January 2006 Report

Regina S. McElroy Director Office of Transportation Operations Federal Highway Administration

Outline

 2005 Highlights  SAFETEA-LU  2006 New Initiatives  Updates  MUTCD Team

2005 HIGHLIGHTS

Acknowledgement vs. Advertising

 Issued policy guidance to the field on August 10, 2005  Advertising is prohibited  Acknowledgement signs for highway related services are permitted  Policy applies to new or replacement installations  Existing installations may remain in place

USBP Checkpoint Traffic Control Devices

 Responds to NTSB recommendation  Collaborative effort between AASHTO, CBP, and FHWA  Issued policy guidance to FHWA field on December 20  Will respond to NTSB in February  Recommending that the TCPs not be included in the MUTCD

Interim Approval – RV Friendly Signs

 Issued interim approval Sept 2005  Allows optional use of symbol to identify and locate RV Friendly facilities  Requires States or locals to have a policy for selecting eligible facilities

MUTCD Training

 One-day workshop designed mainly for local agencies  The course covers:  Human factors  Basics of TCDs  MUTCD highlights  Pilot sessions underway

Sign Synthesis Report

 “Special” non-MUTCD signs used by State DOTs and some large cities and counties  Findings: 

Many word message signs for conditions not covered in MUTCD

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Significant variations of words/phrases/concepts used to convey same message

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Good Canadian symbols exist for some U.S. word messages

Approved Experimentations

 47 Approved---a few examples:  Flashing Yellow Arrow for Protected Permissive Left Turns  Purple Dot Markings (E-Z Pass Lanes)  Tsunami Evacuation Route Symbol

Interpretations

 16 Interpretations --- some examples:  Ramp Metering Signals for Staggered Release  Use of LED Devices as RPMs  Political Jurisdiction Logos on Guide Signs  New page on MUTCD Website for recent interpretations --- coming soon

SAFETEA-LU

Landmark Legislation

 Make driving safer  Fight congestion  Enhance economic productivity  Protect the environment

Section 1310 – Interstate Oasis Program Congressional Language

 Intent: Provide States with option of replacing or supple menting Interstate Rest Areas by providing substitute facilities (e.g., truck stops) off the freeway

Section 1310 – Interstate Oasis Program Congressional Language

 Formulate a program (with minimum National eligibility standards)  24-hr restroom access  Products and services provided  Parking for cars and heavy trucks  Obtain public comment

Section 1310 – Interstate Oasis Program Congressional Language

 Design new logo for freeway and access route signing

Section 1310 – Interstate Oasis Program Status

 Stakeholder meeting – Dec 05  Non-rulemaking Federal Register notice – coming soon

Section 1402 – Worker Injury Prevention and Free Flow of Vehicular Traffic

 Requires regulation to mandate high visibility garments for workers on or near Federal-aid highways  Regulation within a year

Section 1910 – Motorist Information Concerning Full Service Restaurants Congressional Language

 Determine if rulemaking should proceed to  Give priority to full service restaurants  Permit full service restaurants to appear on CAMPING and ATTRACTIONS panels when the FOOD panel is full  Make decision known within 180 days

Section 1910 – Motorist Information Concerning Full Service Restaurants Status

 States currently able to designate “full service” as an eligibility factor for participation in their Specific Service Sign programs  Considering Interim Approval to increase number of available logo positions

Research and Technology Program

 Issue – No SAFETEA-LU source of funds to support MUTCD (funding for “baseline” activities and major revision uncertain)  Status  Exploring options  Verdict is still out – somewhat optimistic

2006 NEW INITIATIVES

MUTCD Strategic Planning: Short term (5 years)

 How to properly "steward" and update the MUTCD in event of funding shortfall  Technology developments  Improved state of the art and practice  Other advancements  Creative solutions  Alternative funding source  New partnerships  Etc.

MUTCD Strategic Planning: Long-term (20 years)  Consensus vision – direction, content, and format of MUTCD  Guide for future decisions, such as:  What is or is not a TCD?

 What is or is not regulated by the MUTCD?  Content---all-inclusive TCD information, strictly regulatory material, or current mix?

 Strategic incremental steps needed to reach the vision

MUTCD Strategic Planning Volunteers Core Working Group Steering Group

Gene Hawkins (Chair) Lee Billingsley Roger Wentz Ken Kobetsky Jim Pline Bruce Friedman Gerry Alexander Tom Hicks Kurt Smith Carlton Robinson John LaPlante John Logan Jim Ellison Ernie Huckaby Paul Carlson

FHWA Participants

Scott Wainwright, Hari Kalla, Ken Wood

Comprehensive Review of Specific Service Sign Program

 Changing Context  High and increasing demand from businesses for logo positions  New Safety Evidence (VA experiment)  Opportunity to provide more selection options to motorists

Comprehensive Review of Specific Service Sign Program

 Status  Frame issue & develop key questions  Discussion at Jan 06 NCUTCD meeting to finalize questions for Request for Information (RFI)  Issue RFI  Revise SSS Program as part of next NPA

2008 MUTCD Rulemaking

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June 2006 NCUTCD Meeting

--- last opportunity to recommend NPA items  Technical Committees must act at THIS meeting (January 2006) 

Late 2006/early 2007

--- NPA  Goal -- draft SHS pages for any new/revised signs available on MUTCD website 

Docket Comment Period

--to include at least 1 NCUTCD meeting – may be as long as 6 months 

2008

--- Final Rule for 2008 Edition + Updated SHS posted on MUTCD website

SAFETEA-LU Provisions

 Section 1310: Interstate Oasis Program  Section 1402: Worker Injury Prevention and Free Flow of Vehicular Traffic  Section 1910: Motorist Information Concerning Full Service Restaurants

UPDATES

Updates

 Sign Retroreflectivity Rulemaking  TCD Pooled Fund Study  Traffic Control Strategies at Toll Plazas  Official Ruling Database

Updates

 Policy Memo on Use of Stop/Yield signs at Passive RR Crossings  ADA/MUTCD Research  MUTCD Brochure

MUTCD TEAM

Upcoming Vacancy

 Excellent communication skills (written and oral)  Consensus building skills  Real-world traffic engineering experience  Expect posting in Feb

Thank You

for the Time, Expertise, & Valuable Help You Provide to FHWA