The 2009 Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) (Brief) Highlights for Arizona Practitioners. Arizona Department of Transportation

The 2009 Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) (Brief) Highlights for Arizona Practitioners Arizona Department of Transportation

New 2009 MUTCD 9 Parts (down from 10 in 2003) 816 pages (up 10% from 2003) Substantial amount of new & revised material Adopted in Arizona (as modified by state Supplement) on January 13, 2012

23 CFR 655.603 Substantial Conformance State supplements or MUTCDs shall conform to all Standard statements in the Federal MUTCD unless state law applies All changes to Guidance needed written justification FHWA Division Office made determination if variance was allowed

Applicability of MUTCD MUTCD now applies to ALL roads open to public travel even if owned & operated by a private entity (developer, association, etc.) Exception: Parking lots & aisles No enforcement mechanism by ADOT

Compliance Older MUTCDs (1930s-2003): All new and existing devices must be in compliance by a specific date 2009 MUTCD: Only new & reconstructed devices must be compliant with new MUTCD unless a specific compliance date is specified

Compliance Dates 2009 MUTCD As Published: 58 separate specific compliance dates Summer 2011 Rulemaking: Proposed reduction to 12 compliance dates Not yet approved still in review

MUTCD Formatting All paragraphs are now numbered in 2009 MUTCD Standards: Bold Guidance: Italicized Option / Support: plain text

Part 1 - General Standards & Engineering New MUTCD: Judgment Definition of standard changed Ability to apply engineering judgment changed Arizona Supplement: returns MUTCD to 2003 definitions & meanings

Part 1 - General Definitions If discrepancy between state law (ARS) & MUTCD, state law applies Definitions changed in AZ Supplement: Bicycle Crosswalk Crosswalk Lines Highway Intersection Pedestrian Roadway Sidewalk Traffic Traffic Control Signal Vehicle

85th Percentile New requirements to evaluate 85th percentile speeds in addition to posted or statutory speeds Written into many new Standards: Sign spacing Sign placement No-passing zones Traffic signals Work zones May need to document on traffic plans which speed was used for design, & why it was selected ADOT: Will be addressed in PGPs Local agencies: may have to modify policies

Part 2 - Signs Minimum Retroreflectivity New minimum retroreflectivity standards Based on sheeting types Minimum contrast levels required Compliance procedures - Can use one or more of: Visual nighttime inspection Measure with reflectometer Replace at end of expected life Replace all signs in area/corridor Test control signs in lieu of all signs

Part 2 - Signs Sign Sizes New categories for single lane & multi-lane roadways Larger sign sizes for many applications New minimum size tables for guide signs

New Standards for ONE WAY signs on divided roadways Compliance date December 2019 Part 2 - Signs ONE WAY Signs

Part 2 - Signs Warning Signs Table 2C-4 Condition A (speed reduction or lane change) modified in Arizona Supplement

Part 2 - Signs Curve Signing Table 2C-5 Significant change in signing practice Signs, large arrows, chevrons now required in many situations Revised PGP may change posted advisory speeds

Part 2 - Signs Chevrons Table 2C-6 New specifications on chevron spacing Based on speed and radius May require closer spacing in new & replacement installations

Part 2 - Signs Upper / Lower Case Lettering New guide signs: must use upper & lower case lettering for destinations (no all-caps )

Part 2 - Signs Roundabout Signing New standard designs for roundabout signs Map signs Directional signs Regulatory signs Warning signs

Part 2 - Signs Signs At Option-Lane Exits Will require much wider & taller signs 40-50% taller, up to 300% wider Signs require new larger support structures No technical guidance issued yet

Part 2 - Signs Services Signing New & revised D9 series symbol signs

Part 2 - Signs Recreational & Cultural Signing Completely new system of symbols Symbols are not consistent with ones used on other sign types Do not use R&C signing if a standard sign will work

Part 3 Markings Dotted Lines Dotted lines now required in advance of: Mandatory exits Mandatory ( trap ) turn lanes Deceleration or acceleration lanes Short compliance date (Dec 2016) Significant impacts: Added cost Obliteration of existing markings Driver expectation

Part 3 Markings Crosswalk Markings New criteria for crosswalk markings Based on extensive research Advance yield line recommended at midblock locations

Part 3 Markings Roundabouts New recommended marking patterns for roundabouts Single-lane Multi-lane Many new figures depicting nearly all likely situations

Part 4 Signals Signal Warrants New warrants for intersections adjacent to rail crossings Pedestrian warrant volumes changed easier to justify signals for pedestrian traffic

Part 4 Signals Signal Face Placement Protected left-turn signal faces must be over the left turn lane Protected-permissive left-turn signal faces must be between the left turn lane & left lane Speeds above 45 mph: 1 signal face for each lane

Part 4 Signals Flashing Yellow Arrow New optional flashing yellow arrow for protectedpermissive operation Extensive research & experimentation Good driver understanding Can solve some problems (including yellow trap )

Part 4 Signals Pedestrian Walking Speed New recommended pedestrian walking speed of 3.5 ft/s for clearance intervals from near curb to far curb or near curb to median Total walk + clearance time must be greater than 3 ft/s walking speed from detector to far curb (or median)

Part 4 Signals Countdown Pedestrian Signals All new pedestrian signals must be countdown type existing non-countdown ped signals can remain ADOT project to upgrade to countdown ped signals statewide

Part 4 Signals Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon ADOT developing policy on use Can be placed at intersections (per proposed AZ Supplement)

Part 6 - Temporary Traffic Control No major changes Continuing requirements for pedestrian accommodation Changeable message signs: Color must match message Regulatory = white Warning = yellow

Part 6 - Temporary Traffic Control High-Visibility Apparel Required for all workers within public right of way Many agencies already compliant Could create liability problems if compliance is inconsistent or not documented

Part 7 Schools Sign Color Fluorescent yellowgreen now required for all school warning signs

Part 7 Schools School Crossings AZ Supplement includes Arizona-specific devices in accordance with ARS 28-797 Arizona Traffic Safety For School Areas Guidelines has additional details

Part 8 Railroad & Light Rail Passive Crossings STOP or YIELD sign (and Stop Ahead or Yield Ahead sign) is now required to be added if no gates or lights Devices may need approval by railroad

Part 9 Bicycle Facilities New signs & markings for lanes too narrow for sideby-side travel New series of bicycle-specific guide signs

2009 MUTCD Availability Electronic version available from: http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov Free (27 MB download) Hardcopy version available from: AASHTO, ITE, ATSSA $100-$120 per copy Users are responsible for noting where Arizona Supplement replaces MUTCD content

2009 MUTCD Availability Arizona Supplement now available as an electronic PDF on ADOT Traffic Group website ADOT has created an electronic version of the MUTCD (with Arizona Supplement inserted) as a single PDF document should be available soon on Traffic website

Arizona MUTCD Supplement Revisions: Unchanged text in black Deletions in red strikeout Insertions in blue underline If even one word is changed, the entire section is replaced Easy to see what exactly is modified

Arizona MUTCD Supplement Approved by FHWA January 11, 2012 Implementation plan in process Design plans & specifications Operations & maintenance

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