MUTCD Adoption Delays/Status

Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)

• KRS 189.337 requires the Cabinet to adopt a manual of standards and specifications for a uniform system of official traffic control devices

• 603 KAR 5:050 adopts the MUTCD as Kentucky’s standard for traffic control devices

Adoption of 2009 MUTCD in Kentucky?

• Required Administrative Regulation

modification

• Officially adopted January 25, 2012 (ten days late)

Why did it take two years to adopt?

Section 1A.13

• New language in Standard stating that “standard statements shall not be modified or compromised based on engineering judgment or engineering study.”

• Deleted language stating that “this Manual should not be considered a substitute for engineering judgment.”

Problems?

• Reduces the ability of traffic engineers to apply

traffic control device principles in a manner that best meets the needs of road users.

• No opportunity for public comment on the change.

• Change was made on the basis of one comment from over 15,000 comments to NPA.

• Change will increase the liability for transportation agencies and organizations.

Solution?

• Waited for FHWA to address

• Added similar language to the KAR which now states:

The MUTCD shall: (a) Provide the standards, guidance, and options for the

design and application of traffic control devices; and

(b) Not be considered a substitute for engineering judgment.

Revision #1 – Engineering Judgment

• Effective June 13, 2012

• Returns original language to MUTCD:

Deleted language about not modifying or compromising standard statements

Added, “Manual should not be considered a substitute for engineering judgment”.

At same time…

Compliance Dates

• Target dates for compliance of important changes

• 58 different compliance dates (some from 2000 and 2003 editions)

• Ranging from January, 2011 to December, 2019

Street Name Signs to the Rescue

• Letter height requirements:– low speed (compliance January 9, 2012)– high speed (compliance December 22, 2018)

• Minimum retro (compliance January 22, 2018)

• Lettering shall be composed of a combination of lower-case letters with initial upper-case letters

• Economy tanked

• Thank you, Good Morning America

Revision #2 – Compliance Dates

• Effective June 13, 2012

• Eliminates compliance dates for 46 items

• Extended/revised dates for 4 items

• Target dates for 8 items were deemed to be of critical safety importance and remain in effect

• New “Option” exempts existing historic street name signs from Standards/Guidance for color, letter size, retroreflectivity, and other design features

New Table

Future Action?

• Initiated efforts to modify KAR to adopt 2009 MUTCD

including revisions 1 and 2

• Will delete language that was previously added to KAR

• Work to satisfy compliance dates