Roundabouts in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices

Monday, April 13, 20202:00-3:30 PM ET

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Learning Objectives

At the end of this webinar, you will be able to:

• Describe the NCUTCD website and how to use it to find the proposed changes for the next Manual

• Discuss the options that are applied to roundabouts and other related standards and requirements

The MUTCD and RoundaboutsGoals for this Webinar

• Evolution of Roundabouts in the U.S. and their incorporation into the MUTCD

• Future efforts pertaining to the Roundabouts in the MUTCD

• How the NCUTCD (National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices) works

• Where content can be found in the MUTCD corresponding or related to roundabouts and meeting standards, guidance or having options

• How recommendations are sent and received by FHWA (who are owners of the manual content) 1

Roundabout Expertise in other Agencies

• TRB – Transportation Research Board– NCHRP (National Cooperative Highway Research

Program)

• ITE - Institute of Traffic Engineers

• AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials)

• Roundabout Listserve (Kansas State University support since 2005)

2

Uniformity Challenges - Various types of Circular Intersections

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

- Set expectations for the Webinar audience- 3rd Information Roundabout Guide Timeline 2022 at the

earliest- Subject Matter Expertise on Committee is improving

Manual, specifically in these topic areas, A, B and C- How MUTCD is Traffic Document and this webinar will

have a number of designers who may benefit from MUTCD looking for more information

- Roundabout Task Force o Integration with TRB, ITE, AASHTO, etc and

associated efforts in this areao Emerging issues with all intersection types

(Railroads, Interchanges, pedestrians, bicycles, sustainability

-- Encourage to join the MUTCD? And participate in the

Task Force.

Washtenaw County MI

10

Prevalence of Roundabouts in the U.S.Photo – Google Earth

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FHWA Informational Guides / NCHRP Reports

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Specific FHWA Publications /

NCHRP Reports

13

Statewide Adoptions

14

Consistency and the need to apply to other Guidance and Publications on the Subject

15

Future 3rd Roundabout Informational Guide from

NCHRP

16

Uniformity can change in the Manual as practice or research sheds merit

on the change and is adopted for national use

Incorporating Intersection Control Evaluations thought process into

MUTCD

18

Thank you !

19

Role of the NCUTCD on TCDs in Roundabouts

H. Gene Hawkins, Jr.Professor, Texas A&M UniversityChair, National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices

l There have been 10 editions of the MUTCD: 1935, 1942, 1948, 1961, 1971, 1978, 1988, 2000, 2003, 2009

1935 1942 1948 1961 1971 1978 1988 2000

MUTCD Evolution

2003 2009

Source of MUTCD Contentl Early MUTCD historyn MUTCD content developed revised by a

committeet Joint Committee on Uniform TCDst National Joint Committee on Uniform TCDs

l FHWA assumed MUTCD ownership after publication of 1971 MUTCD

t Supported by National Advisory Committee on Uniform TCDs (formal federal advisory committee)

l NAC abolished by feds in 1979n Reformed as National Committee on

Uniform TCDs in 1980t No formal relationship to FHWA

Summary of MUTCD Evolution

Edition MUTCD Era Pages Parts Responsible Group

1935Initial

166 4 Joint Committee

1942 208 4 Joint Committee

1948Transition

223 4 Joint Committee

1961 333 6 National Joint Committee

1971

Mature

377 8 National Joint Committee

1978 425 9 FHWA & National Advisory Committee

1988 473 9 FHWA

2000Modern

982 10 FHWA

2003 754 10 FHWA

2009 864 9 FHWA

*

*FHWA assumed MUTCD ownership after publication

Additional Resources

l MUTCD History Resourcesn Search “Gene Hawkins MUTCD” – goes to CE Profs

website tSelect MUTCD History link

n MUTCD history PPT presentationn ITE Journal articlesn Scans of old MUTCDs

l Process for revising the MTUCDn See MUTCD Figure 1A-2 for more detail

Changing the MUTCD: FHWA

Experiment Proposed Rule (NPA)

Public Comment Final Rule State

MUTCD/Suppl

FHWA Review

FHWA Review

FHWA Review

FHWA Preparation

FHWA Preparation

StatePreparation

NCUTCD Process: MUTCD Changes

l Most work done in technical committees (TC)

IdeaTechnical

Committee Proposal

Sponsor Review & Comment

TC Evaluation

& Vote

DistributionReview

CommentSubmit to

FHWA

Task ForceDiscussionTC Vote

TC Approval

Review CommentsReviseTC Vote

TC Approval

Council Vote

Not Approved

Approved

l Process for revising the MTUCDn See MUTCD Figure 1A-2 for more detail

l Where does the NCUTCD fit in?n Prior to experimentation and

preparation of NPA

Changing the MUTCD

Experiment Proposed Rule (NPA)

Public Comment Final Rule State

MUTCD/Suppl

FHWA Review

FHWA Review

FHWA Review

FHWA Preparation

FHWA Preparation

StatePreparation

NCUTCD Recommendation

What is the NCUTCD?l Private group with 21 sponsoring

organizationsl NCUTCD focuses on standards and

guidelines for traffic control devices l Recommends proposed revisions to

the MUTCD to FHWA l Provides forum for professionals

with diverse backgrounds to exchange information

l Website: NCUTCD.com

NCUTCD Structure

Group I: Agencies (25 Council members)

AASHTO, ITE, APWA, NACE, NACTO

ExecutiveBoard

CouncilPolicy Making(41 members)Group II: National

Organizations(9 Council members)

APTA, AREMA, AAR, APBP, ASCE, IACP, IBTTA,

IMSA, ITSA

Group III: Public4 Council membersAAA, HFR, LAB, NSC

Group IV: Industry3 Council members

AHUA, ARTBA, ATSSA

Edit

Secretary

Regulatory and Warning Signs

Guide and Motorist Information Signs

Markings

Signals

Temporary Traffic Control

Railroad and Light Rail Transit Highway Grade

Crossings

Bicycle

Sponsoring Organizations

Technical Committees

(7 committees)

Task Forces

Technical

Committees

Research

NCUTCD Meetingsl Meetings January and Junen January: before TRB (typical)n June: after AASHTO CTE

l Wed-Frin Task forces: Wed amn TC meetings: Wed pm, Thu pmn Council: Thu pm, Fri am & pm

l ~300 members at each meeting

How to Join the NCUTCDl Come to a meetingl Apply and be acceptedl Attend meetings consistently

What Does All This Mean?l NCUTCD has submitted multiple

recommendations on roundabout TCDs to FHWA

l FHWA is preparing NPA for new edition of MUTCD

l Will not know NPA content until published

l Publication date unknown

How to Respond to NPAl When NPA is published:n Review the contentn Prepare your comments on contenttOr help your organization prepare

commentsn Submit comments to regulations.gov

website

Questions

Roundabouts and the MUTCD

19881988 2000 2003 2009

1989And Beyond

When did the MUTCD address Roundabouts?

§ 1988 MUTCD – No mention of roundabouts

§ 2000 MUTCD – About a dozen references mostly markings

§ 2003 MUTCD – About two dozen references including regulatory signs, markings an signals

§ 2009 MUTCD – Over 100 references in regulatory, warning and guide signs, markings has a chapter, signals, railroad and bicycle parts.

2009 MUTCD§ Yield signs and directional arrows

§ Advance warning signs and shall not use arrow signs

§ Markings Chapter for 1, 2 and 3 lane roundabouts

§ Signals reference to alternative to traffic control signal

§ Railroads reference vehicles could stop on tracks

MUTCD 2009§ Regulatory & Warning Signs§ l Yield Sign§ l Lane Control§ l Directional Arrow (regulatory chevron)§ l Advance roundabout warning§ l Pedestrian crossing warning

§ Don’t use§ Stop/yield here for pedestrian§ Turn prohibition§ Warning Arrows

MUTCD 2009Markings§ l Crosswalks and pull up space§ l Multi-lane advance yield line§ l Circulatory roadway edge line§ l Interior lane lines§ l Pavement arrows

§ Don’t use§ Continuous concentric lines§ Edge lines across exits§ Pedestrian crossing to center island

Roundabout ConstructionTemporary Traffic Control

l Flagging operation single-lane roundabout

l Inside lane closure on a multi-lane roundabout

NCUTCD 2019

Alternatives to Traffic Signals

Intersection ControlEvaluations (ICE)

PROPOSAL TO FHWA

§ Alternatives to Traffic Control Signals

§ Roundabouts reduce vehicular conflicts in big list

§ Close proximity to grade crossing reference

§ Warrants Chapter 4C reference to alternative traffic control

CALIFORNIA MUTCD & ICE

§ On State highways, the engineering study shall include consideration of a roundabout (yield control). If a roundabout is determined to provide a viable and practical solution, it shall be studied in lieu of, or in addition to a traffic control signal.

NCUTCD2020

SEVERAL STATES ADVANCING ICE

BEND, OREGON ROUNDABOUTS 1ST POLICY

Issues ahead for Technical

Committees

§ Motor carriers, over-sized trucks and roundabout issues

§ Railroads struggle with nearby roundabouts

§ Stop sign near railroad as compared to roundabout

§ LRT through the middle of a roundabout

§ High speed, context and use of roundabouts

§ Intersection Control Evaluations (ICE)

§ Stronger language in peak hour and four-hour traffic control signal warrants for roundabouts 1st

§ Refinement to circulatory and exit striping

§ Signs

§ Exiting conditions

§ Bicycles (cycle tracks), exclusive lanes

§ Circular road

§ ADA crossings

§ Pedestrian hybrid beacons, Rectangular rapid-flash beacon

§ Meter-like conditions

NCUTCD Future

Brian WalshTRB Roundabout Committee Chair, walshb@wsdot.wa.gov

Gene HawkinsNCUTCD Chair, gene.hawkins@tamu.edu

Randy McCourtITE President, 503.randy.mccourt@gmail.com

Questions

Today’s Panelists

• Brian Walsh, Washington State DOT & Roundabouts Committee Chair

• Gene Hawkins, Texas A&M Professor

• Randy McCourt, ITE President

Today’s Panelists• Brian Walsh, Washington State DOT &

Roundabouts Committee Chair• Gene Hawkins, Texas A&M Transportation

Institute Professor• Randy McCourt, ITE President

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