Traffic Control Devices and MUTCD

Federal Laws and Standards

The United States Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 23 Highways, Section 655.603 requires that states follow the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 47.36.030 requires that agencies in Washington State follow uniform standards for the placement of traffic control devices. Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 468-95 makes the 2009 MUTCD that standard. WAC 468-95 modifies sections of the MUTCD for Washington State's laws and unique circumstances. As of December 19, 2011, the 2003 MUTCD can no longer be used in Washington State.

• 2009 MUTCD (with revisions 1 and 2 incorporated). Note: Must be used with WAC 468-95.
• Interim Approvals for New and Revised Traffic Control Devices or Provisions not in the 2009 MUTCD
• Federal Highway Administration's Official Rulings database of MUTCD interpretations, approved changes, and approved experimentations.
• Standard Highway Signs (2012 Supplement): Including Pavement Markings and Standard Alphabets
• Electronic pictures of signs in the Standard Highways Signs (2012 Supplement
• Traffic Sign Retroreflectivity
• Longitudinal Pavement Marking Retroreflectivity 

Washington State Laws and Rules

• Traffic Control Devices (RCW 47.36)
• Washington State Modifications to the 2009 MUTCD (WAC 468-95)
• Safety Standards for Construction Work (WAC 296-155)
• Signaling and Flaggers (WAC 296-155-305)
  

Best Practices

• Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware, 1st Edition, 2009
• Standard Specifications for Structural Supports for Highway Signs, Luminaires, and Traffic Signals, 5th Edition, 2009
• Roundabouts: An Informational Guide (National Cooperative Highway Research Program Report 672)

Roadway Users with Disabilities

This section applies to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II (28 CFR Part 35) and the Rehabilitation Act Section 504 (49 CFR Part 27).

Standards

• Clarification of Federal Highway Administration’s Oversight Role in Accessibility, 2006
• ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities (ADAAG), 2002

Best Practices

• Revised Draft Guidelines for Accessible Public Rights-of-Way (PROWAG), 2005 (Future Federal Standard)
• Special Report: Accessible Public Rights-of-Way Planning and Design for Alterations, 2007
• Other Guidance/Best Practices

Additional Rules and Standards for Local Agencies

Some cities and counties adopt WSDOT or other standards. See your city or county code for these standards. For projects with Federal funding, see the Local Agency Guidelines (LAG) manual.