Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices

Current Edition of MUTCD
Review MUTCD Compliance Dates

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, June 15, 2009 - Worker Visibility - Final Rule

On November 24, 2008, the Interim Final Rule revising the Worker Visibility rule (23CFR 634) was issued to create an exemption for the firefighting community. This interim Final rule allowed 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. The FHWA decided to issue this interim final rule to address safety concerns raised by fire fighting community. Three comments were submitted to the Interim Final Rule. Those have been addressed and it was issued as a Final Rule on June 15, 2009. 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 Nighttime Visibility Policy / Guidance Web site at http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/roadway_dept/night_visib/policy_guide/index.cfm.

Additional What's New Items

Article: The Color of Safety - An expert symposium cosponsored by FHWA looked at the use of color in conveying safety messages, particularly in highway applications. (FHWA's Public Roads Article July/August 2009 Edition) (July 29, 2009)
Status of States Adopting the MUTCD (Updated December 11, 2008)

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