Overview
The traffic control devices (TCD) are very critical for the safe and efficient
transportation of people and goods. The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control
Devices (MUTCD), by setting minimum standards and providing guidance, ensures
uniformity of traffic control devices across the nation. The use of uniform
TCDs (messages, location, size, shapes, and colors) helps reduce crashes
and congestion, and improves the efficiency of the surface transportation
system. Uniformity also helps reduce the cost of TCDs through standardization.
The information contained in the MUTCD is the result of either years of
practical experience, research, and or the MUTCD experimentation process.
This effort ensures that TCDs are visible, recognizable, understandable,
and necessary. The MUTCD is a dynamic document that changes with time to
address contemporary safety and operational issues.
Key Messages:
- The MUTCD contains the national standards governing all traffic control
devices. All public agencies across the nation rely on the MUTCD to
bring uniformity to the roadway. The MUTCD plays a critical role in
improving safety and mobility of all road users.
- The MUTCD is the law governing all traffic control devices. Non-compliance
of the MUTCD ultimately can result in loss of federal-aid funds as well
as significant increase in tort liability.
- Uniformity of traffic control devices is critical in highway safety
and mobility as well as cutting capital and maintenance costs of TCDs
for public agencies and manufacturers.
- The FHWA has established a sound process to incorporate new devices
and applications in the MUTCD. The process involves the Federal Register
rulemaking activity which encourages public involvement. Any interested
person or organization may provide input to the rulemaking activity by
submitting comments to the docket.
- The process encourages innovation and flexibility while maintaining
uniformity.
- The success of the MUTCD depends on nationwide complete acceptance and
application of the MUTCD as well as extensive participation by the practitioners
in developing and evaluating the content of the MUTCD.
- Input from practitioners and all other stakeholders is very critical
in keeping the MUTCD current and relevant.
Audience:
The MUTCD audience includes, but is not limited to: State and local highway
agencies, public officials, the insurance industry, law enforcement agencies,
incident management personnel, maintenance personnel, academic institutions,
private industry, and planning, construction and engineering organizations.