ATSSA & NCUTCD urge publication of MUTCD without delay

The National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (NCUTCD) passed a resolution today recommending the final rule on the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) not be delayed to address this week’s issuance of a final rule for pedestrian accessibility issues.

The U.S. Access Board on Tuesday issued its final rule providing minimum guidelines for accessibility of pedestrian facilities in the public right-of-way, known as PROWAG.

On May 2, ATSSA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner sent a letter to Federal Highway Administration Administrator Shailen P. Bhatt urging the FHWA to publish the updated Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) by the deadline set forth in the U.S. Code, which was May 15.

Roadway safety advocates have been watching for its release since then.

ATSSA voted in favor of today’s resolution passed by the NCUTCD.

The resolution states that the NCUTCD “recommends the final rule for the 11th edition of the MUTCD be published quickly and not be delayed due to PROWAG or other issues not addressed in the December 14, 2020 [Notice of Proposed Amendments].”

Rather than incorporate changes from PROWAG into the release of the 11th edition, today’s resolution recommends a separate rulemaking effort be undertaken for that process.

The resolution notes that the NCUTCD “represents 21 sponsoring organizations representing a wide range of transportation stakeholders, and uses a strong consensus-building approach to develop recommendations for traffic control device standards and guides.”

It also notes that the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act IIJA states that Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg must provide updates necessary to provide for “any additional recommendations made by the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices that have not been incorporated into the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.”