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Basics of the MUTCD

Basics of the MUTCD. Part 1 - General. Part 1 - General. Outcomes: Describe Part 1 – General Information of the MUTCD. Relationship to Other Documents. Contained by Reference: Standard Highway Signs (http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov)

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Basics of the MUTCD

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  1. Basics of the MUTCD Part 1 - General

  2. Part 1 - General Outcomes: • Describe Part 1 – General Information of the MUTCD

  3. Relationship to Other Documents • Contained by Reference: • Standard Highway Signs (http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov) • Color Specifications for Sign and Marking Materials (23CFR655 subpart F) • 42 other documents are references, such as: • Americans with Disabilitys Act (ADA) Guide • ITE Handbooks • NEMA standards

  4. Definitions of Words • Section 1A.13 = Definition of 259 terms • Dark Mode - the lack of all signal indications • Wayside Horn System - Alternative to a train horn • Upstream - a location that is encountered by traffic prior to a downstream location • Splitter Island - a median island used to separate opposing directions of traffic entering and exiting a roundabout.

  5. Definitions of Words • Section 1A.13 = Definition of 259 terms • Clear Zone - roadside border area available for an errant driver to stop or regain control • Engineering Judgment - application of principles, provisions, and practices from this Manual and other sources, to make decisions about traffic control devices. Engineering judgment shall be exercised by an engineer... • Section 1A.14 = Acronyms • FHWA—Federal Highway Administration

  6. Purpose of Traffic Control Device • TCD’s • communicate with road users and • provide information necessary to make decisions needed for the driving task Section 1A.01 • To promote highway safety and efficiency by providing orderly movement of all road users • To notify road users of regulation and provide warning and guidance

  7. Attributes of Effective Traffic Control Devices • Fulfill a need • Command attention • Convey a clear, simple meaning • Command respect from road users • Give adequate time for proper response

  8. Requirements for Effective TCDs • Design • Application and Placement • Uniformity • Maintenance and Operation

  9. Requirements for Effective TCDs • DESIGN • Application and Placement • Uniformity • Maintenance and Operation

  10. Design of Traffic Control Devices • Word messages • Standard messages • Condition Specific

  11. Abbreviations for TCD • Some abbreviations on TCD are acceptable and some are unacceptable

  12. Design of Traffic Control Devices • Symbols • Standard designs for all Symbols are detailed in the SHS • Other symbols must be approved through experimentation http://MUTCD.FHWA.DOT.GOV

  13. Design of Traffic Control Devices • Colors – • Traffic Signals • Pavement Markings • Sign Background

  14. Color Code For similar purposes to the codes on maps, we use standard colors and applications to communicate with Road users

  15. Color Code

  16. SKIP Color Code

  17. Color Code

  18. Fluorescent Sign Colors 2009 MUTCD Option for fluorescent colors Florescent Yellow Chevrons on high risk curves CRF = 20% reduction in crashes (Iowa DOT) Standard yellow Fluorescent yellow

  19. Requirements for Effective TCDs • Design • APPLICATION and PLACEMENT • Uniformity • Maintenance and Operation

  20. Misapplication of a device is confusing. Devices must conform with the standards.

  21. Placement

  22. Requirements for Effective TCDs • Design • Application and Placement • UNIFORMITY • Maintenance and Operation

  23. Uniformity

  24. Responsibility for Devices • 23 CFR 655.603 • All devices on public street or highway open to public travel shall be in substantial conformance with the MUTCD

  25. Requirements for Effective TCDs • Design • Application and Placement • Uniformity • Maintenance and Operation

  26. Maintenance and Operation Command Respect

  27. Who is Responsible for TCDs? • Design • Placement & Operation • Uniformity • Maintenance State and local highway agencies having jurisdiction

  28. Authority to Place (WYOMING) • Authority to place – rests solely with agency that has jurisdiction over roadway • In Wyoming: • Local Agencies that erect any sign within the right of way of a state owned highway must have a permit from WYDOT.

  29. Process to Incorporate New Traffic Control Device into MUTCD Experimentation

  30. Experimentation • Request to Experiment from state/local highway agency • Send to FHWA Division Office (Div. forwards to HQ with recommendation) Flashing red in-roadway stop line lights

  31. Experimental Requests • Include statement of problem • Describe proposed change • Experience with proposal • Agreement to revert back to existing if problems develop • Agree to perform evaluation and submit results semi-annually to FHWA • Submit final report

  32. Interim Approvals Case Study: Automated Flagger Assistance Devices (AFAD)

  33. Rectangular Rabid Flash Beacon • RRFB Experimentation by Florida DOT w/ FHWA approval for 2 years • Experiment was sucessful. • Interim approval issued in January 2008 • If no issues under interim, will incorporate in next MUTCD

  34. Metric values have been removed from the text, figures, and tables • Only English units are used in the text, tables, and figures of the 2009 MUTCD New Appendix A2 includes the equivalent metric values for all English units used in the 2009 MUTCD

  35. Review • Five characteristics of an effective device

  36. Fulfill a Need

  37. Command Respect from Road Users

  38. Give Adequate Time for Proper Response

  39. Command Attention

  40. Convey a Clear, Simple Meaning

  41. Part 1 - General Questions?

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