By Mary S. Smith

The Federal Highway Administration has published PROPOSED changes to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices  (MUTCD), which is the U.S. standard for signs, pavement markings, and other devices on streets and roads. Comments are due May 14, 2020. When finalized and adopted, it will be the 11^th edition of MUTCD.

Walker has prepared a pdf presentation that discusses the proposed changes relative to parking, and suggests comments to be submitted by the parking industry groups. In addition, it is an opportunity to remind the industry of how it applies–and doesn’t apply–to signage and other TCDs for parking.

Several of the comments simply support comments by the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (NCTUCD). An executive summary of the comments we recommend is:

• Adopt the Blue P recommended by the NCUTCD for identification of parking facilities.
• Add the already approved symbol for EV charging to the new signs for EV parking spaces. Add additional signs without time limitation for use for resident and all-day parking.
• Keep term “pay parking” from 2009 and don’t change to “metered parking.”
• Support two items not in the Notice of Proposed Amendments from the NCUTCD submittal regarding signage on site roadways.
• Support NCUTCD comments regarding editing of Paragraphs 2B.18 and 2B.03

We do have a voice and can influence the standards. Thank you for supporting this effort.

Mary S. Smith is senior vice president of Walker Consultants.

By Shawn Conrad, CAE

A big thank you to Benito Pérez, CAPP, from DDOT for Tuesday’s reminder of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) comment period for input on the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) national standard. The FHWA is seeking updates/improvements to the MUTCD standard, which governs all traffic devices on all public roads. It affects all municipalities and is intended to bring uniformity to traffic control devices in communities across the U.S.

While we encourage every organization to submit your comments directly to FHWA, we also invite you to be part of an IPMI industry-wide response and send your feedback to us as well. IPMI volunteer-led committees and working groups are compiling comments to submit on behalf of the industry by the May 14, 2021 deadline. To include your thoughts in our united effort, please email us.

Parking and mobility programs are directly affected by the MUTCD and it’s important FHWA hears from those managing and enforcing curb space. A visible presence and voice for the industry is just one of IPMI’s strengths, but a vital one. We look forward to working with you and advancing this industry effort together.

Shawn Conrad, CAE, is IPMI’s CEO.

By Benito O. Pérez, CAPP, AICP CTP, CPM

Whether you are a municipal entity operating a transportation system or a product provider or service delivery company providing support in the transportation space, you may be familiar that there are not only local and state standards on transportation assets and operations, but there are federal ones too. Whether it’s the “stop” sign, the pavement markings, or the parking sign, those “traffic control devices” are managed by standards set forth by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)’s Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).

As stated by FHWA:

• The MUTCD contains the national standards governing all traffic control devices. All public agencies and owners of private roads open to public travel across the nation rely on the MUTCD to bring uniformity to the roadway. The MUTCD plays a critical role in improving safety and mobility of all road users.
• The MUTCD is the law governing all traffic control devices. Non-compliance with the MUTCD ultimately can result in the loss of federal-aid funds as well as in a significant increase in tort liability.
• Uniformity of traffic control devices is critical in highway safety and mobility, as well as cutting capital and maintenance costs of TCDs for public agencies and manufacturers.
• The FHWA has established a sound process to incorporate new devices and applications in the MUTCD. The process involves the Federal Register rulemaking activity, which encourages public involvement. Any interested person or organization may provide input to the rulemaking activity by submitting comments to the docket.
• The process encourages innovation and flexibility while maintaining uniformity.
• The success of the MUTCD depends on nationwide acceptance and application of the MUTCD, as well as extensive participation by the practitioners in developing and evaluating the content of the MUTCD.
• Input from practitioners and all other stakeholders is critical in keeping the MUTCD current and relevant.

To that last point, FHWA has opened up a comment period for all interested parties to provide feedback on proposed changes (or propose their own suggestions) for the latest edition of the MUTCD. For perspective, the last major update of the MUTCD was published in late 2009 (more than a decade ago), with limited amendments in the succeeding years. Now’s your chance to chime in on the direction of traffic control devices. Check the federal register post for MUTCD here.

Benito O. Pérez, CAPP, AICP CTP, CPM is curbside management operations planning manager with DDOT.