mn mutcd-1 2013.qxd - Minnesota Department of Transportation

July, 2013

PART 1. GENERALTABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1A. GENERAL Page Section 1A.1 Purpose of Traffic Control Devices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1A-1

1A.2 Principles of Traffic Control Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1A-11A.3 Design of Traffic Control Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1A-11A.4 Placement and Operation of Traffic Control Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1A-21A.5 Maintenance of Traffic Control Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1A-21A.6 Uniformity of Traffic Control Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1A-21A.7 Responsibility for Traffic Control Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1A-21A.8 Authority for Placement of Traffic Control Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1A-31A.9 Engineering Study and Engineering Judgment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1A-41A.10 Interpretations, Experimentation, Changes, Interim Approvals, and

Minnesota Conditional Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1A-51A.10.1 FHWA Request for Interpretation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1A-51A.10.2 FHWA Request to Experiment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1A-51A.10.3 FHWA Request for Change. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1A-81A.10.4 FHWA Request for Interim Approval . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1A-81A.10.5 Minnesota Request for Conditional Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1A-101A.11 Relation to Other Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1A-111A.12 Color Code. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1A-121A.13 Definitions of Words and Phrases in this Manual. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1A-121A.14 Meanings of Acronyms and Abbreviations in this Manual. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1A-261A.15 Abbreviations Used on Traffic Control Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1A-26

FIGURES

Figure 1A-0 Process for a Local Jurisdiction to Follow to Use a Traffic Control Devicenot Included in the MN MUTCD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1A-6

Figure 1A-1 Example of a Process for Requesting and Conducting Experimentation forNew Traffic Control Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1A-7

Figure 1A-2 Example of a Process for Incorporating New Traffic Control Devicesinto the MUTCD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1A-9

Figure 1A-3 MN Conventional Use Process to be Followed by Local Jurisdictions to Use aNew Traffic Control Device not yet Included in the MN MUTCD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1A-11

TABLESTable 1A-1 Acceptable Abbreviations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1A-28Table 1A-2 Abbreviations That Shall be Used Only on Portable Changeable Message Signs . . . . . . 1A-29Table 1A-3 Unacceptable Abbreviations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1A-30

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Part 1. GENERALChapter 1A. GENERAL

1A.1 Purpose of Traffic Control Devices

The purpose of traffic control devices, as well as theprinciples for their use, is to promote highway safety andefficiency by providing for the orderly movement of all roadusers on streets, highways, bikeways, and private roads opento public travel throughout the Nation.

Traffic control devices notify road users of regulationsand provide warning and guidance needed for uniform andefficient operation of all elements of the traffic stream in amanner intended to minimize the occurrences of crashes.

Traffic control devices or their supports shall not bear anyadvertising message or any other message that is not relatedto traffic control.

Tourist-oriented directional signs and Specific Servicesigns are not considered advertising; rather, they areclassified as motorist service signs.

1A.2 Principles of Traffic Control Devices

This Manual contains the basic principles that govern thedesign and use of traffic control devices for all streets,highways, bikeways, and private roads open to public travel(see definition in Section 1A.13) regardless of type or classor the public agency, official, or owner having jurisdiction.This Manual’s text specifies the restriction on the use of adevice if it is intended for limited application or for aspecific system. It is important that these principles be givenprimary consideration in the selection and application ofeach device.

To be effective, a traffic control device should meet fivebasic requirements:

A. Fulfill a need,B. Command attention,C. Convey a clear, simple meaning,D. Command respect from road users, andE. Give adequate time for proper response.

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Design, placement, operation, maintenance, anduniformity are aspects that should be carefully considered inorder to maximize the ability of a traffic control device tomeet the five requirements listed in the previous paragraph.Vehicle speed should be carefully considered as an elementthat governs the design, operation, placement, and locationof various traffic control devices.

The definition of the word “speed” varies depending onits use. The definitions of specific speed terms are containedin Section 1A.13.

The actions required of road users to obey regulatorydevices should be specified by State statute, or in cases notcovered by State statute, by local ordinance or resolution.Such statutes, ordinances, and resolutions should beconsistent with the “Uniform Vehicle Code” (see Section1A.11).

The proper use of traffic control devices should providethe reasonable and prudent road user with the informationnecessary to efficiently and lawfully use the streets,highways, pedestrian facilities, and bikeways.

Uniformity of the meaning of traffic control devices isvital to their effectiveness. The meanings ascribed to devicesin this Manual are in general accord with the publicationsmentioned in Section 1A.11.

1A.3 Design of Traffic Control Devices

Devices should be designed so that features such as size,shape, and color, composition, lighting or retroreflection,and contrast are combined to draw attention to the devices;that size, shape, color, and simplicity of message combine toproduce a clear meaning; that legibility and size combinewith placement to permit adequate time for response; andthat uniformity, size, legibility, and reasonableness of themessage combine to command respect.

Aspects of a device’s standard design should be modifiedonly if there is a demonstrated need.

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An example of modifying a device’s design would be tomodify the Combination Horizontal Alignment/Intersection(W1-10) sign to show intersecting side roads on both sidesrather than on just one side of the major road within thecurve.

With the exception of symbols and colors, minor modifi-cations in the specific design elements of a device may bemade provided the essential appearance characteristics arepreserved.

1A.4 Placement and Operation of TrafficControl Devices

Placement of a traffic control device should be within theroad user’s view so that adequate visibility is provided. Toaid in conveying the proper meaning, the traffic controldevice should be appropriately positioned with respect to thelocation, object, or situation to which it applies. The locationand legibility of the traffic control device should be such thata road user has adequate time to make the proper response inboth day and night conditions.

Traffic control devices should be placed and operated in auniform and consistent manner.

Unnecessary traffic control devices should be removed.The fact that a device is in good physical condition shouldnot be a basis for deferring needed removal or change.

1A.5 Maintenance of Traffic ControlDevices

Functional maintenance of traffic control devices shouldbe used to determine if certain devices need to be changed tomeet current traffic conditions.

Physical maintenance of traffic control devices should beperformed to retain the legibility and visibility of the deviceand to retain the proper functioning of the device.

Clean, legible, properly mounted devices in goodworking condition command the respect of road users.

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1A.6 Uniformity of Traffic Control Devices

Uniformity of devices simplifies the task of the road userbecause it aids in recognition and understanding, therebyreducing perception/reaction time. Uniformity assists roadusers, law enforcement officers, and traffic courts by givingeveryone the same interpretation. Uniformity assists publichighway officials through efficiency in manufacture, instal-lation, maintenance, and administration. Uniformity meanstreating similar situations in a similar way. The use ofuniform traffic control devices does not, in itself, constituteuniformity. A standard device used where it is notappropriate is as objectionable as a nonstandard device; infact, this might be worse, because such misuse might resultin disrespect at those locations where the device is neededand appropriate.

1A.7 Responsibility for Traffic ControlDevices

The responsibility for the design, placement, operation,maintenance, and uniformity of traffic control devices shallrest with the public agency or the official having jurisdic-tion, or, in the case of private roads open to public travel,with the private owner or private official having jurisdiction.23 CFR 655.603 adopts the MUTCD as the nationalstandard for all traffic control devices installed on any street,highway, bikeway, or private road open to public travel (seedefinition in Section 1A.13). When a State or other Federalagency manual or supplement is required, that manual orsupplement shall be in substantial conformance with theNational MUTCD.

23 CFR 655.603 also states that traffic control devices onall streets, highways, bikeways, and private roads open topublic travel in each State shall be in substantialconformance with standards issued or endorsed by theFederal Highway Administrator.

The following excerpts from Chapter 169, MinnesotaStatutes, set forth the responsibilities for the establish-ment of standards and for the use of traffic control devicesin the State of Minnesota.169.06 Signs, Signals, Markings.Subdivision 1. Uniform System. “The commissioner

(of transportation) shall adopt a manual and specificationsfor a uniform system of traffic-control devices consistentwith the provisions of this chapter (Chapter 169) for useupon highways within this state. Such uniform systemshall correlate with and so far as possible conform to thesystem then current as approved by the AmericanAssociation of State Highway Officials. ...”

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1A-2December, 2011

Subdivision 2. Placement and maintenance on trunkhighways.

“(a) The commissioner shall place and maintain suchtraffic-control devices, conforming to the manual andspecifications, upon all state trunk highways as the com-missioner shall deem necessary to indicate and to carryout the provisions of this chapter (Chapter 169) or toregulate, warn, or guide traffic. The commissioner mayconstruct and maintain signs at the entrance of each city,which sign shall have placed thereon the name of the cityand the population thereof. The commissioner mayconstruct and maintain other directional signs upon thetrunk highways and such signs shall be uniform. ...”

“(b) No other authority shall place or maintain any trafficcontrol device upon any highway under the jurisdiction ofthe commissioner except by the latter’s permission.”

Subdivision 3. Placement and maintenance by localauthority.

“Local authorities in their respective jurisdictions shallplace and maintain such traffic-control devices uponhighways under their jurisdiction as they may deemnecessary to indicate and to carry out the provisions ofthis chapter (Chapter 169) or local traffic ordinances, or toregulate, warn, or guide traffic. All such traffic-controldevices hereafter erected shall conform to the statemanual and specifications.”

The Introduction of this Manual contains informationregarding the meaning of substantial conformance and theapplicability of the MUTCD to private roads open to publictravel.

The "Uniform Vehicle Code" (see Section 1A.11) has thefollowing provision in Section 15-104 for the adoption of auniform manual:

"(a)The [State Highway Agency] shall adopt a manualand specification for a uniform system of trafficcontrol devices consistent with the provisions of thiscode for use upon highways within this State. Suchuniform system shall correlate with and so far aspossible conform to the system set forth in the mostrecent edition of the Manual on Uniform TrafficControl Devices for Streets and Highways, and otherstandards issued or endorsed by the Federal HighwayAdministrator.""(b) The Manual adopted pursuant to subsection (a)shall have the force and effect of law."

The National MUTCD has also been adopted by theNational Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S.

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Military Command, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Bureauof Land Management, and the U.S. Fish and WildlifeService.

States should adopt Section 15-116 of the "UniformVehicle Code," which states that, "No person shall install ormaintain in any area of private property used by the publicany sign, signal, marking or other device intended toregulate, warn, or guide traffic unless it conforms with theState manual and specifications adopted under Section 15-104."

1A.8 Authority for Placement of TrafficControl Devices

Traffic control devices, advertisements, announcements,and other signs or messages within the highway right-of-way shall be placed only as authorized by a public authorityor the official having jurisdiction, or, in the case of privateroads open to public travel, by the private owner or privateofficial having jurisdiction, for the purpose of regulating,warning, or guiding traffic.

When the public agency or the official having jurisdictionover a street or highway or, in the case of private roads opento public travel, the private owner or private official havingjurisdiction, has granted proper authority, others such ascontractors and public utility companies shall be permittedto install temporary traffic control devices in temporarytraffic control zones. Such traffic control devices shallconform with the Standards of this Manual.

All regulatory traffic control devices shall be supportedby laws, ordinances, or regulations.

The following excerpt from Chapter 169, MinnesotaStatutes, set forth the responsibilities for all roadauthorities for a uniform application of Chapter 169.

169.022. Uniform application.“The provisions of this chapter (Chapter 169) shall be

applicable and uniform throughout this state and in allpolitical subdivisions and municipalities therein, and nolocal authority shall enact or enforce any rule or regulationin conflict with the provisions of this chapter unlessexpressly authorized herein. Local authorities may adopttraffic regulations which are not in conflict with theprovisions of this chapter; provided, that when any localordinance regulating traffic covers the same subject forwhich a penalty is provided for in this chapter (Chapter169), then the penalty provided for violation of said localordinance shall be identical with the penalty provided forin this chapter for the same offense.”

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Provisions of this Manual are based upon the concept thateffective traffic control depends upon both appropriateapplication of the devices and reasonable enforcement of theregulations.

Although some highway design features, such as curbs,median barriers, guardrails, speed humps or tables, andtextured pavement, have a significant impact on trafficoperations and safety, they are not considered to be trafficcontrol devices and provisions regarding their design anduse are generally not included in this Manual.

Certain types of signs and other devices that do not haveany traffic control purpose are sometimes placed within thehighway right-of-way by or with the permission of thepublic agency or the official having jurisdiction over thestreet or highway. Most of these signs and other devices arenot intended for use by road users in general, and theirmessage is only important to individuals who have beeninstructed in their meanings. These signs and other devicesare not considered to be traffic control devices andprovisions regarding their design and use are not included inthis Manual. Among these signs and other devices are thefollowing:

A. Devices whose purpose is to assist highwaymaintenance personnel. Examples include markersto guide snowplow operators, devices that identifyculvert and drop inlet locations, and devices thatprecisely identify highway locations formaintenance or mowing purposes.

B. Devices whose purpose is to assist fire or lawenforcement personnel. Examples include markersthat identify fire hydrant locations, signs thatidentify fire or water district boundaries, speedmeasurement pavement markings, small indicatorlights to assist in enforcement of red lightviolations, and photo enforcement systems.

C. Devices whose purpose is to assist utility companypersonnel and highway contractors, such asmarkers that identify underground utility locations.

D. Signs posting local non-traffic ordinances.E. Signs giving civic organization meeting

information.

Signs and other devices that do not have any trafficcontrol purpose that are placed within the highway right-of-way shall not be located where they will interfere with, ordetract from, traffic control devices.

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Any unauthorized traffic control device or other sign ormessage placed on the highway right-of-way by a privateorganization or individual constitutes a public nuisance andshould be removed. All unofficial or nonessential trafficcontrol devices, signs or messages should be removed.

1A.9 Engineering Study and EngineeringJudgment

Definitions of an engineering study and engineeringjudgment are contained in Section 1A.13.

This Manual describes the application of traffic controldevices, but shall not be a legal requirement for their instal-lation.

The decision to use a particular device at a particularlocation should be made on the basis of either anengineering study or the application of engineeringjudgment. Thus, while this Manual provides Standards,Guidance, and Options for design and application of trafficcontrol devices, this Manual should not be considered asubstitute for engineering judgment. Engineering judgmentshould be exercised in the selection and application of trafficcontrol devices, as well as in the location and design of roadsand streets that the devices complement.

Early in the processes of location and design of roads andstreets, engineers should coordinate such location anddesign with the design and placement of the traffic controldevices to be used with such roads and streets.

Jurisdictions, or owners of private roads open to publictravel, with responsibility for traffic control that do not haveengineers on their staffs who are trained and/or experiencedin traffic control devices should seek engineering assistancefrom others, such as the State transportation agency, theircounty, a nearby large city, or a traffic engineeringconsultant.

As part of the Federal-aid Program, each State is requiredto have a Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) and toprovide technical assistance to local highway agencies.Requisite technical training in the application of theprinciples of the MUTCD is available from the State's LocalTechnical Assistance Program for needed engineeringguidance and assistance.

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1A.10 Interpretations, Experimentation,Changes, Interim Approvals, andMinnesota Conditional Use

Design, application, and placement of traffic controldevices other than those adopted in this Manual shall beprohibited unless the provisions of this Section are followed.

Continuing advances in technology will produce changesin the highway, vehicle, and road user proficiency; therefore,portions of the system of traffic control devices in thisManual will require updating. In addition, unique situationsoften arise for device applications that might require inter-pretation or clarification of this Manual. It is important tohave a procedure for recognizing these developments andfor introducing new ideas and modifications into the system.

In Minnesota, Figure 1A-0 helps guide local jurisdictionsin determining what approvals are needed from MnDOTand the FHWA when desiring to use a new traffic controldevice.

All preliminary requests made by road authority for inter-pretation, permission to experiment (Figure 1A-1), interimapprovals (Figure 1A-2), and to request MinnesotaConditional Use (Figure 1A-3) shall be sent to the StateTraffic Standards Engineer, Office of Traffic, Safety andTechnology (see page ii). These requests shall be recordedand directed to the proper process. The requestor shall benotified of the status.

A diagram indicating the process for incorporating newtraffic control devices into this Manual is shown in Figure1A-2.

For additional information concerning interpretations,experimentation, changes, or interim approvals, visit theMUTCD website at http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov.

1A.10.1 FHWA Request for Interpretation

An interpretation includes a consideration of theapplication and operation of standard traffic control devices,official meanings of standard traffic control devices, or thevariations from standard device designs.

Requests for an interpretation of this Manual shouldcontain the following information:

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A. A concise statement of the interpretation beingsought;

B. A description of the condition that provoked the needfor a revised interpretation;

C. Any illustration that would be helpful to understandthe request; and

D. Any supporting research data that is pertinent to theitem to be interpreted.

1A.10.2 FHWA Request to Experiment

Requests to experiment include consideration of fielddeployment for the purpose of testing or evaluating a newtraffic control device, its application or manner of use, or aprovision not specifically described in this Manual.

A request for permission to experiment will be consideredonly when submitted by the public agency or toll facilityoperator responsible for the operation of the road or street onwhich the experiment is to take place. For a private roadopen to public travel, the request will be considered only ifit is submitted by the private owner or private official havingjurisdiction.

A diagram indicating the process for experimenting withtraffic control devices is shown in Figure 1A-1.

The request for permission to experiment should containthe following:

A. A statement indicating the nature of the problem.B. A description of the proposed change to the traffic

control device or application of the traffic controldevice, how it was developed, the manner in which itdeviates from the standard, and how it is expected tobe an improvement over existing standards.

C. Any illustration that would be helpful to understandthe traffic control device or use of the traffic controldevice.

D. Any supporting data explaining how the trafficcontrol device was developed, if it has been tried, inwhat ways it was found to be adequate or inadequate,and how this choice of device or application wasderived.

E. A legally binding statement certifying that the conceptof the traffic control device is not protected by apatent or copyright. (An example of a traffic controldevice concept would be countdown pedestriansignals in general. Ordinarily an entire generalconcept would not be patented or copyrighted, but if itwere it would not be acceptable for experimentationunless the patent or copyright owner signs a waiver ofrights acceptable to the FHWA. An example of apatented or copyrighted specific device within the

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1A-6December, 2011

Local jurisdiction wantsto use a device

that is not includedin the MN MUTCD

Submit request toMnDOT for

“”

(see Figure 1A-3)

MN ConditionalUse

Yes

No

Is deviceincluded inthe FHWAMUTCD?

Local jurisdiction hasapproval to use device

following guidelinesof the Tech Memo

Yes

No

Has MnDOTissued a TechMemo on this

device?

Submit preliminaryrequest to MnDOT for

“”

(see Figure 1A-2)

FHWA InterimApproval

Submit preliminaryrequest to MnDOT for“

”(see Figure 1A-1)

FHWA Request toExperiment

Yes

No

Does devicehave FHWA

InterimApproval?

Figure 1A-0 Process for a Local Jurisdiction to Follow to Use aTraffic Control Device not Included in the MN MUTCD

1A-7 December, 2011

Figure 1A-1 Example of a Process for Requesting and ConductingExperimentation for New Traffic Control Devices

Requesting jurisdictionsubmits request to

FHWA

Submit preliminaryrequest to MnDOT for“

”(see Figure 1A-0)

FHWA ExperimentalApproval

FHWA Review

Approved?

Yes

No

Requesting jurisdictionresponds to questions

raised by FHWA

Requesting jurisdictioninstalls experimentaltraffic control device

Evaluateexperimental traffic

control device

Requesting jurisdictionprovides semi-annual

reports to FHWADivision, HQ & MnDOT

Requesting jurisdictionprovides FHWA and

MnDOT with acopy of final report

1A-8December, 2011

general concept of countdown pedestrian signalswould be a manufacturer's design for its specificbrand of countdown signal, including the designdetails of the housing or electronics that are unique tothat manufacturer's product. As long as the generalconcept is not patented or copyrighted, it is acceptablefor experimentation to incorporate the use of one ormore patented devices of one or several manufactur-ers.)

F. The time period and location(s) of the experiment.G. A detailed research or evaluation plan that must

provide for close monitoring of the experimentation,especially in the early stages of its field implementa-tion. The evaluation plan should include before andafter studies as well as quantitative data describing theperformance of the experimental device.

H. An agreement to restore the site of the experiment to a condition that complies with the provisions of thisManual within 3 months following the end of the timeperiod of the experiment. This agreement must alsoprovide that the agency sponsoring the experimenta-tion will terminate the experimentation at any timethat it determines significant safety concerns aredirectly or indirectly attributable to the experimenta-tion. The FHWA’s Office of TransportationOperations has the right to terminate approval of theexperimentation at any time if there is an indication ofsafety concerns. If, as a result of the experimentation,a request is made that this Manual be changed toinclude the device or application being experimentedwith, the device or application will be permitted toremain in place until an official rulemaking action hasoccurred.

I. An agreement to provide semiannual progress reportsfor the duration of the experimentation, and anagreement to provide a copy of the final results of theexperimentation to the FHWA’s Office ofTransportation Operations within 3 months followingcompletion of the experimentation. The FHWA’sOffice of Transportation Operations has the right toterminate approval of the experimentation if reportsare not provided in accordance with this schedule.

1A.10.3 FHWA Request for Change

A change includes consideration of a new device toreplace a present standard device, an additional device to beadded to the list of standard devices, or a revision to a trafficcontrol device application or placement criteria.

Requests for a change to this Manual should contain thefollowing information:

A. A statement indicating what change is proposed;B. Any illustration that would be helpful to understand

the request; andC. Any supporting research data that is pertinent to the

item to be reviewed.

1A.10.4 FHWA Request for Interim Approval

Interim approval allows interim use, pending officialrulemaking, of a new traffic control device, a revision to theapplication or manner of use of an existing traffic controldevice, or a provision not specifically described in thisManual. The FHWA issues an Interim Approval by officialmemorandum signed by the Associate Administrator forOperations and posts this memorandum on the MUTCDwebsite. The issuance by FHWA of an interim approval willtypically result in the traffic control device or applicationbeing placed into the next scheduled rulemaking process forrevisions to this Manual.

Interim approval is considered based on the results ofsuccessful experimentation, results of analytical orlaboratory studies, and/or review of non-U.S. experiencewith a traffic control device or application. Interim approvalconsiderations include an assessment of relative risks,benefits, costs, impacts, and other factors.

Interim approval allows for optional use of a trafficcontrol device or application and does not create a newmandate or recommendation for use. Interim approvalincludes conditions that jurisdictions agree to comply within order to use the traffic control device or application untilan official rulemaking action has occurred.

A jurisdiction, toll facility operator, or owner of a privateroad open to public travel that desires to use a traffic controldevice for which FHWA has issued an interim approval shallrequest permission from FHWA.

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Figure 1A-2 Example of a Process for Incorporating New TrafficControl Devices into the FHWA MUTCD

FHWA issues InterimApproval with technicalconditions for use, and

posts on MUTCD website

ExperimentSuccessful

(see Figure 1A-1)

Analytical orLaboratory Study

Results and/or non-U.S.experimentation

Request for changefrom jurisdiction or

interested party

Acceptedfor Federal

rulemaking?

Jurisdiction restoresexperiment site tooriginal condition

FHWAReview

Interimapproval?

FHWA notifiesinterested parties

(if any)

Jurisdictions apply forand receive

Interim Approval

Submit preliminaryrequest to MnDOT for

“ ”(see Figure 1A-0)

FHWA Interim Approval

Jurisdictions deploydevices under InterimApproval conditions

FHWA preparesNotice of Proposed

Amendment

FHWA publishesNotice of Proposed

Amendment inFederal Register

Docket commentperiod

FHWAreviews comments

FHWA preparesFinal Rule

FHWA publishesFinal Rule

FinalRule

different fromInterim

Approval?

State Manuals mustbe in substantial

conformance with theNational MUTCD within

2 years as specifiedin 23 CFR 655.603(a)

Jurisdictions restore sitesof Interim Approval to

previous condition and/orcomply with Final Rule

YES

NO

YES

NO

YES

NO

YES

No action required

SeeFigure 1A-1

NO Furtherexperimentation

required?

1A-10December, 2011

The request for permission to place a traffic controldevice under interim approval should contain the following:

A.A description of where the device will be used, suchas a list of specific locations or highway segments ortypes of situations, or a statement of the intent to usethe device jurisdiction-wide;

B. An agreement to abide by the specific conditions foruse of the device as contained in the FHWA's interimapproval document;

C. An agreement to maintain and continually update alist of locations where the device has been installed;and

D. An agreement to:1. Restore the site(s) of the interim approval to a

condition that complies with the provisions in thisManual within 3 months following the issuance ofa Final Rule on this traffic control device; and

2. Terminate use of the device or application installedunder the interim approval at any time that itdetermines significant safety concerns are directlyor indirectly attributable to the device orapplication. The FHWA's Office of TransportationOperations has the right to terminate the interimapproval at any time if there is an indication ofsafety concerns.

A State may submit a request for the use of a device underinterim approval for all jurisdictions in that State, as long asthe request contains the information listed in the Guidanceabove.

A local jurisdiction, toll facility operator, or owner of aprivate road open to public travel using a traffic controldevice or application under an interim approval that wasgranted by FHWA either directly or on a statewide basisbased on the State's request should inform the State of thelocations of such use.

A local jurisdiction, toll facility operator, or owner of aprivate road open to public travel that is requestingpermission to experiment or permission to use a device orapplication under an interim approval should first check forany State laws and/or directives covering the application ofthe MUTCD provisions that might exist in their State.

A device or application installed under an interimapproval may remain in place, under the conditionsestablished in the interim approval, until an officialrulemaking action has occurred.

GUIDANCE:GUIDANCE:

OPTION:OPTION:

GUIDANCE:GUIDANCE:

OPTION:OPTION:

1A.10.5 Minnesota Request forConditional Use

Requests for Conditional Use in the State of Minnesotaare generated by the road authority desiring to use a trafficcontrol device approved for use by the FHWA, found in theFHWA MUTCD, and not yet included in either this Manualor an interim technical memorandum. If granted, the localjurisdiction shall abide by the conditions set forth below andagree to modify the roadway site to comply with the finalMN MUTCD. The device or application will be permitted toremain in place, under any conditions established under theCondition Use, until the final MN MUTCD revision isadopted.

The request for Conditional Use of a traffic control deviceor application shall contain the following:

A. A statement indicating the nature of the problem.B. A statement identifying the appropriate section of the

FHWA MUTCD where the proposed traffic controldevice or application of the traffic control device, is tobe located and how it will be used on the roadway.

C. The location(s) where it will be used and any illustra-tion that would be helpful to understand the trafficcontrol device or use of the traffic control device.

D. Any pertinent completed research or evaluation onthis traffic control device or application.

E. An agreement to restore the site(s) where theConditional Use has been granted to a condition thatcomplies with the provisions in this Manual within 3months following the issuance of a final decision onthis traffic control device. This agreement must alsoprovide that the agency sponsoring the request willterminate use of the device or application installedunder the Conditional Use at any time that itdetermines significant safety concerns are directly orindirectly attributable to the device or application.The State Traffic Standards Engineer has the right toterminate the conditional use at any time if there is anindication of safety concerns.

A typical study will include:

A. If required, a proposed evaluation plan that providesfor monitoring of the experimentation. This shouldinclude before and after studies as well as quantita-tive data describing the performance of the device.

B. If required, an agreement to submit semiannualprogress reports and a final written report on thefindings to the State Traffic Standards Engineer.

SUPPORT:SUPPORT:

STANDARD:STANDARD:

1A-11 December, 2011

Figure 1A-3 MN Conditional Use Process to be Followed by Local Jurisdictionsto Use a Traffic Control Device not yet Included in the MN MUTCD

Local jurisdiction submitsrequest to MnDOT for

“”

(see Figure 1A-0)

MN Conditional

Use

Local jurisdiction receivesapproval for conditional use and

begins to use device.MnDOT anticipates including

device in next revisionof MN MUTCD.

MnDOT informs Local jurisdictionof denial of requestfor conditional use.

If MnDOT approves the device,local jurisdiction installs

the device.

Local jurisdiction completes studyof the device and provides a copy

of study report to MnDOT.MnDOT evaluates results

received from all jurisdictionsusing the device.

No

No

Yes

Yes

Does MnDOTrequire

additional studyof device?

Does MnDOTapprove therequest for

conditional use?

MnDOT includes device into nextrevision of MN MUTCD.

Local jurisdiction modifies roadwaysite to comply with finalMN MUTCD revision.

Local jurisdictionrestores roadway site

to comply with MN MUTCD.

Yes

Yes

No

No

Are the resultsof the evaluation

positive?

Should additionalstudies be

conducted?

1A-12December, 2011

1A.11 Relation to Other Publications

To the extent that they are incorporated by specificreference, the latest editions of the following documents, orthose editions specifically noted, shall be a part of thisManual: "Standard Highway Signs and Markings,"(FHWA); “Color Specifications for Retroreflective Sign andPavement Marking Materials” (appendix to subpart F of part655 Title 23 of the Code of Federal Regulations); “StandardSigns Manual”; (MnDOT) latest edition.

The "Standard Highway Signs and Markings" bookincludes standard alphabets and symbols and arrows forsigns and pavement markings.

For information about the above publications, visit theFederal Highway Administration’s MUTCD website athttp://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov, or write to the FHWA, 1200 NewJersey Ave, SE, HOTO, Washington, DC 20590.

For ordering information for MnDOT publications,contact the MnDOT Map and Manual Sales Office, MailStop 725, 395 John Ireland Boulevard, St. Paul,Minnesota, 55155-1899.

Other publications that are useful sources of informationwith respect to use of this Manual are listed below. See Pagei of this Manual for ordering information for the followingpublications (later editions might also be available as usefulsources of information):

1. "AAA School Safety Patrol Operations Manual," 2006Edition (American Automobile Association- AAA)

2. "A Policy on Geometric Design of Highway andStreets," 2004 Edition (American Association of StateHighway and Transportation Officials - AASHTO)

3. "Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities,"1999 Edition (AASHTO)

4. "Guide for the Planning, Design, and Operation ofPedestrian Facilities," 2004 Edition (AASHTO)

5. "Guide to Metric Conversion," 1993 Edition(AASHTO)

6. "Guidelines for the Selection of Supplemental GuideSigns for Traffic Generators Adjacent to Freeways,"4th Edition/Guide Signs, Part II: Guidelines forAirport Guide Signing/Guide Signs, Part III: List ofControl Cities for Use in Guide Signs on InterstateHighways," Item Code: GSGLC-4, 2001 Edition(AASHTO)

7. "Roadside Design Guide," 2006 Edition (AASHTO)8. "Standard Specifications for Movable Highway

Bridges," 1988 Edition (AASHTO)9. "Traffic Engineering Metric Conversion Folders-

Addendum to the Guide to Metric Conversion," 1993

STANDARD:STANDARD:

SUPPORT:SUPPORT:

Edition (AASHTO)10. "2009 AREMA Communications & Signals

Manual," American Railway Engineering &Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA)

11. "Changeable Message Sign Operation andMessaging Handbook (FHWA-OP-03-070)," 2004Edition (Federal Highway Administration-FHWA)

12. "Designing Sidewalks and Trails for Access-Part 2-Best Practices Design Guide (FHWA-EP-01-027),"2001 Edition (FHWA)

13. “Desktop Reference for Crash Reduction Factors(FHWA-SA-07-015)”, 2007 edition

14. "Federal-Aid Highway Program Guidance on HighOccupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lanes," 2001 (FHWA)

15. "Maintaining Traffic Sign Retroreflectivity," 2007Edition (FHWA)

16. "Railroad-Highway Grade Crossing Handbook-Revised Second Edition (FHWA-SA-07-010)," 2007Edition (FHWA)

17. "Ramp Management and Control Handbook(FHWA-HOP-06-001)," 2006 Edition (FHWA)

18. "Roundabouts-An Informational Guide (FHWA-RD-00-067)," 2000 Edition (FHWA)

19. "Signal Timing Manual (FHWA-HOP-08-024),"2008 Edition (FHWA)

20. "Signalized Intersections: an Informational Guide(FHWA-HRT-04-091)," 2004 Edition (FHWA)

21. “Techbrief: Safety Evaluation of Improved CurveDelineation (FHWA-HRT-09-046),” 2009 edition

22. "Travel Better, Travel Longer: A Pocket Guide toImproving Traffic Control and Mobility for Our OlderPopulation (FHWA-OP-03-098)," 2003 Edition(FHWA)

23. "Practice for Roadway Lighting," RP-8, 2001,(Illuminating Engineering Society--IES)

24. "Safety Guide for the Prevention of RadioFrequency Radiation Hazards in the Use ofCommercial Electric Detonators (Blasting Caps),"Safety Library Publication No. 20, July 2001 Edition(Institute of Makers of Explosives)

25. "American National Standard for High-VisibilityPublic Safety Vests," (ANSI/ISEA 207-2006), 2006Edition (International Safety Equipment Association-ISEA)

26. "American National Standard for High-VisibilitySafety Apparel," (ANSI/ISEA 107-2004), 2004Edition, ISEA

27. "Manual of Traffic Signal Design," 1998 Edition(Institute of Transportation Engineers-ITE)

28. "Manual of Transportation Engineering Studies,"1994 Edition (ITE)

29. "Pedestrian Traffic Control Signal Indications,"Part 1-1985 Edition; Part 2 (LED Pedestrian TrafficSignal Modules)-2004 Edition (ITE)


30. "Preemption of Traffic Signals Near RailroadCrossings," 2006 edition (ITE)

31. "Purchase Specification for Flashing and Steady-Burn Warning Lights," 1981 Edition (ITE)

32. "Traffic Control Devices Handbook," 2001 Edition(ITE)

33. "Traffic Detector Handbook," 1991 Edition (ITE)34. "Traffic Engineering Handbook," 2009 Edition

(ITE)35. "Traffic Signal Lamps," 1980 Edition (ITE)36. "Vehicle Traffic Control Signal Heads," Part 1-

1985 Edition; Part 2-2005 Edition ; Part 3 (LEDVehicular Arrow Traffic Signal Supplement)-2004Edition (ITE)

37. “Minnesota Traffic Engineering Manual(MnDOT),” 2006 edition

38. "Uniform Vehicle Code (UVC) and Model TrafficOrdinance," 2000 Edition (National Committee onUniform Traffic Laws and Ordinances--NCUTLO)

39. "NEMA Standards Publication TS 4-2005 HardwareStandards for Dynamic Message Signs (DMS) WithNTCIP Requirements," 2005 Edition (NationalElectrical Manufacturers Association-NEMA)

40. "Occupational Safety and Health AdministrationRegulations (Standards - 29 CFR), General Safety andHealth Provisions - 1926.20," amended June 30, 1993(Occupational Safety and Health Administration--OSHA)

41. “A Guide for Reducing Collisions InvolvingPedestrians (NCHRP Report 500, vol. 10),” 2004

42. "Accessible Pedestrian Signals-A Guide to BestPractices (NCHRP Web-Only Document 117A),"2008 Edition (Transportation Research Board-TRB)

43. “Guidelines for Accessible Pedestrian Signals(NCHRP Web-Only Document 117B)," 2008 Edition(TRB)

44. "Highway Capacity Manual," 2000 Edition (TRB)45. "Recommended Procedures for the Safety

Performance Evaluation of Highway Features,"(NCHRP Report 350), 1993 Edition (TRB)

46. "The Americans with Disabilities Act AccessibilityGuidelines for Buildings and Facilities (ADAAG),"July 1998 Edition (The U.S. Access Board)

47. “Deer-Vehicle Crash Countermeasure Toolbox: ADecision and Choice Resource (WisDOT ReportDVCIC-02)”, 2004

48. “Effectiveness of ‘Children at Play’ WarningSigns (WisDOT Synthesis Report),” 2007.

1A.12 Color Code

The following color code establishes general meaningsfor 10 colors of a total of 13 colors that have been identifiedas being appropriate for use in conveying traffic controlinformation. Central values and tolerance limits for eachcolor are available from the Federal HighwayAdministration, 400 Seventh Street, SW, HOTO,Washington, DC 20590, and at FHWA’s MUTCD website athttp://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov.

The three colors for which general meanings have not yetbeen assigned are being reserved for future applications thatwill be determined only by FHWA after consultation withthe States, the engineering community, and the generalpublic. The meanings described in this Section are of ageneral nature. More specific assignments of colors aregiven in the individual Parts of this Manual relating to eachclass of devices.

The general meaning of the 13 colors shall be as follows:

A.Black - regulationB. Blue - road user services guidance, tourist

information, and evacuation routeC. Brown-recreational and cultural interest area guidanceD.Coral-unassignedE. Fluorescent Pink-incident managementF. Fluorescent Yellow-Green-pedestrian warning,

bicycle warning, playground warning, school bus andschool warning

G. Green-indicated movements permitted, directionguidance

H.Light Blue-unassignedI. Orange-temporary traffic control,J. Purple-lanes restricted to use only by vehicles with

registered electronic toll collection (ETC) accountsK.Red-stop or prohibitionL. White-regulationM. Yellow-warning

SUPPORT:SUPPORT:

STANDARD:STANDARD:

2. Accessible Pedestrian Signal Detector - a devicedesignated to assist the pedestrian who has visual orphysical disabilities in activating the pedestrian phase.

3. Active Grade Crossing Warning System - theflashing-light signals, with or without warning gates,together with the necessary control equipment used toinform road users of the approach or presence of railtraffic at grade crossings.

4. Actuated Operation - a type of traffic control signaloperation in which some or all signal phases areoperated on the basis of actuation.

5. Actuation - initiation of a change in or extension of atraffic signal phase through the operation of any typeof detector.

6. Advance Preemption - the notification ofapproaching rail traffic that is forwarded to thehighway traffic signal controller unit or assembly bythe railroad or light rail transit equipment in advanceof the activation of the railroad or light rail transitwarning devices.

7. Advance Preemption Time - the period of time thatis the difference between the required maximumhighway traffic signal preemption time and theactivation of the railroad or light rail transit warningdevices.

8. Advisory Speed - a recommended speed for allvehicles operating on a section of highway and basedon the highway design, operating characteristics, andconditions.

9. Alley - a street or highway intended to provide accessto the rear or side of lots or buildings in urban areasand not intended for the purpose of through vehiculartraffic.

10. Altered Speed Zone - a speed limit, other than astatutory speed limit, that is based upon anengineering study.

11. Approach - all lanes of traffic moving towards anintersection or a midblock location from onedirection, including any adjacent parking lane(s).

12. Arterial Highway (Street) - a general term denotinga highway primarily used by through traffic, usuallyon a continuous route or a highway designated as partof an arterial system.

13. Attended Lane (Manual Lane) - a toll lane adjacentto a toll booth occupied by a human toll collector whomakes change, issues receipts, and perform other toll-related functions. Attended lanes at toll plazastypically require vehicles to stop to pay the toll.

14. Automatic Lane - see Exact Change Lane.15. Average Annual Daily Traffic (AADT) - the total

volume of traffic passing a point or segment of ahighway facility in both directions for one yeardivided by the number of days in the year. Normally,periodic daily traffic volumes are adjusted for hours ofthe day counted, days of the week, and seasons of theyear to arrive at average annual daily traffic.

1A-14December, 2011

1A.13 Definitions of Headings,Words andPhrases in This Manual

When used in this Manual, the text headings of Standard,Guidance, Option, and Support shall be defined as follows:

A. Standard -a statement of required, mandatory, orspecifically prohibitive practice regarding a trafficcontrol device. All Standard statements are labeledwith a box containing white letters on a redbackground. The verb "shall" is typically used. Theverbs "should" and "may" are not used in Standardstatements. Standard statements are sometimesmodified by Options.

B. Guidance -a statement of recommended, but notmandatory, practice in typical situations, withdeviations allowed if engineering judgment orengineering study indicates the deviation to beappropriate. All Guidance statements are labeled witha box containing black letters on a yellowbackground. The verb "should" is typically used. Theverbs "shall" and "may" are not used in Guidancestatements. Guidance statements are sometimesmodified by Options.

C. Option -a statement of practice that is a permissivecondition and carries no requirement or recommenda-tion. Option statements sometime contain allowablemodifications to a Standard or Guidance statement.All Option statements are labeled with a boxcontaining green letters on a white background. Theverb "may" is typically used. The verbs "shall" and"should" are not used in Option statements.

D. Support -an informational statement that does notconvey any degree of mandate, recommendation,authorization, prohibition, or enforceable condition.Support statements are labeled with a box containingblue letters on a white background. The verbs "shall,""should," and "may" are not used in Supportstatements.

Unless otherwise defined in this Section, or in other Partsof this Manual, words or phrases shall have the meaning(s)as defined in the most recent editions of the "UniformVehicle Code," "AASHTO Transportation Glossary(Highway Definitions)," and other publications mentionedin Section 1A.11.

The following words and phrases, when used in thisManual, shall have the following meanings:

1. Accessible Pedestrian Signal - a device that commu-nicates information about pedestrian signal timing innon-visual format such as audible tones, speechmessages, and/or vibrating surfaces.

STANDARD:STANDARD:


16. Average Daily Traffic (ADT) - the average 24 hourvolume, being the total volume during a stated perioddivided by the number of days in that period.Normally, this would be periodic daily traffic volumesover several days, not adjusted for days of the week orseasons of the year.

17. Average Day - a day representing traffic volumesnormally and repeatedly found at a location, typicallya weekday when volumes are influenced byemployment or a weekend day when volumes areinfluenced by entertainment or recreation.

18. Backplate - see Signal Backplate.19. Barrier-Separated Lane - a preferential lane or

other special purpose lane that is separated from theadjacent general-purpose lane(s) by a physical barrier.

20. Beacon - a highway traffic signal with one or moresignal sections that operates in a flashing mode.

21. Bicycle - a pedal-powered vehicle upon which thehuman operator sits.

22. Bicycle Facilities - a general term denoting improve-ments and provisions that accommodate or encouragebicycling, including parking and storage facilities, andshared roadways not specifically defined for bicycleuse.

23. Bicycle Lane - a portion of a roadway that has beendesignated for preferential or exclusive use bybicyclists by pavement markings and, is used, signs.

24. Bikeway - a generic term for any road, street, path,or way that in some manner is specifically designatedfor bicycle travel, regardless of whether such facilitiesare designated for the exclusive use of bicycles or areto be shared with other transportation modes.

25. Buffer - Separated Lane-a preferential lane or otherspecial purpose lane that is separated from theadjacent general-purpose lane(s) by a pattern ofstandard longitudinal pavement markings that is widerthan a normal or wide lane line marking. The bufferarea might include rumble strips, textured pavement,or channelizing devices such as tubular markers ortraversable curbs, but does not include a physicalbarrier.

26. Cantilevered Signal Structure - a structure, alsoreferred to as a mast arm, that is rigidly attached to avertical pole and is used to provide overhead supportof highway traffic signal faces or grade crossingsignal units.

27. Center Line Markings - the yellow pavementmarking line(s) that delineates the separation of trafficlanes that have opposite directions of travel on aroadway. These markings need not be at thegeometrical center of the pavement.

28. Changeable Message Signs - a sign that is capableof displaying more than one message (one of whichmight be a “blank” display), changeable manually, by

remote control, or by automatic control. Electronic-display changeable message signs are referred to asDynamic Message Signs in the National IntelligentTransportation Systems (ITS) Architecture and arereferred to as Variable Message Signs in the NationalElectrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA)standards publication.

29. Channelizing Line Marking - a wide or doublesolid white line used to form islands where traffic inthe same direction of travel is permitted on both sidesof the island.

30. Circular Intersection - an intersection that has anisland, generally circular in design, located in thecenter of the intersection where traffic passes to theright of the island. Circular intersections includeroundabouts, rotaries, and traffic circles.

31. Circulatory Roadway - the roadway within acircular intersection on which traffic travels in a coun-terclockwise direction around an island in the centerof the circular intersection.

32. Clear Storage Distance - when used in Part 8, thedistance available for vehicle storage measuredbetween 6 feet from the rail nearest the intersection tothe intersection stop line or the normal stopping pointon the highway. At skewed grade crossings and inter-sections, the 6-foot distance shall be measured per-pendicular to the nearest rail either along the centerline or edge line of the highway, as appropriate, toobtain the shorter distance. Where exit gates are used,the distance available for vehicle storage is measuredfrom the point where the rear of the vehicle would beclear of the exit gate arm. In cases where the exit gatearm is parallel to the track(s) and is not perpendicularto the highway, the distance is measured either alongthe center line or edge line of the highway, asappropriate, to obtain the shorter distance.

33. Clear Zone - the total roadside border area, startingat the edge of the traveled way, that is available for anerrant driver to stop or regain control of a vehicle.This area might consist of a shoulder, a recoverableslope, and/or a nonrecoverable, traversable slope witha clear run-out area at its toe.

34. Collector Highway - a term denoting a highway thatin rural areas connects small towns and localhighways to arterial highways, and in urban areasprovides land access and traffic circulation withinresidential, commercial and business areas andconnects local highways to the arterial highways.

35. Concurrent Flow Preferential Lane - a preferentiallane that is operated in the same direction as theadjacent mixed flow lanes, separated from theadjacent general purpose freeway lanes by a standardlane stripe, painted buffer, or barrier.

48. Delineator - a retroreflective device mounted on theroadway surface or at the side of the roadway in aseries to indicate the alignment of the roadway,especially at night or in adverse weather.

49. Design Vehicle - the longest vehicle permitted bystatute of the road authority (State or other) on thatroadway.

50. Designated Bicycle Route - a system of bikewaysdesignated by the jurisdiction having authority withappropriate directional and informational route signs,with or without specific bicycle route numbers.

51. Detectable - having a continuous edge within 150mm (6 in) of the surface so that pedestrians who havevisual disabilities can sense its presence and receiveusable guidance information.

52. Detector - a device used for determining thepresence or passage of vehicles or pedestrians.

53. Downstream - a term that refers to a location that isencountered by traffic subsequent to an upstreamlocation as it flows in an "upstream to downstream"direction. For example, "the downstream end of a laneline separating the turn lane from a through lane onthe approach to an intersection" is the end of the laneline that is closest to the intersection.

54. Dropped Lane - a through lane that becomes amandatory turn lane on a conventional roadway, or athrough lane that becomes a mandatory exit lane on afreeway or expressway. The end of an accelerationlane and reductions in the number of through lanesthat do not involve a mandatory turn or exit are notconsidered dropped lanes.

55. Dual-Arrow Signal Section - a type of signalsection designed to include both a yellow arrow and agreen arrow.

56. Dynamic Envelope - the clearance required for lightrail transit traffic or a train and its cargo overhang dueto any combination of loading, lateral motion, orsuspension failure (see Figure 8B-8).

57. Dynamic Exit Gate Operating Mode - a mode ofoperation where the exit gate operation is based on thepresence of vehicles within the minimum trackclearance distance.

58. Edge Line Markings - white or yellow pavementmarking lines that delineate the right or left edge(s) ofa traveled way.

59. Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) - a system forautomated collection of tolls from moving or stoppedvehicles through wireless technologies such as radio-frequency communication or optical scanning. ETCsystems are classified as one of the following: (1)systems that require users to have registered tollaccounts, with the use of equipment inside or on theexterior of vehicles, such as a transponder or barcodedecal, that communicates with or is detected byroadside or overhead receiving equipment, or with the

1A-16December, 2011

36. Conflict Monitor - a device used to detect andrespond to improper or conflicting signal indicationsand improper operating voltages in a traffic controllerassembly.

37. Constant Warning Time Detection - a means ofdetecting rail traffic that provides relatively uniformwarning time for the approach of trains or light railtransit traffic that are not accelerating or deceleratingafter being detected.

38. Contiguous Lane - a lane, preferential or otherwise,that is separated from the adjacent lane(s) only by anormal or wide lane line marking.

39. Controller Assembly - a complete electrical devicemounted in a cabinet for controlling the operation of ahighway traffic signal. relocated from Section 4A.02

40. Controller Unit - that part of a controller assemblythat is devoted to the selection and timing of thedisplay of signal indications.

41. Conventional Road - a street or highway other thana low-volume road (as defined in Section 5A.1),expressway, or freeway.

42. Counter-Flow Lane - a lane operating in a directionopposite to the normal flow of traffic designated forpeak direction of travel during at least a portion of theday. Counter-flow lanes are usually separated fromthe off-peak direction lanes by tubular markers orother flexible channelizing devices, temporary laneseparators, or movable or permanent barrier.

43. Crashworthy - a characteristic of a roadside appur-tenance that has been successfully crash tested inaccordance with a national standard such as theNational Cooperative Highway Research ProgramReport 350, "Recommended Procedures for the SafetyPerformance Evaluation of Highway Features."

44. Crosswalk - (a) that part of a roadway at an inter-section included within the connections of the laterallines of the sidewalks on opposite sides of thehighway measured from the curbs or in the absence ofcurbs, from the edges of the traversable roadway, andin the absence of a sidewalk on one side of theroadway, the part of a roadway included within theextension of the lateral lines of the sidewalk at rightangles to the center line; (b) any portion of a roadwayat an intersection or elsewhere distinctly indicated asa pedestrian crossing by pavement marking lines onthe surface, which might be supplemented bycontrasting pavement texture, style, or color.

45. Crosswalk Lines - white pavement marking linesthat identify a crosswalk.

46. Cycle Length - the time required for one completesequence of signal indications.

47. Dark Mode - the lack of all signal indications at asignalized location. (The dark mode is mostcommonly associated with power failures, rampmeters, hybrid beacons, beacons, and some movablebridge signals.)

68. Exit Gate - an automatic gate that can be loweredacross the lanes departing a grade crossing to blockroad users from entering the grade crossing by drivingin the opposing traffic lanes.

69. Exit Gate Clearance Time - for Four-Quadrant Gatesystems at grade crossings, the amount of timeprovided to delay the descent of the exit gate arm(s)after entrance gate arm(s) begin to descend. relocatedfrom Section 8A.01

70. Exit Gate Operating Mode - for Four-QuadrantGate systems at grade crossings, the mode of controlused to govern the operation of the exit gate arms.

71. Expressway - a divided highway with partial controlof access.

72. Flagger - a person who actively controls the flow ofvehicular traffic into and/or through a temporarytraffic control zone using hand-signaling devices or anAutomated Flagger Assistance Device (AFAD).

73. Flasher - a device used to turn highway traffic signalindications on and off at a repetitive rate of approxi-mately once per second. relocated

74. Flashing - an operation in which a light source, suchas a traffic signal indication, is turned on and offrepetitively.

75. Flashing-Light Signals - a warning deviceconsisting of two red signal indications arranged hor-izontally that are activated to flash alternately whenrail traffic is approaching or present at a - gradecrossing. relocated from Section 8A.1

76. Flashing Mode - a mode of operation in which atleast one traffic signal indication in each vehicularsignal face of a highway traffic signal is turned on andoff repetitively.

77. Freeway - a divided highway with full control ofaccess.

78. Full-Actuated Operation - a type of traffic controlsignal operation in which all signal phases function onthe basis of actuation. relocated from Section 4A.2

79. Gate - an automatically-operated or manually-operated traffic control device that is used tophysically obstruct road users such that they arediscouraged from proceeding past a particular pointon a roadway or pathway, or such that they arediscouraged from entering a particular grade crossing,ramp, lane, roadway, or facility.

80. Grade Crossing - the general area where a highwayand a railroad and/or light rail transit route cross at thesame level, within which are included the tracks,highway, and traffic control devices for traffictraversing that area.

81. Guide Sign - a sign that shows route designations,destinations, directions, distances, services, points ofinterest, or other geographical, recreational, orcultural information.


use of license plate optical scanning, to automaticallydeduct the toll from the registered user account, or (2)systems that do not require users to have registeredtoll accounts because vehicle license plates areoptically scanned and invoices for the toll amount aresent through postal mail to the address of the vehicleowner.

60. Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) Account OnlyLane - a non-attended toll lane that is restricted to useonly by vehicles with a registered toll paymentaccount.

61. Emergency-Vehicle Hybrid Beacon - a special typeof hybrid beacon used to warn and control traffic at anunsignalized location to assist authorized emergencyvehicles in entering or crossing a street or highway.

62. Emergency-Vehicle Traffic Control Signal - aspecial traffic control signal that assigns the right-of-way to an authorized emergency vehicle.

63. End-of-Roadway Marker - a device used to warnand alert road users of the end of a roadway in otherthan temporary traffic control zones.

64. Engineering Judgment - the evaluation of availablepertinent information, and the application ofappropriate principles, provisions, and practices ascontained in this Manual and other sources, for thepurpose of deciding upon the applicability, design,operation, or installation of a traffic control device.Engineering judgment shall be exercised by anengineer, or by an individual working under thesupervision of an engineer, through the application ofprocedures and criteria established by the engineer.Documentation of engineering judgment is notrequired.

65. Engineering Study - the comprehensive analysisand evaluation of available pertinent information, andthe application of appropriate principles, provisions,and practices as contained in this Manual and othersources, for the purpose of deciding upon the applica-bility, design, operation, or installation of a trafficcontrol device. An engineering study shall beperformed by an engineer, or by an individualworking under the supervision of an engineer, throughthe application of procedures and criteria establishedby the engineer. An engineering study shall bedocumented.

66. Entrance Gate - an automatic gate that can belowered across the lanes approaching a grade crossingto block road users from entering the grade crossing.

67. Exact Change Lane (Automatic Lane) - a non-attended toll lane that has a receptacle into which roadusers deposit coins totaling the exact amount of thetoll. Exact Change lanes at toll plazas typically requirevehicles to stop to pay the toll.

1A-18December, 2011

93. Interchange - a system of interconnecting roadwaysproviding for traffic movement between two or morehighways that do not intersect at grade.

94. Interconnection - when used in Part 8, the electricalconnection between the railroad or light rail transitactive warning system and the highway traffic signalcontroller assembly for the purpose of preemption.

95. Intermediate Interchange - an interchange with anurban or rural route that is not a major or minorinterchange as defined in this section.

96. Intersection - intersection is defined as follows:(a) the area embraced within the prolongation or

connection of the lateral curb lines, or if none, thelateral boundary lines of the roadways of twohighways that join one another at, or approximate-ly at, right angles, or the area within whichvehicles traveling on different highways that joinat any other angle might come into conflict.

(b) the junction of an alley or driveway with aroadway or highway shall not constitute an inter-section, unless the roadway or highway at saidjunction is controlled by a traffic control device.

(c) If a highway includes two roadways that are 30feet or more apart (see definition of Median), thenevery crossing of each roadway of such dividedhighway by an intersecting highway shall be aseparate intersection.

(d) If both intersecting highways include tworoadways that are 30 feet or more apart, then everycrossing of any two roadways of such highwaysshall be a separate intersection.

(e) At a location controlled by a traffic control signal,regardless of the distance between the separateintersections as defined in (c) and (d) above:(1) If a stop line, yield line, or crosswalk has notbeen designated on the roadway (within themedian) between the separate intersections, thetwo intersections and the roadway (median)between them shall be considered as one intersec-tion;(2) Where a stop line, yield line, or crosswalk isdesignated on the roadway on the intersectionapproach, the area within the crosswalk and/orbeyond the designated stop line or yield line shallbe part of the intersection; and(3) Where a crosswalk is designated on a roadwayon the departure from the intersection, the inter-section shall include the area extending to the farside of such crosswalk.

97. Intersection Control Beacon - a beacon used onlyat an intersection to control two or more directions oftravel.

82. High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) - a motor vehiclecarrying at least two or more persons, includingcarpools, vanpools, and buses.

83. High Speed Roadway - any street or highwaywhere the posted speed limit is 45 miles per hour orgreater.

84. Highway - a general term for denoting a public wayfor purposes of vehicular travel, including the entirearea within the right-of-way.

85. Highway-Light Rail Transit Grade Crossing - thegeneral area where a highway and a light rail transitroute cross at the same level, within which areincluded the light rail transit tracks, highway, andtraffic control devices for traffic traversing that area.

86. Highway-Rail Grade Crossing - the general areawhere a highway and a railroad cross at the samelevel, within which are included the railroad tracks,highway, and traffic control devices for highwaytraffic traversing that area.

87. Highway Traffic Signal - a power-operated trafficcontrol device by which traffic is warned or directedto take some specific action. These devices do notinclude power-operated signs, steadily-illuminatedpavement markers, warning lights (see Section 6F.78),or steady burning electric lamps.

88 Highway Work Zone - a segment of highway orstreet where a road authority or its agent is conc-tructing, reconstructing, or maintaining the physicalstructure of the roadway, its shoulders, or featuresadjacent to the roadway, including underground andoverhead utilities and highway appurtenances, whenworkers are present.

89. HOV Lane - any preferential lane designated forexclusive use by high-occupancy vehicles for all orpart of a day-including a designated lane on a freeway,other highway, street, or independent roadway on aseparate right-of-way.

90. Hybrid Beacon - a special type of beacon that isintentionally placed in a dark mode (no indicationsdisplayed) between periods of operation and, whenoperated, displays both steady and flashing trafficcontrol signal indications.

91. Inherently Low Emission Vehicle (ILEV) - anykind of vehicle that, because of inherent properties ofthe fuel system design, will not have significantevaporative emissions, even if its evaporativeemission control system has failed.

92. In-Roadway Lights - a special type of highwaytraffic signal installed in the roadway surface to warnroad users that they are approaching a condition on oradjacent to the roadway that might not be readilyapparent and might require the road users to slowdown and/or come to a stop.


98. Interval - the part of a signal cycle during whichsignal indications do not change.

99. Interval Sequence - the order of appearance ofsignal indications during successive intervals of asignal cycle.

100. Island - a defined area between traffic lanes forcontrol of vehicular movements, for toll collection, orfor pedestrian refuge. It includes all end protectionand approach treatments. Within an intersection area,a median or an outer separation is considered to be anisland.

101. Lane Drop - see Dropped Lane.102. Lane Line Markings - white pavement marking

lines that delineate the separation of traffic lanes thathave the same direction of travel on a roadway.

103. Lane-Use Control Signal - a signal face displayingindications to permit or prohibit the use of specificlanes of a roadway or to indicate the impendingprohibition of such use.

104. Legend - see Sign Legend.105. Lens - see Signal Lens.106. Light Rail Transit Traffic (Light Rail TransitEquipment) - every device in, upon, or by which anyperson or property can be transported on light railtransit tracks, including single-unit light rail transitcars (such at streetcars and trolleys) and assemblies ofmultiple light rail transit cars coupled together.

107. Locomotive Horn - an air horn, steam whistle, orsimilar audible warning device (see 49 CFR Part229.129) mounted on a locomotive or control cab car.The terms "locomotive horn," "train whistle,""locomotive whistle," and "train horn" are used inter-changeably in the railroad industry.

108. Logo - a distinctive emblem or trademark thatidentifies a commercial business and/or the product orservice offered by the business.

109. Longitudinal Markings - pavement markings thatare generally placed parallel and adjacent to the flowof traffic such as lane lines, center lines, edge lines,channelizing lines, and others.

110. Louver - see Signal Louver111. Low Speed Roadway - any street or highway

where the posted speed limit is 40 miles per hour orless.

112. Major Interchange - an interchange with anotherfreeway or expressway, or an interchange with a high-volume multi-lane highway, principal urban arterial,or major rural route where the interchanging traffic isheavy or includes many road users unfamiliar with thearea.

113. Major Street - the street normally carrying thehigher volume of vehicular traffic.

114. Malfunction Management Unit - same as ConflictMonitor.

115. Managed Lane - a highway lane or set of lanes, ora highway facility, for which variable operationalstrategies such as direction of travel, tolling, pricing,and/or vehicle type or occupancy requirements areimplemented and managed in real-time in response tochanging conditions. Managed lanes are typicallybuffer- or barrier-separated lanes parallel to thegeneral-purpose lanes of a highway in which access isrestricted to designated locations. There are also somehighways on which all lanes are managed.

116. Manual Lane - see Attended Lane.117. Maximum Highway Traffic Signal PreemptionTime - the maximum amount of time neededfollowing initiation of the preemption sequence forthe highway traffic signals to complete the timing ofthe right-of-way transfer time, queue clearance time,and separation time.

118. Median - the area between two roadways of adivided highway measured from edge of traveled wayto edge of traveled way. The median excludes turnlanes. The median width might be different betweenintersections, interchanges, and at oppositeapproaches of the same intersection.

119. Minimum Track Clearance Distance - forstandard two-quadrant warning devices, the minimumtrack clearance distance is the length along a highwayat one or more railroad or light rail transit tracks,measured from the highway stop line, warning device,or 12 feet perpendicular to the track center line, to 6feet beyond the track(s) measured perpendicular to thefar rail, along the center line or edge line of thehighway, as appropriate, to obtain the longer distance.For Four-Quadrant Gate systems, the minimum trackclearance distance is the length along a highway atone or more railroad or light rail transit tracks,measured either from the highway stop line orentrance warning device, to the point where the rear ofthe vehicle would be clear of the exit gate arm. Incases where the exit gate arm is parallel to the track(s)and is not perpendicular to the highway, the distanceis measured either along the center line or edge line ofthe highway, as appropriate, to obtain the longerdistance.

120. Minimum Warning Time - when used in Part 8,the least amount of time active warning devices shalloperate prior to the arrival of rail traffic at a - gradecrossing.

121. Minor Interchange - an interchange where trafficis local and very light, such as interchanges with landservice access roads. Where the sum of the exitvolumes is estimated to be lower than 100 vehicles perday in the design year, the interchange is classified aslocal.

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122. Minor Street - the street normally carrying thelower volume of vehicular traffic.

123. Movable Bridge Resistance Gate - a type of trafficgate, which is located downstream of the movablebridge warning gate, that provides a physical deterrentto vehicle and/or pedestrian traffic when placed in theappropriate position.

124. Movable Bridge Signal - a highway traffic signalinstalled at a movable bridge to notify traffic to stopduring periods when the roadway is closed to allowthe bridge to open.

125. Movable Bridge Warning Gate - a type of trafficgate designed to warn, but not primarily to block,vehicle and/or pedestrian traffic when placed in theappropriate position.

126. Multi-Lane - more than one lane moving in thesame direction. A multi-lane street, highway, orroadway has a basic cross-section comprised of two ormore through lanes in one or both directions. A multi-lane approach has two or more lanes moving towardthe intersection, including turning lanes.

127. Neutral Area - the paved area between the chan-nelizing lines separating an entrance or exit ramp or achannelized turn lane or channelized entering lanefrom the adjacent through lane(s).

128. Object Marker - a device used to mark obstruc-tions within or adjacent to the roadway.

129. Occupancy Requirement - any restriction thatregulates the use of a facility or one or more lanes ofa facility for any period of the day based on aspecified number of persons in a vehicle.

130. Occupant - a person driving or riding in a car,truck, bus, or other vehicle.

131. Open-Road ETC Lane - a non-attended lane thatis designed to allow toll payments to be electronicallycollected from vehicles traveling at normal highwayspeeds. Open-Road ETC lanes are typically physicallyseparated from the toll plaza, often following thealignment of the mainline lanes, with toll plaza lanesfor cash toll payments being on a different alignmentafter diverging from the mainline lanes or a subsetthereof.

132. Open-Road Tolling - a system designed to allowelectronic toll collection (ETC) from vehiclestraveling at normal highway speeds. Open-RoadTolling might be used on toll roads or toll facilities inconjunction with toll plazas. Open-Road Tolling isalso typically used on managed lanes and on tollfacilities that only accept payment by ETC.

133. Open-Road Tolling Point - the location along anOpen-Road ETC lane at which roadside or overheaddetection and receiving equipment are placed andvehicles are electronically assessed a toll.

134. Opposing Traffic - vehicles that are traveling in theopposite direction. At an intersection, vehiclesentering from an approach that is approximatelystraight ahead would be considered to be opposingtraffic, but vehicles entering from approaches on theleft or right would not be considered to be opposingtraffic.

135. Overhead Sign - a sign that is placed such that aportion or the entirety of the sign or its support isdirectly above the roadway or shoulder such thatvehicles travel below it. Typical installations includesigns placed on cantilever arms that extend over theroadway or shoulder, on sign support structures thatspan the entire width of the pavement, on mast armsor span wires that also support traffic control signals,and on highway bridges that cross over the roadway.

136. Parking Area - a parking lot or parking garage thatis separated from a roadway. Parallel or angle parkingspaces along a roadway are not considered a parkingarea.

137. Passive Grade Crossing - a grade crossing wherenone of the automatic traffic control devicesassociated with an Active Grade Crossing WarningSystem are present and at which the traffic controldevices consist entirely of signs and/or markings.

138. Pathway - a general term denoting a public way forpurposes of travel by authorized users outside thetraveled way and physically separated from theroadway by an open space or barrier and either withinthe highway right-of-way or within an independentalignment. Pathways include shared-use paths, but donot include sidewalks.

139. Pathway Grade Crossing - the general area wherea pathway and railroad or light rail transit tracks crossat the same level, within which are included thetracks, pathway, and traffic control devices forpathway traffic traversing that area.

140. Paved - a bituminous surface treatment, mixedbituminous concrete, or Portland cement concreteroadway surface that has both a structural (weightbearing) and a sealing purpose for the roadway.

141. Pedestrian - a person on foot, in a wheelchair, onskates, or on a skateboard.

142. Pedestrian Change Interval - an interval duringwhich the flashing UPRAISED HAND (symbolizingDONT WALK) signal indication is displayed.

143. Pedestrian Clearance Time - the time provided fora pedestrian crossing in a crosswalk, after leaving thecurb or shoulder, to travel to the far side of thetraveled way or to a median.

144. Pedestrian Facilities - a general term denotingimprovements and provisions made to accommodateor encourage walking.

145. Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon - a special type ofhybrid beacon used to warn and control traffic at anunsignalized location to assist pedestrians in crossinga street or highway at a marked crosswalk.

146. Pedestrian Signal Head - a signal head, whichcontains the symbols WALKING PERSON(symbolizing WALK) and UPRAISED HAND(symbolizing DONT WALK), that is installed todirect pedestrian traffic at a traffic control signal.

147. Permissive Mode - a mode of traffic control signaloperation in which left or right turns are permitted tobe made after yielding to pedestrians, if any, and/oropposing traffic, if any. When a CIRCULAR GREENsignal indication is displayed, both left and right turnsare permitted unless otherwise prohibited by anothertraffic control device. When a flashing YELLOWARROW or flashing RED ARROW signal indicationis displayed, the turn indicated by the arrow ispermitted.

148. Physical Gore - a longitudinal point where aphysical barrier or the lack of a paved surface inhibitsroad users from crossing from a ramp or channelizedturn lane or channelized entering lane to the adjacentthrough lane(s) or vice versa.

149. Pictograph - a pictorial representation used toidentify a governmental jurisdiction, an area of juris-diction, a governmental agency, a military base orbranch of service, a governmental approved universityor college, a toll payment system, or a government-approved institution.

150. Plaque - a traffic control device intended tocommunicate specific information to road usersthrough a word, symbol, or arrow legend that is placedimmediately adjacent to a sign to supplement themessage on the sign. The difference between a plaqueand a sign is that a plaque cannot be used alone. Thedesignation for a plaque includes a "P" suffix.

151. Platoon - a group of vehicles or pedestrianstraveling together as a group, either voluntarily orinvoluntarily, because of traffic signal controls,geometrics, or other factors.

152. Portable Traffic Control Signal - a temporarytraffic control signal that is designed so that it can beeasily transported and reused at different locations.

153. Post-Mounted Sign - a sign that is placed to theside of the roadway such that no portion of the sign orits support is directly above the roadway or shoulder.

154. Posted Speed Limit - a speed limit determined bylaw or regulation and displayed on Speed Limit signs.

155. Preemption - the transfer of normal operation of atraffic control signal to a special control mode ofoperation.


156. Preferential Lane - a highway lane reserved for theexclusive use of one or more specific types of vehiclesor vehicles with at least a specific number ofoccupants.

157. Pre-Signal - traffic control signal faces that controltraffic approaching a grade crossing in conjunctionwith the traffic control signal faces that control trafficapproaching a highway-highway intersection beyondthe tracks. Supplemental near-side traffic controlsignal faces for the highway-highway intersection arenot considered pre-signals. Pre-signals are typicallyused where the clear storage distance is insufficient tostore one or more design vehicles.

158. Pretimed Operation - a type of traffic controlsignal operation in which none of the signal phasesfunction on the basis of actuation. relocated fromSection 4A.2

159. Primary Signal Face - one of the required orrecommended minimum number of signal faces for agiven approach or separate turning movement, but notincluding near-side signal faces required as a result ofthe far-side signal faces exceeding the maximumdistance from the stop line.

160. Principal Legend - place names, street names, androute numbers placed on guide signs.

161. Priority Control - a means by which theassignment of right-of-way is obtained or modified.

162. Private Road Open to Public Travel - private tollroads and roads (including any adjacent sidewalksthat generally run parallel to the road) withinshopping centers, airports, sports arenas, and othersimilar business and/or recreation facilities that areprivately owned, but where the public is allowed totravel without access restrictions. Roads withinprivate gated properties (except for gated toll roads)where access is restricted at all times, parking areas,driving aisles within parking areas, and private gradecrossings shall not be included in this definition.

163. Protected Mode - a mode of traffic control signaloperation in which left or right turns are permitted tobe made when a left or right GREEN ARROW signalindication is displayed.

164. Public Road - any road, street, or similar facilityunder the jurisdiction of and maintained by a publicagency and open to public travel.

165. Pushbutton - a button to activate a device or signaltiming for pedestrians, bicyclists, or other road users.

166. Pushbutton Information Message - a recordedmessage that can be actuated by pressing a pushbuttonwhen the walk interval is not timing and that providesthe name of the street that the crosswalk associatedwith that particular pushbutton crosses and can alsoprovide other information about the intersection sig-nalization or geometry.

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167. Pushbutton Locator Tone - a repeating sound thatinforms approaching pedestrians that a pushbuttonexists to actuate pedestrian timing or receiveadditional information and that enables pedestrianswho have visual disabilities to locate the pushbutton.

168. Queue Clearance Time - when used in Part 8, thetime required for the design vehicle of maximumlength stopped just inside the minimum trackclearance distance to start up and move through andclear the entire minimum track clearance distance. Ifpre-signals are present, this time shall be long enoughto allow the vehicle to move through the intersection,or to clear the tracks if there is sufficient clear storagedistance. If a Four-Quadrant Gate system is present,this time shall be long enough to permit the exit gatearm to lower after the design vehicle is clear of theminimum track clearance distance.

169. Quiet Zone - a segment of a rail line, with one or anumber of consecutive public highway-rail gradecrossings at which locomotive horns are not routinelysounded per 49 CFR Part 222.

170. Rail Traffic - every device in, upon, or by whichany person or property can be transported on rails ortracks and to which all other traffic must yield theright-of-way by law at grade crossings, includingtrains, one or more locomotives coupled (with orwithout cars), other railroad equipment, and light railtransit operating in exclusive or semi-exclusivealignments Light rail transit operating in a mixed-usealignment, to which other traffic is not required toyield the right-of-way by law, is a vehicle and is notconsidered to be rail traffic.

171. Raised Pavement Marker - a device mounted onor in a road surface that has a height generally notexceeding approximately 1 inch above the roadsurface for a permanent marker, or not exceedingapproximately 2 inches above the road surface for atemporary flexible marker, and that is intended to beused as a positioning guide and/or to supplement orsubstitute for pavement markings.

172. Ramp Control Signal - a highway traffic signalinstalled to control the flow of traffic onto a freewayat an entrance ramp or at a freeway-to-freeway rampconnection.

173. Ramp Meter - see Ramp Control Signal.174. Red Clearance Interval - an interval that follows a

yellow change interval and precedes the nextconflicting green interval.

175. Regulatory Sign - a sign that gives notice to roadusers of traffic laws or regulations.

176. Retroreflectivity - a property of a surface thatallows a large portion of the light coming from a pointsource to be returned directly back to a point near itsorigin.

177. Right-of-Way [Assignment] - the permitting ofvehicles and/or pedestrians to proceed in a lawfulmanner in preference to other vehicles or pedestriansby the display of sign or signal indications.

178. Right-of-Way Transfer Time - when used in Part8, the maximum amount of time needed for the worstcase condition, prior to display of the track clearancegreen interval. This includes any railroad or light railtransit or highway traffic signal control equipmenttime to react to a preemption call, and any trafficcontrol signal green, pedestrian walk and clearance,yellow change, and red clearance intervals forconflicting traffic.

179. Road - see Roadway.180. Road User - a vehicle operator, bicyclist, or

pedestrian, including persons with disabilities, withinthe highway or on a private road open to public travel.

181. Roadway - that portion of a highway improved,designed, or ordinarily used for vehicular travel andparking lanes, but exclusive of the sidewalk, berm, orshoulder even though such sidewalk, berm, orshoulder is used by persons riding bicycles or otherhuman-powered vehicles. In the event a highwayincludes two or more separate roadways, the termroadway as used in this Manual shall refer to any suchroadway separately, but not to all such roadways col-lectively.

182. Roadway Network - a geographical arrangementof intersecting roadways.

183. Roundabout - a circular intersection with yieldcontrol at entry, which permits a vehicle on thecirculatory roadway to proceed, and with deflection ofthe approaching vehicle counterclockwise around acentral island.

184. Rumble Strip - a series of intermittent, narrow,transverse areas of rough-textured, slightly raised, ordepressed road surface that extend across the travellane to alert road users to unusual traffic conditions orare located along the shoulder, along the roadwaycenter line, or within islands formed by pavementmarkings to alert road users that they are leaving thetravel lanes.

185. Rural Highway - a type of roadway normally char-acterized by lower volumes, higher speeds, fewerturning conflicts, and less conflict with pedestrians.

186. Safe-Positioned - the positioning of emergencyvehicles at an incident in a manner that attempts toprotect both the responders performing their dutiesand road users traveling through the incident scene,while minimizing, to the extent practical, disruptionof the adjacent traffic flow.

187. School - a public or private educational institutionrecognized by the State education authority for one ormore grades K through 12 or as otherwise defined bythe State.


188. School Zone - a designated roadway segmentapproaching, adjacent to, and beyond school buildingsor grounds, or along which school related activitiesoccur.

189. Semi-Actuated Operation - a type of trafficcontrol signal operation in which at least one, but notall, signal phases function on the basis of actuation.

190. Separate -Turn Signal Face - a signal face thatexclusively controls a turn movement and thatdisplays signal indications that are applicable only tothe turn movement.

191. Separation Time - the component of maximumhighway traffic signal preemption time during whichthe minimum track clearance distance is clear ofvehicular traffic prior to the arrival of rail traffic.

192. Shared Roadway - a roadway that is officiallydesignated and marked as a bicycle route, but which isopen to motor vehicle travel and upon which nobicycle lane is designated.

193. Shared -Turn Signal Face - a signal face, forcontrolling both a turn movement and the adjacentthrough movement, that always displays the samecolor of circular signal indication that the adjacent

194. Shared-Use Path - a bikeway outside the traveledway and physically separated from motorizedvehicular traffic by an open space or barrier and eitherwithin the highway right-of-way or within anindependent alignment. Shared-use paths are also bypedestrians (including skaters, users of manual andmotorized wheelchair and joggers) and otherauthorized motorized and non-motorized users.

195. Shoulder - that part of a highway which iscontiguous to the regularily traveled portion of thehighway and is on the same level as the highway.The shoulder may be pavement, gravel, or earth.

196. Sidewalk - that portion of a street between the curbline, or the lateral line of a roadway, and the adjacentproperty line or on easements of private property thatis paved or improved and intended for use bypedestrians.

197. Sign - any traffic control device that is intended tocommunicate specific information to road usersthrough a word, symbol, and/or arrow legend. Signsdo not include highway traffic signals, pavementmarkings, delineators, or channelization devices.

198. Sign Assembly - a group of signs, located on thesame support(s), that supplement one another inconveying information to road users.

199. Sign Illumination - either internal or externallighting that shows similar color by day or night.Street or highway lighting shall not be considered asmeeting this definition.

200. Sign Legend - all word messages, logos,pictographs, and symbol and arrow designs that areintended to convey specific meanings. The border, ifany, on a sign is not considered to be a part of thelegend.

201. Sign Panel - a separate panel or piece of materialcontaining a word or symbol legend that is affixed tothe face of a sign.

202. Signal Backplate - a thin strip of material thatextends outward from and parallel to a signal face onall sides of a signal housing to provide a backgroundfor improved visibility of the signal indications.

203. Signal Coordination - the establishment of timedrelationships between adjacent traffic control signals.

204. Signal Face - an assembly of one or more signalsections that is provided for controlling one or moretraffic movements on a single approach.

205. Signal Head - an assembly of one or more signalfaces that is provided for controlling trafficmovements on one or more approaches.

206. Signal Housing - that part of a signal section thatprotects the light source and other requiredcomponents.

207. Signal Indication - the illumination of a signal lensor equivalent device.

208. Signal Lens - that part of the signal section thatredirects the light coming directly from the lightsource and its reflector, if any.

209. Signal Louver - a device that can be mountedinside a signal visor to restrict visibility of a signalindication from the side or to limit the visibility of thesignal indication to a certain lane or lanes, or to acertain distance from the stop line.

210. Signal Phase - the right-of-way, yellow change, andred clearance intervals in a cycle that are assigned toan independent traffic movement or combination ofmovements.

211. Signal Section - the assembly of a signal housing,signal lens, if any, and light source with necessarycomponents to be used for displaying one signalindication.

212. Signal System - two or more traffic control signalsoperating in signal coordination.

213. Signal Timing - the amount of time allocated forthe display of a signal indication.

214. Signal Visor - that part of a signal section thatdirects the signal indication specifically toapproaching traffic and reduces the effect of directexternal light entering the signal lens.

215. Signing - individual signs or a group of signs, notnecessarily on the same support(s), that supplementone another in conveying information to road users.

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216. Simultaneous Preemption - notification ofapproaching rail traffic is forwarded to the highwaytraffic signal controller unit or assembly and railroador light rail transit active warning devices at the sametime.

217. Special Purpose Road - a low-volume, low-speedroad that serves recreational areas or resourcedevelopment activities.

218. Speed - speed is defined based on the followingclassifications:(a) Average Speed - the summation of the instanta-

neous or spot-measured speeds at a specificlocation of vehicles divided by the number ofvehicles observed.

(b) Design Speed - a selected speed used to determinethe various geometric design features of aroadway.

(c) 85th-Percentile Speed - The speed at or belowwhich 85 percent of the motor vehicles travel.

(d)High Speed - where the posted speed limit is 45miles per hour or greater.

(e)Low Speed - where the posted speed limit is 40miles per hour or less.

(f) Operating Speed - a speed at which a typicalvehicle or the overall traffic operates. Operatingspeed might be defined with speed values such asthe average, pace, or 85th-percentile speeds.

(g) Pace - the 10 mph speed range representing thespeeds of the largest percentage of vehicles in thetraffic stream.

219. Speed Limit - the maximum (or minimum) speedapplicable to a section of highway as established bylaw or regulation.

220. Speed Limit Sign Beacon - a beacon used tosupplement a SPEED LIMIT sign.

221. Speed Measurement Markings - a whitetransverse pavement marking placed on the roadwayto assist the enforcement of speed regulations.

222. Speed Zone - a section of highway with a speedlimit that is established by law but which might bedifferent from a legislatively specified statutory speedlimit.

223. Splitter Island - a median island used to separateopposing directions of traffic entering and exiting aroundabout.

224. Station Crossing - a pathway grade crossing that isassociated with a station platform.

225. Statutory Speed Limit - a speed limit establishedby legislative action that typically is applicable for aparticular class of highways with specified design,functional, jurisdictional and/or location characteris-tics and that is not necessarily displayed on SpeedLimit signs.

226. Steady (Steady Mode) - the continuous display ofa signal indication for the duration of an interval,signal phase, or consecutive signal phases.

227. Stop Beacon - a beacon used to supplement a STOPsign, a DO NOT ENTER sign, or a WRONG WAYsign.

228. Stop Line - a solid white pavement marking lineextending across approach lanes to indicate the pointat which a stop is intended or required to be made.

229. Street - see Highway.230. Supplemental Signal Face - a signal face that is

not a primary signal face but which is provided for agiven approach or separate turning movement toenhance visibility or conspicuity.

231. Symbol - the approved design of a pictorial repre-sentation of a specific traffic control message forsigns, pavement markings, traffic control signals, orother traffic control devices, as shown in the MUTCD.

232. Temporary Traffic Control Signal - a trafficcontrol signal that is installed for a limited timeperiod.

233. Temporary Traffic Control Zone - an area of ahighway where road user conditions are changedbecause of a work zone or incident by the use oftemporary traffic control devices, flaggers, uniformedlaw enforcement officers, or other authorizedpersonnel.

234. Theoretical Gore - a longitudinal point at theupstream end of a neutral area at an exit ramp orchannelized turn lane where the channelizing linesthat separate the ramp or channelized turn lane fromthe adjacent through lane(s) begin to diverge, or a lon-gitudinal point at the downstream end of a neutral areaat an entrance ramp or channelized entering lanewhere the channelizing lines that separate the ramp orchannelized entering lane from the adjacent throughlane(s) intersect each other.

235. Through Highway - every highway or portion onwhich vehicular traffic is given preferential right-of-way and at the entrances to which vehicular trafficfrom intersecting highways is required by law to yieldthe right-of-way to vehicles on such through highwayin obedience to a stop sign, yield sign, or other officialtraffic control device.

236. Timed Exit Gate Operating Mode - a mode ofoperation where the exit gate descent at a gradecrossing is based on a predetermined time interval.

237. Toll Booth - a shelter where a toll attendant isstationed to collect tolls or issue toll tickets. A tollbooth is located adjacent to a toll lane and is typicallyset on a toll island.

238. Toll Island - a raised island on which a toll booth orother toll collection and related equipment are located.


239. Toll Lane - an individual lane located within a tollplaza in which a toll payment is collected or, for toll-ticket systems, a toll ticket is issued.

240. Toll Plaza - the location at which tolls are collectedconsisting of a grouping of toll booths, toll islands,toll lanes, and, typically, a canopy. Toll plazas mightbe located on highway mainlines or on interchangeramps. A mainline toll plaza is sometimes referred toas a barrier toll plaza because it interrupts the trafficflow.

241. Toll-Ticket System - a system in which the user ofa toll road receives a ticket from a machine or tollbooth attendant upon entering a toll system. The ticketdenotes the user's point of entry and, upon exiting thetoll system, the user surrenders the ticket and ischarged a toll based on the distance traveled betweenthe points of entry and exit.

242. Traffic - pedestrians, bicyclists, ridden or herdedanimals, vehicles, streetcars, and other conveyanceseither singularly or together while using for purposesof travel any highway or private road open to publictravel.

243. Traffic Control Device - a sign, signal, marking, orother device used to regulate, warn, or guide traffic,placed on, over, or adjacent to a street, highway,private road open to public travel, pedestrian facility,or shared-use path by authority of a public agency orofficial having jurisdiction, or, in the case of a privateroad open to public travel, by authority of the privateowner or private official having jurisdiction.

244. Traffic Control Signal (Traffic Signal) - anyhighway traffic signal by which traffic is alternatelydirected to stop and permitted to proceed.

245. Train - one or more locomotives coupled, with orwithout cars, that operates on rails or tracks and towhich all other traffic must yield the right-of-way bylaw at highway-rail grade crossings.

246. Transverse Markings - pavement markings thatare generally placed perpendicular and across the flowof traffic such as shoulder markings, word, symbol,and arrow markings, stop lines, crosswalk lines, speedmeasurement markings, parking space markings, andothers.

247. Traveled Way - the portion of the roadway for themovement of vehicles, exclusive of the shoulders,berms, sidewalks, and parking lanes.

248. Turn Bay - a lane for the exclusive use of turningvehicles that is formed on the approach to the locationwhere the turn is to be made. In most cases where turnbays are provided, drivers who desire to turn mustmove out of a through lane into the newly formed turnbay in order to turn. A through lane that becomes aturn lane is considered to be a dropped lane rather thana turn bay.

249. Upstream - a term that refers to a location that isencountered by traffic prior to a downstream locationas it flows in an "upstream to downstream" direction.For example, "the upstream end of a lane lineseparating the turn lane from a through lane on theapproach to an intersection" is the end of the line thatis furthest from the intersection.

250. Urban Street - a type of street normally character-ized by relatively low speeds, wide ranges of trafficvolumes, narrower lanes, frequent intersections anddriveways, significant pedestrian traffic, and morebusinesses and houses.

251. Vehicle - every device in, upon, or by which anyperson or property can be transported or drawn upona highway, except trains and light rail transit operatingin exclusive or semiexclusive alignments. Light railtransit equipment operating in a mixed-use alignment,to which other traffic is not required to yield the right-of-way by law, is a vehicle.

252. Vibrotactile Pedestrian Device - an accessiblepedestrian signal feature that communicates, by touch,information about pedestrian timing using a vibratingsurface.

253. Visibility-Limited Signal Face or Visibility-Limited Signal Section - a type of signal face orsignal section designed (or shielded, hooded, orlouvered) to restrict the visibility of a signal indicationfrom the side, to a certain lane or lanes, or to a certaindistance from the stop line.

254. Walk Interval - an interval during which theWALKING PERSON (symbolizing WALK) signalindication is displayed.

255. Warning Beacon - a beacon used only tosupplement an appropriate warning or regulatory signor marker.

256. Warning Light - a portable, powered, yellow, lens-directed, enclosed light that is used in a temporarytraffic control zone in either a steady burn or aflashing operation.

257. Warning Sign - a sign that gives notice to roadusers of a situation that might not be readily apparent.

258. Warrant - a warrant describes a thresholdcondition based upon average or normal conditionsthat, if found to be satisfied as part of an engineeringstudy, shall result in analysis of other trafficconditions or factors to determine whether a trafficcontrol device or other improvement is justified.Warrants are not a substitute for engineeringjudgment. The fact that a warrant for a particulartraffic control device is met is not conclusive justifi-cation for the installation of the device.

259. Wayside Equipment - the signals, switches, and/orcontrol devices for railroad or light rail transitoperations housed within one or more enclosureslocated along the railroad or light rail transit right-of-way and/or on railroad or light rail transit property.

1A-26December, 2011

260. Wayside Horn System - a stationary horn (or seriesof horns) located at a grade crossing that is used inconjunction with train-activated or light rail transit-activated warning systems to provide audible warningof approaching rail traffic to road users on thehighway or pathway approaches to a grade crossing,either as a supplement or alternative to the soundingof a locomotive horn.

261. Worker - a person on foot whose duties place himor her within the right-of-way of a street, highway, orpathway, such as street, highway, or pathway con-struction and maintenance forces, survey crews,utility crews, responders to incidents within the street,highway, or pathway right-of-way, and lawenforcement personnel when directing traffic, investi-gating crashes, and handling lane closures, obstructedroadways, and disasters within the right-of-way of astreet, highway, or pathway.

262. Wrong-Way Arrow - a slender, elongated, whitepavement marking arrow placed upstream from theramp terminus to indicate the correct direction oftraffic flow. Wrong-way arrows are intended primarilyto warn wrong-way road users that they are going inthe wrong direction.

263. Yellow Change Interval - the first intervalfollowing the green or flashing arrow interval duringwhich the steady yellow signal indication is displayed.

264. Yield Line - a row of solid white isosceles trianglespointing toward approaching vehicles extendingacross approach lanes to indicate the point at whichthe yield is intended or required to be made.

1A.14 Meanings of Acronyms andAbbreviations in this Manual

The following acronyms and abbreviations, when used inthis Manual, shall have the following meanings:

1. AADT-annual average daily traffic2. AASHTO-American Association of State Highway

and Transportation Officials3. ADA-Americans with Disabilities Act4. ADAAG-Americans with Disabilities Accessibility

Guidelines5. ADT-average daily traffic6. AFAD-Automated Flagger Assistance Device7. ANSI-American National Standards Institute8. CFR-Code of Federal Regulations9. CMS-changeable message sign

STANDARD:STANDARD:

10. dBA-A-weighted decibels11. EPA-Environmental Protection Agency12. ETC-electronic toll collection13. EV-electric vehicle14. FHWA-Federal Highway Administration15. FRA-Federal Railroad Administration16. FTA-Federal Transit Administration17. HOT-high occupancy tolls18. HOTM-FHWA's Office of Transportation

Management19. HOTO-FHWA's Office of Transportation Operations20. HOV-high-occupancy vehicle21. ILEV-inherently low emission vehicle22. ISEA-International Safety Equipment Association23. ITE-Institute of Transportation Engineers24. ITS-intelligent transportation systems25. LED-light emitting diode26. LP-liquid petroleum27. LRT-light rail transit28. MPH or mph-miles per hour29. MUTCD-Manual on Uniform Traffic Control

Devices30. NCHRP-National Cooperative Highway Research

Program31. ORT-open-road tolling32. PCMS-portable changeable message sign33. PRT-perception-response time34. RPM-raised pavement marker35. RRPM-raised retroreflective pavement marker36. RV-recreational vehicle37. TDD-telecommunication devices for the deaf38. TRB-Transportation Research Board39. TTC-temporary traffic control40. U.S.-United States41. U.S.C.-United States Code42. USDOT-United States Department of Transportation43. UVC-Uniform Vehicle Code44. VPH or vph-vehicles per hour

1A.15 Abbreviations Used on TrafficControl Devices

When the word messages shown in Table 1A-1 need to beabbreviated in connection with traffic control devices, theabbreviations shown in Table 1A-1 shall be used.

When the word messages shown in Table 1A-2 need to beabbreviated on a portable changeable message sign, theabbreviations shown in Table 1A-2 shall be used. Unlessindicated by an asterisk, these abbreviations shall only beused on portable changeable message signs.

STANDARD:STANDARD:

The abbreviations for the words listed in Table 1A-2 thatalso show a prompt word should not be used on a portablechangeable message sign unless the prompt word shown inTable 1A-2 either precedes or follows the abbreviation, asapplicable.

The abbreviations shown in Table 1A-3 shall not be usedin connection with traffic control devices because of theirpotential to be misinterpreted by road users.

If multiple abbreviations are permitted in Tables 1A-1 or1A-2, the same abbreviation should be used throughout asingle jurisdiction.

Except as otherwise provided in Table 1A-1 or 1A-2 orunless necessary to avoid confusion, periods, commas,apostrophes, question marks, ampersands, and otherpunctuation marks or characters that are not letters ornumerals should not be used in any abbreviation.

GUIDANCE:GUIDANCE:

GUIDANCE:GUIDANCE:

STANDARD:STANDARD:


1A-28July, 2012

Table 1A-1 Acceptable Abbreviations

* This abbreviation shall not be used for any application other than the name of a roadway

Word Message StandardAbbreviation

Mile(s) MIMiles Per Hour MPHMinimum MINMinute(s) MINMonday MONMorning / Late Night AMMount MTMountain MTNNational NATLNorth NParkway PKWY*Pedestrian PEDPlace PL*Pounds LBSRoad RD*Saint STSaturday SATSouth SState, county, or other non-US or (See Table 1A-2)

non-Interstate numbered routeStreet ST*Sunday SUNTelephone PHONETemporary TEMPTerrace TER*Thursday THURThruway THWY*Tons of Weight TTrail TR*Tuesday TUETurnpike TPK*Two-Way Intersection 2-WAYUS Numbered Route (See Table 1A-2)Wednesday WEDWest W

Word Message StandardAbbreviation

Afternoon / Evening PMAlternate ALTAM radio AMAvenue AVE, AVBicycle BIKEBoulevard BLVD*Bridge (See Table 1A-2)CB Radio CBCenter (as part of a place name) CTRCircle CIR*Civil Defense CDCompressed Natural Gas CNGCourt CT*Crossing (other than highway-rail) X-INGDrive DR*East EElectric Vehicle EVExpressway EXPWY*Feet FTFM Radio FMFreeway FRWY, FWY*Friday FRIHazardous Material HAZMATHigh Occupancy Vehicle HOVHighway HWY*Hospital HOSPHour(s) HR, HRSInformation INFOInherently Low Emission Vehicle ILEVInternational INTLInterstate (See Table 1A-2)Junction/Intersection JCTLane (See Table 1A-2)Miles Per Hour MPHLiquid Propane Gas LP-GASMaximum MAX M

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1A-29 July, 2013

Word Message Standard Prompt Word that should Prompt Word that shouldAbbreviation Precede the Abbreviation Follow the Abbreviation

Access ACCS ----- RoadAhead AHD Fog ----Blocked BLKD Lane ----Bridge BRDG [Name]* ----Cannot CANT ---- ----Center CNTR ---- LaneChemical CHEM ---- SpillCondition COND Traffic ----Congested CONG Traffic ----Construction CONST ---- AheadCrossing XING ---- ----Do Not DONT ---- ----Downtown DWNTN ---- TrafficEastbound E-BND ---- ----Emergency EMER ---- ----Entrance, Enter ENT ---- ----Exit EX Next ----Express EXP ---- LaneFrontage FRNTG ---- RoadHazardous HAZ ---- DrivingHighway-Rail Grade Crossing RR XING ---- ----Interstate I-* ---- [Number]It Is ITS ---- ----Lane LN (Roadway Name)*, Right, Left, Center ----Left LFT ---- ----Local LOC ---- TrafficLower LWR ---- LevelMaintenance MAINT ---- ----Major MAJ ---- AccidentMinor MNR ---- AccidentNormal NORM ---- ----Northbound N-BND ---- ----Oversized OVRSZ ---- LoadParking PKNG ---- ----Pavement PVMT Wet ----Prepare PREP ---- To StopQuality QLTY Air ----Right RT Keep, Next ----Right RT ---- LaneRoadwork RDWK ---- Ahead (Distance)Route RT, RTE Best ----Service SERV ---- ----Shoulder SHLDR ---- ----Slippery SLIP ---- ----Southbound S-BND ---- ----Speed SPD ---- ----State, county, or other non-US or (Route Abbreviationnon-Interstate numbered route determined by ---- (Number)**

highway agency)*Tires With Lugs LUGS ---- ----Traffic TRAF ---- ----Travelers TRVLRS ---- ----Two-Wheeled Vehicles CYCLES ---- ----Upper UPR ---- LevelUS Numbered Route US ---- (Number) **Vehicle(s) VEH, VEHS ---- ----Warning WARN ---- ----Westbound W-BND ---- ----Will Not WONT ---- ----

Table 1A-2. Abbreviations That Shall be Used Only on Portable Changeable Message Signs

* This abbreviation when accompanied by the prompt word, may be used on traffic control devices other than portable changeable message signs.

** A space and no dash shall be placed between the abbreviation and the number of the route.

MN

Rev

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MN

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1A-30December, 2011

Abbreviation Intended CommonWord Misinterpretations

ACC Accident Access (Road)CLRS Clears ColorsDLY Delay DailyFDR Feeder FederalL Left Lane (Merge)LT Light (Traffic) LeftPARK Parking ParkPOLL Pollution (Index) PollRED Reduce RedSTAD Stadium StandardWRNG Warning Wrong

Table 1A-3. Unacceptable Abbreviations