closure flagging
Roadwork flagging
Emergency flagging

Which Service Do You Need?

You may need flagging services if your project requires trained staff to direct traffic.

You may need traffic control services if your project requires a complete setup, including signs, cones, barricades, lane closures, detours, and flaggers.

Many projects require both traffic control and flagging services.