The WSDOT HQ Design Office updates the Design Manual on a regular basis. This page presents the revisions currently underway.
Active Design Manual revisions are listed below in two groups. The first group contains chapters with policy changes, which will be reviewed and commented on. The second group has chapters with non-policy-related changes that don’t warrant reviews. Both groups will be posted for viewing ahead of publication.
Chapters that need reviews are linked to a table that shows the comment review period and the progress of the revision. Each table has a link that lets you view the comments as they come in during the review period. Chapters with minor changes are also linked for your review.
Note: Check out the Design Manual Revision Process (pdf, 20 kb) to see the difference between “policy” reviews and “final” reviews and read about the approval process used by WSDOT and FHWA.
Region Points of Contact for Design Manual Policy Reviews
WSDOT regions have identified specific people to act as points of contact to coordinate a “unified region response” to draft policy changes. Region points of contact coordinate with people in their region to review and comment on draft policy. Points of contact send their region's comments back to HQ in one document. If you would like to comment on the active Design Manual policy revisions shown in the first group below, please do so through your region’s point of contact (xls, 237 kb) within the comment period.
Following are the chapter revisions planned for publication in December 2009:
Changes to Design Policy – Review Comments Wanted
Non-Policy Changes – No Reviews Planned
300 – Design Documentation, Approval, and Process Review
Policy Change: As part of a larger focus by the HQ Design Office to find ways to reduce PE expenditures, language has been added to suggest that the Design Approval milestone is a scalable effort and in some cases might be combined with the Project Development milestone in one approval memo. (See the chapter for details.)
Additional Changes: Minor changes include a new reference to the Emergency Procedures Manual and correction of a subsection number in 300.04.
Exhibit 300-3, first page: We will remove the row related to roundabout approvals, since the Ch 1320 approvals are changing (see 1320 on this website).
Complete |
Complete |
Complete |
Complete |
↓ Current Status |
Policy review comment period
8-27-09 to
10-09-09 |
Policy review comments |
Disposition of policy review comments |
Final FYI posting
|
Available
for use |
| Download chapter (doc, 316kb) |
FHWA (pdf, 189kb)
SWR (pdf, 214kb)
OR (pdf, 192kb)
SNOKING (pdf, 220kb)
BAKER (pdf, 211kb)
NCR (pdf, 194kb) |
Policy Review comments (PDF, 234k)
Chapter 300 received many review comments. This chapter will be revised again in 2010 based on those ideas that need further evaluation. |
Final Draft (PDF, 437k)
Comments removed; clean version |
State Design Engineer approved
11-12-09
FHWA approval pending by
12-15-09 |
top 550 – Interchange Justification ReportPolicy Change: As part of a larger focus by the HQ Design Office to reduce PE expenditures, this revision proposes that the efforts to produce an IJR on a non-Interstate highway are scalable to the project circumstances. However, an IJR process team must be established to decide the level of documentation appropriate for the project and future steps (if any). 1. The IJR process team will determine if an IJR is needed and if so, will create a scaled process for non-Interstate IJRs by aligning the Methods and Assumptions documentation, streamlining, simplifying, and reducing the documentation needed. 2. Methods and Assumptions documents are mandatory for all IJRs. They are started before the IJR process team convenes and are completed with the final IJR submittal.
| Complete |
Complete |
Complete |
Complete |
↓ Current Status |
Policy review comment period
8-04-09 to
9-18-09 |
Policy review comments |
Disposition of policy review comments |
Final FYI posting
How the revision will appear when published |
Available
for use |
Download chapter
(doc, 669kb) |
SWR (pdf, 264kb)
SNOKING (pdf, 265kb)
NCR (pdf, 225kb)
HQ H&LP (pdf, 269kb)
OR (pdf, 256kb)
BAKER (pdf, 260kb) |
Policy review comments (doc, 820kb) |
Final Draft (pdf, 670kb) |
WSDOT and FHWA approvals obtained.
File post pending |
top 620 – Design of Pavement StructurePolicy Change: This revision, drafted by the HQ Materials Lab, changes the procedure for pavement design reporting on Design-Build projects.
Additional Change: The 2010 Standard Specifications will include a terminology change from "Shoulder Ballast" to "Permeable Ballast." Design Manual Chapters 620 and 630 will be updated to match that terminology.
| Complete |
Complete |
Complete |
Complete |
↓Current Status |
Policy review comment period
8-17-09 to
8-28-09 |
Policy review comments
|
Disposition of policy review comments |
Final FYI posting
How the revision will appear when published |
Available
for use |
| Download chapter (doc, 75kb) |
The following responded they have no comments:
SNO-KING
FHWA
HQ Planning
NC Region
Olympic Region
HQ Mats Lab |
There were no comments. We'll go on to final review. |
Download final chapter (doc, 63kb) |
WSDOT and FHWA approvals obtained.
File post pending
|
top 710 – Site Data for Structures
Policy Change: Due to two recent wall failures in flood plains, this revision, proposed by the HQ Geotechnical Services Division, adds procedural guidance to alert designers that they must investigate scour depth for walls and reinforced slopes that might be within flood plains or near water.
| Complete |
Complete |
Complete |
Complete |
↓ Current Status |
Policy review comment period
8-18-09 to
9-4-09 |
Policy review comments
|
Disposition of Policy review comments |
Final FYI posting
How the revision will appear when published |
Available
for use |
| Download chapter (doc, 37kb) |
Commenters stated they can support and did not make changes:
FHWA (pdf, 34kb)
SNO-KING (pdf, 34kb)
HQ GEOTECH (pdf, 32kb) |
There were no comments on this minor revision. We'll go on to final review. |
Download final chapter (doc, 24kb) |
WSDOT and FHWA approvals obtained.
File post pending
|
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730 – Retaining Walls and Steep Reinforced Slopes
Policy Change: Due to two recent wall failures in flood plains, this revision, proposed by the HQ Geotechnical Services Division, adds procedural guidance to alert designers that they must investigate scour depth for walls and reinforced slopes that might be within flood plains or near water.
| Complete |
Complete |
Complete |
↓ Current Status |
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Policy review comment period
8-18-09 to
9-04-09 |
Policy review comments |
Disposition of policy review comments |
Final FYI posting
How the revision will appear when published |
Available
for use |
| Download chapter (doc, 41kb) |
Commenters stated they can support as written, made no edits:
FHWA (pdf, 32kb)
SNO-KING (pdf, 39kb)
MTBAKER (pdf, 47kb)
HQ GEOTECH (pdf, 32kb) |
We incorporated all minor comments made. |
Download final chapter (doc, 25kb) |
WSDOT and FHWA approvals obtained.
File post pending
|
top 1010 – Work Zone Safety and Mobility
Change: This chapter has been rewritten by the HQ Traffic Office. While no policy has changed, the material has been reorganized and the overall reading volume reduced. The chapter provides links to other WSDOT and federal work zone-related policies and guidance.
Note: This chapter revision was previously reviewed in spring 2009, when it was still Chapter 810, prior to the newly established POCs.
A final review was started last spring but was postponed. This final review now moves this revision forward. The chapter is rewritten entirely so in this case revision marks will not be used in final clean version.
Complete |
Complete |
Complete |
↓ Current Status |
| Policy review comment period |
Final review
09-01-09 to
09-18-09 |
FYI posting
Final with comments & Final as will appear when published |
Available
for use
(pending) |
| Policy Comments made in spring 2009 were incorporated. This was done prior to the current method of using regoinal Points of Contact. |
Download chapter (doc, 554kb) |
Download chapter with comments (pdf, 300kb)
Final draft (pdf, 680kb) |
State Design Engineer approved
10-29-09
FHWA approval pending by
11-20-09 |
top 1140 – Full Design Level
Policy Change: This design criteria revision targets Exhibits 1140-6, 7, & 8 and changes the 40‑foot minimum bridge width value to 36 feet for two-lane route types shown to have 6-foot shoulders to equate to the summation of the lane and shoulder dimensions shown for these specific two-lane highway design class routes, added note to shoulder width (Exhibit 1140-2) that 10 ft. needed for truck parking, and added consideration to increase 8-ft shoulder to 10-ft when truck volume is high. Other changes made to Exhibit 1140-9 for clarity.
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Policy review comment period
10-12-09 to
10-30-09 |
Policy review comments will be posted here |
Final review |
Final with comments |
Available
for use |
| Download chapter (doc, 430kb) |
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Note: Please limit your comments to the changes. Other proposed changes and comments will be accepted, but may be saved for a future revision.
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1270 – Auxiliary Lanes
Policy Change: This revision expands the guidance on passing lanes in 1270.05.
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Complete |
↓ Current Status |
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Policy review comment period:
9-16-09 to
10-23-09 |
Policy review comments received: |
Disposition of Policy Review Comments |
FYI posting
Final as will appear when published |
Available
for use |
| Download chapter (doc, 2mb) |
ER (pdf, 1.2m)
OR (pdf, 1.2m)
NCR (pdf, 1.5m)
SNOKING (pdf, 1.2m)
FHWA (pdf, 1.2m) |
pending. we're working to address all comments received |
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1310 - Intersections at Grade
Policy Change: This revision makes using the WB-67 design vehicle desirable for State route and ramp terminal intersection and deletes the last bullet in 1310.12(1) to agree with revised Ch 1320, Roundabouts. Other changes are for clarity and to remove duplication.
Note: Please limit your comments to the changes. Other changes and comments will be accepted, but may be saved for a future revision.
| Complete |
↓ Current Status |
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Policy review comment period
10-20-09 to
11-06-09 |
Policy review comments |
Disposition of Policy Review Comments |
Final with comments |
Available
for use |
| Download chapter (doc, 138kb) |
pending post of comments |
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top 1320 – Roundabouts
Policy Change: This revision seeks to reduce PE efforts related to roundabout analyses, documentation, and approvals.
| Complete |
Complete |
Complete |
↓ Current Status |
↓ Current Status |
Policy review comment period
9-3-09 to
10-2-09 |
Policy review comments received on entire chapter |
Disposition of Comments
|
Revision as will appear when published |
Available
for use |
| Download Chapter (doc, 4mb) |
FHWA (60kb)
Mt. Baker (2mb)
SWR (2mb)
ER (2mb)
OR (2mb)
HQTRAFFIC(20kb)
HQDESIGN (2mb) |
This revision will focus on the PE reduction efforts described in 1320.12.
Download 1320.12 comments & responses (doc, 143k)
A future revision, likely in 2010, will address the great comments received on other sections of the chapter. |
File Pending |
State Design Engineer approved
11-12-09
FHWA approval pending by
12-15-09 |
top 1330 – Traffic Control Signals
Policy Change: The HQ Traffic office has rewritten this chapter to correspond with the MUTCD, railroad signal requirements, and other changes. Revision marks are not used. The text and many exhibits have been changed with this update to traffic signal guidance.
Note: This chapter revision was previously reviewed for policy in spring 2009, when it was still Chapter 850. Following that, a final review was started but was postponed at the request of the regions. This final review now moves this revision forward.
| Complete |
Complete |
Complete |
↓ Current Status |
| Policy review comment period |
Final review
09-25-09 to
10-09-09 |
FYI posting Chapter as it will appear when published |
Available
for use |
| Comments made in spring 2009 are not available |
Download Chapter (doc, 3mb)
No comments were received. |
Final draft (pdf, 1.8m) |
WSDOT and FHWA approvals complete
file post pending. |
top 1510 – Pedestrian Design Considerations
Policy Clarification: This revision to 1510.04(2), ADA Compliance, focuses on clarifying policy requirements on Improvement and Preservation projects. Some further notations have also been added to Exhibit 1510-26. See chapter and cover form for more complete list of changes.
Complete |
Complete |
↓ Current Status |
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Policy review comment period
10-09-09 to
11-06-09 |
Policy review comments received |
Disposition of Policy Review Comments |
FYI posting Chapter as will appear when published |
Available
for use |
| Download chapter (3.6mb) |
SNOKING (pdf, 1.3m)
OR (pdf 1.3m)
BAKER (pdf, 1.3m)
FHWA (pdf, 1.3m)
HQ H&LP (pdf, 1.3m) |
file pending. many comments to address. |
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top 1610 – Traffic Barriers
Policy Changes: - Pertaining to the use of steel posts for new installations of beam guardrail systems. (This change was endorsed by executive decision.)
- Pertaining to the selection/placement of 4-cable high-tension cable barrier systems for new installations. (This policy change is an update to high-tension cable systems to further enhance performance of high-tension cable systems.)
- Revise 1610.06(4) Terminals and Anchors. Buried Terminal Type 1 removed. (This change is meant to reflect FHWA acceptance criteria and to help with placement.)
- Update 1610.06(6) Guardrail Placement Cases. (This change reflects recent Standard Plan Developments.)
- Exhibit updates to reflect policy change
Complete |
Complete |
Complete |
↓ Current Status |
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Policy review comment period
10-01-09 to
10-30-09 |
Policy review comments will be posted here |
Disposition of Review Comments |
Final Draft FYI posting |
Available
for use |
| Download Chapter (doc, 4mb) |
OR (pdf, 3.6m)
SWR (pdf, 3.6m)
NCR (pdf, 3.6m)
SNOKING (pdf, 3.7m)
FHWA (pdf, 3.6m) |
download chapter (pdf, 3.4m) |
download chapter (pdf, 2m) |
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top 1620 – Impact Attenuators
Policy Change: This revision adds instruction for designers regarding WSDOT's products acceptance policy for low-maintenance safety devices.
Complete |
Complete |
Complete |
↓ Current Status |
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Policy review comment period
10-1-09 to
10-23-09 |
Policy review comments received: |
Disposition of Review Comments |
Final Draft FYI posting |
Available
for use |
| Download Chapter (doc, 6mb) |
SNOKING (pdf 4m)
OR (pdf, 4 m)
NCR (pdf, 4 m)
SWR (pdf, 4 m)
FHWA (pdf, 4 m) |
Download chapter (doc 6.5m) |
Final draft (pdf, 1m) |
State Design Engineer Approved
11-12-09
FHWA approval pending by
12-15-09 |
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Design Manual Revisions Without Policy Changes – No Reviews Are Planned:
The chapters will be posted below as they are completed, prior to approvals and publication later this year.
Chapter 120 – Planning
Non-Policy Change: Revision requested by the HQ Freight Mobility Office. For increased designer awareness, this update includes descriptions of the route classes in the FGTS system. Potential for links to online resources as well.
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Chapter 230 – Environmental Permits and Approvals
Non-Policy Change: Design Manual Exhibit 230-1, Permits and Approvals, contains information that is maintained in the Environmental Procedures Manual. It is our policy not to duplicate information contained in other WSDOT technical manuals, thereby reducing the risk of conflicting direction. This revision seeks to remove the exhibit table from the Design Manual, maintain designer awareness of these permits, and link directly to the official source in Chapter 500 of the EPM.
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630 – Geosynthetics
Non-Policy Change: The planned 2010 Standard Specifications will include a terminology change from "Shoulder Ballast" to "Permeable Ballast." Design Manual Chapters 620 and 630 will be updated to match that terminology.
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1020 – Signing
Non-Policy Change: An existing statement regarding vertical clearance in 1020.04(2) was mistakenly omitted when the manual was published in two volumes in June 2009. This update corrects that error by returning the statement to this chapter.
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1130 – Modified Design Level. This update has been changed to a non-policy revision clarifying the Design Vehicle on which Exhibit 12 is based.
1240 – Turning Roadways
Non-Policy Change: Freight-related request: This update clarifies which design vehicle is the basis for exhibits that present turning roadway widths.
Freight-related request: This update clarifies which design vehicle is the basis for exhibits that present turning roadway widths.
| ↓ Current Status |
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| Pending completion |
Available for use |
| FYI post (clarifies design vehicle used in exhibits; non-policy revision) (small pdf) |
Pending approval |
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Chapters planned for revision in 2010
Starting in 2010 the WSDOT Design Manual will be revised once a year. Regions will provide input on the optimum month to publish the updates on this annual basis.
The list of 2010 revision chapters will be established soon.
Reductions in PE efforts will continue to be a focus. Chapters 300 (Design documentation and approvals) and 1100 (Design Matrix Procedures) will likely be further revised.
As policy revision priorities and focus areas are determined, chapters will be listed here and further details will be added.
Chapter | HQ Chapter Lead |
|---|
| 300 - Design Documentation, Approval, and Process Review |
TBD |
720 - Bridges |
TBD |
| 1050 - Intelligent Transportation Systems |
TBD |
| 1100 - Design Matrix Procedures |
TBD |
| 1320 - Roundabouts |
TBD |
1350 - RR Grade Crossings |
TBD |
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TBD |
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300 – Design Documentation, Approval, and Process Review
Policy Change: To be determined. This revision will address further areas to reduce PE expenditures.
| ↓ Current Status |
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| Policy review comment period |
Policy review comments will be posted here |
Disposition of Review Comments |
Final Review |
Available
for use |
| planned for 2010. |
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720 – Bridges
Policy Change: Freight-related: Add a statement about bridge vertical clearance in a corridor. While not revising the minimum vertical clearance requirements, this revision adds a note to check the corridor and to not design in a low point in the corridor. 2. Also, there is a minor change to 720.04(3) about coverage of horizontal clearance in Chapters 1600 and 1610 as well as the Bridge Design Manual.
To be determined. This revision will address further areas to reduce PE expenditures. Freight-related: Add a statement about bridge vertical clearance in a corridor. While not revising the minimum vertical clearance requirements, this revision adds a note to check the corridor and to not design in a low point in the corridor. 2. Also, there is a minor change to 720.04(3) about coverage of horizontal clearance in Chapters 1600 and 1610 as well as the Bridge Design Manual.
| ↓ Current Status |
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| Policy review comment period |
Policy review comments will be posted here |
Disposition of Review Comments |
Final Review |
Available
for use |
| planned for 2010. |
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1100 - Design Matrix Procedures
Revision will focus on areas where PE reductions can be made. Details will be determined.
| ↓ Current Status |
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| Policy review comment period |
Policy review comments will be posted here |
Disposition of Review Comments |
Final Review |
Available
for use |
| planned for 2010. |
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1320 - Roundabouts
Policy Changes: to be determined. The 2009 revision focused on PE reductions in section 1320.12. Many comments were received on other parts of the chapter and this 2010 focus will address those.
Policy Changes: to be determined. The 2009 revision focused on PE reductions in section 1320.12. Many comments were received on other parts of the chapter and this 2010 focus will address those.
| ↓ Current Status |
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| Policy review comment period |
Policy review comments |
Disposition of Review Comments |
Final Review |
Available
for use |
| pending in 2010 |
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1350 – RR Grade Crossings
Policy Change: Freight-related request: This change revises the guidance in 1350.05 about pullout lanes at railroad grade crossings.
| ↓ Current Status |
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| Policy review comment period |
Policy review comments |
Disposition of Review Comments |
Final Review |
Available
for use |
| pending in 2010 |
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