What's in the 2009 MUTCD For Bicyclists? Richard C. Moeur, PE Chair, NCUTCD Bicycle Technical Committee

NCUTCD National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices advises FHWA on MUTCD NCUTCD has been developing new & revised content for the new MUTCD over past 8+ years

NCUTCD MUTCD changes initiated by NCUTCD recommendations based on Requests by public agencies Items identified by FHWA Issues identified by BTC NCUTCD recommendations based on Research & experimentation Expert review & analysis

New 2009 MUTCD Final Rule issued December 16, 2009 In effect at Federal level January 15, 2010 States have 2 years to adopt (by January 2012)

Parts of MUTCD Introduction Part 1 - General Part 2 - Signs Part 3 - Markings Part 4 - Signals Part 5 - Low Volume Roads Part 6 - Temporary Traffic Control Part 7 - Schools Part 8 - Railroad & Light Rail (Part 10 moved into Part 8) Part 9 - Bicycles

Significant Changes - MUTCD Old MUTCD: All devices must be compliant Agencies were required to update devices, both new and existing New MUTCD: Only new devices must be compliant Agencies are required to update devices as they wear out Older devices can remain for "remaining service life" unless there's a defined compliance date

Significant Changes - MUTCD Railroad & Light Rail parts combined Fluorescent Yellow-Green: School Signs - Required Bicycle & Pedestrian Signs - Optional

Significant Changes - MUTCD New Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (AKA "HAWK") Can be used at path-roadway crossings

Significant Changes - Part 9 Revised sign height & offset standards Signing no longer mandatory along bike lanes New "Bikes May Use Full Lane" regulatory sign New signs for path users (skaters, equestrians) New combo Bicycle/Pedestrian warning sign New bicycle-focused guide signs, route markers, and mileposts New shared lane marking

Sign Height/Offset For Paths Deleted maximum mounting height & maximum offset Increases flexibility for practitioners without compromising safety Conforms with sign mounting on other facility types

Sign Height/Offset For Paths

Bike Lanes - Signing BIKE LANE signs are recommended, but no longer mandatory Signs are still the same

Bikes May Use Full Lane Sign Optional for use in "narrow" lanes Can be used independently, or with SLM Supported by UVC and many states' laws

New Signs for Path Users

New Combo Bike/Ped Sign Optional for use at path crossings Shows 2 types of primary path users Cannot "fix" problems at sidepath intersections

New Bicycle-Focused Guide Signs Provide detailed routing / destination / distance information Greatly improved over old "BIKE ROUTE" signs

Shared Lane Marking Intended to show correct cyclist location where bike lanes shouldn’t or can’t be installed Can be used in locations with and without on-street parking

Future Items Several new devices & treatments under experimentation & review Treatments may consist of several new devices, or existing devices used in new ways Cities & states are stepping up & implementing good experiments Federal research funding in next bill...?

Projects Underway Standardized signs for bikes on freeways (Approved by NCUTCD) Revised US Bicycle Route sign "Except Bikes" plaque for regulatory signs New figures for bikes in work zones Bicycle traffic signals Studies recently completed Draft MUTCD content under development

Pending Stuff Colored Bike Lanes Bike Boxes Earlier studies showed inconclusive results Awaiting data from Portland, Austin, elsewhere Large San Francisco study getting underway Bike Boxes Offset stop lines already allowed (w/o color fill) Awaiting data from Portland & Austin Austin: Staged implementation (box/color/signs/PR)

Pending Stuff Other Items: Improving existing MUTCD figures & text Improved signs / guidance / markings for bike lane - shared lane transitions

When's The Next MUTCD? FHWA would like a 5-year cycle for new MUTCD editions Proposed content would need to be ready & submitted to FHWA in 2-3 years Rulemaking cycle: Typically 2 years from NPA to Final Rule 2015...? Items can be added earlier via Interim Approval

Questions? Richard C. Moeur, PE (602) 712-6661 or (602) 909-8451 rcmoeur@aol.com