The latest version of The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) is drawing heavy criticism for failing to consider non-automotive road users.
MUTCD is an 862-page engineering manual that governs road markings and signs across the U.S. It carries the power of federal regulation and can shield engineers from liability when someone is hurt or killed.
First published in 1935, the manual has been updated and expanded about once per decade. More than a dozen advocacy groups, including the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO), the League of American Bicyclists, the National League of Cities, the National Safety Council, and America Walks have asked federal transportation leaders to scrap the current draft and start over.
The major complaint: the manual subordinates pedestrian and cycling safety to vehicle throughput, even as U.S. pedestrian and cycling deaths have been mounting. Critics also say the manual is often used to shut down neighborhood-level campaigns for a new crosswalk or bike lane; essentially lets speeding drivers determine the speed limit; and slows the rollout of bus-only lanes.
Related Stories
| Oct 20, 2011
LEED 2012 to require real-time energy, water use reporting
The LEED 2012 rating system, set to launch in November 2012, will contain features to make sure buildings function as intended, and improve over time.
| Oct 20, 2011
New York City moving to speedier, online design reviews
New York City is moving towards a development design review process that will let officials and developers review blueprints for new projects online in a virtual conference room rather than in person.
| Oct 20, 2011
Michigan bill would let private firms operate as a city’s building department
Michigan House Bill 5011 would change state’s building code to allow private companies to operate as a municipality's building department.
| Oct 20, 2011
Alabama’s strict immigration law drives away construction workers
Alabama's strict new immigration law is driving many construction workers and roofers from the state.
| Oct 20, 2011
Fed bill would allow school rehab funding via historic tax credits
Virginia Sens. Jim Webb (D) and Mark Warner (D) introduced a bill this month to rehab aging schools across the country through the use of historic tax credits.
| Oct 20, 2011
Process leads to new design values for southern pine and other visually graded dimension lumber
A summary of the process used to develop new design values will clarify many of the questions received by the SFPA.
| Oct 19, 2011
Another drop for Architecture Billings Index
Positive conditions seen last month were more of an aberration.
| Oct 18, 2011
Dow Building Solutions invests in two research facilities to deliver data to building and construction industry
State-of-the-art monitoring system allows researchers to collect, analyze and process the performance of wall systems.
| Oct 14, 2011
ACI partners with CRSI to launch new adhesive anchor certification program
Adhesive anchor installer certification required in new ACI 318-11.
| Oct 13, 2011
New Building Materials Label Focuses On Sustainability
Architectural products company Construction Specialities and design firm Perkins + Will have created a label for building materials to shed light on product content.
