1. MUTCD KEY Concepts for Traffic Control Applications

2. Distinguishing Terms Standard - is required or specifically prohibited - interpret as “Shall” Standard - is required or specifically prohibited - interpret as “Shall” Guiidance - a statement of recommended practice in typical situations - interpret as “should” Guiidance - a statement of recommended practice in typical situations - interpret as “should” Options - permissive with no requirements – interpret as “may” Options - permissive with no requirements – interpret as “may”

3. Authority for MUTCD Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 655, Subpart F Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 655, Subpart F Part 23 of the US Code, specifically 109 d and 402(a) refer to the authority of the FHWA Part 23 of the US Code, specifically 109 d and 402(a) refer to the authority of the FHWA

4. Elements included in the Authority Design of the Control Devices (Color, shape, size, lettering, symbols, etc) Design of the Control Devices (Color, shape, size, lettering, symbols, etc) Placement and Operation ( typically identified as “Guidance” ) Placement and Operation ( typically identified as “Guidance” ) Maintenance – to provide clean, legible messages that maintain respect Maintenance – to provide clean, legible messages that maintain respect

5. MUTCD Standards related to use of Control Devices 1) All regulatory traffic control devices Shall be supported by laws, ordinances or regulations; 1) All regulatory traffic control devices Shall be supported by laws, ordinances or regulations;but 2) shall not be a legal requirement for their installation. Decisions to use devices are to be based on engineering studies and judgment. 2) shall not be a legal requirement for their installation. Decisions to use devices are to be based on engineering studies and judgment.

6. Legal implications Recall statement 2 when we discuss liability issues later. Recall statement 2 when we discuss liability issues later. Agency’s aren’t required to install particular devices, but if they do they have a continuing responsibility to maintain the devices to meet accepted practice. Control devices SHALL be displayed only for the specific purposes as identified in the MUTCD

7. Associated documents Standard Highway Signs Standard Highway Signs Standard Alphabets for Highway Signs and Pavement Markings Standard Alphabets for Highway Signs and Pavement Markings Standard Color Tolerance Limits Standard Color Tolerance Limits ( Consideration for elderly drivers addresses issues associated with the above documents) ( Consideration for elderly drivers addresses issues associated with the above documents)

8. Example recommendation for larger lettering on Work Zone Sign RIGHT LANE CLOSED RIGHT LANE CLOSED Minimum visibility distance to take action is 330 feet at 55mph or 370 feet at 65 mph Minimum visibility distance to take action is 330 feet at 55mph or 370 feet at 65 mph Sample of Road User results: Sample of Road User results: Best observers could see at 650 feet Best observers could see at 650 feet Poorest observers at 140 feet Poorest observers at 140 feet Sample tended towards the lower end of the range. Sample tended towards the lower end of the range.

9. Example recommendation for larger lettering on Work Zone Sign RIGHT LANE CLOSED Minimum visibility distance to take action is 330 feet at 55mph or 370 feet at 65 mph Sample of Road User results: Best observers could see at 650 feet Poorest observers at 140 feet Sample tended towards the lower end of the range.

10. Visibility Considerations - COLOR See Page 247 – Table 43 of Highway Design Handbook for Older Drivers and Pedestrians Daytime and Night time visibility for Construction Zone Orange Colors Daytime and Night time visibility for Construction Zone Orange Colors

11. Example 2 – Flourescent sheeting Midday observation – facing north Midday observation – facing north From 120 meters From 120 meters 93% detected flourescent orange signs 93% detected flourescent orange signs 43% detected standard orange signs 43% detected standard orange signs Flourescent orange costs $2.00 more per sign. (from report on research) – Can we justify it?

12. Another strategy CONSTRUCTION ZONE AHEAD WORK ZONE AHEAD

13. How does this affect your senses? the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae. be at the rghit pclae.