MUTCD 2009 Edition – FHWA MUTCD
The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways, or MUTCD defines the standards used by road managers nationwide to install and maintain traffic control devices on all public streets, highways, bikeways, and private roads open to public travel. The most current version of the MUTCD is the 2009 Edition, with revisions dated July 2022. For historical reference and to know what was in effect for a given date, these previous versions will be maintained on this website. The official version of the 2009 MUTCD is the PDF version.
Access Board – 2023 Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) recognizes and protects the civil rights of people with disabilities and is modeled after earlier landmark laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race and gender. To ensure that buildings and facilities are accessible to and usable by people with disabilities, the ADA establishes accessibility requirements for State and local government facilities, places of public accommodation, and commercial facilities. Under the ADA, the Access Board has developed and continues to maintain design guidelines for accessible buildings and facilities known as the ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG). ADAAG covers a wide variety of facilities and establishes minimum requirements for new construction and alterations.
Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center
The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC) is a national clearinghouse for information about health and safety, engineering, advocacy, education, enforcement, access, and mobility for pedestrians (including transit users) and bicyclists. The PBIC serves anyone interested in pedestrian and bicycle issues, including planners, engineers, private citizens, advocates, educators, police enforcement, and the health community.
Accessible Pedestrian Signals – MUTCD 2003
Section 4D.03 Provisions for Pedestrians Support: Chapter 4E contains additional information regarding pedestrian signals. Standard: The design and operation of traffic control signals shall take into consideration the needs of pedestrians as well as vehicular traffic. If engineering judgment indicates the need for provisions for a given pedestrian movement, signal faces conveniently visible to pedestrians shall be provided by pedestrian signal heads or a signal face for an adjacent vehicular movement.
Accessible Pedestrian Signals – U.S. Legislation, Standards, and Guidance Applicable to APS
Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century The Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) states that pedestrian safety considerations should be included in new transportation plans and projects. Section 1202 (g)(2) directed that they “…shall include the installation, where appropriate, and maintenance of audible traffic signals and audible signs at street crossings.” Required that FHWA develop guidance on pedestrian and bicycle facility design. A Policy Statement on Accommodating Bicyclists and Pedestrians in Transportation Projects was written, which includes the following statement: “Sidewalks, shared use paths, street crossings (including over- and under-crossings), pedestrian signals, signs, street furniture, transit stops, and facilities, and all connecting pathways shall be designed, constructed, operated and maintained so that all pedestrians, including people with disabilities, can travel safely and independently”. (TEA-21, 1998)
Accessible Pedestrian Signals – Where is APS Required?
All new and altered pedestrian signal heads installed at crosswalks must include “accessible pedestrian signals” (APS), which have audible and vibrotactile features indicating the walk interval so that a pedestrian who is blind or has low vision will know when to cross the street. Pedestrian push buttons must be located within a reach range such that a person seated in a wheelchair can reach them. The walk speed used to calculate the crossing time allows pedestrians with disabilities sufficient time to cross.
Accessible Pedestrian Signals – Guide to Best Practices
The content of this site is a product of the National Cooperative Highway Research Program Project 3-62, Guidelines for Accessible Pedestrian Signals. This research study used extensive field testing to determine which APS features and locations are most beneficial for blind and visually impaired pedestrians. The website content was adapted from the document produced by the NCHRP study, entitled Accessible Pedestrian Signals: A Guide to Best Practices.
ADA – Accessibility Guidelines
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ensures access to the built environment for people with disabilities. The ADA Standards establish design requirements for the construction and alteration of facilities subject to the law. These enforceable standards apply to places of public accommodation, commercial facilities, and state and local government facilities.
NHTSA – Teen Driving
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Teen Driving site contains information on States’ driver licensing requirements for teens as well as ideas and resources to help parents lay down the ground rules with aspiring drivers before handing over the car keys. Here you will find in-depth information on some of the most common safety problems novice teen drivers should avoid.