FHWA revises rules to make highways safer

WASHINGTON, D.C., — As part of continuing efforts to improve safety on the nation’s roads and bridges, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today released a comprehensive update to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). The manual, which sets standards for road safety, has been administered by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) since 1971.

Secretary LaHood indicated that “Safety is this Department’s top priority,” and “these new and updated standards will help make our nation’s roads and bridges safer for drivers, construction workers and pedestrians alike.”
The MUTCD is the national standard for all traffic control devices, including traffic signs, pavement markings, signals and any other devices used to regulate, warn or guide traffic. Ensuring uniformity of traffic control devices across the nation – from their messages and placement to their sizes, shapes and colors – helps to reduce crashes and traffic congestion. This is the first comprehensive update to the manual since 2003.

The MUTCD’s 2009 edition features many new and updated requirements, ranging from changes in highway signs and bike lanes to the color of high-visibility garments worn by road workers. Most changes are a result of extensive research; however, seven changes stem from recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board.

Among the other new provisions in the MUTCD:

• Replacing highway signs with brighter, larger and more legible ones that are easier to understand at freeway speeds;
• Adding different lane markings for lanes that do not continue beyond an intersection or interchange to give drivers more warning that they need to move out of the lane if they don’t intend to turn;
• Expanding the use of flashing yellow arrow signals at some intersections to give a clearer indication that drivers can turn left after yielding to any opposing traffic;
• Changing the formula used to calculate crosswalk times to give walkers more time;
• Identifying electronic toll collection lanes with purple signs – the first time purple has been sanctioned for use on highway signs;
• Adding overhead lane-use control signs to reduce confusion among drivers in unfamiliar multi-lane roadways.

For an overview of the new rules and recommendations,

visit this link

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