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The MUTCD: Where It’s Been and Where It’s GoingBeen and Where It’s Going
1930s1930s
1920s1920s
Gene HawkinsGene Hawkins
Early 1950s Early 1950s TodayToday
Gene HawkinsGene HawkinsTexas A&M UniversityTexas A&M University 1940s1940s
EditionEdition PagesPages PartsPartsEditionEdition PagesPages PartsParts19351935 166166 4419421942 208208 4419481948 223223 4419611961 333333 66How did we end up with a such large How did we end up with a such large
document on traffic control devices?document on traffic control devices?19711971 377377 8819781978 425425 9919881988 473473 99
document on traffic control devices?document on traffic control devices?
Early markers used in the Roman EmpireEarly markers used in the Roman EmpireUsed on pioneer trails in AmericaUsed on pioneer trails in AmericaAutomobile age created new demandsAutomobile age created new demandsgg
Colonial America Early 20th Century Roman Empire Colonial America Early 20th Century Roman Empire
Mississippi Valley Assoc of St Hwy DeptMississippi Valley Assoc of St Hwy DeptNumber of sides represents hazard levelNumber of sides represents hazard level
d id iRR Grade CrossingRR Grade Crossing CautionCaution
Stop IntersectionStop Intersection Directions or Directions or RegulationsRegulations
Report of Joint Board on Report of Joint Board on Interstate HighwaysInterstate HighwaysInterstate HighwaysInterstate Highways
AASHO ledAASHO ledD l d U S High tD l d U S High tDeveloped U.S. Highway systemDeveloped U.S. Highway systemIncluded recommendations for Included recommendations for
standard signsstandard signsstandard signsstandard signs
Evolved from Joint BoardEvolved from Joint BoardFirst national manualFirst national manualRural signs only Rural signs only g yg yTitle:Title:
Manual and Specifications for Manual and Specifications for Manual and Specifications for Manual and Specifications for the Manufacture, Display, the Manufacture, Display, and Erection of U.S. and Erection of U.S. Standard Road Markers and Standard Road Markers and SignsSigns
Pavement markingsPavement markingsYellow Yellow –– Double center & barrier lineDouble center & barrier lineYellow Yellow Double center & barrier lineDouble center & barrier lineWhite White –– all other applicationsall other applicationsEdge lines not recommendedEdge lines not recommended
Revised 1954Revised 1954
Simplified signal warrantsSimplified signal warrants
NonNon--standard traffic signals continued in standard traffic signals continued in th h th 1950 d 1960 i th h th 1950 d 1960 i use through the 1950s and 1960s in use through the 1950s and 1960s in
Created for the new Interstate Created for the new Interstate Hi h tHi h tHighway systemHighway system
New featuresNew featuresWhite on green guide signsWhite on green guide signsLower case lettersLower case lettersGreen on white service signsGreen on white service signs
Utilized larger sign sizesUtilized larger sign sizes R i d 1961 R i d 1961 Utilized larger sign sizesUtilized larger sign sizesBlue service signs added in Blue service signs added in
Federal compliance requiredFederal compliance requiredNew material:New material:
Construction traffic controlConstruction traffic controlCivil defense signingCivil defense signingFreeway guide signing Freeway guide signing y g g gy g g g
Update of 1978 edition Update of 1978 edition Included new revision (#5)Included new revision (#5)
New contentNew contentRecreational/cultural signsRecreational/cultural signsLogo signsLogo signsg gg gTODSTODS
Planned to be revised only Planned to be revised only Planned to be revised only Planned to be revised only for safety reasonsfor safety reasons Revised 7 timesRevised 7 times
Blue ribbon panel (1989)Blue ribbon panel (1989)R d d f t d it f 1988 MUTCDR d d f t d it f 1988 MUTCDRecommended reformat and rewrite of 1988 MUTCDRecommended reformat and rewrite of 1988 MUTCD
Need to clarify intent (shall, should, may)Need to clarify intent (shall, should, may)R iti f l h llR iti f l h llRecognition of language challengesRecognition of language challenges
“shall be permitted”“shall be permitted”“shall preferably be”“shall preferably be”
“may be justified”“it is desirable that”shall preferably beshall preferably be
“normally should” “normally should” “may be required” “may be required”
it is desirable that“it is necessary that” “is intended for use”may be required may be required
Reformat/rewrite process started in early 1990sReformat/rewrite process started in early 1990sMultiple proposed rules from midMultiple proposed rules from mid-- to lateto late--1990s1990s
is intended for use
Multiple proposed rules from midMultiple proposed rules from mid to lateto late 1990s1990s
First stepFirst stepEvaluate current languageEvaluate current languageReformat all contentReformat all content
Classify as standard, guidance, option, support Classify as standard, guidance, option, support (with headings)(with headings)
S d tS d tSecond stepSecond stepRewrite reformatted languageRewrite reformatted languageUpdate contentUpdate contentFix inconsistenciesFix inconsistencies
Millennium editionMillennium editionReformatted/rewrittenReformatted/rewrittenFirst web editionFirst web editionFinal rule published Final rule published
without chance to without chance to without chance to without chance to review MUTCD in its review MUTCD in its entiretyentiretyentiretyentirety
Many editorial and Many editorial and technical shortcomingstechnical shortcomings
1 Errata1 Errata1 Revision1 Revisiontechnical shortcomingstechnical shortcomings ev s o ev s o
New structureNew structureStandard, Guidance, Option, SupportStandard, Guidance, Option, Support
New parts added to MUTCDNew parts added to MUTCDLow Volume RoadsLow Volume RoadsHighwayHighway--Light Rail Transit Grade Crossings Light Rail Transit Grade Crossings g yg y g gg g
Islands part deletedIslands part deletedDefinitions addedDefinitions addedDefinitions addedDefinitions addedPrimary units: metricPrimary units: metric
Current edition (9th overall)Current edition (9th overall)Update of 2000 MUTCDUpdate of 2000 MUTCDChangesChangesgg
Editorial improvementsEditorial improvementsGraphics correctedGraphics correctedGraphics correctedGraphics correctedMinor technical correctionsMinor technical correctionsSome new materialSome new materialSome new materialSome new material
Compressed textCompressed text982 to 754 pages982 to 754 pages
Some new/revised signsSome new/revised signsNew sign colorNew sign color
Pink for incident mgmtPink for incident mgmt
Countdown ped signalsCountdown ped signalsMetric sign changesMetric sign changesMetric sign changesMetric sign changesAccessibility in work zonesAccessibility in work zonesR i iR i iRevisions:Revisions:1: Pharmacy signing1: Pharmacy signing2: Min sign retro2: Min sign retro
2009? MUTCD Federal Register NPA Federal Register NPA -- January 2, 2008January 2, 2008Docket closed July 31 2008Docket closed July 31 2008Docket closed July 31, 2008Docket closed July 31, 2008Proposed text/figures Proposed text/figures
on MUTCD web siteon MUTCD web siteMany proposed changesMany proposed changes
National Advisory Committee, 1972, 10 organizations
NCUTCD hi t t k fNCUTCD hi t t k f
National Committee, 1980, 17 organizations
NCUTCD history task forceNCUTCD history task forceDick Luettich, chairDick Luettich, chairCharged with preparing a history of the Charged with preparing a history of the Charged with preparing a history of the Charged with preparing a history of the
What is the MUTCD?What is the MUTCD?B k f t d d b k f tiB k f t d d b k f tiBook of standards or book of practicesBook of standards or book of practices
Who is the MUTCD audience?Who is the MUTCD audience?Traffic engineers agencies lawyers public elected Traffic engineers agencies lawyers public elected Traffic engineers, agencies, lawyers, public, elected Traffic engineers, agencies, lawyers, public, elected
What should be in the MUTCD?What should be in the MUTCD?What should be in the MUTCD?What should be in the MUTCD?TCD principles or traffic engineering practicesTCD principles or traffic engineering practices
What is a traffic control device?What is a traffic control device?What is a traffic control device?What is a traffic control device?Sign, signal, marking, rumble strip, floodlight, Sign, signal, marking, rumble strip, floodlight,
National trend of less traffic engineering National trend of less traffic engineering experience within agenciesexperience within agenciesexperience within agenciesexperience within agencies
MUTCD is encompassing more and more MUTCD is encompassing more and more informationinformationinformationinformationBroadening subject matterBroadening subject matterProviding more detailed guidanceProviding more detailed guidanceProviding more detailed guidanceProviding more detailed guidanceDesire to have important nonDesire to have important non--TCD guidelines TCD guidelines
because everyone has the MUTCD (a onebecause everyone has the MUTCD (a one--because everyone has the MUTCD (a onebecause everyone has the MUTCD (a onestop document)stop document)
Desire to avoid litigation Desire to avoid litigation –– more specific more specific gg ppdetails in the MUTCDdetails in the MUTCD
Posting to ITE Traffic Engr listserve (Apr 04)Posting to ITE Traffic Engr listserve (Apr 04)What are the top 3 TE documents?What are the top 3 TE documents?19 responses19 responsespp
18 18 –– MUTCDMUTCD11 11 –– Green Book Green Book 11 11 Green Book Green Book 10 10 –– Highway Capacity ManualHighway Capacity Manual6 6 –– Trip Generation and TE HandbookTrip Generation and TE Handbook6 6 Trip Generation and TE HandbookTrip Generation and TE Handbook1 or 2 each 1 or 2 each –– Assorted other publicationsAssorted other publications
Everyone uses the MUTCD!Everyone uses the MUTCD! Everyone uses the MUTCD!Everyone uses the MUTCD!
MUTCD Strategic PlanningPrevious efforts to define an “MUTCD Vision”Previous efforts to define an “MUTCD Vision”
MidMid--1960s: sponsored by ITE1960s: sponsored by ITEMidMid--1960s: sponsored by ITE1960s: sponsored by ITE1998 meeting organized by FHWA1998 meeting organized by FHWA2005 meeting organized by FHWA2005 meeting organized by FHWA
Current effortCurrent effortNCUTCD MUTCD Strategic Planning EffortNCUTCD MUTCD Strategic Planning Effort“ ll” i id“ ll” i id“Town Hall” meeting on Friday“Town Hall” meeting on FridayFuture task force meetingsFuture task force meetingsGoal: prepare a MUTCD vision and strategic plan to Goal: prepare a MUTCD vision and strategic plan to Goal: prepare a MUTCD vision and strategic plan to Goal: prepare a MUTCD vision and strategic plan to
achieve the visionachieve the visionTask force web page Task force web page
G l G H ki (CE P f) d li k MUTCD li kG l G H ki (CE P f) d li k MUTCD li kGoogle Gene Hawkins (CE Prof) and click MUTCD linkGoogle Gene Hawkins (CE Prof) and click MUTCD linkInitial questions on next slideInitial questions on next slide
Strategic Planning QuestionsWhat are the strengths and weaknesses of the MUTCD?What are the strengths and weaknesses of the MUTCD?What are the opportunities and threats facing the MUTCD?What are the opportunities and threats facing the MUTCD?Wh i th t t di f th MUTCD? Wh th MUTCD t k h ld ?Wh i th t t di f th MUTCD? Wh th MUTCD t k h ld ?Who is the target audience of the MUTCD? Who are the MUTCD stakeholders?Who is the target audience of the MUTCD? Who are the MUTCD stakeholders?What is the MUTCD supposed to be? (what is the goal of the MUTCD)What is the MUTCD supposed to be? (what is the goal of the MUTCD)What should the MUTCD address? (what content should be included in the MUTCD)What should the MUTCD address? (what content should be included in the MUTCD)How should the MUTCD be structured? (what is the best way to organize the content)How should the MUTCD be structured? (what is the best way to organize the content)( )( )How often should the MUTCD be revised? How often should the MUTCD be revised? What is the best means of revising the MUTCD? (should it be revised as an entire document What is the best means of revising the MUTCD? (should it be revised as an entire document
or should revisions address limited aspects?)or should revisions address limited aspects?)What issues should be considered in the development of a strategic plan for the MUTCD?What issues should be considered in the development of a strategic plan for the MUTCD?What issues should be considered in the development of a strategic plan for the MUTCD?What issues should be considered in the development of a strategic plan for the MUTCD?What is the proper balance between identifying good practices and What is the proper balance between identifying good practices and
mandatory/recommended practices?mandatory/recommended practices?Can the MUTCD be all things to all people?Can the MUTCD be all things to all people?Wh t i t ffi t l d i ?Wh t i t ffi t l d i ?What is a traffic control device?What is a traffic control device?If the MUTCD is defined as a book of principles/standards/guidelines for traffic control If the MUTCD is defined as a book of principles/standards/guidelines for traffic control
devices, should the MUTCD address topics that are not defined as a traffic control devices, should the MUTCD address topics that are not defined as a traffic control device?device?
Wh h ld b ibl f i i i h MUTCD?Wh h ld b ibl f i i i h MUTCD?Who should be responsible for maintaining the MUTCD?Who should be responsible for maintaining the MUTCD?Other issues as identified … Other issues as identified …
V l 3 A li iV l 3 A li iVolume 3: ApplicationsVolume 3: ApplicationsWork zones (TTC), schools, RR crossingsWork zones (TTC), schools, RR crossings
V l 4 P tiV l 4 P tiVolume 4: PracticesVolume 4: PracticesSetting speed limits, signal timing, traffic calmingSetting speed limits, signal timing, traffic calming
http://mutcd fhwa dot govhttp://mutcd fhwa dot govhttp://mutcd.fhwa.dot.govhttp://mutcd.fhwa.dot.govHTML & PDF versions of MUTCDHTML & PDF versions of MUTCDLists of changesLists of changes tcd tamu edugg tcd.tamu.edu
mutcd.fhwa.dot.govMUTCD History MUTCD History (Gene Hawkins CE Profs website)(Gene Hawkins CE Profs website)
Google Gene Hawkins, select MUTCD linkGoogle Gene Hawkins, select MUTCD link
f g
MUTCD history presentationMUTCD history presentationITE Journal articles ITE Journal articles see ITE web sitesee ITE web site
J l A t N b 1992J l A t N b 1992July, August, November 1992July, August, November 1992