What is MUTCD?
The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) is a document issued by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) of the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) to specify the standards by which traffic signs, road surface markings, and signals are designed, installed, and used. These specifications include the shapes, colors, and fonts used in road markings and signs. In the United States, all traffic control devices must generally conform to these standards.
For more information, visit the official MUTCD website or the DOT website.
MUTCD Road Sign Requirements
By January 2012 – agencies must replace the following types of signs that do not meet the minimum level of reflectivity (High Intensity Prismatic Reflective):
-Regulatory signs: STOP, DO NOT ENTER, YIELD, ONE WAY, SPEED LIMIT, ETC
-Warning signs: YELLOW AND ORANGE DIAMOND SHAPES
The following signs may be excluded from this requirement:
-Parking, Standing, and Stopping signs
-Walking/Hitchhiking/Crossing signs
-All signs with blue or brown backgrounds
-Bikeway signs that are intended for exclusive use by bicyclists or pedestrians
Who does it apply to?
"Roads Open to Public Travel" including Schools and Universities, Churches, Shopping Centers, Apartment Complexes, Sports Arenas, and Office Parks.
What happens if I don't comply?
The goal of the updated regulation is to improve safety by providing road users with consistent, uniform messages no matter where they travel. If you don't comply with the law, you risk exposure to liability if someone is injured or killed on your property.