Happy Birthday to the MUTCD!

[cpzilliacus]

USDOT Fastlane blog: Happy Birthday to the MUTCD!

The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways (MUTCD) turns 80 tomorrow, and this octogenarian is still going strong. The secret of its vitality? The MUTCD remains active by helping the rest of us get to where we need to go safely and efficiently.

The TCD in MUTCD -- "traffic control devices"  -- refers to all of the signs, signals, pavement markings, and other features that communicate with drivers all along America's road system. From city streets to interstate highways, and covering a variety of shared-use facilities, this system moves the U.S. economy forward and gives us all a key freedom that has become part of the American ethos: mobility.  The MUTCD doesn't simply promote the mobility of goods and services; its guidelines and standardization help drivers, passengers, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians get where they're going and get there safely —no matter what part of the country they're in.

[TravelingBethelite]

I too wish it a happy birthday, as without it, we'd not have much to talk about (and might not be here, knowing how much safer it makes all of us). 

[rarnold]

Imagine a world without MUTCD. I just got a shiver down my spine. Differences abound between states, but it is nice to know that the road signs will generally be the same from state to state.

[txstateends]

The few things I've read about the earliest days of state/national road systems and construction, just blow me down as to the sheer and wide differences (funding, signage styles, road surfaces, etc) between different states and areas back then.  We should have had standards sooner, but it's a wonder of wonders that we got everything in gear at the pace we did.

[Mr. Matté]

Imagine a world without MUTCD.

[txstateends]

>ouch!!<  That bluish-purple stop sign... just about put my eyes out!