FHWA Proposes Revisions to the MUTCD

On April 22, 2010, the Federal Register published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding revisions to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), which were proposed by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The MUTCD is the national standard for traffic control devices used on all publicly traveled roadways.

The proposed revision to the MUTCD will add standards, guidance, options, and support information on maintaining uniform minimum levels for retroreflectivity of pavement markings. (Such standards were put into place regarding minimum levels of retroreflectivity for roadway signs in 2007.)

The notice states that the proposed revisions will “promote safety, enhance traffic operations, and facilitate comfort and convenience for all drivers, including older drivers” by establishing a minimum standard for nighttime pavement marking performance. Read the notice.

The minimum standard proposed by the FHWA is based on their research on drivers' nighttime visibility needs. Comments on the proposed revisions are being accepted until August 20, 2010.

Learn more about nighttime visibility, retroreflective pavement markings, and related issues at the FHWA’s “Nighttime Visibility” website.