STATE OF KANSAS
KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
BUREAU OF TRAFFIC ENGINEERING
Thacher Building,
217 SE Fourth Street, Fourth Floor
Topeka, Kaman 66403.3544
It. (785) 316-361S
FAX (755) 296-3616
TTY (765)296-3535

May 16, 2002

Shelley 1. Row, P.E.
Director, Office of Transportation Operations
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
Office of Transportation Operations
400 Seventh Street SW, HOTO
Washington, DC 20590

Dear Ms. Row -

I am writing on behalf of the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) to request permission to experiment with a symbolic roundabout ahead sign. This request is being made in accordance with Section 1A.10 of the Millennium Edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).

The MUTCD requires that all adopted symbol signs be shown in the "Standard Highway Signs" book. All symbols and colors for signs not shown in the "Standard Highway Signs" book and follow the procedures for experimentation.

The MUTCD shows a W2-6 to be used in advance of roundabouts. This sign is shown in the proposed Standard Highway Signs book. We do not want to use the approved W2-6 as it is confusing and does not provide the driver with adequate information. While we could use a word sign " Roundabout Ahead', we believe the symbol sign we are proposing gives the driver much better information. "Therefore, we are requesting permission to experiment with the attached sign.

This sign fulfills the requirement of the MUTCD in that it will:

Fulfill a need;
Command attention;
Convey a clear, simple meaning;
Command respect from road users; and
Give adequate time for proper response.

The following information is provided in accordance with IA. 10:

A. A statement indicating the nature of the problem. The current symbolic roundabout ahead sign does not command attention or convey a clear simple meaning. We believe the proposed sign does provide a clear simple meaning to the traveling public.

B. A description of the proposed change to the traffic control device or application of the traffic control device, how it was developed, the manner In which it deviated from the standard, and how it is expected to be an improvement over existing standards. The application is the same; the sign layout is different than the current W2-6. This sign was developed by using guidance from the Maryland Department of Transportation. It is also the same sign that is proposed by the state of Minnesota.

C. Any illustration that would be helpful to understand the traffic control device or use of the traffic control device. The illustrations are attached.

D. Any supporting data explaining how the traffic control device was developed, if it has been tried, in what ways it was found to be adequate or Inadequate, and how this choice of device or application was derived. As noted above, this sign has been used for years by the Maryland DOT.

E. A legally binding statement certifying that the traffic control device is not protected by a patent or copyright. This sign is not protected by a patent or copyright.

F. The time period and location of the experiment. The signs will be used in the city of Topeka, Kansas at the interchange ramps for 1-70 and Rice Road. The experiment will last one year.

G. A detailed research or evaluation plan that must provide for the close monitoring of the experimentation, especially in the early stages of its field implementation. The evaluation plan should include before and after studies, as will as quantitative data describing the performance of the experimental device. There is no before period as this Is a new interchange. We will monitor the number of phone calls we receive from people who have concerns about the roundabout, specifically with the signing. I drive through both roundabouts on a daily basis, so myself and other KDOT employees will Monitor the intersections. It would be very difficult to provide quantitative data.

H. An agreement to restore the site of the experiment to a condition that complies with the provision of the Manual within 3 months following the end of the time period of the experiment. This agreement must also provide that the agency sponsoring the experimentation will terminate the experimentation at any time that it determines significant safety concerns are directly or indirectly attributable to the experimentation, The FHWA's Office of Transportation Operation has the right to terminate approval of the experimentation at any time If there is an indication of safety concerns. If, as a result of the experimentation, a request is made that this Manual be changed to include the device or application being experimented with, the device or application will be permitted to remain in place until an official rulemaking action has occurred. We are hopeful as a result of this experiment, and the use of this sign in other states that the MUTCD Committee will add this sign to the MUTCD. This sign should not cause a safety concern, so removing it before the end of the experiment is not applicable. If after this experiment, you do not concur with the use of the proposed sign, it will be replace with a word sign.

I. An agreement to provide semiannual progress reports for the duration of the experimentation, and an agreement to provide a copy of the final results of the experimentation to the FHWA's Office or Transportation Operations within 3 months following completion of the experimentation. The FHWA's Office of Transportation Operation has the right to terminate approval of the experimentation it reports arc not provided in accordance with this schedule. We agree to send semiannual reports for the duration of the experiment.

The MUTCD states that roundabout ahead signs (W2.6) cannot be used in advance of a Yield sign, section 2C.34. We assume this oversight will be corrected.

We look forward to working with the Federal Highway Administration on this experiment, should you need additional information my address and phone number are on the first page. My email address is voss@ksdot.org.

Sincerely,

Linda G. Voss, PE.
State Traffic Engineer
Attachment
Cc: David Geiger, Division Administrator, FHWA Attn: Bob Alva, Safety/Traffic Engineer Lee Holmes, City Engineer, Topeka, Kansas

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