# Presentation: 285870

## PART   7:

**Traffic Control for School Areas**

- Millennium Edition**Summary of Changes**

## Need for Standards

- Original Typical School Route Plan Map
- Elementary and kindergarten students
- 	Section 7A-1

- Revised Typical School Route Plan Map
- School route plans include middle and high schools students.
- 	Section 7A.01

_**1988 MUTCD**__**	**__**	**__**    2000 MUTCD**_

- Yellow Text Denotes a Standard

**Notes:**
1988:  Original Route Plan Map.

Final Rule:	A revised typical route plan map is adopted based on comments from the docket.  This figure has been enlarged and printed in color to better identify signals and stop signs.  The arrow heads reflecting direction of travel are enlarged.  Traffic control devices are added where intersecting streets meet the collector road.

Text in Section 7A.01 has been modified to include middle and high school students.  The text reads:  “A school route plan for each school serving elementary to high school students should be prepared...”

## School Area Traffic Control Devices/Plan

**School Area Traffic Control Devices/Plan**

- Type of school area traffic control used,     must be related to the volume and speed of....
- Not in MUTCD
- 	Section 7A-1

- Type of school area traffic control devices used, shall be related to the volume and speed of....
- These devices should be included in a school traffic control plan.
- 	Section 7A.01

_**1988 MUTCD**__**	**__**	**__**    2000 MUTCD**_

- Yellow Text Denotes a Standard

**Notes:**
1988:  The type of school area traffic control used, either warning or regulatory, must be related to the volume and speed of traffic, street width and number of children crossing.

Final Rule:	This is a change from Guidance to Standard.  The FHWA is requiring the traffic control devices in the school plan to be related to the volume and speed of vehicle traffic, street width and the number and age of children using the crossing.  

## General

- Sections 7A-05  thru 7A-10.
- Sections 7B-01 thru 7B-04, 7B& 7B, 08
- 	Sections 7A-7B

- The text in these sections is proposed for deletion: 7A-05 thru 7A-10,  7B-1 thru 7B-4,  7B-7 and  7B-8.  (Ref. Parts IA & 2A).
-  	Sections  7A.05, 7A.10, 7B.04, 7B.05

_**1988 MUTCD**__**	**__**	**__**    2000 MUTCD**_

- Yellow Text Denotes a Standard

**Notes:**
1988:  Sections in the MUTCD:  7A-5 through 7A-10; Sections 7B-1 through 7B-4, 7B-7 and 7B-8.

Final Rule:	The FHWA believes that retaining this text is not necessary with the new layout of the MUTCD since this information is provided in other sections of the manual.  References have been added referring the reader to the appropriate sections of the manual.

## Illumination & Reflectorization

- ...signs shall be reflectorized or illuminated....and should be reflectorized or illuminated....
- 	Section 7B-5

- The text in this section  has been changed to reflect a STANDARD.
- 	Section 7B.02

_**1988 MUTCD**__**	**__**	**__**    2000 MUTCD**_

- Yellow Text Denotes a Standard

**Notes:**
1988:  Ordinarily the signs used for school area traffic control shall be reflectorized or illuminated when regularly scheduled classes begin or end during hours of darkness, and should be reflectorized or illuminated when there is considerable use of school building by children during hours of darkness.

Final Rule:	The text in Section 7B.2 has been modified to reflect a standard, modifying the text in  the NPA to read:  The signs used for school area traffic control shall be retroreflectorized or illuminated.

## Sign Text & New Table

- “Design of Signs”
- Not in MUTCD
- Not in MUTCD
- 	Sections 7B-1/7B-2

- “Size of School Signs”
- A new Table 7B.1 is added.
- Table shows dimensions and sizes for conventional roads
-  	Section 7B.01

_**1988 MUTCD**__**	**__**	**__**    2000 MUTCD**_

- Yellow Text Denotes a Standard

**Notes:**
1988:  7B-1 “Design of Signs”  Table not in MUTCD

Final Rule:	Title of 7B.01 changed to “Size of School Signs”.  Table 7B-1 “Size of School Area Signs and Plaques” added to Manual.  The Table reflects sign sizes to be used on Conventional Roads and shows “minimum”, “standard”, and “special” sizes.

## Size Of School Signs

- Not in MUTCD
- 	Section 7B.01

- Optional text added to define where “minimum” size signs are used.
- Optional text added addressing use of “special sized signs for “increased legibility.”
- 	Section 7B.01

_**1988 MUTCD**__**	**__**	**__**    2000 MUTCD**_

- Yellow Text Denotes a Standard

**Notes:**
1988:  Not in MUTCD.

Final Rule:	Optional text has been added that defines where the “minimum” size signs are used.  Text is also added to address “special” sized signs in response to docket comments regarding the “older driver” issues.

The text reads:  “The Special sign size may be used for applications that require increased emphasis, improved recognition, or increased legibility.

The Minimum sign size may be used on local residential streets, in urban areas, and where there are low traffic volumes and low vehicle speeds, as determined by engineering judgment.”

## Sign Color For School Warning Signs

- Not in MUTCD

- Optional use of FYG for school warning signs.
- Guidance statement added that addresses systematic approach for use of FYG.
- 	Section 7B.07

_**1988 MUTCD**__**	**__**	**__**    2000 MUTCD**_

- Yellow Text Denotes a Standard

**Notes:**
1988:  Not in MUTCD.

Final Rule:	A new section 7B.07 Sign Color for School Warning Signs, is added that addresses the optional use of the color fluorescent yellow green for school warning signs.  This amendment was adopted on June 19, 1998.  The FHWA has included this OPTION for use of the color and GUIDANCE that addresses the systematic approach for the use of this color.

## School Advance Warning Sign

- Not in MUTCD
- Not in MUTCD

- Application consists of  S1-1 sign supplemented with “ahead or “XX feet”plaque.
- Supplemental plaques must be used to ensure safety of pedestrians at crosswalks in school  zones.  (Ref 2C.36)
- 	Section 7B.08 Figure 7B-1

_**1988 MUTCD**__**	**__**	**__**    2000 MUTCD**_

- Yellow Text Denotes a Standard

**Notes:**
1988: School Advance Sign (S1-1) 

Final Rule:  The text in 7B.08 School Advance Warning Sign and 7B.09 School Crosswalk Warning Assembly (S1-1 w/Diagonal Arrow) has been modified to be consistent with Section 2C.36 which discusses a new application for advance crossing and crossing signs.  

The FHWA has eliminated the crosswalk line on the crossing signs since road user comprehension studies show that they generally do not know the difference between the two signs.  For advance crossing situations, the new application will consist of a crossing sign supplemented with an “Ahead” or “XX Feet” plaque.  This assembly shall be used in advance of the first installation of the School Speed Limit Sign assembly.  The FHWA believes that the supplemental plaques must be used (not optional) to ensure safety of children at crosswalks in school zones.  
There is a phase–in compliance period of 10 years after the effective date of this final rule for existing signs to minimize any impact on State and local highway agencies.  This period will allow for replacement of existing signs after their normal service life.  This change is effective immediately for new sign installations.

## School Crosswalk Warning Assembly (S1-1 w/ Diagonal Arrow)

- Section 7B.10

- Eliminate Crosswalk lines on crossing signs.
- Assembly consists of School Advance Warning Sign (S1-1) supplemented with diagonal downward pointing arrow (W16-7) plaque.
- 	Section 7B.09  Figure 7B-1

_**1988 MUTCD**__**	**__**	**__**    2000 MUTCD**_

- Yellow Text Denotes a Standard

**Notes:**
1988:  School Crossing Sign (S2-1)

Final Rule:	Instead of using crosswalk lines within the sign to indicate where the actual crossing is located, the new application consists of a crossing sign with supplemental downward pointing arrow plaque to show the crossing location.  This assembly must be used (not optional) to ensure safety of children at crosswalks in school zones.

This assembly will also have a phase-in compliance period of 10 years after the effective date of this final rule with this change effective immediately for new sign installations.

New text has been added under Guidance that recommends that an engineering study should be conducted before installing the School Crosswalk Warning Assembly.

## School Crosswalk Warning Assembly (S1-1 w/ Diagonal Arrow)

- Section 7B.10

- Engineering study should be conducted prior to installation
- 	Section 7B.09  Figure 7B-1

_**1988 MUTCD**__**	**__**	**__**    2000 MUTCD**_

- Yellow Text Denotes a Standard

**Notes:**
1988:  School Crossing Sign (S2-1)

Final Rule:	Instead of using crosswalk lines within the sign to indicate where the actual crossing is located, the new application consists of a crossing sign with supplemental downward pointing arrow plaque to show the crossing location.  This assembly must be used (not optional) to ensure safety of children at crosswalks in school zones.

This assembly will also have a phase-in compliance period of 10 years after the effective date of this final rule with this change effective immediately for new sign installations.

New text has been added under Guidance that recommends that an engineering study should be conducted before installing the School Crosswalk Warning Assembly.

## Typical Signing for School Area Traffic Control

- Not in MUTCD

- A new Figure 7B-1, “Typical Signing for School Area Traffic Control” is adopted.
- 	Section 7B.08

_**1988 MUTCD**__**	**__**	**__**    2000 MUTCD**_

- Yellow Text Denotes a Standard

**Notes:**
1988:  Not in MUTCD.

Final Rule:	A new figure 7B-1 has been added “Typical Signing for School Area Traffic Control”.    The figure has been revised since the NPA and now reflects the assembly signs with the diagonal arrow and the “AHEAD” and “XX FEET” plaques as discussed in Sections 7B.08 and 7B.09.  The figure has also been expanded to show the metric versions of the speed limit signs along with the English units.

## School Speed Limit Assembly (S4-1, S4-2, S4-3, S4-4, S5-1)

- School Speed Limit signs (S4-1 thru S4-4)
- Section 7B.12
- 	Section 7B.12

- School Speed Limit  Assembly Signs
- Discussion on End School Zone moved to separate Section 7B.13
- 	Section 7B.11

_**1988 MUTCD**__**	**__**	**__**    2000 MUTCD**_

- Yellow Text Denotes a Standard

**Notes:**
1988:  School Speed Limit Signs

Final Rule:	Title changed to School Speed Limit Assembly Signs. 
The title has been revised based on comments indicating that this section describes the complete assembly of signs that make up a school speed limit sign, not just the plates.

Also the discussion on End School Zone has been moved to a separate section (7B.13) based on docket comments.

## School Reduced Speed Ahead Assembly

- Not in MUTCD

- A new section addressing optional use of School Reduced Speed Ahead (R2-5a) sign in combination with SCHOOL (S4-3) plaque.
- 	Section 7B.12

_**1988 MUTCD**__**	**__**	**__**    2000 MUTCD**_

- Yellow Text Denotes a Standard

**Notes:**
1988:  Not in MUTCD.

Final Rule:	This is a new section to Part 7 which allows the optional use of installing a School Reduced Speed Ahead assembly to inform the road users of a reduced speed zone when engineering judgment indicates that advance notice would be appropriate.

## Parking and Stopping Signs (R7- R8 Series)

- Not in MUTCD

- A 4th example has been added: “No standing 8:00am to 5:00pm School Days Only”
- 	Section 7B.14

_**1988 MUTCD**__**	**__**	**__**    2000 MUTCD**_

- Yellow Text Denotes a Standard

**Notes:**
1988:  Not in MUTCD.

Final Rule:	A comment was received suggesting that “No Standing” signs be addressed as an example.  The FHWA agrees and has added this example to the discussion in paragraph 2 of Section 7B.14:
“No Standing 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM School Days Only”

## Placement of the S1-1 Sign

- Not in MUTCD

- Proposed Figure was deleted from the final rule. This info is found in Figure 7B.01 and text in Section 7B.08 & Part 2C.

_**1988 MUTCD**__**	**__**	**__**    2000 MUTCD**_

- Yellow Text Denotes a Standard

**Notes:**
1988:  Not in MUTCD.

Final Rule:	The Figure proposed in the NPA regarding Placement of the School Advance Warning Sign (S1-1)  received several negative comments.  Since the information is found in Figure 7B.01 and the text in Section 7B.08 and Part 2C the FHWA has deleted the figure from the final rule.

## Stop Line Markings

- Not in MUTCD

- In absence of marked crosswalk, the stop line should be placed... but should be placed no more than 9 m (30  ft) nor less than1.2 m (4 ft) from...
- 	Section 7C.04

_**1988 MUTCD**__**	**__**	**__**    2000 MUTCD**_

- Yellow Text Denotes a Standard

**Notes:**
1988:  Not in MUTCD.

Final Rule:  A GUIDANCE statement has been added addressing the placement of a Stop line in the absence of a marked crosswalk.  It reads:

“In the absence of a marked crosswalk, the stop line should be placed at the desired stopping point, but should be placed no more than 9 m (30 ft) nor less than 1.2 m (4 ft) from the nearest edge of the intersecting traveled way.”

## Pavement Word and Symbol Markings

- “Pavement messages... except SCHOOL messages may extend to the width of two lanes.”
- Figure 7-3 Single-lane pavement marking SCHOOL
- 	Section 7C.6

- Optional text clarified to read “The SCHOOL word marking may extend to the width of two _approach_ lanes.”
- This figure has been deleted from the Final Rule.
- 	Section 7C.06

_**1988 MUTCD**__**	**__**	**__**    2000 MUTCD**_

- Yellow Text Denotes a Standard

**Notes:**
1988:  “Pavement messages...except SCHOOL messages may extend to the width of two lanes.”
Figure 7-3 Single-Lane pavement Marking SCHOOL.

Final Rule:	Optional text has been revised to clarify that the “SCHOOL” word markings may extend the the width of two approach lanes.

Figure 7-3 addressing the single lane pavement marking in the 1988 MUTCD has been deleted leaving Figure 7C-1 Two-Lane Pavement Marking of “SCHOOL.”

## Signals

- 7D. School Area Traffic Signals
- 	Section 7D

- The text  is deleted.
- Refer to Section 4C.06, School Crossing signal warrant.
- 	Section 7D.01

_**1988 MUTCD**__**	**__**	**__**    2000 MUTCD**_

- Yellow Text Denotes a Standard

**Notes:**
1988:  Section 7D addresses School Area Traffic Signals.

Final Rule:	The text has been deleted and the reader is referred to Part 4 Signals, Section 4C.06 School Crossing Signal Warrant.

## Crossing Supervision

- 7E-3 “Legal Authority for Adult Guards”
- 7E-9 “Legal Authority for Student Patrols”
- 	Sections 7E-3, 7E-9

- Deletion of this section
- Deletion of this section
- 	Section 7E

_**1988 MUTCD**__**	**__**	**__**    2000 MUTCD**_

- Yellow Text Denotes a Standard

**Notes:**
1988:  7E-3 “Legal Authority for Adult Guards” and 7E-4 “Legal Authority for Student Patrols”

Final Rule:	The discussion on legal authority for adult guards and student patrols has been deleted since the state and local agencies are responsible for establishing laws regarding these crossing supervisors. 

## High Visibility Retroreflective Clothing

- “Uniform of Adult Guards”
- “During periods of twilight or darkness...”
- 	Section 7E-5

- “Adult Guards and Student Patrols should wear high visibility retroreflective...”
- Delete reference to “During periods of twilight or darkness...”
- 	Sections 7E.04

_**1988 MUTCD**__**	**__**	**__**    2000 MUTCD**_

- Yellow Text Denotes a Standard

**Notes:**
1988:  “Adult guards should be uniformed so that motorists and pedestrians can recognize them...”
“During period of twilight or darkness, adult guards and student patrols should wear either reflective material or reflective clothing.”

Final Rule:  The text in Section 7E.04 addresses the need for adult guards and student patrols to wear high visibility retroreflective material or clothing similar to that set forth in Section 6E.02.

Based on docket comments, the FHWA has deleted the proposed text “daytime, nighttime, and twilight hours” as it was found to be redundant.

## High Visibility Retroreflective Clothing (con’t)

- Not in MUTCD

- Added text to include “police officers” in the wearing of High-Visibility Retroflective Material or Clothing.
- 	Section 7E.04

_**1988 MUTCD**__**	**__**	**__**    2000 MUTCD**_

- Yellow Text Denotes a Standard

**Notes:**
1988:  Not in MUTCD

Final Rule:	The text in Section 7E.04 has been added to include “police officers” in addition to adult guards and student patrols in the wearing of high-visibility retroreflective material or clothing since police officers may be used for crossing supervision as mentioned in Section 7E.06.

The NPA Section 7E.10 was a duplication of 7E.04 and has been deleted from the Final Rule.

## High Visibility Retroreflective Clothing (con’t)

- Not in MUTCD

- Deleted proposed Section 7E.10 since it contained duplicate text found in 7E.04
- 	Section 7E.04

_**1988 MUTCD**__**	**__**	**__**    2000 MUTCD**_

- Yellow Text Denotes a Standard

**Notes:**
1988:  Not in MUTCD

Final Rule:	The text in Section 7E.04 has been added to include “police officers” in addition to adult guards and student patrols in the wearing of high-visibility retroreflective material or clothing since police officers may be used for crossing supervision as mentioned in Section 7E.06.

The NPA Section 7E.10 was a duplication of 7E.04 and has been deleted from the Final Rule.

## Operating Procedures For Adult Guards

- “Adult guards may use a 18” stop paddle...
- 	Section7E-6

- “Adult guards _should_ use a STOP paddle. The STOP paddle should be the primary hand-signaling device.”
- 	Section 7E.05

_**1988 MUTCD**__**	**__**	**__**    2000 MUTCD**_

- Yellow Text Denotes a Standard

**Notes:**
1988: Adult guards may use a 18” stop paddle...except that the paddle shall have “STOP” on one or both sides.

Final Rule:	The discussion on the use and size of the Stop paddle in Section  7E.05, paragraph 2 is changed from OPTION to GUIANCE.  It was also suggested that the STANDAD in paragraph 3 be modified to indicate that the paddles should be “at least” 450 mm (18 in).  This allows the user of a larger paddle.  Para 3 is also modified to required the word “STOP” on both sides of the paddle instead of “one or both sides” since it is important to traffic to read and respond to this commend from both directions of travel.

## Operating Procedures For Adult Guards

- The paddle shall have “STOP” on one or both sides.”
- 	Section7E-6

- The STOP paddle _shall _be an octagonal shape.
- The paddle _shall _be at least 450 mm (18in) in size and have the word message STOP on both sides.
- 	Section 7E.05

_**1988 MUTCD**__**	**__**	**__**    2000 MUTCD**_

- Yellow Text Denotes a Standard

**Notes:**
1988: Adult guards may use a 18” stop paddle...except that the paddle shall have “STOP” on one or both sides.

Final Rule:	The discussion on the use and size of the Stop paddle in Section  7E.05, paragraph 2 is changed from OPTION to GUIANCE.  It was also suggested that the STANDAD in paragraph 3 be modified to indicate that the paddles should be “at least” 450 mm (18 in).  This allows the user of a larger paddle.  Para 3 is also modified to required the word “STOP” on both sides of the paddle instead of “one or both sides” since it is important to traffic to read and respond to this commend from both directions of travel.