MUTCDSites Open to Public TravelApproaches to Traffic Control on Private

Property

Ransford S. McCourt, PE, PTOEDKS Associates

AgendaHistoryCurrent Federal and State Rule MakingSample Issues

• Parking Areas and Aisles• Roads and Streets• Trails and Pathways• EVs

ITE Traffic Control Device Handbook

Federal Rule Making 23 CFR 655.603(a)

Effective January 16, 2007The MUTCD approved by the Federal Highway Administrator is the national standard for all traffic control devices installed on any street, highway, or bicycle trail open to public travel in accordance with 23 U.S.C. 109(d) and 402(a). For the purpose of MUTCD applicability, open to public travel includes toll roads and roads within shopping centers, parking lot areas, airports, sports arenas, and other similar business and/or recreation facilities that are privately owned but where the public is allowed to travel without access restrictions. Military bases and other gated properties where access is restricted and private highway-rail grade crossings are not included in this definition

Effective December 16, 2009The MUTCD approved by the Federal Highway Administrator is the national standard for all traffic control devices installed on any street, highway, or bicycle trail open to public travel in accordance with 23 U.S.C. 109(d) and 402(a). For the purpose of MUTCD applicability, open to public travel includes toll roads and roads within shopping centers, airports, sports arenas, and other similar business and/or recreation facilities that are privately owned but where the public is allowed to travel without access restrictions. Except for gated toll roads, roads within private gated properties where access is restricted at all times are not included in this definition. Parking areas, driving aisles within parking areas, and private highway-rail grade crossings are also not included in this definition.

Effective 2012 – All states adopt MUTCD

on any street, highway, or bicycle trail open to public travel

Military bases and other gated properties where access is restricted and private highway-rail grade crossings are not included in this definitionExcept for gated toll roads, roads within private gated

properties where access is restricted at all times are not included in this definition. Parking areas, driving aisles within parking areas, and private highway-rail grade crossings are also not included in this definition.

Relevance•FHWA found chronic inconsistencies – color, shape, size, reflectivity•Focus to improve safety and increase uniformity of traffic control applications•Federal rule did not make it necessary for State and/or local transportation agencies to have specific authority of enforcement of traffic control on private roads

•Public Accountability: standards, funding•Private Accountability: codes/approvals, tort liability

Three Fundamentals•If it looks and quacks like a duck – it’s a duck

•Let’s not and say we did

•If you build it, the MUTCD should come

Definitions•Site Roadways

• Ring Road• Circulation Road

•Driveways•Building Frontage Road•Drive Aisles

• Parking Aisle• Cross Aisle• End Aisle

BFRs

Maybe Maybe Not

Site Roadways

Site Roadways

Site Roadways

What does applies mean?•Color and Shape

•Position, Size and Layout•Vehicle Speed and Volume•Sight Distance•Studies/Application

DrivewaysSome Traffic Control

To More

No Traffic Control

PedestriansNone - - - - - - > Zeeger - - - - - - - - -> More

Cross Aisles

MarkingsStop

MarkingsCenterline and Arrows

WayfindingTo Parking How Much Parking

Wheelstops

Water Quality Structure Protection

Not for Pedestrian routes

EVs

QuestionsRandy McCourtrsm@dksassociates.com