Understanding the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) - Part III

Vincent D. Reynolds, MBA, P.E.

Course Outline

Traffic control is of great importance in traffic engineering. The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) is a guideline that promotes the safe and efficient movement of traffic. This manual gives guidelines for the placement of highways signs, striping, signaling, and much more. This course will provide the reader with the knowledge to use the basic principles of the MUTCD. The course materials are based solely on the 2003 edition MUTCD for Streets and Highways.

This 4-hour online course is the third part of a 3 part series and will introduce to the reader the methods involved in designing the traffic control for highways and streets using the MUTCD.

This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.

Learning Objective

At the conclusion of this course, the student would have learned the following:

• Have a general understanding and be able to apply concepts learned in Part 7 - Part 10 of the MUTCD as a design guideline for designing traffic control for highways and street
• Understand the importance of traffic control in school zones
• Know how to find codes for specific signs
• The minimum and maximum size of striping
• Know the requirements for a school crossing guard
• How to determine the clear storage distance from a railway
• How flashing lights signals are used in traffic control
• Signs and markings for Highway-Rail traffic control
• How to determine the size of signs used in Highway-Rail traffic control
• Understand a trains dynamic envelope and how its used in traffic control
• The function of traffic control for bicycle facilities
• When to use specific signs only for bicycle traffic control
• Placement of striping along a roadway for bicycle facilities
• How to handle temporary traffic control on highways with highway-light rail transit grade crossings
• The use of emergency notification signs for highway-light rail crossings
• The function of traffic control for Light Rail Transit Grade Crossings
  
  

Intended Audience and Benefit

This course is intended for those wanting an understanding of the basics of traffic control design and their functions in roadway safety. This course is designed so that the intended audience will benefit immediately with the information to make intelligent decisions related to traffic control.

Course Introduction

Traffic control is of great importance in traffic engineering. The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) is a guideline that promotes the safe and efficient movement of traffic. This manual gives guidelines for the placement of highways signs, striping, signaling, and much more.

Course Content

The purpose of this course will be to provide information on applying the MUTCD to a traffic control design project. You will be directed to the Federal Highway Administration website to study the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices 2003 edition. You are required to study the Part 7 to 10 of this document as wel as Appendix A1. You need to click the following links to access each parts.

Manual On Uniform Traffic Control Devices

Table of Contents

PART 7. TRAFFIC CONTROLS FOR SCHOOL AREAS
Chapter 7A. General
Chapter 7B. Signs
Chapter 7C. Markings
Chapter 7D. Signals
Chapter 7E. Crossing Supervision
Chapter 7F. Grade-Separated Crossings

PART 8. TRAFFIC CONTROLS FOR HIGHWAY-RAIL GRADE CROSSINGS
Chapter 8A. General
Chapter 8B. Signs and Markings
Chapter 8C. Illumination
Chapter 8D. Flashing-Light Signals, Gates, and Traffic Control Signals

PART 9. TRAFFIC CONTROLS FOR BICYCLE FACILITIES
Chapter 9A. General
Chapter 9B. Signs
Chapter 9C. Markings
Chapter 9D. Signals

PART 10. TRAFFIC CONTROLS FOR HIGHWAY-LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT GRADE CROSSINGS
Chapter 10A. General
Chapter 10B. Highway-Light Rail Transit Grade Crossing Control Systems
Chapter 10C. Signs, Illumination, and Markings
Chapter 10D. Highway-Light Rail Transit Active Traffic Control Grade Crossing Systems

APPENDIX A1. CONGRESSIONAL LEGISLATION

Course Summary

The implementation of good traffic control is essential to the safety of the driver. Each traffic control item plays an integral part in providing safety on our roadways. Good engineering judgment is always paramount in traffic control design. Utilizing good engineering judgment and the standards set forth in the MUTCD, the designer will be able to design roadways that promote the safe and efficient movement of traffic.

Related Links

For additional technical information related to this subject, please visit the following websites:

http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/
http://www.ite.com
http://www.aashto.com

Quiz

Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.

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DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.

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