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A Reminder about the MUTCD Compliance Dates for 2019

Edited by Airton G. Kohls

The current (2009) edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) outlines compliance dates established by FHWA for certain traffic control device standards. State DOTs, counties, municipalities, and other road owners are urged to meet the requirements. You can find a list of the target compliance dates established by the FHWA at https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/knowledge/09mutcdproposedrev/compliance_dates/mutcd09prorevtbli2cl.pdf

Here are 4 items your agency needs to be aware of regarding MUTCD compliance dates for 2019:

2009 MUTCD Section 2B.40 - ONE WAY Signs (R6-1, R6-2)

Compliance Date: December 31, 2019
What is it about: Requirements for the number and locations of ONE WAY signs (see Paragraphs 4, 9, and 10)

While less than 20 percent of the U.S. population lives in rural areas, NHTSA data shows that more than half of roadway fatalities occur on rural roadways.
While less than 20 percent of the U.S. population lives in rural areas, NHTSA data shows that more than half of roadway fatalities occur on rural roadways.
What does the MUTCD say:
04 - At an intersection with a divided highway that has a median width at the intersection itself of less than 30 feet, Keep Right (R4-7) signs and/or ONE WAY signs shall be installed (see Figures 2B-16 and 2B-17). If Keep Right signs are installed, they shall be placed as close as practical to the approach ends of the medians and shall be visible to traffic on the divided highway and each crossroad approach. If ONE WAY signs are installed, they shall be placed on the near right and far left corners of the intersection and shall be visible to each crossroad approach.
09- At unsignalized T-intersections where the roadway at the top of the T-intersection is a one-way roadway, ONE WAY signs shall be placed on the near right and the far side of the intersection facing traffic on the stem approach (see Figure 2B-14).
10 - At signalized T-intersections where the roadway at the top of the T-intersection is a one-way roadway, ONE WAY signs shall be placed near the appropriate signal faces, on the poles holding the traffic signals, on the mast arm or span wire holding the signals, or at the locations specified for unsignalized intersections.

2009 MUTCD Section 2C.06 through 2C.14 - Horizontal Alignment Warning Signs

Compliance Date: December 31, 2019
What is it about: Revised requirements in the 2009 MUTCD regarding the use of various horizontal alignment signs (see Table 2C-5)
While less than 20 percent of the U.S. population lives in rural areas, NHTSA data shows that more than half of roadway fatalities occur on rural roadways.

2009 MUTCD Section 8B.03 and 8B.04 - Grade Crossing (Crossbuck) Signs and Supports

Compliance Date: December 31, 2019
What is it about: Retroreflective strip on Crossbuck sign and support (see Paragraph 7 in Section 8B.03 and Paragraphs 15 and 18 in Section 8B.04)
What does the MUTCD say:
07 - A strip of retroreflective white material not less than 2 inches in width shall be used on the back of each blade of each Crossbuck sign for the length of each blade, at all grade crossings where Crossbuck signs have been installed, except those where Crossbuck signs have been installed back-to-back.
15 - A vertical strip of retroreflective white material, not less than 2 inches in width, shall be used on each Crossbuck support at passive grade crossings for the full length of the back of the support from the Crossbuck sign or Number of Tracks plaque to within 2 feet above the ground, except as provided in Paragraph 16.
18 - If a Crossbuck sign support at a passive grade crossing does not include a YIELD or STOP sign (either because the YIELD or STOP sign is placed on a separate support or because a YIELD or STOP sign is not present on the approach), a vertical strip of retroreflective white material, not less than 2 inches in width, shall be used for the full length of the front of the support from the Crossbuck sign or Number of Tracks plaque to within 2 feet above the ground.

2009 MUTCD Section 8B.04 - Crossbuck Assemblies with YIELD or STOP Signs at Passive Grade Crossings

Compliance Date: December 31, 2019
What is it about: New requirement in the 2009 MUTCD for the use of STOP or YIELD signs with Crossbuck signs at passive grade crossings.
What does the MUTCD say:
01- A grade crossing Crossbuck Assembly shall consist of a Crossbuck (R15-1) sign, and a Number of Tracks (R15-2P) plaque if two or more tracks are present, that complies with the provisions of Section 8B.03, and either a YIELD (R1-2) or STOP (R1-1) sign installed on the same support, except as provided in Paragraph 8. If used at a passive grade crossing, a YIELD or STOP sign shall be installed in compliance with the provisions of Part 2, Section 2B.10, and Figures 8B-2 and 8B-3.


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