Does it seem like just yesterday that the last edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) was published? Actually, it has been almost twelve years since the 2009 MUTCD was made effective and nearly ten years since Delaware’s MUTCD followed along. It looks like we’ll all be learning a new version soon, since significant revisions for what is being called the 11th Edition of the MUTCD were published in the Federal Register December 14th, with comments due March 15, 2021.
As you probably know, the MUTCD is a highly prescriptive document with a focus on uniformity and clear and concise messaging. Its standards, guidance, and options apply (by federal and state law) to all roads open to the public (see our January 2020 e-newsletter article on applicability), so every local agency, parks department, and private sector mall and hospital owner that owns or maintains roads open to the public (meaning, not continuously gated) should have a look at the proposed changes and even comment to the Federal Highway Administration by March 15th.
The MUTCD dates to 1927, so it doesn’t see a major revision often, but when it does, there is usually plenty for which to be glad…and likely some things that can cause a bit of grumbling. So, what is likely to change in the shalls, shoulds, and mays of the MUTCD? Well, we don’t want to spoil the ending, so we’ll point you to where you can see for yourself.
The Federal Register link above is one place to look and that talks about the proposed changes in Washington-ease, if that’s your cup of tea. Another route you can take is still part of the Federal Register bonanza, but it has the proposed MUTCD in various forms, depending upon how you would like to examine it. There, you can see the proposed text in clean form or marked up with additions and deletions, the proposed tables, and the proposed figures.
While we don’t want to deprive you of the joy found in scanning a federal regulatory document, we will share one or two interesting proposals we have seen as we review it. For example, the 2009 MUTCD contained a somewhat limited discussion of flashing beacons and didn’t mention Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB) at all until a March 2018 Interim Approval letter permitted conditional use. The proposed 11th Edition MUTCD would embrace RRFBs as an option for marked crosswalks across uncontrolled approaches (see example figure).
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Another significant change proposed in the 11th Edition is an expansion of the minimum maintained retroreflectivity levels (Table 2A-3) to include brown and blue signs. These had previously been exempt from the standard because the research for those background colors was still undergoing peer review at the time of the 2009 MUTCD. This will surely be a topic of conversation as the 11th Edition is implemented to determine the schedule that an agency must assess and correct their blue and brown signs.
So, get a good strong cup of coffee and have a look at the proposed changes. If you see something comment-worthy, don’t assume someone else noticed it. Instead, comment before March 15th using the links above.
The Delaware T2/LTAP Center’s Municipal Engineering Circuit Rider is intended to provide technical assistance and training to local agencies and so if you have MUTCD questions or other transportation issues, contact Matt Carter at matheu@udel.edu or (302) 831-7236.
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