Arizona Department of Transportation
Intermodal Transportation Division
206 South Seventeenth Avenue
Phoenix, Arizona 85007-3213

Janet Napolitano, Governor
Sam Elters State, Engineer
Victor M. Mendez, Director

November 9, 2005

Jennifer Brown
FHWA
One Arizona Center
400 E. Van Buren Street, #406
Phoenix, AZ 85004-2285

Dear Ms. Brown:

Please see attached information. I would like to request that this be submitted to FHWA and the National Committee for consideration in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).

Thank you for your consideration
Sincerely,

Mike Manthey
State Traffic Engineer

Attachments

Cc: Mr. John Hubbs

Arizona Department of Transportation
Intermodal Transportation Division
206 South Seventeenth Avenue Phoenix, Arizona 85007-3213

Janet Napolitano, Governor
Sam Elters, State Engineer
Victor M. Mendez, Director

October 28, 2005
Mr. John Hubbs
16274 West Stormy Sky Drive
Surprise, AZ 85374

Dear Mr. Hubbs

On behalf of Governor Janet Napolitano, I am responding to your letter dated September 11, 2005 regarding the placement of yellow reflective material on the back of stop signs. Because the Arizona Department of Transportation follows national standards for traffic control devices, we would not be able to implement your idea without a change at the national level.

My office will send your idea to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for consideration as part of its work with National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices in Washington, D.C. This committee and the FHWA are responsible for publishing the national standards our State follows regarding signing issues.

I believe your idea may cause concerns about distractions for some drivers. The color of the material you propose in your letter may not be allowed, but it's possible that the national committee might consider white sheeting on the back of stop signs.

I also think it's important to note that limited resources for signing programs may limit any state's ability to implement your idea unless additional funding were to become available.

Thank you for your concern regarding highway safety. If you would like to discuss this issue or would like additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me at (602) 712-8888.

Sincerely,

Mike Manthey
State Traffic Engineer

cc: Governor Janet Napolitano Victor Mendez Sam Elters

September 11, 2005
16274 W. Starry Sky Drive
Surprise, AZ 85374
623-266-7220

The Honorable Norman Y. Mineta
US Department of Transportation
400 7th Street SW
Washington, DC 20590

Dear Sir:

After completing 30 tears of Naval Service, I wasn't to do more for my country. My idea - a safety improvement in vehicular transportation.

My suggestion - add a yellow retro-reflective octagon shaped adhesive strip to the back of al stop signs. This strip would have a narrow black border around the edge. (Drawing enclosed) I believe the back of a stop sign should be seen quickly. The neutral color is hard to see, it blends into many backgrounds. (Photocopy enclosed.) Many towns and cities in Arizona have taken a first step. A yellow reflective strip has been added to the past on back and red strip has been added to the front for post. This is not a new idea, as noted in my 1970 letter to Secretary Volpe. I shortened my name to Hubbs. Your consideration is respectfully requested to adding those changes to the "Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices."

Sincerely,
John E. Hubbs
Commander USN (Ret)

CC: Senator John S McCain
Senator John Kyle
Governor Janet Napolitano
Encs: 4

GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AGENCY ACTION FORM # 106220

ROUTED TO ATION DEPT
TRANSPORTATION

SUBJECT REFERRALS
AGENCY to Stop signs to make them more improvement
suggesting blta Six Sues

CORRESPONDENCE FROM
John Hubbs
16274 West Stormy Sky Drive Surprise, AZ 85374

SENT DATE Monday, September 26, 2005
RECEIVED

SEP 29 2005
Department of Transportation

ACTION To BE TAKEN Respond directly on behalf of the governor and return a copy of your response to the Governor's Office of Constituent Services with control number.

reinstructions: Special comments.

PLEASE RESPOND TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE
Keep this form and the attached letter for your agency files

Address any 9 Jest 5 to the office of Constituent Services at (602) 542-1318

ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Issued by ADOT Communie
Phoenix, AZ 85007 - If you arg the Constituent S

MS Fuller Street Philadelphia, Pa. 1415E
16 December 1970

Dear Mr. Volpe:

This maybe somewhat unusual to writing to the "boss", but sometimes this in necessary to get a particular point across. I thought of an idea that you may consider appropriate for universal adoption on Stop Signs.

As we all know the Stop Sign is a universal color of red, which is quite appropriate. The back side of the signs are various tones of grey, white, etc..

Why not paint the backs of all Stop signs a yellow with black diagonal lines for quick recognition?

This would enable a driver, who may not be familiar with that particular street, upon approaching an intersection, (when no Stop Sign is posted from his direction) can from the corner of his eye, spot the diagonal black stripes on yellow, indicating a Stop Sign.

I feel this suggestion has merit for adoption on a universal basis. The cost for painting the backs of the signs installed would be minimal, and all new signs could be so catered upon manufacture. Very truely yours,

J. B. Hubitsky
USN

Encl: (1) Stop Sign Front and Proposed Color for Back of Signs