New 2009 Version of MUTCD Released
Bob Malme
The FHWA released its newest MUTCD (Manual on Uniform Traffic Control
Devices) today. For those unfamiliar it includes design standards from
everything from traffic signals to highway signage. It is changes in
the rules of the latter that could have a big effect on exit signage
along New England interstates.
The new MUTCD specifically says states are to use milepost (what they
call reference location) exit numbering. Consecutive exit numbering
'shall not be used.' All the current New England states, except Maine,
plus New York use consecutive exit numbering systems. These states
apparently will have 10 years from the release of the 2009 edition (or
from today) to comply. NY apparently agreed to adopt mile based
exiting as soon as possible if the rule was passed.
What about the other New England states? It's a shame with all the new
signage going up in MA in the past few years (along I-195, 295, parts
of I-95/128, current contract for I-93 from exits 4-20, MA 3),
partially due to stimulus funding, that this wasn't deemed a good time
to adopt the national standard. Will the new MassDOT try to get around
the rule? The last quote I remember from a MassHighway official was
they had no plans to change. That it was things like this that helped
make this region of the country unique. However, if all the other
states in the region change over, then I see no choice but for Mass.
to do it too.
David Chesler
> http://www.mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/
> The FHWA released its newest MUTCD (Manual on Uniform Traffic Control
> Devices) today.
There are new signs at the 128/38 rotary (Woburn, MA). I wonder if
they're compliant with any standards. In particular there's a warning
sign that there is a "traffic circle" ahead. (Black on yellow, not the
red/white "Rotary ahead / State law yield when entering.) Before the
38-south exit there is a sign along the lines of "Hidden driveway 250
feet ahead Route 38 South" (black on yellow). And on True Place, about
250 feet south of the rotary, the old "Wrong Way, This Isn't The Cinemas
You Fool" (black spray paint on a board, IIRC) has been replaced by a
more official looking "Not A Through Way / Residents Only". (Which
leads me to wonder again if "Residents Only" there, or on other, useful,
streets is regulatory or advisory.)
--
- David Chesler <che...@post.harvard.edu>
New York's home, but it ain't mine no more
trivial guy
Bob Malme <rma...@verizon.net> wrote:
>Will the new MassDOT try to get around
>the rule? The last quote I remember from a MassHighway official was
>they had no plans to change. That it was things like this that helped
>make this region of the country unique.
You're coming from New York into Mass on I-90 and you have:
1 - West Stockbridge
2 - Lee
3 - Westfield
4 - I-91
5 - Chicopee
6 - I-291
etc
are you thinking "Wow, that exit numbering makes this area unique" or
"Damnit, how much farther is it to Chicopee" ?
>However, if all the other
>states in the region change over, then I see no choice but for Mass.
>to do it too.
Right, like Mass has ever cared about what other places do.
Ex: Fast Lane vs EZ-Pass
Jimmy
> There are new signs at the 128/38 rotary (Woburn, MA). I wonder if
> they're compliant with any standards.
As part of the recent economic stimulus reconstruction, they've gone
way overboard with signs on Massachusetts expressways. There are
something like 12 small signs per mile on various roads -- the new
2/10 mile markers, multiple speed limit signs per exit segment, route
name reminders, and other random signs.
Aren't there any signage guidelines to prevent information overload?
Jimmy
Route2 driver
At the Rt 2A/119 approach to the Concord Rotary there are multiple
new signs saying enter single lane only,form one lane (the road is
only one lane),yield,and a couple others all crowded on to one island.
On Route 2 between 128 and Cambridge a recent stimulus contract added
exit speed signs on their own posts without removing the old ones
which were in excellent condition behind them.Spending money for the
sake of spending money.
Garrett Wollman
Route2 driver <wlt...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>On Route 2 between 128 and Cambridge a recent stimulus contract added
>exit speed signs on their own posts without removing the old ones
>which were in excellent condition behind them.Spending money for the
>sake of spending money.
Yes, that's what fiscal stimulus *means*. Your point?
(Maybe they should have removed the old signs.)
-GAWollman
--
Garrett A. Wollman | What intellectual phenomenon can be older, or more oft
wol...@bimajority.org| repeated, than the story of a large research program
Opinions not shared by| that impaled itself upon a false central assumption
my employers. | accepted by all practitioners? - S.J. Gould, 1993
David Chesler
> In article <a97153c6-325b-4a7c...@g7g2000yqa.googlegroups.com>,
> Route2 driver <wlt...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>> Spending money for the
>> sake of spending money.
>
> Yes, that's what fiscal stimulus *means*. Your point?
>
> (Maybe they should have removed the old signs.)
Shhhh. Don't encourage them.