the 2003 edition of the mutcd federal highway administration office of transportation operations...
TRANSCRIPT
The 2003 Edition of the MUTCD
Federal Highway Administration
Office of Transportation Operations
MUTCD Team
FHWA Process
Notice of Proposed Amendments
Analysis of Comments…
Comments--- Where the Interest Lies
Proposed Significant Docket Changes Changes Comments
Gen/Intro 8 4 118 Part 1 15 6 82 Part 2 381 114 1122 Part 3 89 24 222 Part 4 88 35 295 Part 5 32 7 43 Part 6 251 59 1654 Part 7 28 8 103 Part 8 49 16 210 Part 9 54 16 383 Part 10 61 25 186
TOTAL 1071 316 5000+
Final Rule for 2003 MUTCD
Published in November 20, 2003
Federal Register
FHWAMUTCD Team Members
Ernie Huckaby Linda Brown Fred Ranck
Scott Wainwright Guan Xu Pete Rusch
Format of the 2003 MUTCD
• New cover design
• Website-posted PDF files are official
• Printed books sold by ITE, AASHTO, ATSSA, and GPO.
Format of the 2003 MUTCD
508-compliant HTML web version (accessible to blind & low-vision persons)
Format of the 2003 MUTCD
HTML Version has:
Search Engine
Hot Links
“Search the MUTCD”
“Search the MUTCD”
Format of the 2003 MUTCD
30% fewer pages… Only 2/3 as thick as 2001 AASHTO Green Book
More Words Per Page
2000 2003
Graphics Improvements
2000
2003
“Pattern- Accurate Fonts and Spacing
General and Global Changes
• Consistency between MUTCD and SHS
• Signs shown with correct relative sizes
• Metric conversion errors and inconsistencies corrected
• Editorial improvements to some words and phrases
General and Global Changes (cont’d)
• All illustrations have Figure numbers and titles
• Figures correctly titled as “Examples of” or “Typical”
• Expanded coverage of existing ADA requirements that pertain to TCDs
MUTCD Introductory Pages (Pages i and ii)
• 5 additional organizations listed
• Website addresses added for all
MUTCD Introduction• Corrected reference to Code of Federal Regulations
• Numerals for times, distances, speed limits, and weights shown in sign images in the figures should be regarded as examples only
Guidance: (Sec. 2E.39)
“The sign legend should identify the region or area followed by the words
NEXT X EXITS.”
MUTCD Introduction
• Organization---Parts, Chapters, Sections
• Paragraphs, lettered or numbered items
• How to accurately cite a specific sentence in the MUTCD
MUTCD Introduction
• Requirements for States to Adopt Changes in MUTCD within 2 years (per CFR)
• 78 Phase-in Target Compliance Dates for Devices, includes:
- Dates established by previous final rules
- New dates established by 2003 MUTCD final rule
MUTCD Introduction
• Option for agencies to establish policies re:
• replace with compliant device;
or
• replace in kind under some conditions
Replacement of damaged non-compliant device via maintenance activities after a
crash or other event:
MUTCD Table of Contents
Appendix A1: Congressional
Legislation
PL 104-59: NHS Act of 1995, Section 306
Motorist Call Boxes
Part 1: General
Section 1A.03
Design of Traffic Control Devices
All symbols shall be unmistakably similar to, or mirror images of, the adopted symbol signs, “all of which are shown in the SHS Book.”
Section 1A.10
Requests for Interpretations,
Experimentations, etc. Requirement to submit
requests to FHWA Office of Transportation Operations
Examples provided to clarify what is a TCD “concept” vs. “device” (re: “patented or copyrighted”)
Section 1A.10
New Interim Approval Process
Authority for FHWA to give interim approvals: After evaluations & decision to propose for
next MUTCD revision Allows use while formal MUTCD rulemaking is
initiated and proceeds No further “experimentation” or paperwork
requirements after Interim Approval Small “risk” to agencies using devices under
Interim Approval.
Section 1A.10
Figure 1A-2---Interim Approval Added
Section 1A.11
Relation to Other Documents
Standard Highway Signs book and Color Specifications (23 CFR 655) incorporated by reference into MUTCD
11 additions to list of referenced documents
Latest dates for all publications cited
Section 1A.12
New ColorFluorescent Pink
Optional use for Incident Management signs
“Color box” (coordinates) established “Coral” color remains unassigned
Section 1A.13
Definitions of Words and Phrases
Revised some definitions and added some definitions to this section.
The term “Preferential Lane Marking” is no longer used.
Section 1A.14
Abbreviations Used on Traffic Control Devices
Abbreviations for word messages shown in Table 1A-1 are the only abbreviations to be used for those word messages.
Consistency recommended within jurisdiction when more than one abbreviation is allowed.
Table 1A-1
Acceptable Abbreviations Used on TCDs
Abbreviations Added:
Circle (CIR) Trail (TR)
Terrace (TER) Court (CT)
Parkway (PKWY) Place (PL)
Inherently Low Emissions Vehicle (ILEV)
Eastbound, Westbound, etc. (E-BND, W-BND, etc.)
Table 1A-1
Acceptable Abbreviations Used on TCDs
Alternative Abbreviation Added:
Avenue (AVE or AV)
Alternative Abbreviation Deleted:
Miles Per Hour (MPH or M.P.H.)
Table 1A-2
Abbreviations Acceptable Only with a Prompt Word
Abbreviation Prompt Word
Chemical (CHEM) Spill
Route (RT or RTE) Best*
(* Prompt word precedes abbreviation)