Comment:
This chapter provides background on some of the unique aspects of grade crossings, including jurisdictional conventions as well as highway and rail classifications, and terminology helpful to understand applicable traffic controls: Use of standard devices, grade crossing responsibility, installation, operation, and maintenance issues, railroad classification, policies, roadway users, crossing elimination, passive devices, active devices, audible devices, rail treatments, temporary traffic controls, selection on improvements, crossing closure and improvement programs. Needs of bicycles and pedestrians (pg 446-447). Pedestrian gates at rail crossings (pg 463). Audible devices (pg 471) such as warning bells and wayside horns. Pedestrian and bicyclist conderations at grade crossings (pg 472-473).

Last Updated (Year): 2013

Year Produced: 2013

Abstract:

The Handbook augments the 2009 Edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). The Traffic Control Devices Handbook, 2nd Edition provides guidance and information to implement the provisions of the MUTCD. The objective of the Handbook is to bridge the gap between the MUTCD requirements and field applications. Additional guidance is provided on the new MUTCD requirements to clarify these MUTCD provisions. The Handbook does not establish policy, procedures, or standards for an agency, or set the "standard-of-care" for decisions on traffic control devices. It is meant as guidance material to assist in determining the appropriate device(s) for a specific condition based on judgment and/or study. The Handbook includes 16 chapters covering the wide variety of traffic control devices available to meet public need. There are chapters on low-volume, rural roads as well as residential streets. Separate chapters are provided for signs, markings, traffic signals, railroad-highway grade crossings and temporary (construction) traffic controls. One chapter addresses installation considerations for traffic control devices. Another discusses the human-factor considerations in the application of traffic control devices. The specific issues of traffic control devices for schools, pedestrians and bicyclists are each addressed in separate chapters.

For:Walking, Biking

The E's:Evaluation, Engineering

Ped Bike Activity:

• Programming
• Programming
• Planning
• Operations
• Maintenance
• Design

Ped Bike Topic:

• Traffic Control Devices
• Planning
• Facility Maintenance
• Built environment

Facility Type:Temporary Fix, Signals, Signage, Rail Crossing

Resource Type:

• Guidance

Link to Content Source:

Traffic Control Devices Handbook