# Presentation: 354578

## Part 5: 
Traffic Control Devices for
Low-Volume Roads

**Traffic Control Devices for**
**Low-Volume Roads**

- Millennium Edition**Summary of Changes**

**Notes:**
Part 5, entitled “Traffic Control Devices For Low Volume Rural Roads”, is new to the MUTCD.  The current Part 5 (Islands) has been incorporated into Part 3 of the Millennium Edition.

## Part 5  Objectives

- Dedicate a portion of the MUTCD to low volume rural roads
- Focus on TCDs that are unique or most applicable to low volume roads
- Cross reference devices that are appropriate for low volume as well as higher class facilities

**Notes:**
1988 Edition:  NA

Final Rule:  The goal of Part 5 is to provide standards and guidance for traffic control devices that are unique to or most applicable to low volume roadways. Low volume facilities typically include farm-to-market, recreational, resource management and local service roads.

Part 5 has been designed to reference other applicable sections of the MUTCD relative to standards and guidance for traffic control devices that are appropriate for low volume roads but are, also, applicable to higher class facilities.  

The intent is to have a part of the MUTCD dedicated to low volume facilities largely because they constitute a high percentage of the total road miles in the United States.  

## 5A.01 Working definition of low-volume roads

**Located outside the built-up areas of cities, towns and communities**
**Traffic volumes < 400 AADT**
**Paved vs. unpaved**

**Notes:**
1988 Edition:  NA

Final Rule:  In Section 5A.1 of  proposed PART 5, the FHWA recommends that low volume roads be defined as those facilities that lie outside built-up areas of cities, towns and communities and have a traffic volume of less than 400 AADT (average annual daily traffic).

Typically the majority of users of low volume roads are local residents and others that are familiar with the limitations of the facilities.  However, the needs of unfamiliar users for occasional recreational and commercial transportation purposes must be considered as well.  By limiting low volume roads to facilities with 400 AADT or less, the numbers of unfamiliar users will be such that reduced use of TCD’s can be employed  without compromising safety and operations.

A low volume road shall not be an interchange ramp, freeway  service road, or a road designated on a State highway system.  In terms of highway classification, it can be a variation of a conventional road or special purpose road as defined in Section 2A.1.  It shall not be a freeway or expressway.

A distinction is drawn between paved and unpaved low volume roads because of the differences in requirements for traffic control devices; particularly markings.  

## 5A.02  Application of devices on low volume roads 

- Focus on devices that:
- Warn of conditions not normally encountered
- Prohibit unsafe movements
- Provide minimal destination guidance
**Part 5 does not prohibit the installation nor the full application of TCDs on low volume roads**

**Notes:**
1988 Edition:  NA

Final Rule:  It is possible, in many cases, to achieve safe and efficient vehicle operation on low volume roads with a limited number of traffic control devices that provide essential information to the road user.  The focus might be on devices that:
	1. Warn of conditions not normally encountered
	2. Prohibit unsafe movements
	3. Provide minimal destination guidance

The criteria contained in Part 5 shall not prohibit the installation nor full application of TCD’s on low volume roads where conditions justify their use. As with other roads, the application of traffic control devices on low volume roads is based on engineering judgement or engineering studies.

## 5A.03  Design of devices  for low-volume roads

- Typical signs for low-volume roads are  shown in table 5A-1
**Minimum sign sizes are also posted in table 5A-1**
- The use of other signs and signs with larger dimensions should be dictated by engineering judgement and studies

**Notes:**
1988 Edition:  NA

Final Rule:  Signs and markings for use on low volume roads shall be designed in accordance with the criteria contained in Part 5 and, where required, in other applicable parts of the Manual.

All signs shall be retroreflective or illuminated to show the same shape and color both day and night, unless specifically stated otherwise in other applicable parts of the MUTCD.  All markings, which must be visible at night, shall be retroreflective unless ambient illumination ensures that the markings are adequately visible.

Larger sign sizes should be used where engineering judgement indicates a need based on high vehicle operating speeds, significant conflict areas and less than ideal roadway conditions.

## Table 5A-1  - Examples of minimum sign sizes

**Notes:**
1988 Edition: NA

Final Rule: This slide represents a sampling of Table 5A-1.  The table in the final rule is entitled “Minimum Sign Sizes on Low-Volume Roads”, and presents minimum dimensions for 45 different types of regulatory and warning signs.

## TCDs shall be placed and positioned, where necessary, in accordance with the criteria in Part 2.
Sign offsets of not less than 0.6m (2ft) from roadway edge to roadside edge of a sign may be used when necessary
If located within a clear zone, roadside signs shall be yielding, breakaway or shielded.

- Sign offsets of not less than 0.6m (2ft) from roadway edge to roadside edge of a sign may be used when necessary
**If located within a clear zone, roadside signs shall be yielding, breakaway or shielded.**

- 5A.04  Placement of deviceson low-volume roads

**Notes:**
1988 Edition: NA

Final Rule: Traffic control devices used on low volume roads shall be placed and positioned in accordance with the criteria contained in Part 5 and, where necessary, in accordance with the lateral, longitudinal, and vertical placement criteria contained in Part 2 and other applicable sections of the Manual.

Part 5 provides an option for low-volume roads that allows a 0.6 m (2 ft) offset from the edge of a shoulder, or roadway without shoulders, to the near edge of a sign.  The proposed option would be allowed on low volume roads if roadside features such as terrain, shrubbery, and/or trees prevent lateral placement in accordance with Section 2A.19. 

A longitudinal barrier or crash cushion is required for devices that are shielded.

## 5B.  Regulatory signsfor low-volume roads

- Use of stop/yield signs on low-volume roads should be considered when:
- a less important road intersects but the normal right-of-way rule may not be readily apparent
- there is restricted sight distance for prevailing speeds
**Other regulatory signs shall comply with criteria in other Parts of the MUTCD****.**

**Notes:**
1988 Edition:  NA

Final Rule:  The use of STOP and/or YIELD signs on low volume rural roads should be based on the warrants and criteria found in Sections 2B.4 through 2B.9 or when an intersection:
 is unclear as to who has the right-of-way
 has restricted sight distance for the prevailing vehicle speeds

Chapter 5B provides discussion on the application of Speed Limit, Traffic Movement and Prohibition, and Parking signs.  These are types of regulatory signs that are likely to be most predominant on low-volume roads though there application would be similar to that for other types of facilities..

Other regulatory signs used on low-volume roads that are not discussed in Part 5 shall comply with other Parts of the Manual; specifically Chapter 2B. 

## 5C. Warning Signs for low-volume roads

- Motorized Traffic and Crossing signs should be removed or covered when not in use.
- NO TRAFFIC signs may be used on unpaved, low-volume roads.
**Other warning signs shall comply with criteria in other Parts of the MUTCD****.**

**Notes:**
1988 Edition: NA

Final Rule: 
Removal or covering of Motorized Traffic and Crossing signs has changed from a requirement in the proposed rule to guidance in the final rule.  Although it is good practice to remove or cover such signs when the designated activities will not be occurring for an extended period of time, it is now considered optional for low-volume roads due to the limited risk to motorists and the potentially high cost for agencies.

In those cases when a unpaved road is deemed to carry so little volume that no type of signing is needed, a NO TRAFFIC SIGNS sign may be installed at entry points to advise motorists accordingly.

Chapter 5C provides discussion on the application of Horizontal Alignment, Intersection, Stop Ahead and Yield Ahead, Narrow Bridge, ONE LANE BRIDGE, Hill, PAVEMENT ENDS, and DEAD END or NO OUTLET signs.  These are types of warning signs that are likely to be most predominant on low-volume roads though there application would be similar to that for other types of facilities.

Other warning signs used on low-volume roads that are not discussed in Part 5 shall comply with other Parts of the Manual; specifically Chapter 2C.

## 5E.  Markingsfor low-volume roads

- Center line markings should be placed on paved low-volume roads subject to engineering judgement or study.
- Edge line markings may be placed on paved facilities with or without centerlines.
- A Type III barricade may be used where engineering study indicates a need for a more visible end-of-roadway treatment.
**Other markings shall conform with the criteria contained in the Manual**

**Notes:**
1988 Edition:  NA

Final Rule:  Any reference to a maximum width for low-volume roads over which center lines should be considered has been dropped from the final rule. Although there are prescribed maximum widths for urban and rural collectors published in Section 3B.01, these are for facilities exceeding 6000 ADT.  There is, currently, no definitive research which indicates that such maximums should apply on paved, low-volume roads where the maximum ADT is 400 vpd.  For now, center line placement on low-volume roads should be determined by engineering judgement or an engineering study.

Edge line markings may be placed on paved, low-volume roads for roadway features such as horizontal curves, narrow bridges, pavement width transitions, curvilinear alignment, and at other locations based on engineering judgement or engineering study.  Once again, Section 3B.03 recommends the use of edge lines on paved, rural facilities in excess of 6000 ADT.  Currently, there is no definitive research to suggest that such widespread application of edge lines is necessary for low-volume roads.

Direction on the use of Type III barricades has been changed from Guidance (should) to Option (may) in the final rule.  The use of Type III barricades would not be warranted at the termini of most low-volume roads and a call for their extensive use would represent a large financial burden to responsible agencies. 

Other markings, such as stop lines, crosswalks, pavement legends, barricades, channelizing devices and islands shall conform with the criteria in other parts of the Manual.

## 5F.  Highway-rail grade crossings

**Crossbuck and advanced warning signs shall be used at all crossings.**
- Pavement markings should be used on paved low-volume facilities.
**Other devices that could be used shall conform with the criteria in Part 8.**

**Notes:**
1988 Edition: NA

Final Rule: For all low-volume roads, Crossbuck signs shall be used on the right side of each approach to a highway-rail grade crossing.  A strip of retroreflective white material not less than 50 mm (2 in) in width shall be mounted on the back of each blade and for the full length of the front and back of each support at every Crossbuck sign.

A Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Advance Warning Sign shall be used in advance of every crossing on low-volume roads though they may be omitted for crossings that are flagged by train crews.

Pavement markings at highway-rail grade crossings should be used on paved low-volume roads, particularly if they are deployed at other crossings within the immediate vicinity and/or the roadway has centerline markings.  This was changed from Option to Guidance in the final rule to address concerns that an unfamiliar motorist may have no knowledge of the low AADT and, therefore, would expect markings.

Other traffic control devices that are used at grade crossings on low-volume roads, such as other signs, signals and illumination, and that are not discussed in this Chapter, shall conform with the criteria in Part 8. 

## 5G. Temporary traffic control zones

- A traffic control plan should be used for temporary control zones on low-volume roads.
**Devices used for channelization at night shall have the same retroflectivity as for higher volume roads**
- Pavement markings should be considered for temporary control.
- Material in Part 5 is closely aligned with that in Part 6.

**Notes:**
1988 Edition: NA

Final Rule: A traffic control plan should be used for a temporary traffic control zone on a low-volume road to specify traffic control devices and features, or to reference typical work zone drawings such as those contained in Part 6.  Applications of speed reduction countermeasures and enforcement can be effective in reducing speeds.  Maintenance activities may not require extensive traffic control if the existing traffic volumes and speeds are typically low.

Pavement markings should be considered for temporary traffic control, especially for low-volume roads that had existing markings or that have a surfaced detour.  Interim pavement markings may be needed based on criteria established in Section 6F.66.

Other traffic control devices that are used for temporary traffic control on low-volume roads, such as other signs, signals and illumination, and that are not discussed in this Chapter, shall conform with the criteria in Part 6 and other Parts of the Manual.