Making this rule effective upon publication will enable States to begin incorporating metric units now. Furthermore, since this was published as an interim final rule, it is already effective. In addition to implementing the interim rule as a final rule, the FHWA is making one additional change. The Administrative Procedure Act provides that an agency may dispense with prior notice and opportunity for comment when the agency for good cause finds that such procedures are impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest. The Pavement Marking Demonstration Program expired.
Comments regarding a reference to a nonexistent program are unnecessary.
Therefore, notice and opportunity for comment are not required. The FHWA has determined that this action is not a significant regulatory action within the meaning of Executive Order 12866 or significant within the meaning of Department of Transportation regulatory policies and procedures. It is anticipated that the economic impact of the rulemaking will be minimal. The additional guidance and clarification provided by this final amendment will improve application of traffic control devices at little additional expense to public agencies or the motoring public. Therefore, a full regulatory evaluation is not required.