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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.
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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
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 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-FocusedGuide 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