The 2003 Edition of the MUTCD Federal Highway

The 2003 Edition of the MUTCD Federal Highway Administration Office of Transportation Operations MUTCD Team

Why a New 2003 MUTCD? 1988 2000 2003

FHWA Process Notice of Proposed Amendments Analysis of Comments…

Comments--Where the Interest Lies § § § Gen/Intro Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 TOTAL Proposed Changes 8 15 381 89 88 32 251 28 49 54 61 1071 Significant Changes 4 6 114 24 35 7 59 8 16 16 25 316 Docket Comments 118 82 1122 295 43 1654 103 210 383 186 5000+

Final Rule for 2003 MUTCD Published in November 20, 2003 Federal Register

FHWA MUTCD Team Members Ernie Huckaby Linda Brown Fred Ranck Scott Wainwright Guan Xu Pete Rusch

Format of the 2003 MUTCD • New cover design • Websiteposted 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. 2 E. 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 Replacement of damaged non-compliant device via maintenance activities after a crash or other event: • Option for agencies to establish policies re: • replace with compliant device; or • replace in kind under some conditions

MUTCD Table of Contents

Appendix A 1: Congressional Legislation Ø PL 104 -59: NHS Act of 1995, Section 306 Motorist Call Boxes

Part 1: General

Section 1 A. 03 Design of Traffic Control Devices Ø 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 1 A. 10 Requests for Interpretations, Experimentations, etc. Ø Requirement to submit requests to FHWA Office of Transportation Operations Ø Examples provided to clarify what is a TCD “concept” vs. “device” (re: “patented or copyrighted”)

Section 1 A. 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 1 A. 10 Figure 1 A-2 --Interim Approval Added

Section 1 A. 11 Relation to Other Documents Ø Standard Highway Signs book and Color Specifications (23 CFR 655) incorporated by reference into MUTCD Ø 11 additions to list of referenced documents Ø Latest dates for all publications cited

Section 1 A. 12 New Color Fluorescent Pink Ø Optional use for Incident Management signs Ø “Color box” (coordinates) established Ø “Coral” color remains unassigned

Section 1 A. 13 Definitions of Words and Phrases Ø Revised some definitions and added some definitions to this section. Ø The term “Preferential Lane Marking” is no longer used.

Section 1 A. 14 Abbreviations Used on Traffic Control Devices Ø Abbreviations for word messages shown in Table 1 A-1 are the only abbreviations to be used for those word messages. Ø Consistency recommended within jurisdiction when more than one abbreviation is allowed.

Table 1 A-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 1 A-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 1 A-2 Abbreviations Acceptable Only with a Prompt Word Abbreviation Chemical (CHEM) Route (RT or RTE) Prompt Word Spill Best* (* Prompt word precedes abbreviation)