Regulation & Policy

Federal Register Notice Published on October 15, 2007 (HTML, PDF 325KB) - This notice seeks comments from States and other jurisdictions and interested parties on Interim Guidance on the Information Sharing Specifications and Data Exchange Formats for the Real-Time System Management Information Program. Comments may be submitted until February 12, 2008. [FHWA Docket No. FHWA-2007-28969].

Federal Register Notice Published on May 4, 2006 (HTML, PDF 65KB) - This notice seeks comments and information for the Real-Time System Management Information Program under Section 1201 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). [FHWA Docket Number FHWA-06-24219]

Federal Register Notice Published on October 19, 2005 (HTML, PDF 70KB) - This notice request for expression of consent to participate in the Transportation Technology Innovation and Demonstration Program.

Dynamic Message Sign (DMS) Recommended Practice and Guidance 8/24/04 - Memorandum offering recommended practices and guidance for the appropriate and effective use of DMS. There are too many instances where the DMS are underutilized or providing generic information even though traffic conditions are deteriorating. It is important that these assets and investments be used more effectively to provide motorists with meaningful and useful information. Providing travel time information is an excellent method of notifying motorists about current conditions in a manner that can be easily interpreted and understood.

AMBER Plan Implementation Assistance Program; Request for Application (HTML, PDF 57KB) - Notice published in the Federal Register October 19, 2005 announcing the availability to States of funding to implement motorist information services related to issuing child abduction, or AMBER alerts.

Use of Changeable Message Sign (CMS) for Emergency Security Messages 3/21/03 - State and local transportation agencies have used CMS in times of emergency to convey information to motorists, and ongoing activities related to homeland security may introduce additional opportunities to use CMS. However, messages displayed on CMS must continue to be based on good practice. The purpose of this memorandum is to provide guidance on the use of CMS for displaying emergency or security alert messages.

USDOT seeks applications from states for AMBER Plan Program Support Assistance (HTML, PDF 48KB) Notice published in the Federal Register February 12, 2003 announcing the availability to States of funding to plan the use of DOT resources when child abduction alerts are issued.

AMBER Alert Use of Changeable Message Signs (CMS) 8/16/02 - The purpose of this memorandum is to clarify the FHWA policy on the use of CMS for displaying AMBER Alert child abduction-related messages. Under certain circumstances, using CMS to display child abduction messages as part of an AMBER Plan Program has been determined to be consistent with our current policy governing the use of CMS and the type of messages that are displayed.

Safety Message Signs Interpretation ("Click it or Ticket" Signs) 3/6/02 - Memorandum in response to an an inquiry from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) concerning the "Click it or Ticket" Signs. A "Click it or Ticket" sign design for a national safety campaign by NHTSA was reviewed, as well as the issues associated with its conformance with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).

Memorandum on the Use of Changeable Message Signs 1/19/01 - The appropriate use of a CMS and other types of real-time displays should be limited to managing travel, controlling and diverting traffic, identifying current and anticipated roadway conditions, or regulating access to specific lanes or the entire roadway.

Guidance on Federal-aid Eligibility of Operating Costs for Transportation Management Systems 1/3/00 - This program guidance is intended to help clarify some issues that have been brought to our attention, and in particular questions about what may constitute reasonable operating costs for computer and other electronic systems. In order to assure continuous operation, costs associated with maintaining these systems are necessary operating expenses so that traffic monitoring, management, and control facilities or programs provide their intended functions.

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