Companion Guide to Video January 2014

www.fhwa.dot.gov/federal-aidessentials

Every transportation agency in the United 

States uses the Manual on Uniform Traffic 

Control Devices, or MUTCD, to deploy 

signs, traffic signals, pavement markings, 

and other traffic control devices that route 

traffic and alert motorists of potential 

hazards. 

This standardized method of communication 

helps road users, no matter where they are 

in the country, understand the road ahead 

and how to avoid collisions. Agencies that 

fail to apply the MUTCD standards risk 

exposure to litigation. 

To improve public safety and reduce liability 

exposure, substantial conformance with 

MUTCD standards is critical. As traffic 

volume and roadway conditions change, 

agencies must continually reassess their 

roadways and work zones to ensure proper 

design and placement of traffic control 

devices. 

Let's review the contents of the MUTCD and 

learn how agencies use the manual to make 

decisions about traffic control devices. 

The MUTCD has nine parts. 

Part 1 defines terms and introduces the 

concept of standards, guidance, and 

options. More specifically, the standards 

define what every agency must do, and the 

guidance and options designate what they 

should or may do. Part 1 also provides 

regulatory background and additional 

Project Development

Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)

Applying the MUTCD to Aid Safety and Reliability

This manual helps agencies ensure that proper traffic control devices are in 

place for road users
Federal-aid Essentials for Local Public Agencies

information that assists the reader in using 

the manual. 

Parts 2, 3 and 4 address the three classes 

of traffic control devices: signs, pavement 

markings, and traffic signals. In these 

sections, readers learn about each device's 

design, placement, maintenance, and the 

conditions for use. 

Parts 5 through 9 address the use of 

devices for specialty applications and 

provide typical examples of use. 

Specifically, Part 5 addresses low-volume 

roads, Part 6 describes temporary 

situations, like work zones or special 

events, Part 7 examines school areas, Part 

8 highlights railroad grade crossings, and 

Part 9 covers bicycle facilities. 

During roadway design, transportation 

engineers use the MUTCD to identify the 

most appropriate traffic control system for 

the specific road type and the anticipated 

traffic volume. 

When actual traffic volumes grow beyond 

what was originally anticipated or collisions 

increase, existing traffic control devices 

need to be evaluated to improve safety. For 

example, the addition of a traffic signal to 

control the right-of-way at an intersection or 

pavement marking to provide turn lanes will 

decrease the severity of crashes. Therefore, 

agency staff should monitor changes in 

traffic volume and collisions and use the 

MUTCD to decide whether changes in traffic 

control are needed. Whether designing or 

reassessing a roadway, always use the 

standard most appropriate for road 

conditions. 

To illustrate how agencies use the MUTCD, 

let's follow a maintenance supervisor on a 

project to repair a storm sewer drain on a 

residential street. 

According to the work order, repairs will 

take place at a single location, where the 

traffic is anticipated to be light, less than 50 

cars per hour, and the speed limit is 25 

mph. The supervisor thinks his crew can 

finish the repairs within 4 hours. 

This project description leads to a typical 

MUTCD application, specifically, Lane 
Federal-aid Essentials for Local Public Agencies

Closure on a Minor Street. The standard 

describes an advance sign with an option 

for a work vehicle that has a truck-mounted 

attenuator. The MUTCD also describes 

conditions when flaggers might be required. 

Anticipating that drivers will be able to 

decide when it's safe to pass the work zone, 

the supervisor has the standard signage put 

in place. 

However, when he arrives at the work zone, 

the supervisor sees heavy traffic in the 

eastbound lane and a backup in the 

westbound lane. To pass the work zone, 

many drivers accelerate too quickly. 

In situations like this, when traffic does not 

self-regulate, the standard in the MUTCD 

requires the addition of flaggers, which the 

supervisor immediately arranges to manage 

the right-of-way. 

If your agency has jurisdiction over a road, 

it's responsible for applying MUTCD 

standards. And as our example illustrates, 

when traffic control does not appear to be 

working for the road user, your agency must 

reassess and allocate the appropriate traffic

control devices. This assessment is made 

for permanent installations and temporary 

situations. 

For questions about applying the MUTCD, 

contact your State department of 

transportation. Additional training is also 

available through the local technical 

assistance program.
Federal-aid Essentials for Local Public Agencies

The content of this 

document is not a 

substitute for 

information obtained 

from State departments 

of transportation, 

appropriate FHWA 

Division Offices, and 

applicable laws. 

Scenarios have been 

simplified for emphasis 

and do not necessarily 

reflect the actual range of 

requirements applicable 

to the scenario or this 

topic. This document

was created under 

contract number 

DTFH61-11-D-00025 by 

the Federal Highway 

Administration, U.S. 

Department of 

Transportation, and is 

offered to the public to 

heighten and focus 

awareness of Federal-aid 

requirements within the 

local public agencies 

community and 

reinforces the 

importance of these 

necessary policies, 

procedures, and 

practices.

This Companion Resource 

is the script content for 

the video production of 

the same name. 

Additional Resources

• Link to the official copy of the current MUTCD

http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/

• Link to the MUTCD's Standard Highway Signs and Markings Book

http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/ser-shs_millennium.htm

• Electronic Federal Code of Regulations covering regulatory authority for 

the MUTCD 

http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/textidx?c=ecfr&sid=b7cc2200066b6240b626b1c8b19d2291&rgn=div6&view

=text&node=23:1.0.1.7.30.2&idno=23

• Information on the requirement for all signs to be maintained at a 

minimum level of retroreflectivity. 

http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/roadway_dept/night_visib/

• Information on requirement for all types of roadside hardware, including 

permanent and portable sign supports and guardrails.

http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/roadway_dept/policy_guide/road_hardware/