Federal Highway Administration Plans New Edition of National Traffic Control Manual to Address Innov

WASHINGTON – The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) today announced it is pursuing an update to the “Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways”—the MUTCD—in preparation for the future of automated vehicles and to afford states and local communities with more opportunities to utilize innovation.

“The new manual will be forward-looking in accommodating technologies necessary to support highway connectivity, automation and innovations that improve safety and efficiency,” Deputy Federal Highway Administrator Brandye L. Hendrickson said. “The revised edition will lay the groundwork for supporting the infrastructure of the future.”

The MUTCD update was announced as part of USDOT’s release of new federal guidance for automated vehicles -- “Preparing for the Future of Transportation: Automated Vehicles 3.0.”

The MUTCD is the national standard for traffic signs, signals, and pavement markings. The last edition was published in 2009 and was revised in 2012. The upcoming new edition will propose to update the technical provisions to reflect advances in technologies and operational practices, incorporate recent trends and innovations, and set the stage for automated driving systems as those continue to take shape. Read More