Department of Transportation

Division of Transportation Solutions

Statutory Authority: 17 Delaware Code, Sections 134 and 141; 21 Delaware Code, Chapter 41

(17 Del.C. §134, 141 and 21 Del.C. Ch. 41)

2 DE Admin. Code 2402

PROPOSED

PUBLIC NOTICE

2402 Delaware Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices

Under Title 17 of the Delaware Code, Sections 134 and 141, as well as 21 Delaware Code Chapter 41, the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT), adopted a Delaware version of the Federal Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). The Department has now drafted revisions to the Delaware MUTCD. A description of the proposed changes accompanies this notice.

The Department will take written comments on the draft changes to the Delaware MUTCD from September 1, 2012 through September 30, 2012. Copies of the Draft Delaware MUTCD Revisions can be obtained by reviewing or downloading a PDF copy at the following web address: http://requlations.delaware.gov/

Questions or comments regarding these proposed changes should be directed to: Adam Weiser, P.E., PTOE, Safety Programs Manager, Traffic Section, Division of Transportation Solutions, Delaware Department of Transportation 169 Brick Store Landing Road Smyrna, DE 19977 (302) 659-4073 (telephone) (302) 653-2859 (fax) adam.weiser@state.de.us

*Please Note: Due to the size of the proposed regulation, the Delaware Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices is not being published here. A PDF version is available at the following location:

http://regulations.delaware.gov/register/september2012/proposed/16 DE Reg xxx 09-01-12.htm

DelDOT is proposing several changes to the 2011 version of the Delaware MUTCD. Many of the changes are editorial, or are corrections of errors that were discovered by FHWA during the past two (2) years since the publication of the 2009 Federal MUTCD. Additionally, DelDOT has also developed minor modifications to the manual based on experience using the Delaware MUTCD since its publication in July 2011. Each proposed modification, along with the justification for the change, is listed below:

Page	Sec/Fig			Para.	DelDOT Comment / Proposed Change	Modification
I-5	Table I-2			-	Replace Table I-2 with updated Compliance Deadlines	Table was updated accordingly. Justification: DE MUTCD has been revised to make it compliant with Revision 2 of the FHWA MUTCD dated May 2012.
1A-4	1A.08			06 & 06A	• Remove “speed measurement pavement markings” from the list of devices in Item B of paragraph 06 • Add items F. and G. to list of devices in paragraph 06 which read “Non-traffic related residential signs, such as neighborhood watch signs and CCTV surveillance signs” and “Municipal/community “Gateway” signs”, respectively. • Additional standard paragraph 06A which reads: “The items noted in the preceding paragraph, letters D through G, which are not considered traffic control devices: A. Shall not be co-posted on official traffic control devices. B. Shall not resemble official traffic control devices. C. Shall not be installed, owned, or maintained by the Delaware Department of Transportation.” • Remove Standard and Guidance paragraphs 07 and 08	Text was removed or added accordingly. Justification: Standard was modified to pertain to DelDOT’s requirements for signs and other devices that do not have any traffic control purpose.
1A-5	1A.09			02	Modify the text of this section to conform to the new rulemaking by FHWA related to the term SHALL and Engineering Judgment	Text was modified accordingly. Justification: This section of the DE MUTCD is now compliant with the corresponding section of the revised FHWA MUTCD (dated May 2012) and is no longer considered a Delaware Revision to the MUTCD.
1A-12	1A.13			01	Modify the text of this section to conform to the new rulemaking by FHWA related to the term SHALL and Engineering Judgment	Text was modified accordingly. Justification: This section of the DE MUTCD is now compliant with the corresponding section of the revised FHWA MUTCD (dated May 2012) and is no longer considered a Delaware Revision to the MUTCD.
1A-28	1A.14			01	Additional text to be added “LRT – light rail transit” in Item 27	Text was modified accordingly. Justification: Listed on FHWA’s “Known Errors in the 2009 MUTCD” dated April 24, 2012.
1A-29	Table 1A-1			-	Change the word “US” in the “US Numbered Route” row to “(See Table 1A-2)”	Text in table was modified accordingly. Justification: Listed on FHWA’s “Known Errors in the 2009 MUTCD” dated April 24, 2012.
1A-30	Table 1A-2			-	• In “State, county, or other non-US or non-Interstate numbered route” row, the double asterisk in the second column should be replaced with a single asterisk, and a double asterisk should be added after “[Number]) in the fourth column. • A new row should be added between the rows for “Upper” and “Vehicle(s)” that has “US Numbered Route”, “US”, a dash, and “[Number]*” in each column, respectively.	Text in table was modified accordingly. Justification: Listed on FHWA’s “Known Errors in the 2009 MUTCD” dated April 24, 2012.
	Part 2 (All)			-	Revise text, tables and figures throughout document based on federally-identified known errors and omissions.	Text, tables and figures were revised to reflect errors and omissions identified in the federal MUTCD by the FHWA. These changes are generally non-substantive in nature. Justification: Consistency with federal MUTCD
2B-6	2B.03			Table 2B-1	Revise table to reflect changes from Interim Guidance dated 4/2/12 related to NO TEXTING AND HAND HELD CELL PHONES sign	Table was modified accordingly. Justification: Provide guidance regarding the sizes of NO TEXTING AND HAND HELD CELL PHONES sign
2B-54	Figure 2B-21			-	Revise figure to show crosswalks, dotted lines, W2-6 and R6-5P signs as optional at mini-roundabouts.	Figure was modified accordingly. Justification: Consistency with the Traffic Calming Manual
2B-77/78	2B.70			01 - 04	Revise text to reflect changes from Interim Guidance dated 4/2/12 related to “Engine Compression Brake Prohibition” sign	Text was modified accordingly. Justification: Guidance revised in to reflect changes from Interim Guidance dated 4/2/12.
2B-78	Figure 2B-33			-	Add NO TEXTING AND HANDHELD CELL PHONE sign	Figure was modified accordingly. Justification: Figure revised in response to new state law regarding the NO TEXTING AND HANDHELD CELL PHONE signs
2B-79	2B.72			01 - 09	Add new section related to NO TEXTING AND HANDHELD CELL PHONES sign	Text was added accordingly. Justification: New sign added to reflect new state law
2C-6	2C.04			Table 2C-2	Revise size of Advance Street Name (W16-8 and W16-8aP) plaques to match recent DelDOT guidance	Table was modified accordingly. Justification: Revised to meet requirements for upper-lower case text.
2C-31/32	2C.46			3A&3B	Revise text to make W2-6 signs a “should” condition for state-maintained roads over 25 mph. Add text to allow W2-6 to be omitted at mini-roundabouts with a speed limit of 25 mph or less	Text was modified accordingly. Justification: Consistency with the Traffic Calming Manual
2C-40	2C.63			02A	Provide an option to allow smaller (6 x 12 inch) Type 3 Object markers to be installed along subdivision streets.	Text was added accordingly. Justification: Smaller versions of the Type 3 Object markers should be permitted along subdivision streets.
2D-3	2D.04			Table 2D-1	Update sign heights for D3-1, 1a and D3-1-DE1 in Table 2D-1 to match recent DelDOT guidelines for street name signs	Table was updated accordingly. Justification: Revised to meet requirements for upper-lower case text on street name signs.
2D-29	2D.43			Table 2D-2	Update sign heights in Table 2D-2 to match recent DelDOT guidelines for street name signs	Table was updated accordingly. Justification: Revised to meet requirements for upper-lower case text on street name signs.
2H-1	2H.02			Table 2H-1	Add size of Welcome to Delaware signs	Text was added to the table accordingly. Justification: Provide guidance regarding the sizes of Welcome to Delaware signs
2H-2	Figure 2H-1			-	Add Welcome to Delaware sign	Sign was added to the Figure accordingly. Justification: Sign was omitted from the earlier version of the DE MUTCD
2H-4	2H.04			01B	Add text regarding the use of the Welcome to Delaware sign at state boundaries	Text was added accordingly. Justification: Provide guidance regarding the use of Welcome to Delaware signs
2H-9	2H.08			07A & 07C	Change the word “ground” to “group”	Text was modified accordingly. Justification: Typographical errors
	Part 3 (All)			-	Revise text, tables and figures throughout document based on federally-identified known errors and omissions.	Text, tables and figures were revised to reflect errors and omissions identified in the federal MUTCD by the FHWA. These changes are generally non-substantive in nature. Justification: Consistency with federal MUTCD
3B-54	Figure 3B-15F			-	Revise figure to shown the placement of RPMs along right-turn lanes	Figure was modified accordingly. Justification: Provide additional guidance regarding the placement of RPMs along right-turn lanes
3C-1	3C.03			02A	Add an option to omit dotted lines at mini-roundabouts with a speed limit of 25 mph or less	Text was modified accordingly. Justification: Consistency with the Traffic Calming Manual
3C-2	3C.05			03A	Add an option to omit crosswalks at mini-roundabouts with a speed limit of 25 mph or less	Text was modified accordingly. Justification: Consistency with the Traffic Calming Manual
4D.11	4D.09			05	Remove “(DE Revision)” and change text to black.	Text was removed and color of font was changed accordingly. Justification: This text is no longer a Delaware revision as it has been noted in FHWA’s list of “Known Errors in the 2009 MUTCD” dated 4/24/2012.
4D-18	4D.13			10	Remove “(DE Revision)” and change text to black.	Text was removed and color of font was changed accordingly. Justification: This text is no longer a Delaware revision as it has been noted in FHWA’s list of “Known Errors in the 2009 MUTCD” dated 4/24/2012.
4D-36		Figure 4D-17	-		Remove “(Delaware Revision)” underneath title block.	Text was removed from figure. Justification: This text is no longer a Delaware revision as it has been noted in FHWA’s list of “Known Errors in the 2009 MUTCD” dated 4/24/2012.
4D-38		Figure 4D-19	-		Remove “(Delaware Revision)” underneath title block.	Text was removed from figure. Justification: This text is no longer a Delaware revision as it has been noted in FHWA’s list of “Known Errors in the 2009 MUTCD” dated 4/24/2012.
4E-14		4E.11	15		Change reference to “Section 4D.13” to “Section 4E.13”	Text was modified accordingly. Justification: This text is no longer a Delaware revision as it has been noted in FHWA’s list of “Known Errors in the 2009 MUTCD” dated 4/24/2012.
4F-3		Figure 4F-3	-		Update Figure 4F-3 to match phrase used in section 4F.03 “pedestrian change interval” instead of “pedestrian clearance interval”	Text in figure was modified accordingly. Justification: This text is no longer a Delaware revision as it has been noted in FHWA’s list of “Known Errors in the 2009 MUTCD” dated 4/24/2012.
4F-4		4F.03	02 & 03		Change three phrases which read “pedestrian clearance interval” to “pedestrian change interval”.	Text was modified accordingly. Justification: This text is no longer a Delaware revision as it has been noted in FHWA’s list of “Known Errors in the 2009 MUTCD” dated 4/24/2012.
4G-4		4G.04	18		Remove “(DE Revision)” and change text to black.	Text was removed and color of font was changed accordingly. Justification: This text is no longer a Delaware revision as it has been noted in FHWA’s list of “Known Errors in the 2009 MUTCD” dated 4/24/2012.
6F-1		6F.01	05A		The link to ATSSA does not work on the online version of the DE MUTCD	A hyperlink was created in the text so the online version of the DE MUTCD will have the correct URL. Justification: Previously, the website was not defined as a hyperlink and users attempting to access the website were taken to an incorrect URL address.
6F-3		Table 6F-1 (Sheet 1 of 3)	-		· In the “Sign or Plaque” column, the name of the R3-7 sign should be changed from “Mandatory Movement (text)” to “Right (Left) Lane Must Turn Right (Left)” to be consistent with Table 2B-1 · In the “Sign or Plaque” column, the name of the W1-8 sign should be changed from “Chevron” to “Chevron Alignment” to be consistent with Table 2C-2.	Text in table was modified accordingly. Justification: This text is no longer a Delaware revision as it has been noted in FHWA’s list of “Known Errors in the 2009 MUTCD” dated 4/24/2012.
6F-17		Figure 6F-4 (Sheet 3 of 3)	-		· The image for the W20-5 sign is shown incorrectly. The correct image is shown and detailed in the 2012 Supplement to the Standard Highway Signs and Markings book.	Image for W20-5 sign was updated to be compliant with the 2012 Supplement to the Standard Highway Signs and Markings book. Justification: This text is no longer a Delaware revision as it has been noted in FHWA’s list of “Known Errors in the 2009 MUTCD” dated 4/24/2012.
6F-41		6F.74	02		Remove “(DE Revision)” and change text to black.	Text was removed and color of font was changed accordingly. Justification: This text is no longer a Delaware revision as it has been noted in FHWA’s list of “Known Errors in the 2009 MUTCD” dated 4/24/2012.
6F-52		6F.86	05B		Delete “of 15 minutes or less”	Text was deleted accordingly. Justification: DelDOT has decided that this Delaware Revision was overly restrictive and prefers removal of this time limitation pertaining to short-duration operations
6G-2		6G.02	13A		Delete “of 15 minutes or less”	Text was deleted accordingly. Justification: DelDOT has decided that this Delaware Revision was overly restrictive and prefers removal of this time limitation pertaining to short-duration operations
6H-3		Table 6H-1 (Sheet 2 of 2)	-		Add line for “Rolling Road Blocks on a Limited Access Multi-Lane, Divided Highway” with “-“, “-“, and “TA-35H” in columns 2, 3, and 4 respectively.	Text in table modified to include reference to new Figure 6H.35H Justification: New line added to table to reference new figure which provides additional guidance and uniformity in the maintenance of traffic for Rolling Road Block Operations.
6H-106		6H.35H	All		Develop new section discussing Rolling Road Block Operations.	New section was developed related to Rolling Road Block Operations and was inserted into the document. Justification: New section added to provide additional guidance and uniformity in the maintenance of traffic for Rolling Road Block Operations.
6H-107		Figure 6H.35H	-		Create Rolling Road Block Operations figure which corresponds to Rolling Road Block Operations section 6H.35H.	New figure related to corresponding section discussing Rolling Road Block Operations was created and inserted into the document. Justification: New figure added to provide additional guidance and uniformity in the maintenance of traffic for Rolling Road Block Operations corresponding to Section 6H.35H
7B-2		7B.03	03		Remove “(DE Revision)” and change text to black.	Text was removed and color of font was changed accordingly. Justification: This text is no longer a Delaware revision as it has been noted in FHWA’s list of “Known Errors in the 2009 MUTCD” dated 4/24/2012.
7B-4		Figure 7B-1	-		Delete asterisk on S3-1 DE sign and remove errant letter “J” in lower left corner	Figure revised accordingly Justification: Typographical error
8B-9		8B.06	01		Remove “(DE Revision)”.	Text was removed and color of font was changed accordingly. Justification: This text is no longer a Delaware revision as it has been noted in FHWA’s list of “Known Errors in the 2009 MUTCD” dated 4/24/2012.
8B-15		8B.22	01		Remove “(DE Revision)”.	Text was removed and color of font was changed accordingly. Justification: This text is no longer a Delaware revision as it has been noted in FHWA’s list of “Known Errors in the 2009 MUTCD” dated 4/24/2012.
9A-1		9A.07	01		Remove “(DE Revision)” and change text to black.	Text was removed and color of font was changed accordingly. Justification: This text is no longer a Delaware revision as it has been noted in FHWA’s list of “Known Errors in the 2009 MUTCD” dated 4/24/2012.
9B-2		Table 9B-1 (Sheet 1 of 2)	-		In the “Sign or Plaque” column, the name of the W1-1,2,3,4,5 signs should be changed from “Turn and Curve Warning” to “Horizontal Alignment” to be consistent with Table 2C-2.	Text in table was modified accordingly. Justification: This text is no longer a Delaware revision as it has been noted in FHWA’s list of “Known Errors in the 2009 MUTCD” dated 4/24/2012.
9B-3		Table 9B-1 (Sheet 2 of 2)	-		In the “Sign or Plaque” column, the numbers of the digits for the D10-1a, D10-2a, and D10-3a signs should be changed to 2, 3, and 4, respectively, to be consistent with Table 2H-1.	Text in table was modified accordingly. Justification: This text is no longer a Delaware revision as it has been noted in FHWA’s list of “Known Errors in the 2009 MUTCD” dated 4/24/2012.
9C-9		Figure 9C.1G	-		Create figure related to the placement of RPM’s within bicycle lanes adjacent to right turn lanes.	New figure related to RPM’s within bicycle lanes adjacent to right turn lanes was created and inserted into the document. Justification: New figure created to provide improved guidance and uniformity in the application of RPM’s within bicycle lanes.
9C-1		9C.03	04		The reference to “Figure 9C-2” should be changed to “Figure 9C-8”	Text was modified accordingly. Justification: This text is no longer a Delaware revision as it has been noted in FHWA’s list of “Known Errors in the 2009 MUTCD” dated 4/24/2012.