Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices

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The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, or MUTCD defines the standards used by road managers nationwide to install and maintain traffic control devices on all streets and highways. The MUTCD is published by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) under 23 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 655, Subpart F.

The electronic version of the MUTCD 2003 Edition with Revisions 1 and 2 incorporated is the most current edition on the MUTCD Web site and is the official FHWA publication. FHWA is not printing copies of the MUTCD because of the prohibitive costs involved. The web site version is also more efficient and reliable when revising the MUTCD. National organizations have partnered and printed hard copies of the MUTCD. These hard copies are available for sale. Go to ATSSA, ITE, or AASHTO to get sales information.

What's New

Federal Register Notice, November 21, 2008 - Worker Visibility - Interim Final Rule

On November 21, 2008, the FHWA issued an Interim Final Rule Revising the Worker Visibility Rule (23CFR 634) to create an exemption for the firefighting community. This interim Final rule allows firefighters or other emergency responders working within the right-of-way of a Federal-aid highway and engaged in emergency operations that directly expose them to flame, fire, heat, and/or hazardous materials to wear retroreflective turn-out gear that is specified and regulated by other organizations, such as the National Fire Protection Association. Firefighters or other emergency responders working within the right-of-way of a Federal-aid highway and engaged in any other types of operations shall wear high-visibility safety apparel as defined in this rule. The FHWA decided to issue this interim final rule to address safety concerns raised by fire fighting community. The interim final rule was published in the Federal Register November 21, 2008 and went into effect on November 24, 2008. If you have any questions, please contact Hari Kalla or Ken Wood.

Proposed Amendments for Next Edition of the MUTCD

A Notice of Proposed Amendments (NPA) to the MUTCD containing comprehensive revisions proposed for incorporation into the next edition of the MUTCD was published in the Federal Register on January 2, 2008 for public review and comments. A 7-month period was provided for comments to the docket, which closed on July 31, 2008. The FHWA is currently reviewing and analyzing the comments received. A Final Rule for the next edition of the MUTCD is anticipated during 2009. The NPA's proposed MUTCD text, figures, and tables are available for viewing. Slide presentations illustrating the proposed amendments are also available to enhance understanding.

Revision Number 2 to the 2003 Edition of MUTCD

A Final Rule on Sign Retroreflectivity has been published in the Federal Register on December 21, 2007. This Final Rule adopts revisions to the current 2003 edition of the MUTCD. The revisions affect the MUTCD Introduction, Part 1, and Chapter 2A, plus minor editorial changes to cross-references in Chapters 2B and 6F. This set of revisions is Revision No. 2 to the 2003 edition of the MUTCD. The most current edition of the MUTCD is now the 2003 Edition with Revisions 1 and 2 incorporated. The Federal Register notice of the Final Rule for Revision Number 2 (No. 2) can be viewed at: http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/res-notices.htm. A document showing the specific changes to the MUTCD that are included in Revision No. 2 can be viewed at: (HTML, PDF 70KB). For more information and background on Revision No. 2, please visit FHWA's Sign Retroreflectivity Web site at http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/roadway_dept/retro/#signretro.

Additional What's New Items

Status of States Adopting the MUTCD (Updated December 11, 2008)
Recordings and Presentations from Webinar on High Visibility Garments Regulation - On September 4, 2008, the National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse held a webinar on the new FHWA Worker Visibility regulation that takes effect November 24, 2008. Speakers were Hari Kalla, MUTCD Team Leader for FHWA's Office of Operations, and Janice Bradley, Technical Director of the International Safety Equipment Association. (September 19, 2008)
Interim Approval for the Optional Use of Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (July 16, 2008)

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