# Presentation: 768303

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

**Notes:**
Part 5, is entitled, “Traffic Control Devices for Low-Volume Roads,” and is new to the MUTCD.  The old Part 5 on Islands has been incorporated into Part 3 of the Millennium Edition.  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. 

## Working Definition of 

**Low-Volume Roads**

**Photo courtesy of Federal Lands Program Office of U.S. DOT**

**Notes:**
Low-volume roads are defined as those facilities that lie outside built-up areas of cities, towns, and communities, and have a traffic volume of less than 400 average annual daily traffic rate.

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.

## Design and Placement of 

**Devices  ****for Low-Volume Roads**

**Notes:**
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 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 judgment indicates a need based on high vehicle operating speeds, significant conflict areas and less than ideal roadway conditions.
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.

## Markings, Warning Signs, and Regulatory Signs

**Notes:**
The use of STOP and/or YIELD signs on low-volume rural roads should be based on the warrants and criteria found in chapter 2B.

## Highway-Rail Grade Crossings 

**Notes:**
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. 

## Temporary Traffic 

**Control Zones**

**Notes:**
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.