I work in Traffic Engineering Consulting.

A few years ago, one of my co-workers was in the field checking on hardware at a signalized intersection that was slated for some upgrades. He had on his orange safety vest and was opening pull boxes in the sidewalk nearest the signal hardware. Nothing outta the ordinary - right?

Some concerned citizens took notice and called the police - they feared he was a terrorist rigging a bomb or something at a busy intersection. Imagine that for a moment, our office design engineer in an orange vest and khakis on his hands and knees - elbow deep into a pull box - pulling and tugging at wires and whatever else was in that pull box.

Kinda silly - but I can see how an uninformed citizen could think its suspicous.

The police arrived and questioned my co-worker. He had proper ID and business cards. A quick call into the office to verify his purpose there and he was clear to go.

Ever since that incident - whenever someone from my office goes out for field work - we are encouraged to contact the local agency and tell them when and where we will be working. We're just doing out part in trying to avert a major public scare.

In the case of these guys - they cannot just blantantly put up signs and things on tunnels and roadways without proper approval. Ever heard of the MUTCD?