Transportation, Operations, Traffic and Safety

Rule R920-1

Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices

Notice of Proposed Rule

(Amendment)

DAR File No.: 36704
Filed: 08/30/2012 04:09:21 PM

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

The purpose of the change is to incorporate the current Utah Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (Utah MUTCD) which represents the national standard with certain modifications made by the Utah Department of Transportation. The Federal Highway Administration has determined that the Utah MUTCD is in substantial conformance with the National MUTCD.

Summary of the rule or change:

Significant changes between the last version of the MUTCD incorporated by this rule and the Utah MUTCD include a restructure that changed the language from "shall," "should" and "may" to "standards," "guidance," "option" and "support." Standards are required, mandatory or specifically prohibited practices. Guidance is a recommended practice. An option is a permissive practice and support is an informational statement. A new part was added for Low Volume Roads and for Highway-Light Rail Transit Grade Crossings. The section on Islands was deleted and clarifying definitions were added. Crosswalk lines were removed from crossing signs, a new yield line pavement marking was added along with in-road lighting. Additionally, the manual was made applicable to private property open to public travel. It now requires individual arrows for guide signs, has revised option lane guide sign requirements, has a new section on preferential lanes (express lanes), and requires high-visibility apparel for all workers within the public right-of-way. School zone warning signs must use fluorescent yellow-green color only, and a speed limit sign cannot end a school speed limit zone. The Legibility Index was changed to 30 feet per inch of legend height, some sign sizes were increased, one-way sign requirements were modified, along with the requirements for warning signs for changes in horizontal alignment. Signal changes include requiring 12 inch indications for all new installations, requiring a signal head for each lane when the speed is greater that 45 miles per hour, requiring single back plates for certain conditions, and allowing the use of flashing yellow arrows for left turns, and allowing the use of hybrid beacons for pedestrian crossings. There have been other stylistic and grammatical changes like adding paragraph numbers and italicizing guidance statements. The majority of the Utah MUTCD was taken directly from the National Manual. Differences include added definitions, modified optional lane exit guide signing requirements, added sections on logo signing, byway signing, and open range signing, and a modified walking speed for pedestrians in the Signal section. The Utah MUTCD also removed the National Manual Part 7 (School Zones) and replaced it with the current Utah Traffic Controls for School Zones Supplement that has been required in Utah since 1992. Additional modifications were added to reflect UDOT policy and practices for highways under the department's jurisdiction.

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

• Section 41-6a-1307
• Section 41-6a-301
• Section 41-6a-303

This rule or change incorporates by reference the following material:

• Updates Utah Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices For Streets and Highways, published by Utah Department of Transportation, 12/01/2011

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

Adoption of the Utah MUTCD, with modification from the national requirements for Optional Lane Guide signing, can potentially save $43,000 per overhead guide sign structure installation. Other requirements of the Utah MUTCD reflect current policy or practice and would not add costs to current operations.

local governments:

There is no anticipated cost or saving to local government because the Utah MUTCD does not place additional burdens on local government. They are already required to follow the requirements of the Utah Traffic Controls for School Zones Supplement, which is included in the Utah MUTCD to provide a location for easy reference.

small businesses:

There is no anticipated cost or saving to small businesses because the Utah MUTCD does not place additional burdens or requirements on small businesses beyond those required by the National MUTCD.

persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local governmental entities:

There is no anticipated cost or saving to persons other than small businesses, businesses or local government because the Utah MUTCD does not place additional burdens or requirements beyond those required by the National MUTCD.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

There is no anticipated cost or saving to affected persons because the Utah MUTCD does not place additional burdens or requirements on affected persons beyond those required by the National MUTCD.

Comments by the department head on the fiscal impact the rule may have on businesses:

There is no anticipated fiscal impact on businesses because the Utah MUTCD does not place additional burdens or requirements on businesses beyond those required by the National MUTCD.

John Njord, Executive Director

The full text of this rule may be inspected, during regular business hours, at the Division of Administrative Rules, or at:

Transportation
Operations, Traffic and Safety
CALVIN L RAMPTON COMPLEX
4501 S 2700 W
SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84119-5998

Direct questions regarding this rule to:

• Christine Newman at the above address, by phone at 801-965-4026, by FAX at 801-965-4338, or by Internet E-mail at cwnewman@utah.gov

Interested persons may present their views on this rule by submitting written comments to the address above no later than 5:00 p.m. on:

10/15/2012

This rule may become effective on:

10/22/2012

Authorized by:

John Njord, Executive Director

R920. Transportation, Operations, Traffic and Safety.

R920-1. Utah Manual o[f]n Uniform Traffic Control Devices.

R920-1-1. [Adoption by Reference]Purpose and Authority.

The purpose of this rule is to adopt standards and establish specifications for a uniform system of traffic-control devices used on all highways open to public travel, to establish criteria and specifications for the establishment, location, and operation of school crosswalks, school zones, and reduced speed school zones, and to establish specifications for uniform signage or markings to clearly identify school bus parking zones. This rule is authorized by Sections 41-6a-301, 41-6a-303 and 41-6a-1307.

 

R920-1-2. Incorporation.

[Adopted]Incorporated by reference is the Utah Manual o[f]n Uniform Traffic Control Devices , 2009 Edition with revisions through December 2011 ( Utah MUTCD). This manual was [approved]determined to be in substantial conformance with the 2009 MUTCD by the Federal Highway Administrator which, in accordance with Title 23, U.S. Code, Section 655, [a]is the [National] standard for all highways open to public travel in accordance with Title 23, U.S. Code, Sections 109(d) and 402(a)[and 23 CFT 1204.4]. Included in Part 7 of the Utah MUTCD is the Utah Traffic Controls for School Zones establishing the criteria and specifications authorized by Sections 41-6a-303 and 41-6a-1307.

 

R920-1-3. Authority of Executive Director or Designee.

All authority shall rest with the Utah Department of Transportation Executive Director or his designee to develop or modify the Utah MUTCD, including the Utah Traffic Controls for School Zones, as the standard for all highways open to public travel in Utah.

 

KEY: traffic control, pedestrians, school zones, traffic signs

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: [1987]2012

Notice of Continuation: August 1, 2012

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 41-6a-301; 41-6a-303; 41-6a-1307