January 2006 Report Regina S. McElroy Director Office of Transportation Operations Federal Highway Administration

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

2005 HIGHLIGHTS

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

USBP Checkpoint Traffic Control Devices Responds to NTSB recommendation Responds to NTSB recommendation Collaborative effort between AASHTO, CBP, and FHWA Collaborative effort between AASHTO, CBP, and FHWA Issued policy guidance to FHWA field on December 20 Issued policy guidance to FHWA field on December 20 Will respond to NTSB in February 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 Issued interim approval Sept 2005 Allows optional use of symbol to identify and locate RV Friendly facilities Allows optional use of symbol to identify and locate RV Friendly facilities Requires States or locals to have a policy for selecting eligible facilities Requires States or locals to have a policy for selecting eligible facilities

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

Sign Synthesis Report “Special” non-MUTCD signs used by State DOTs and some large cities and counties “Special” non-MUTCD signs used by State DOTs and some large cities and counties Findings: Findings:  Many word message signs for conditions not covered in MUTCD  Significant variations of words/phrases/concepts used to convey same message  Good Canadian symbols exist for some U.S. word messages

Approved Experimentations 47 Approved---a few examples: 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: 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 New page on MUTCD Website for recent interpretations --- coming soon

SAFETEA-LU

Landmark Legislation Make driving safer Make driving safer Fight congestion Fight congestion Enhance economic productivity Enhance economic productivity Protect the environment Protect the environment

Section 1310 – Interstate Oasis Program Intent: Provide States with option of replacing or supple - menting Interstate Rest Areas by providing substitute facilities (e.g., truck stops) off the freeway Intent: Provide States with option of replacing or supple - menting Interstate Rest Areas by providing substitute facilities (e.g., truck stops) off the freeway Congressional Language

Section 1310 – Interstate Oasis Program Formulate a program (with minimum National eligibility standards) 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 Obtain public comment Congressional Language

Section 1310 – Interstate Oasis Program Design new logo for freeway and access route signing Design new logo for freeway and access route signing Congressional Language

Section 1310 – Interstate Oasis Program Stakeholder meeting – Dec 05 Stakeholder meeting – Dec 05 Non-rulemaking Federal Register notice – coming soon Non-rulemaking Federal Register notice – coming soon Status

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

Section 1910 – Motorist Information Concerning Full Service Restaurants Determine if rulemaking should proceed to 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 Make decision known within 180 days Congressional Language

Section 1910 – Motorist Information Concerning Full Service Restaurants States currently able to designate “full service” as an eligibility factor for participation in their Specific Service Sign programs 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 Considering Interim Approval to increase number of available logo positions Status

Research and Technology Program Issue – No SAFETEA-LU source of funds to support MUTCD (funding for “baseline” activities and major revision uncertain) Issue – No SAFETEA-LU source of funds to support MUTCD (funding for “baseline” activities and major revision uncertain) Status 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 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 Creative solutions  Alternative funding source  New partnerships  Etc.

MUTCD Strategic Planning: Long-term (20 years) Consensus vision – direction, content, and format of MUTCD Consensus vision – direction, content, and format of MUTCD Guide for future decisions, such as: 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 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 Paul Carlson FHWA Participants FHWA Participants Scott Wainwright, Hari Kalla, Ken Wood Scott Wainwright, Hari Kalla, Ken Wood

Comprehensive Review of Specific Service Sign Program Changing Context 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 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 June 2006 NCUTCD Meeting --- last opportunity to recommend NPA items June 2006 NCUTCD Meeting --- last opportunity to recommend NPA items  Technical Committees must act at THIS meeting (January 2006) Late 2006/early NPA Late 2006/early 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 Docket Comment Period--to include at least 1 NCUTCD meeting – may be as long as 6 months Final Rule for 2008 Edition Final Rule for 2008 Edition + Updated SHS posted on MUTCD website

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

UPDATES

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

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

MUTCD TEAM

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

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