FHWA 64-10
Contact: Cathy St. Denis
Monday, November 29, 2010
Telephone: 202-366-0660

U.S. Department of Transportation Calls for New Round of Comments on Compliance Dates for Key Traffic Regulations

WASHINGTON - U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood today called for additional public input on compliance dates for a number of federal traffic control regulations, ranging from road sign reflectivity to crosswalk timing.

"Given the difficult economic conditions states currently face, asking for additional input on compliance dates is the right thing to do," said Secretary LaHood. "We want to be sure these safety requirements are reasonable, fair and cost-effective."

The public will have 45 days from tomorrow to submit comments to the Federal Register. Comments should be directed to www.regulations.gov.

The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), which has been administered by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) since 1971, is a compilation of national standards for all traffic control devices, including road markings, highway signs, and traffic signals. It is updated periodically to accommodate the nation's changing transportation needs and address new safety technologies, traffic control tools and traffic management techniques.

In finalizing updates to the MUTCD, FHWA works with and receives input from the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, composed of more than 250 key stakeholders representing state departments of transportation, city and county governments, academia, and trade groups such as the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO), the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), and the American Automobile Association (AAA).

The FHWA also seeks input from the public on changes to the MUTCD, including compliance dates. Comments are solicited from the general public, state and local highway agencies, the insurance industry, law enforcement agencies, incident management and maintenance personnel, academic institutions, planning, construction and engineering organizations, and other industry stakeholders.

"Safety is our priority, but so is good government," said Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez. "Listening to the public helps to ensure both."

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