Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices

2009 MUTCD REVISIONS 1 AND 2, DATED MAY 2012

On May 14, 2012, the FHWA published final rules to revise the MUTCD provisions on engineering judgment and compliance dates. The 2009 MUTCD with Revisions 1 and 2 incorporated is now available. The complete text of the Federal Register notices can be accessed at the following links:

2009 MUTCD Revision 1 – Engineering Judgment (PDF 229KB, HTML)
2009 MUTCD Revision 2 – Compliance Dates (PDF 242KB, HTML)

A U.S. Department of Transportation press release on the adopted revisions is also available.

Current Edition
of MUTCD

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 public streets, highways, bikeways, and private roads open to public traffic. The MUTCD is published by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) under 23 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 655, Subpart F.

The MUTCD, which has been administered by the FHWA since 1971, is a compilation of national standards for all traffic control devices, including road markings, highway signs, and traffic signals. It is updated periodically to accommodate the nation's changing transportation needs and address new safety technologies, traffic control tools and traffic management techniques.

On December 16, 2009 a final rule adopting the 2009 Edition of the MUTCD was published in the Federal Register with an effective date of January 15, 2010. States must adopt the 2009 National MUTCD as their legal State standard for traffic control devices within two years from the effective date. The Federal Register notice, which provides detailed discussion of the FHWA's decisions on major changes from the 2003 edition, can be viewed at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-28322.pdf (PDF, 716KB).

FHWA does not print copies of the MUTCD. National organizations have partnered and printed hard copies of the MUTCD. These hard copies are available for sale. Go to ATSSA, ITE, AASHTO, or IMSA to get sales information.

On May 14, 2012 final rules adopting Revisions 1 and 2 of the 2009, MUTCD were published in the Federal Register with an effective date of June 13, 2012. The Federal Register notices, which provide detailed discussions of the FHWA's decisions can be viewed at:

Revision 1 - National Standards for Traffic Control Devices; the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways; Revision; Final Rule [FHWA Docket No. FHWA-2010-0170] (PDF 229KB, HTML)
Revision 2 - National Standards for Traffic Control Devices; the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways; Revision; Final Rule [FHWA Docket No. FHWA-2010-0159] (PDF 242KB, HTML)

The PDF version of the 2009 MUTCD with Revision Numbers 1 and 2 incorporated, dated May 2012 of the MUTCD is the most current edition of the official FHWA publication.

Standard Highway Signs and Markings

The 2009 MUTCD sign layouts are now available. The Federal Highway Administration has developed the design details of the new signs added in the 2009 Edition of the MUTCD and signs whose designs have been modified in the 2009 MUTCD. The new designs are provided in the form of a Supplement to the 2004 Edition of Standard Highway Signs.

What's New

On July 8, 2011, the FHWA issued a Policy Memorandum: Rest Area Sponsorship outlining the conditions under which Acknowledgment signing may be installed for the sponsorship of rest areas. The memorandum can be viewed in the Policy Statements area. (August 4, 2011)
The "Official Rulings" area of the MUTCD Web site was significantly enhanced and updated. The FHWA is still in the process of adding all official requests, especially those associated with Part 2. After all requests have been added, the FHWA will begin adding links to relevant documents for each request. (June 15, 2011)
On April 22, 2010, a Notice of Proposed Amendments was published in the Federal Register proposing to revise the 2009 MUTCD by adding Standards, Guidance, Options, and Support information regarding maintaining minimum retroreflectivity of longitudinal pavement markings. The deadline for comments to the docket closed on August 20, 2010. The Federal Register notice, which provides detailed discussion of the FHWA's proposal, can be viewed at PDF, 72KB and HTML. To view the proposed text for this revision of the 2009 MUTCD, go to http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/knowledge/proposed09mutcdrev1/index.htm. The docket comments that were received are being reviewed to determine the most appropriate next step. (December 10, 2010)
Official Interpretation number 1(09)-1 (I) was issued on October 1, 2010, clarifying the definition of the term "Standard" and the use of engineering judgment and studies in the MUTCD. (October 7, 2010)

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