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Evolution of MUTCD
Who Uses MUTCD

Who Uses the MUTCD? And How?

Probably many more folks in more diverse professions than you might imagine. And they use the information for very different reasons! Here's how.

In the public sector, the most obvious MUTCD users are the State and local transportation planners and traffic engineers who design our roads and locate the traffic control devices that help drivers navigate them safely. There are the public works department employees who must understand how to install and maintain the Traffic Control Devices. The engineers and planners work closely with Federal FHWA Division Office personnel who interpret and clarify MUTCD standards for their State and local partners. The FHWA also conducts extensive materials research, often in cooperation with the private sector designers and developers, to improve the effectiveness and visibility of Traffic Control Devices.

In the private sector, the construction and engineering contractors who in fact design and build the roads that we all travel each day rely on the MUTCD. There are businesses whose employees design, test, manufacture, and market the TCDs that road managers apply and install.

Organizations with completely different charters and constituents depend on the MUTCD. For example, law enforcement personnel rely on the MUTCD as they monitor driver behavior and investigate traffic incidents. The insurance and legal communities frequently refer to the MUTCD when investigating claims or proceeding with legal activities that arise from traffic-related incidents.

The MUTCD is a valuable reference tool for the media. Design and engineering students rely on it for their academic work. Also, a variety of professional and safety organizations, whose members represent the various stakeholders, consult the MUTCD for information used in their materials, for training courses and workshops, or for rulemaking recommendations, and when providing technical assistance.

Click here to view links to the professional organizations that use the MUTCD in their activities.

Given the different uses of the MUTCD throughout the Nation by such differing groups, there is no question that users must have access to the most recent amendments to the MUTCD.

See for Yourself

It is interesting to note that the MUTCD is the authorized national guide in all facets of using TCDs, but State transportation agencies differ in how they comply with MUTCD standards. For example, some States adopt the MUTCD as their standard. Other States adopt the national MUTCD along with a State supplement that might prescribe which of several allowable options are selected for the State's specific purposes. Still other States use the national MUTCD as the basis for developing their own State Traffic Control Device manuals, which must be in substantial conformance to the national MUTCD.

Information as of August 2003.

Note 1--California, Delaware, Indiana, and Pennsylvania are in the process of adopting the National MUTCD with State Supplements. Anticipated date: December 2003

Note 2--Arizona plans to adopt the National MUTCD with State Supplement after the Revision 2 proposed changes are published in a Final Rule. Anticipated date: October 2003

Note 3--Michigan plans to adopt the National MUTCD after the Revision 2 proposed changes are published in a Final Rule. Anticipated date: October 2003