NCUTCD Midyear Meeting provides update on MUTCD adoption

NCUTCD Midyear Meeting provides update on MUTCD adoption

DES MOINES, Iowa – Eight states have completed the process of adopting the revised Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) as of this month with another 20 adopting the national standard without modification, 10 opting for the adoption of Adoption of a State MUTCD and 22 continuing with a state supplement-based approach. States will be required to adopt the National Manual or have a State MUTCD/supplement that is in substantial conformance with the National Manual by January 18, 2026.

That information was shared at the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (NCUTCD) Midyear Meeting held June 11-13. The meeting brought traffic control device experts, representing a wide variety of organizations who have a major interest in and experience with traffic control devices and employees of State and local agencies that are involved in the daily operation of highways or streets to discuss and develop consensus recommendations, which are then submitted to the FHWA for consideration.

Before any suggested revisions or corrections can be adopted, they must go through the Federal Register rulemaking process. ATSSA’s Innovation & Technical Services (ITS) Team participated as voting members in multiple technical committees and joint task forces during the meeting to ensure the roadway safety infrastructure industry has a voice in shaping national traffic control standards.

In addition to the status report on state adoptions of the revised MUTCD, we learned:

• The new 2024 Edition of the Standard Highway Signs (SHS) publication is currently in progress and will be released in Phases. Layouts for new signs in the 11th Edition of the MUTCD will be released first and are anticipated for this summer. Additional sections, including pavement markings, will be issued separately. A full comprehensive edition is anticipated for 2026, pending continued development.

  The new SHS edition will contain the design details for all signs and pavement markings in the 11th Edition of the MUTCD, expanded sign design guidelines, and details for symbolic traffic and lane-control signal indications.

More information about the SHS publication and phased release can be found online.

• FHWA has published a comprehensive document for speed limit setting guidelines, which is available online.

FHWA’s Kevin Sylvester, team leader for the MUTCD, provided the following additional updates:

• Stakeholder Engagement: MUTCD listening sessions are anticipated to take place in 2026, pending approval.

• The U.S. Access Board finalized the Public Rights-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG) in August 2023. However, for these guidelines to become enforceable under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), they must be adopted through their respective rulemaking by both the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). For more info: US Access Board Publication of the Final Public Right of Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG)

To purchase the MUTCD 11th Edition or explore related resources, visit ATSSA’s MUTCD resource page.

-By Nagham Matout El-Zine, ATSSA Manager of Innovation & Technical Services

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