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

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)