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Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and HighwaysWhat's NewMay 15, 2023 – Update on the 11th Edition of the MUTCD The USDOT has been working diligently on a final rule for the next edition of the MUTCD. With the vast input submitted through the public docket, and the commitment to implementing the provisions of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, we want the new edition of the MUTCD to be as responsive as possible. We share in your enthusiasm for a new MUTCD and it remains a top priority for the USDOT. The next edition will be available soon. Check out the MUTCD News Feed for up-to-the-minute information on new items such as Interim Approvals, Official Interpretations, Policy Statements, Federal Register notices—everything you need to make the most of your MUTCD and keep road users on the move! Status of Rulemaking for the Eleventh Edition of the MUTCD![]() A Notice of Proposed Amendments (NPA) to issue a new edition of the MUTCD was published in the Dec. 14, 2020,Federal Register for public comment. More than 17,000 entries submitted to the public docket comprise over 35,000 individual comments, and these comments will inform this rulemaking action and the 11th Edition of the MUTCD. In addition, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act directs USDOT to update the MUTCD within 18 months of its enactment, and at least every 4 years thereafter to promote the safety, inclusion, and mobility of all road users. The 11th Edition of the MUTCD will be a comprehensive update, incorporating the results of nearly 200 Official Experiments of novel traffic control devices and applications, Official Interpretations, Interim Approvals, and other research conducted both independently and by the Traffic Control Device Consortium Pooled Fund. Read more about the MUTCD 11th Edition…and beyond. FHWA conducted four informational Webinars to acquaint you with the Notice of Proposed Amendments (NPA) for the 11th Edition of the MUTCD and the revision process. The recordings for all webinars are available here. Official Interpretation 2(09)-174 (I) – Uses of and Nonstandard Syntax on Changeable Message SignsOn January 4, 2021, the FHWA issued Official Interpretation 2(09)-174 (I) to provide clarification regarding messaging and uses of Changeable Message Signs (CMS). Current Edition of Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and HighwaysThe Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways, 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 travel. 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. On August 5, 2022 the final rule adopting Revision 3 of the 2009 MUTCD was published in the Federal Register with an effective date of September 6, 2022. The Federal Register notices, which provide detailed discussions of the FHWA's decisions, can be viewed at:
The PDF version of the 2009 MUTCD with Revisions 1, 2, and 3 incorporated, dated July 2022 is the most current edition of the official FHWA publication. Your MUTCD — Guiding You for Over 80 YearsOn November 7, 2015, the U.S. celebrated 80th birthday of the MUTCD. Whenever you see an easy-to-read sign, a bright edgeline marking on a foggy night, the countdown timer at a crosswalk, or a well-placed bike lane, take a moment to reflect on the more than eighty years of progress and innovation that the MUTCD embodies. This progress has resulted in safer, more efficient travel on our Nation's roads. Over the years, the MUTCD has unknowingly become the traveler's best friend and silent companion, guiding us on our way along the streets, bikeways, back roads, and highways. As the direct means of communication with the traveler, traffic control devices speak to us softly, yet effectively and authoritatively. From glass "cat's-eye" reflectors to glass beads to microprismatic sheeting, nighttime sign visibility has advanced significantly. Active devices at rail crossings save lives by giving us a positive message about train traffic. And countdown timers on pedestrian signals help us cross a busy street. So the next time you hit the pavement, the path, or the pedals, you can be sure that the MUTCD, through our dedicated professionals who make complex decisions on what devices to install, will help you get where you want to go safely, efficiently, and comfortably! The MUTCD…it's all about you! PDF files can be viewed with the Acrobat® Reader® |
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United States Department of Transportation - Federal Highway Administration |