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January 2006 Report
Regina S. McElroyRegina S. McElroy
DirectorDirector
Office of Transportation OperationsOffice of Transportation Operations
Federal Highway AdministrationFederal Highway Administration
Outline
2005 Highlights2005 Highlights SAFETEA-LUSAFETEA-LU 2006 New Initiatives2006 New Initiatives UpdatesUpdates MUTCD Team MUTCD Team
2005 HIGHLIGHTS
Acknowledgement vs. Advertising
Issued policy guidance to the Issued policy guidance to the field on August 10, 2005field on August 10, 2005
Advertising is prohibitedAdvertising is prohibited Acknowledgement signs for highway- Acknowledgement signs for highway-
related services are permittedrelated services are permitted Policy applies to new or replacement Policy applies to new or replacement
installationsinstallations Existing installations may remain in placeExisting installations may remain in place
USBP Checkpoint Traffic Control Devices
Responds to NTSB recommendationResponds to NTSB recommendation Collaborative effort between Collaborative effort between
AASHTO, CBP, and FHWAAASHTO, CBP, and FHWA Issued policy guidance to FHWA field Issued policy guidance to FHWA field
on December 20on December 20 Will respond to NTSB in FebruaryWill respond to NTSB in February
Recommending that the TCPs not Recommending that the TCPs not be included in the MUTCDbe included in the MUTCD
Interim Approval –RV Friendly Signs
Issued interim approval Sept 2005Issued interim approval Sept 2005 Allows optional use of symbol to identify Allows optional use of symbol to identify
and locate RV Friendly facilities and locate RV Friendly facilities Requires States or locals to Requires States or locals to
have a policy for have a policy for selecting eligible selecting eligible facilities facilities
MUTCD Training One-day workshop designed mainly One-day workshop designed mainly
for local agencies for local agencies The course covers:The course covers:
Human factorsHuman factors Basics of TCDsBasics of TCDs MUTCD highlightsMUTCD highlights
Pilot sessions underwayPilot sessions underway
Sign Synthesis Report ““Special” non-MUTCD signs used by State Special” non-MUTCD signs used by State
DOTs and some large cities and countiesDOTs and some large cities and counties Findings:Findings:
Many word message signs for conditions not Many word message signs for conditions not covered in MUTCDcovered in MUTCD
Significant variations of Significant variations of words/phrases/concepts used to convey same words/phrases/concepts used to convey same messagemessage
Good Canadian symbols exist for some U.S. Good Canadian symbols exist for some U.S. word messagesword messages
Approved Experimentations
47 Approved---a few examples:47 Approved---a few examples: Flashing Yellow Arrow for Protected-Flashing Yellow Arrow for Protected-
Permissive Left TurnsPermissive Left Turns Purple Dot Markings (E-Z Pass Lanes)Purple Dot Markings (E-Z Pass Lanes) Tsunami Evacuation Route SymbolTsunami Evacuation Route Symbol
Interpretations 16 Interpretations --- some examples:16 Interpretations --- some examples:
Ramp Metering Signals for Staggered Ramp Metering Signals for Staggered ReleaseRelease
Use of LED Devices as RPMsUse of LED Devices as RPMs Political Jurisdiction Logos on Guide Political Jurisdiction Logos on Guide
SignsSigns New page on MUTCD Website for recent New page on MUTCD Website for recent
interpretations --- coming sooninterpretations --- coming soon
SAFETEA-LU
Landmark Legislation
Make driving saferMake driving safer Fight congestionFight congestion Enhance economic productivityEnhance economic productivity Protect the environmentProtect the environment
Section 1310 – Interstate Oasis Program
Intent: Provide States with option of Intent: Provide States with option of replacing or supple - replacing or supple - menting Interstate menting Interstate Rest Areas by Rest Areas by providing substitute providing substitute facilities (e.g., truck facilities (e.g., truck stops) off the stops) off the freewayfreeway
Congressional Language
Section 1310 – Interstate Oasis Program
Formulate a program (with minimum Formulate a program (with minimum National eligibility standards)National eligibility standards) 24-hr restroom access24-hr restroom access Products and services providedProducts and services provided Parking for cars and heavy trucksParking for cars and heavy trucks
Obtain public commentObtain public comment
Congressional Language
Section 1310 – Interstate Oasis Program
Design new logo for freeway and Design new logo for freeway and access route signingaccess route signing
Congressional Language
Section 1310 – Interstate Oasis Program
Stakeholder meeting – Dec 05Stakeholder meeting – Dec 05 Non-rulemaking Federal Register Non-rulemaking Federal Register
notice – coming soonnotice – coming soon
Status
Section 1402 – Worker Injury Prevention and Free Flow of Vehicular Traffic
Requires regulation to mandate high Requires regulation to mandate high visibility garments for workers on or visibility garments for workers on or near Federal-aid highwaysnear Federal-aid highways
Regulation within a Regulation within a yearyear
Section 1910 – Motorist Information Concerning Full Service Restaurants
Determine Determine if if rulemaking should proceed rulemaking should proceed toto Give priority to full service restaurantsGive priority to full service restaurants Permit full service restaurants to appear Permit full service restaurants to appear
on CAMPING and ATTRACTIONS on CAMPING and ATTRACTIONS panels when the FOOD panel is fullpanels when the FOOD panel is full
Make decision known within 180 daysMake decision known within 180 days
Congressional Language
Section 1910 – Motorist Information Concerning Full Service Restaurants
States currently able to designate “full States currently able to designate “full service” as an eligibility factor for service” as an eligibility factor for participation in their Specific Service Sign participation in their Specific Service Sign programsprograms
Considering Interim Approval to increase Considering Interim Approval to increase number of available logo positionsnumber of available logo positions
Status
Research and Technology Program
Issue – No SAFETEA-LU source of Issue – No SAFETEA-LU source of funds to support MUTCD (funding for funds to support MUTCD (funding for “baseline” activities and major “baseline” activities and major revision uncertain)revision uncertain)
StatusStatus Exploring optionsExploring options Verdict is still out – somewhat Verdict is still out – somewhat
optimisticoptimistic
2006 NEW INITIATIVES
MUTCD Strategic Planning: Short term (5 years)
How to properly "steward" and update the How to properly "steward" and update the MUTCD in event of funding shortfallMUTCD in event of funding shortfall Technology developmentsTechnology developments Improved state of the art and practiceImproved state of the art and practice Other advancementsOther advancements
Creative solutionsCreative solutions Alternative funding sourceAlternative funding source New partnershipsNew partnerships Etc.Etc.
MUTCD Strategic Planning: Long-term (20 years) Consensus vision – direction, content, and Consensus vision – direction, content, and
format of MUTCDformat of MUTCD Guide for future decisions, such as:Guide for future decisions, such as:
What is or is not a TCD?What is or is not a TCD? What is or is not regulated by the MUTCD? What is or is not regulated by the MUTCD? Content---all-inclusive TCD information, Content---all-inclusive TCD information,
strictly regulatory material, or current mix?strictly regulatory material, or current mix? Strategic incremental steps needed to reach Strategic incremental steps needed to reach
the visionthe vision
MUTCD Strategic Planning Volunteers
Core WorkingCore Working GroupGroup Steering GroupSteering GroupGene Hawkins (Chair) Gene Hawkins (Chair) Lee Billingsley Lee BillingsleyRoger Wentz Ken KobetskyRoger Wentz Ken KobetskyJim Pline Bruce FriedmanJim Pline Bruce FriedmanGerry Alexander Tom HicksGerry Alexander Tom HicksKurt Smith Carlton RobinsonKurt Smith Carlton RobinsonJohn LaPlante John LoganJohn LaPlante John LoganJim Ellison Ernie HuckabyJim Ellison Ernie Huckaby Paul CarlsonPaul Carlson
FHWA ParticipantsFHWA Participants
Scott Wainwright, Hari Kalla, Ken WoodScott Wainwright, Hari Kalla, Ken Wood
Comprehensive Review of Specific Service Sign Program
Changing ContextChanging Context High and increasing demand from High and increasing demand from
businesses for logo positionsbusinesses for logo positions New Safety Evidence New Safety Evidence
(VA experiment)(VA experiment) Opportunity to Opportunity to
provide more provide more selection options selection options to motoriststo motorists
Comprehensive Review of Specific Service Sign Program
StatusStatus Frame issue & develop key questionsFrame issue & develop key questions Discussion at Jan 06 NCUTCD meeting Discussion at Jan 06 NCUTCD meeting
to finalize questions for Request for to finalize questions for Request for Information (RFI)Information (RFI)
Issue RFIIssue RFI Revise SSS Program as part of next NPARevise SSS Program as part of next NPA
2008 MUTCD Rulemaking June 2006 NCUTCD MeetingJune 2006 NCUTCD Meeting --- last --- last
opportunity to recommend NPA itemsopportunity to recommend NPA items Technical Committees must act at THIS Technical Committees must act at THIS
meeting (January 2006)meeting (January 2006) Late 2006/early 2007Late 2006/early 2007 --- NPA --- NPA
Goal -- draft SHS pages for any new/revised Goal -- draft SHS pages for any new/revised signs available on MUTCD websitesigns available on MUTCD website
Docket Comment PeriodDocket Comment Period--to include at least --to include at least 1 NCUTCD meeting – may be as long as 6 1 NCUTCD meeting – may be as long as 6 monthsmonths
20082008 --- Final Rule for 2008 Edition --- Final Rule for 2008 Edition+ Updated SHS posted on MUTCD website+ Updated SHS posted on MUTCD website
SAFETEA-LU Provisions
Section 1310: Interstate Oasis Section 1310: Interstate Oasis ProgramProgram
Section 1402: Worker Injury Section 1402: Worker Injury Prevention and Free Flow of Prevention and Free Flow of Vehicular TrafficVehicular Traffic
Section 1910: Motorist Information Section 1910: Motorist Information Concerning Full Service RestaurantsConcerning Full Service Restaurants
UPDATES
Updates Sign Retroreflectivity RulemakingSign Retroreflectivity Rulemaking TCD Pooled Fund StudyTCD Pooled Fund Study Traffic Control Strategies at Toll PlazasTraffic Control Strategies at Toll Plazas Official Ruling DatabaseOfficial Ruling Database
Updates Policy Memo on Use of Stop/Yield Policy Memo on Use of Stop/Yield
signs at Passive RR Crossingssigns at Passive RR Crossings ADA/MUTCD ResearchADA/MUTCD Research MUTCD BrochureMUTCD Brochure
MUTCD TEAM
Upcoming Vacancy
Excellent communication skills (written Excellent communication skills (written and oral)and oral)
Consensus building skillsConsensus building skills Real-world traffic engineering Real-world traffic engineering
experienceexperience Expect posting in FebExpect posting in Feb
Thank You
for theTime,
Expertise,& Valuable Help
You Provideto FHWA