Applied Research Associates, Inc.
7653 Charlton Drive
Knoxville, Tennessee 37920
Fax: (865) 573-0580
Ph: (865) 573-0500

May 14, 2003

Shelley J. Row, P.E.
Director. Office of Transportation Operations
U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration, HOTO-1
400 Seventh Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20590

Dear Ms. Row:

In reviewing the MUTCD Millennium Edition Part 2, Signs, I have found some confusing wording regarding he use of Yield signs. In Section 213.06, Page 213-9 and Section 213.10, Page 213-12, it is stated:

YIELD signs and STOP signs shall not be mounted on the same post.

Does this mean that the MUTCD permits both a YIELD sign and a STOP sign to be used at the same intersection for the same approach as long as they are on different posts? I certainly would not recommend that.

The MUTCD states that a STOP sign should not be used where traffic signals are used. In my opinion this is the correct thing to require. Unfortunately, I find this occurring from time to time in the field. What I do not understand is why this same requirement is not applied to YIELD signs. I find YIELD signs used with traffic signals from time to time in the field, and as a traffic engineer, I do not believe that is the correct thing to do for a number of reasons.

I would appreciate any information you can provide me on these issues.

Sincerely,
/s/
Kenneth W. Heathington, Ph.D., P.E.
President

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