The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) released a comprehensive update to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) on December 16, 2009. ATSSA in cooperation with AASHTO and ITE is hosting four Web briefings that will give an overview of the changes from 2003 to the new 2009 MUTCD. The MUTCD is the national standard for all traffic control devices, including traffic signs, pavement markings, signals and any other devices used to regulate, warn, or guide traffic. Ensuring uniformity of traffic control devices across the nation. The Web briefings will highlight the new provisions:

• Replacing highway signs with brighter, larger and more legible ones that are easier to understand at freeway speeds. States will begin using the newer signs as existing ones wear out.
• Adding different lane markings for lanes that do not continue beyond an intersection or interchange to give drivers more warning that they need to move out of the lane if they don’t intend to turn.
• Expanding the use of flashing yellow arrow signals at some intersections to give a clearer indication that drivers can turn left after yielding to any opposing traffic.
• Changing the formula used to calculate crosswalk times to give walkers more time.
• Identifying electronic toll collection lanes with purple signs – the first time purple has been sanctioned for use on highway signs.
• Adding overhead lane-use control signs to reduce confusion among drivers in unfamiliar multi-lane roadways.

Hari Kalla, MUTCD Team Leader, FHWA, Washington, D.C., USA

Hari is the MUTCD Team Leader in the Office of Operations in the Federal Highway Administration’s Washington, DC headquarters. Before this position, Hari was a team leader in the FHWA's Office of Safety. Prior to joining FHWA in 2001, Hari was Senior Design Engineer for the New York State Department of Transportation. He has Bachelor’s and Master's Degree in Civil Engineering and he is a registered Professional Engineer.