Whats in the 2009 MUTCD For Bicyclists Richard

What's in the 2009 MUTCD For Bicyclists? Richard C. Moeur, PE Chair, NCUTCD Bicycle Technical Committee

NCUTCD • National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices advises FHWA on MUTCD • NCUTCD has been developing new & revised content for the new MUTCD over past 8+ years

NCUTCD • MUTCD changes initiated by • Requests by public agencies • Items identified by FHWA • Issues identified by BTC • NCUTCD recommendations based on • Research & experimentation • Expert review & analysis

New 2009 MUTCD • Final Rule issued December 16, 2009 • In effect at Federal level January 15, 2010 • States have 2 years to adopt (by January 2012)

Parts of MUTCD • • • Introduction Part 1 - General Part 2 - Signs Part 3 - Markings Part 4 - Signals Part 5 - Low Volume Roads Part 6 - Temporary Traffic Control Part 7 - Schools Part 8 - Railroad & Light Rail (Part 10 moved into Part 8) Part 9 - Bicycles

Significant Changes MUTCD • Old MUTCD: All devices must be compliant • Agencies were required to update devices, both new and existing • New MUTCD: Only new devices must be compliant • Agencies are required to update devices as they wear out • Older devices can remain for "remaining service life" unless there's a defined compliance date

Significant Changes MUTCD • Railroad & Light Rail parts combined • Fluorescent Yellow-Green: • School Signs - Required • Bicycle & Pedestrian Signs - Optional

Significant Changes MUTCD • New Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon • (AKA "HAWK") • Can be used at path-roadway crossings

Significant Changes - Part 9 • • • Revised sign height & offset standards Signing no longer mandatory along bike lanes New "Bikes May Use Full Lane" regulatory sign New signs for path users (skaters, equestrians) New combo Bicycle/Pedestrian warning sign New bicycle-focused guide signs, route markers, and mileposts • New shared lane marking

Sign Height/Offset For Paths • Deleted maximum mounting height & maximum offset • Increases flexibility for practitioners without compromising safety • Conforms with sign mounting on other facility types

Sign Height/Offset For Paths

Bike Lanes - Signing • BIKE LANE signs are recommended, but no longer mandatory • Signs are still the same

Bikes May Use Full Lane Sign • Optional for use in "narrow" lanes • Can be used independently, or with SLM • Supported by UVC and many states' laws

New Signs for Path Users

New Combo Bike/Ped Sign • Optional for use at path crossings • Shows 2 types of primary path users • Cannot "fix" problems at sidepath intersections

New Bicycle-Focused Guide Signs • Provide detailed routing / destination / distance information • Greatly improved over old "BIKE ROUTE" signs

Shared Lane Marking • Intended to show correct cyclist location where bike lanes shouldn’t or can’t be installed • Can be used in locations with and without on-street parking

Future Items • Several new devices & treatments under experimentation & review • Treatments may consist of several new devices, or existing devices used in new ways • Cities & states are stepping up & implementing good experiments • Federal research funding in next bill. . . ?

Projects Underway • Standardized signs for bikes on freeways • (Approved by NCUTCD) • Revised US Bicycle Route sign • (Approved by NCUTCD) • "Except Bikes" plaque for regulatory signs • New figures for bikes in work zones • Bicycle traffic signals • Studies recently completed • Draft MUTCD content under development

Pending Stuff • Colored Bike Lanes • Earlier studies showed inconclusive results • Awaiting data from Portland, Austin, elsewhere • Large San Francisco study getting underway • Bike Boxes • Offset stop lines already allowed (w/o color fill) • Awaiting data from Portland & Austin • Austin: Staged implementation (box/color/signs/PR)

Pending Stuff • Other Items: • Improving existing MUTCD figures & text • Improved signs / guidance / markings for bike lane - shared lane transitions

When's The Next MUTCD? • FHWA would like a 5 -year cycle for new MUTCD editions • Proposed content would need to be ready & submitted to FHWA in 2 -3 years • Rulemaking cycle: Typically 2 years from NPA to Final Rule • 2015. . . ? • Items can be added earlier via Interim Approval

Questions? Richard C. Moeur, PE (602) 712 -6661 or (602) 909 -8451 rcmoeur@aol. com