# Presentation: 755440

## Millennium EditionSummary of Changes

**Part 1: General Provisions**

**Notes:**
This presentation will cover the significant additions to the Introduction of the MUTCD.

## Copyright & Patent Info

- Copyrighted or patented devices not allowed.
- Exception is the AASHTO Interstate Shield.
- Devices considered public domain.

- Yellow Text Denotes a Standard

**Notes:**
A STANDARD statement has been added indicating that any traffic control device or application provision contained in the MUTCD shall be considered in the pubic domain.

The FHWA will not include copyrighted or patented devices in the MUTCD with the exception of the Interstate Shield, a copyrighted device developed by AASHTO.

“Any traffic control device design or application provision contained in this Manual shall be considered to be in the public domain.  Traffic control devices contained in this Manual shall not be protected by a patent or copyright, except for the Interstate Shield.”

## Definition of Category Headings

- Standards:	“Shall” Conditions
- Guidance:	“Should” Conditions
- Options:		“May” Conditions
- Support:		Descriptive and/or General
-  		Information

- Yellow Text Denotes a Standard

**Notes:**
The discussion on defining the category headings and conditions is included in the Introduction.  The new format of the category headings makes it easier to distinguish between distinct sections.

The text contains category headings within each section.  Some sections will contain all four category headings, while others may only contain one.

The “Standard” category heading represents “shall” conditions.
The “Guidance” category heading represents “should” conditions.
The “Options” category heading represents “may” conditions.
The “Support” category contains descriptive and/or general information.

## Metric/English Units

- English Units

- Both Metric and English Used

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

- Yellow Text Denotes a Standard

**Notes:**
The Introduction contains a discussion on the use of the International System of Units (which is a modernization of the Metric system) and English units throughout the Manual.

“Throughout this Manual all dimensions and distances are provided in the International System of Units, a modernized version of the Metric system, and their English equivalent units are shown in parentheses.”

## Part 1General Provisions & Definitions

**Summary of Changes**

**Notes:**
This presentation will cover the significant changes to Part I of the MUTCD which contains general provisions & definitions.

## Basic Principles

- “Vehicle Speed” added as consideration in the design, placement, operation and location of TCDs.

- Yellow Text Denotes a Standard

**Notes:**
“Vehicle speed” has been added as a variable to the GUIDANCE in Section 1A.02 that governs the design, placement, operation, and location of various traffic control devices.
The FHWA believes this is an important consideration since the travelling speed of a road user can affect their ability to appropriately respond to the driving task.

“Vehicle speed should be carefully considered as an element that governs the design, operations, placement, and location of various traffic control devices.”

## Design of TCD’s

- Term “colors” added
- Development of word message signs allowed by highway agencies.

- Yellow Text Denotes a Standard

**Notes:**
The term “colors” is added to the STANDARD statement in Section 1A.03 that states all symbols not shown in the Standard Highway Signs book shall be adopted using the procedure described in Section 1A.10 MUTCD Changes, Interpretations, and Experimentations.”

“All symbols and colors for signs not shown in the Standard Highway Signs book shall be adopted...”

Optional text has been added to allow State and local highway agencies to develop word message signs to notify road users of special regulations.

“Highway agencies may develop word message signs to notify road users of special regulations or to warn road users of a situation that may not be readily apparent.”

## Maintenance of Traffic Control Devices

- Text explaining the difference between functional and physical maintenance.

- Yellow Text Denotes a Standard

**Notes:**
Text has been added to Section 1A.05 as GUIDANCE to explain the difference between functional and physical maintenance of traffic control devices.

“Traffic control devices should be maintained to ensure that legibility is retained, that the device is visible, and that it functions properly in relation other other traffic control devices in the vicinity during both day and night conditions.”

## Discussion of FHWA Policies

- Add discussion on 23 CFR 655, Subpart F. to Section 1A.07
- “Substantial conformance” with the national MUTCD

- Yellow Text Denotes a Standard

**Notes:**
FHWA has added a reference 23 CFR 655, Subpart F in Section 1A.07, which states that the MUTCD is recognized as the national standard for TCDs on all streets, highways, and bicycle paths open to public travel.  When a State or other Federal agency’s MUTCD or supplement is used, they shall be in substantial conformance with the national MUTCD (see 1/9/97 Final Rule.)

“23 CFR adopts the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices as the national standard for all traffic control devices installed on any street, highway, or bikeway open to public travel.   When a State or other Federal agency manual or supplement is required, they shall be in substantial conformance with the national Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.”

## Authority for Placement

- All Traffic Control Devices SHALL be placed as authorized by public authority that has jurisdiction.
- Unauthorized devices SHOULD be removed.

- Yellow Text Denotes a Standard

**Notes:**
Language has been added to Section 1A.08 requiring all traffic control devices and any other signs or messages within the street or highway right-of-way shall be placed only as authorized by a public authority or official having jurisdiction for the street or highway.

Language has also been added to indicate that any unauthorized traffic control device or any non-essential sign or message placed within the highway right-of-way should be removed.

“”Traffic control devices, advertisement, announcement, and other signs or messages within the highway right-of-way shall be placed only as authorized by a public authority or the official having jurisdiction, for the purposes of regulating, warning, or guiding traffic.”

“Any unauthorized traffic control device or other sign or message placed on the highway right-of-way by a private organization or individual constitutes a public nuisance and should be removed.”

## Engineering Study & Engineering Judgment

- Difference between “engineering study” and “engineering Judgment” are discussed.

- Yellow Text Denotes a Standard

**Notes:**
A clarification discussion has been added to Section 1A.09 on the difference between “engineering study” and “engineering judgment.”

“The decision to use a particular device at a particular location should be made on the basis of an engineering study. “Thus...this Manual should not be considered  a substitute for engineering judgment.”

## Interpretations, Experimentations & Changes

- Prohibit design, application & placement of TCD’s not adopted in the MUTCD.
- Allow experimentation, interpretation & change according to process.
- Statement that TCD not patented or copyrighted.

- Yellow Text Denotes a Standard

**Notes:**
Text has been added to Section 1A.10 that prohibits the design, application, and placement of traffic control devices other than those adopted in the MUTCD, unless the process for experimentation, interpretation, or change is followed.
Language is added to the GUIDANCE indicating that any request for permission to experiment with a new traffic control device should contain a legally-biding statement certifying that the traffic control device is not protected by a patent or copyright since patented or copyrighted devices are not permitted in the MUTCD, except for the Interstate Shield. 
“Design, application, and placement of traffic control devices other than those adopted in this Manual, shall be prohibited unless the provisions of this Section are followed.”
“The request for permission to experiment should contain the following:
E.  A legally-binding statement certifying that the traffic control device is not protected by a patent or copyright.”
A diagram of the typical process for requesting experimentation for new TCD’s is included as Figure 1A-1.
A diagram of the typical process for requesting a change is at Figure 1A-2.

## Definition of Words & Phrases

- Limited Definition of Traffic Control Devices

- Expanded Definitions of Traffic Control Devices

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

- Yellow Text Denotes a Standard

**Notes:**
1988:	Limited number of definitions.

Final Rule:	Section 1A.13 lists terms that are universally used throughout the Manual.  The definitions for terms found only in one section of the MUTCD can be found within that specific section.

## Abbreviations on TCD’s

- Abbreviations SHALL be standard for word messages used in conjunction with the MUTCD.

- Yellow Text Denotes a Standard

**Notes:**
Section 1A.14 discusses abbreviations used on traffic control devices.

Abbreviations found on Table 1A-1 may be used in connection with traffic control devices.

Abbreviations found on Table 1A-2 should not be used in connection with traffic control devices unless the prompt word shown in Table 1A-2 either precedes or follows the abbreviation.

Abbreviations found in Table 1A-3  shall not be used in connection with traffic control devices because of their potential to be misinterpreted by road users.