Federal Highway Administration Calls for Comment on Latest Update to MUTCD

Federal Highway Administration
11 December 2020

FHWA 30-20
Contact: Nancy Singer
Tel.: (202) 366-0660

WASHINGTON – The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) today proposed wide-ranging revisions to the “Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways” (MUTCD) – the first comprehensive update in more than 10 years to advance traffic operations and safety in states and cities nationwide.

“The proposed updates to the manual smartly envision the future of transportation by considering the preparedness of our nation’s highways for automated vehicles,” said Federal Highway Administrator Nicole R. Nason. “They also renew attention on safety for our most vulnerable road users, including the nation’s highway workers, emergency responders, cyclists, and pedestrians.”

The MUTCD is the national standard for traffic signs, signals, and pavement markings that guide us on our nation’s streets and highways. The proposed revisions offer many proven advancements while remaining flexible to accommodate newer technologies and operational strategies.

Among other improvements, the proposed updates reflect state-of-the-art traffic research to help transportation agencies prepare for automated vehicles and other cutting-edge technologies.

Features for vulnerable road users include the rectangular rapid-flashing beacon, expanded traffic signal warrants, and an array of roadway treatments for cyclists – many of which have been proven through the experimentation process defined in the MUTCD.

As part of the process of updating the MUTCD, FHWA will gather feedback from state and local traffic engineers and other traffic control device stakeholders, and the public in general, from the docket that is now open for public comment. For more information, see the Federal Register.