CA MUTCD 2012 Revisions to Part 4 – Highway Traffic Signals

1. CA MUTCD 2012Revisions to Part 4 – Highway Traffic Signals

2. Section 4B.02Steps for signal removal changed from option to guidance The step of installing a sign notifying the public is removed

3. Section 4C.04New guidance in Warrant 3 (Peak hour) • Signals installed under Warrant 3 (peak hour): • should be traffic-actuated, and • may be operated in flashing mode during off-peak hours

4. Section 4C.05Revisions to Warrant 4 (pedestrian volume)

5. Section 4C.10 – New Warrant 9 for intersections near grade crossings

6. New Traffic Signal Warrant Worksheet • -Warrant 9 – Intersection Near a Grade Crossing • - Figure 4C-101 • Both Parts A and B Must be Satisfied • Adjustment Factor from Table 4C-2, 4C-3, and 4C-3

7. Reorganization of Sections in Chapter 4D • Similar subjects grouped together • in adjacent Sections, or • combined into a single Section

8. Chapter 4DOptional use of flashing yellow arrow for permissive turns

9. Optional use of flashing red arrow for permissive turns in special cases

10. Section 4D.03Use of No Pedestrian Crossing signs at signalized locations Where it is necessary or desirable to prohibit a pedestrian movement that is not practical to physically prevent by other means… Sign should be used (rather than may) NOTE: Section 4E.01 – CA MUTCD – Signal design shall provide for or prohibit pedestrian movements

11. Meanings of Vehicular Signal Indications • Revised definition of “Intersection”, these areas shall also be part of the intersection: • On approach—area beyond stop line or crosswalk • On departure—area extending to far side of crosswalk

12. Specific prohibitions of: • Flashing green • Vehicular countdown displays • Other similar “pre-yellow” signal displays • Strobes or other flashing displays within or adjacent to any signal indication

13. Optional U-turn arrow indications

14. 12-inch indications required for all new traffic control signal faces • Six options for using new 8-inch indications in special circumstances • (incl. <30 mph if <120 ft from stop line)

15. Optional red indication clusters in vertical signal faces

16. Section 4D.11 – Min. two signal faces required for straight-through movement if it exists, even if not the major movement on approach 2nd face required for through movement

17. Section 4D.11 – Single-section green arrow signal face OK when never a conflicting movement

18. Section 4D.11 – Recommended number, location, and design of signal faces for approaches with speeds > 45 mph: • Face per thru lane, overhead, far side, with backplates 1 or more supplemental faces

19. Section 4D.11 – Recommended number, location, and design of signal faces for approaches with speeds > 45 mph:

20. Section 4D.11 – Recommended minimum number of thru signal faces on approaches with speeds > 45 mph:

21. Same provisions should also be considered for speeds of less than 45 mph

22. Section 4D.12 – Optional yellow retroreflective borders around backplates

23. Section 4D.13 – Positioning of overhead separate signal faces for turn movements • If installed overhead for a dedicated turn lane, the separate turn face shall be located over the turn lane (not necessarily centered over the lane)

24. Section 4D.13Circular green indications for permissive LTs should not be located over or in front of the LT lane

25. Shared signal face for permissive-only mode left turns (Not over the left-turn lane)

26. Protected-only mode shall not be used without exclusive turn lane …unless turn phase always begins and ends simultaneously with the adjacent through movement (“split-phased”) NOT to be used with shared lane unless split-phased

27. Section 4D.19 – Protected-only mode left-turn faces must use red arrow, not circular red • Applies to left-turn signals but not to right-turn signals

28. Section 4D.19 – Protected-only mode left-turn faces must use red arrow, not circular red • Applies to left-turn signals but not to right-turn signals

29. Sections 4D.17 thru 4D.24New sections & figures for modes of left-turn and right-turn signal operations Separate signal face with FYA for PPLT and/or protected-only mode left turn

30. Section 4D.25 – Signal displays for sharedleft-turn/right-turn lanes with no through movement

31. Section 4D.26 – Yellow change intervals and red clearance intervals • Durations shall be determined using engineering practices • Use of red clearance – changed from option to guidance, when indicated by application of engineering practices

32. Section 4D.27Back-up power should be provided for signals with RR preemption

33. Section 4D.28Flashing mode may be used on a scheduled basis

34. Section 4D.34 – Overhead lane control signs should be used for certain signalized approaches Per Section 2B.19 – Lane drops, multiple-lane turns, shared through-turn lanes, other unexpected lane-use

35. Section 4E.04 – Overlaid pedestrian symbols are allowed

36. Section 4E.06 – Pedestrian intervals and signal phases • If a walking person or a flashing upraised hand is displayed… • A steady red or flashing red must be displayed to any conflicting vehicular movement that is perpendicular or nearly perpendicular to the crosswalk Crosswalk w/ ped signals across signal-controlled RT slot

37. Ped. Change Interval (FDW) shall end at least 3 seconds (“buffer”) before release of conflicting traffic Buffer shall not begin later than the start of the red clearance interval, if used

38. Section 4E.06 – Walking speed for calculating pedestrian clearance time Option: A walking speed between 3.5 and 4 feet per second may be used if an engineering study documents that it is sufficient Guidance: In the absence of an engineering study, the pedestrian clearance time should use the walking speed of 3.5 feet per second Option: Where older or disabled routinely use the crosswalk, a walking speed of 2.8 feet per second may be used Guidance: Sum of Walk time + Ped. Clearance Time based on 3.0 feet per second for distance from ped detector to far side

39. Section 4E.06 – Optional leading pedestrian interval

40. Section 4E.07Countdown pedestrian displays • Required for all ped signals except where ped change interval is < 7 sec. • May be used even if ped change interval is 7 sec. or less

41. Section 4E.08 – New guidance and figures for locations of pedestrian pushbuttons for a variety of conditions

42. Section 4E.08 – Positioning of pedestrian pushbuttons and legends on pushbutton signs shall clearly indicate which crosswalk signal is activated by which pushbutton

43. Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS) and Accessible Detectors – combined and reorganized into five new sections • 4E.09 – General • 4E.10 – Location • 4E.11 – Walk indications • 4E.12 – Tactile arrows and locator tones • 4E.13 – Extended press button features

44. Sections 4E.09 through 4E.13 – APS revised provisions Design features, extended button presses, audible beaconing, special requirements if two buttons must be located < 10 ft apart or on one pole

45. Reorganization of Chapters 4F-4N • 4F – Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons • 4G – Traffic Control Signals and Hybrid Beacons for Emergency Vehicle Access • 4H – Traffic Control Signals for One-Lane, Two-Way Facilities • 4I – Traffic Control Signals for Freeway Entrance Ramps • 4J – Traffic Control for Movable Bridges • 4K – Highway Traffic Signals at Toll Plazas • 4L – Flashing Beacons • 4M – Lane-Use Control Signals • 4N – In-Roadway Lights

46. Chapter 4FNew pedestrian hybrid beacon

47. Section 4G.04New emergency-vehicle hybrid beacon

48. New Chapter 4K – Highway traffic signals at toll plazas Section 4K.01 – Signals at toll plazas NO OK

49. Section 4K.02 – Lane-use control signals at toll plazas NO YES

50. Section 4L.02 – Intersection Control Beacons using two red lenses Horizontally aligned – flash simultaneously Vertically aligned – flash alternately