New York Codes, Rules and Regulations › Title 17 - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION › Chapter V - New York State Supplement To The National Manual On Uniform Traffic Control Devices For Streets And Highways-2009 Edition › New York State Supplement Introduction

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 28, July 10, 2024
The intent of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for
				Streets and Highways -- 2009 Edition (MUTCD) is to enhance highway safety and
				operation by requiring uniform, understandable, and effective traffic control
				devices on facilities open to public travel.
Traffic control devices installed on such facilities within the
				State of New York are required to conform to the MUTCD, published by the
				Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
Section 1680(a) of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law
				requires that "the Department of Transportation shall adopt a manual and
				specifications for a uniform system of traffic control devices consistent with
				the provisions of this chapter for use upon highways within this state. Such
				uniform system shall correlate with and so far as practicable conform to
				nationally accepted standards."
Effective September 13, 2007, the provisions of the MUTCD were
				formally adopted by the State of New York. These regulations also provided for
				a New York State Supplement to the MUTCD to become effective on that date.
				Combined, the two comprise the "manual and specifications for a uniform system
				of traffic control devices" required by Section 1680(a). The current MUTCD, the
				2009 Edition, was adopted by the FHWA on December 16, 2009, and became
				effective January 15, 2010.
Purpose of the New York State Supplement to the MUTCD
Deviations from the MUTCD are published in the New York State
				Supplement to the MUTCD (NYS Supplement), and are justified in cases where: New
				York law does not allow or support use of a device as described in the MUTCD;
				more restrictive guidance is desired; traffic control devices unique to New
				York need to be included; and/or the exclusion of optional traffic control
				devices is desired. These deviations are adopted through the State
				Administrative Procedures Act (SAPA) process and by permission of the
				FHWA.
How to Cite
In referencing 17 NYCRR Chapter V, it is acceptable to refer to
				these provisions as the New York State Supplement to the Manual on Uniform
				Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways -- 2009 Edition, the New York
				State Supplement, or the NYS Supplement.
How to Use the New York State Supplement to the MUTCD
This document supplements the 2009 Edition of the MUTCD, dated
				December 2009. Prior to the adoption of the MUTCD in New York, the user
				consulted 17 NYCRR Chapter V (informally known as the New York State MUTCD).
				Most of what was needed to be known regarding the proper design, application,
				and location of a traffic control device was contained in that manual. Users
				now need to follow a two-step process in order to properly ascertain that
				information.
First, the user should refer to the MUTCD for information
				regarding a particular device. Second, the user should consult the New York
				State Supplement to determine if alternative or additional guidance is provided
				for the traffic control device in question.
The New York State Supplement conforms to the organization,
				section numbering, and paragraph numbering of the MUTCD.
The New York State Supplement uses the following terms to
				inform the user what action is being taken in regards to the information being
				provided. The terms and their meanings are as follows:
DELETE = Remove material as directed.
INSERT = Add material as directed.
In some cases, there may be a conflict with material presented
				in the MUTCD and the New York State Supplement. When that occurs, the New York
				State Supplement is controlling, and the information provided in the New York
				State Supplement is meant to supersede the information found in the appropriate
				sections of the MUTCD.
Design Details
Design details for signs and pavement markings are generally
				not included in the MUTCD; they are found in the FHWA Standard Highway Signs
				and Markings (SHSM) book. Design details for devices referenced in the New York
				State Supplement can be found in the text and figures that accompany such
				references, as well as in the Sign Drawings located in Appendix 1 of this
				Supplement. Information regarding non-traffic control device issues such as
				substrate type (e.g., aluminum, steel, wood), retroreflective sheeting (e.g.,
				engineering grade, high intensity), bolt hole locations, hardware (e.g., nuts,
				bolts, brackets), and posts may be provided in the MUTCD and/or SHSM, but for
				illustrative purposes only. Applicable guidelines and specifications for
				information on these and other related topics should be consulted.
The New York State Supplement identifies traffic control
				devices in a manner consistent with the alphanumeric system used in the MUTCD.
				Devices that are unique to New York are easily identifiable by the addition of
				the prefix "NY" to the alphanumeric designation. The "NY" designations do not
				necessarily correspond to MUTCD designations, though, as these designations are
				based on the identification system used in the State MUTCD that was in effect
				before the MUTCD was adopted in New York.
Users of the New York State Supplement will notice that signs
				that can be used in both left and right orientations have been assigned a
				single alphanumeric designation (e.g., NYW2-8). This approach is consistent
				with the style of the MUTCD. When using such signs in both the MUTCD and the
				New York State Supplement, it is appropriate to add "R" or "L" suffixes to the
				sign designations (e.g., NYW2-8R) to specify the orientation desired.
Obtaining the MUTCD
The MUTCD is available online in electronic format on the FHWA
				website. Printed copies of the MUTCD 2009 Edition and cost information are
				available from the American Association of State Highways and Transportation
				Officials (AASHTO), the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), and the
				American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA).
Obtaining the New York State Supplement and Other NYSDOT
				Documents
The New York State Supplement is published under the title
				Transportation Title 17B (NYCRR) by Thomson West (800-344-5009).
The MUTCD, the New York State Supplement, and other NYSDOT
				traffic control device documents are available online at
				www.nysdot.gov/portal/page/portal/divisions/operating/oom/transportation-systems/traffic-operations-section/mutcd.
Other
Questions regarding the New York State Supplement may be
				directed to the Department.