Transcript Final Rule 2003 Intro & Global

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
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Gen/Intro
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7
Part 8
Part 9
Part 10
TOTAL
Proposed
Changes
8
15
381
89
88
32
251
28
49
54
61
1071
Significant
Changes
4
6
114
24
35
7
59
8
16
16
25
316
Docket
Comments
118
82
1122
222
295
43
1654
103
210
383
186
5000+
Final Rule for
2003 MUTCD
Published in
November 20, 2003
Federal Register
FHWA
MUTCD Team Members
Ernie Huckaby
Linda Brown
Fred Ranck
Scott Wainwright
Guan Xu
Pete Rusch
Format of the 2003
MUTCD
• New cover
design
• Websiteposted 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
“PatternAccurate
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
Replacement of damaged non-compliant
device via maintenance activities after a
crash or other event:
• Option for agencies to
establish policies re:
• replace with compliant
device;
or
• replace in kind under
some conditions
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 Color
Fluorescent 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
Chemical (CHEM)
Route (RT or RTE)
Prompt Word
Spill
Best*
(* Prompt word precedes abbreviation)