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Legal Authority |
The Ohio Revised Code (Section 4511.09) requires ODOT to adopt a manual
for a uniform system of traffic control devices that conforms to the system
approved by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). To this end, ODOT
publishes the Ohio Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (OMUTCD), which
establishes standards for design and use of traffic control devices that conform
to the national Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)
(published by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
Section 4511.11 of the Ohio Revised Code requires that all local authorities
in their respective jurisdictions place and maintain traffic control devices in
conformance with the OMUTCD.
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Misc.
Information |
Proposed changes to the national MUTCD:
FHWA uses the Federal Register Docket system to announce proposed changes to
the national manual and invite comments. These Federal Register items can be
accessed from the MUTCD website (http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/).
ODOT submits comments on these docket items; however, any agency or
individual can review them and submit comments. Time permitting, we plan to
note below announcements of Federal Register items related to the national
MUTCD.
Interim Approvals:
The 2003 Edition of the MUTCD includes a new provision in
Section 1A.10 authorizing
the FHWA to issue "Interim Approvals." These approvals allow the
"interim use, pending official rulemaking, of a new traffic control
device, a revision to the application or manner of use of an existing
traffic control device, or a provision not specifically described in the
MUTCD." The Interim Approvals are based on the results of successful
experimentation, studies, or research, and an intention to place the new or
revised device into a future rulemaking process for MUTCD revisions.
FHWA publishes information about these Approvals at
http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/res-interim_approvals.htm. Information
is also provided below on these Interim Approvals, including any information
we have regarding whether the new or revised devices and applications are
being used in Ohio. (The information about this Interim Approval provision
will be incorporated into the OMUTCD with the
2005 revision,
currently under development.
Experimentation and Interpretations:
Section 1A.10 of the national MUTCD, and the Ohio MUTCD, also addresses
procedures for requesting experimentation or interpretations regarding
traffic control devices or procedures. FHWA has this information on-line at
http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/official_rul.htm.
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