Transcript What's in the 2009 MUTCD For Bicyclists?

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
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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
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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
[email protected]