81 FR 4083 - National Standards for Traffic Control Devices; the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways; Notice of Termination of Interim Approval IA-5
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 15 (January 25, 2016)
Federal Highway Administration
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 15 (January 25, 2016)
| Page Range | 4083-4084 | |
| FR Document | 2016-01383 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 15 (Monday, January 25, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 4083-4084] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-01383] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Highway Administration National Standards for Traffic Control Devices; the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways; Notice of Termination of Interim Approval IA-5 AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways (MUTCD) is incorporated in our regulations, approved by FHWA, and recognized as the national standard for traffic control devices used on all streets, highways, bikeways, and private roads open to public travel. This notice terminates the Interim Approval for Use of Clearview Font for Positive Contrast Legends on Guide Signs (IA-5), issued September 2, 2004, as authorized by Section 1A.10 of the MUTCD, and discontinues the provisional use of an alternative lettering style in traffic control device applications. The result of this termination rescinds the use of letter styles other than the FHWA Standard Alphabets on traffic control devices, except as provided otherwise in the MUTCD. Existing signs that use the provisional letter style and comply with the Interim Approval are unaffected by this action and may remain as long as they are in serviceable condition. This action does not create a mandate for the removal or installation of any sign. This action does not amend any provision of the MUTCD. DATES: Effective 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions about this notice, contact Mr. Kevin Sylvester, MUTCD Team Leader, FHWA Office of Transportation Operations, (202) 366-2161, or via email at Kevin.Sylvester@dot.gov . For legal questions, please contact Mr. William Winne, Office of the Chief Counsel, (202) 366-1397, or via email at William.Winne@dot.gov. Office hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Numerous research efforts have taken place over the last 15 years with the goal of improving the legibility of highway signs. One area of focus has been on guide signs. As a result of some early studies,\1\ FHWA issued an Interim Approval allowing provisional use of an alternative lettering style known as ClearviewTM for signs in positive contrast color orientations (lighter legend on darker background).\2\ Although the research supported only one series of this lettering style, the Interim Approval was written in a way that would authorize narrower letter forms, to correspond to the system of the FHWA Standard Alphabets, in anticipation of successful future research evaluations. However, subsequent evaluations showed no benefit to the narrower letter forms and degraded sign legibility when compared to the corresponding FHWA Standard Alphabet series.\3\ Additionally, tests of alternative lettering in negative contrast color orientations (dark legend on lighter background, such as for regulatory and warning signs) showed no improvement and significantly degraded legibility of the sign.\4\ [[Page 4084]] Ultimately, the consistent finding among all the research evaluations is that the brightness of the retroreflective sheeting is the primary factor in nighttime legibility. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ Carlson, P.J., Evaluation of Clearview Alphabet with Microprismatic Retroreflective Sheetings, Report No. FHWA/TX-02/ 4049-1. Texas Transportation Institute, August 2001, resubmitted October 2001. \2\ Interim Approval 5 can be accessed at the following Web address: http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/res-ia_clearview_font.htm. \3\ Chrysler, S.T., P.J. Carlson, and H.G. Hawkins. Nighttime Legibility of Ground-Mounted Traffic Signs as a Function of Font, Color, and Retroreflective Sheeting Type, Report No. FHWA/TX-03/ 1796-2. Texas Transportation Institute, September 2002. \4\ Holick, A., S.T. Chrysler, E. Park, and P.J. Carlson. Evaluation of the ClearviewTM Font for Negative Contrast Traffic Signs, Report No. FHWA/TX-06/0-4984-1. Texas Transportation Institute, January 2006, resubmitted April 2006. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The presence and availability of two separate letter styles with differing criteria have resulted in significant confusion and inconsistency in highway sign design, fabrication processes, and application. Although the terms of FHWA's 2004 Interim Approval are explicit, misunderstandings and misapplications of the provisional letter style have resulted. Inconsistent sign design practices are becoming more common and may have coincided with the provisional allowance of an alternative lettering style due to a lack of consistent implementation and inaccurate presumptions that lesser sign design criteria, such as reduced interline and edge spacing, are broadly acceptable. Additionally, many agencies believed that the alternative lettering style should be used in all applications and that all lettering should be displayed in upper and lowercase lettering, regardless of the type of message. There is also considerable confusion that the requirement of the MUTCD to display destination and street names in upper and lowercase lettering equates to the use of the provisional lettering style rather than the Standard Alphabets. In actuality, there is no interdependency between letter style and case. Purpose of This Notification Uniformity in the display of traffic control devices is central to the underlying foundation of the MUTCD. As such, FHWA establishes the criteria therein with uniformity in mind. This uniformity extends not only to the content of the message displayed, but also to the format and appearance of the display itself. Although seldom specifically identifiable by the motorist, non-uniformity of a sign display or sequence of signs might exhibit itself in less direct ways, such as diminished legibility requiring additional glance time directed toward a sign or group of signs instead of toward the traffic on the road. The FHWA is committed to exploring solutions that can significantly contribute to enhanced road user safety and are readily and feasibly implemented. In this particular case, there is no benefit of the alternative method that cannot be similarly achieved within the established practice. In many cases, the established practice actually demonstrated benefits that the alternative could not achieve. The FHWA believes that devoting further resources to the development of an alternative will not yield dramatically different results that would warrant an institutional change. Conclusion Based on these findings, FHWA does not intend to pursue further consideration, development, or support of an alternative letter style. Accordingly, FHWA discontinues further implementation of an alternative letter style and terminates and rescinds the Interim Approval for new signing installations, except as otherwise provided in the MUTCD. Existing signs that use the provisional letter style and comply with the Interim Approval are unaffected by this action and may remain as long as they are in serviceable condition. This action does not create a mandate for the removal or installation of any sign. This action does not amend any provision of the MUTCD. Authority: 23 U.S.C. 101(a), 104, 109(d), 114(a), 217, 315, and 402(a); 23 CFR 1.32; and, 49 CFR 1.85. Issued on: January 15, 2016. Gregory G. Nadeau, Administrator, Federal Highway Administration. [FR Doc. 2016-01383 Filed 1-22-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-22-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 15 / Monday, January 25, 2016 / Notices 4083
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION the Revised title 49 U.S.C. FAR part 91 action does not create a mandate for the
prescribes rules governing the operation removal or installation of any sign. This
Federal Aviation Administration of aircraft (other than moored balloons, action does not amend any provision of
kites, rockets and unmanned free the MUTCD.
Agency Information Collection balloons) within the United States. The DATES: Effective 30 days after
Activities: Requests for Comments; reporting and recordkeeping publication in the Federal Register.
Clearance of Renewed Approval of requirements prescribed by various
Information Collection: General FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
sections of FAR part 91 are necessary for questions about this notice, contact Mr.
Operating and Flight Rules FAA to assure compliance with these Kevin Sylvester, MUTCD Team Leader,
AGENCY: Federal Aviation provisions. FHWA Office of Transportation
Administration (FAA), DOT. Respondents: Approximately 21,200 Operations, (202) 366–2161, or via email
airmen, state or local governments, and at Kevin.Sylvester@dot.gov . For legal
ACTION: Notice and request for
businesses. questions, please contact Mr. William
comments.
Frequency: Information is collected Winne, Office of the Chief Counsel,
SUMMARY: In accordance with the on occasion. (202) 366–1397, or via email at
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA Estimated Average Burden per William.Winne@dot.gov. Office hours
invites public comments about our Response: .5 hour. are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., e.t.,
intention to request the Office of Estimated Total Annual Burden: Monday through Friday, except Federal
Management and Budget (OMB) 235,183 hours. holidays.
approval to revise a previously Issued in Washington, DC, on January 14, SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
approved information collection. Part A 2016.
of subtitle VII of the Revised title 49 Ronda Thompson, Background
U.S.C. authorizes the issuance of FAA Information Collection Clearance Numerous research efforts have taken
regulations governing the use of Officer, Performance, Policy, and Records place over the last 15 years with the goal
navigable airspace. Information is Management Branch, ASP–110. of improving the legibility of highway
collected to determine compliance with [FR Doc. 2016–01312 Filed 1–22–16; 8:45 am] signs. One area of focus has been on
Federal regulations. This revision BILLING CODE 4910–13–P guide signs. As a result of some early
addresses requirements from the studies,1 FHWA issued an Interim
Enhanced Flight Vision Systems (EFVS) Approval allowing provisional use of an
Rule, RIN 2120–AJ94. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION alternative lettering style known as
DATES: Written comments should be ClearviewTM for signs in positive
Federal Highway Administration
submitted by March 25, 2016. contrast color orientations (lighter
ADDRESSES: Send comments to the FAA National Standards for Traffic Control legend on darker background).2
at the following address: Ronda Devices; the Manual on Uniform Traffic Although the research supported only
Thompson, Room 441, Federal Aviation Control Devices for Streets and one series of this lettering style, the
Administration, ASP–110, 950 L’Enfant Highways; Notice of Termination of Interim Approval was written in a way
Plaza SW., Washington, DC 20024. Interim Approval IA–5 that would authorize narrower letter
PUBLIC COMMENTS INVITED: You are asked
forms, to correspond to the system of
AGENCY: Federal Highway the FHWA Standard Alphabets, in
to comment on any aspect of this
Administration (FHWA), Department of anticipation of successful future
information collection, including (a)
Transportation (DOT). research evaluations. However,
Whether the proposed collection of
information is necessary for FAA’s ACTION: Notice. subsequent evaluations showed no
performance; (b) the accuracy of the benefit to the narrower letter forms and
SUMMARY: The Manual on Uniform degraded sign legibility when compared
estimated burden; (c) ways for FAA to Traffic Control Devices for Streets and
enhance the quality, utility and clarity to the corresponding FHWA Standard
Highways (MUTCD) is incorporated in Alphabet series.3 Additionally, tests of
of the information collection; and (d) our regulations, approved by FHWA,
ways that the burden could be alternative lettering in negative contrast
and recognized as the national standard color orientations (dark legend on
minimized without reducing the quality for traffic control devices used on all
of the collected information. The agency lighter background, such as for
streets, highways, bikeways, and private regulatory and warning signs) showed
will summarize and/or include your roads open to public travel. This notice
comments in the request for OMB’s no improvement and significantly
terminates the Interim Approval for Use degraded legibility of the sign.4
clearance of this information collection. of Clearview Font for Positive Contrast
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Legends on Guide Signs (IA–5), issued 1 Carlson, P.J., Evaluation of Clearview Alphabet
Ronda Thompson by email at: September 2, 2004, as authorized by with Microprismatic Retroreflective Sheetings,
Ronda.Thompson@faa.gov. Section 1A.10 of the MUTCD, and Report No. FHWA/TX–02/4049–1. Texas
Transportation Institute, August 2001, resubmitted
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: discontinues the provisional use of an October 2001.
OMB Control Number: 2120–0005. alternative lettering style in traffic 2 Interim Approval 5 can be accessed at the
Title: General Operating and Flight control device applications. The result following Web address: http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/
Rules. of this termination rescinds the use of res-ia_clearview_font.htm.
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
3 Chrysler, S.T., P.J. Carlson, and H.G. Hawkins.
Form Numbers: None. letter styles other than the FHWA
Nighttime Legibility of Ground-Mounted Traffic
Type of Review: Revision of an Standard Alphabets on traffic control Signs as a Function of Font, Color, and
information collection. devices, except as provided otherwise in Retroreflective Sheeting Type, Report No. FHWA/
Background: The reporting and the MUTCD. Existing signs that use the TX–03/1796–2. Texas Transportation Institute,
recordkeeping requirements of Federal provisional letter style and comply with September 2002.
4 Holick, A., S.T. Chrysler, E. Park, and P.J.
Aviation Regulation (FAR) part 91, the Interim Approval are unaffected by Carlson. Evaluation of the ClearviewTM Font for
General Operating and Flight Rules, are this action and may remain as long as Negative Contrast Traffic Signs, Report No. FHWA/
authorized by part A of subtitle VII of they are in serviceable condition. This Continued
VerDate Sep<11>2014 13:09 Jan 22, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00068 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\25JAN1.SGM 25JAN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/81_FR_4098/page/1.svg)
![4084 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 15 / Monday, January 25, 2016 / Notices
Ultimately, the consistent finding content of the message displayed, but Authority: 23 U.S.C. 101(a), 104, 109(d),
among all the research evaluations is also to the format and appearance of the 114(a), 217, 315, and 402(a); 23 CFR 1.32;
that the brightness of the retroreflective display itself. Although seldom and, 49 CFR 1.85.
sheeting is the primary factor in specifically identifiable by the motorist, Issued on: January 15, 2016.
nighttime legibility. non-uniformity of a sign display or Gregory G. Nadeau,
The presence and availability of two sequence of signs might exhibit itself in Administrator, Federal Highway
separate letter styles with differing less direct ways, such as diminished Administration.
criteria have resulted in significant legibility requiring additional glance [FR Doc. 2016–01383 Filed 1–22–16; 8:45 am]
confusion and inconsistency in highway time directed toward a sign or group of BILLING CODE 4910–22–P
sign design, fabrication processes, and signs instead of toward the traffic on the
application. Although the terms of road.
FHWA’s 2004 Interim Approval are
explicit, misunderstandings and The FHWA is committed to exploring DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
misapplications of the provisional letter solutions that can significantly AFFAIRS
style have resulted. Inconsistent sign contribute to enhanced road user safety
and are readily and feasibly National Research Advisory Council,
design practices are becoming more Notice of Meeting
common and may have coincided with implemented. In this particular case,
the provisional allowance of an there is no benefit of the alternative The Department of Veterans Affairs
alternative lettering style due to a lack method that cannot be similarly (VA) gives notice under the Federal
of consistent implementation and achieved within the established Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C., App.
inaccurate presumptions that lesser sign practice. In many cases, the established 2, that the National Research Advisory
design criteria, such as reduced practice actually demonstrated benefits Council will hold a meeting on
interline and edge spacing, are broadly that the alternative could not achieve. Wednesday, March 2, 2016, in Room
acceptable. Additionally, many agencies The FHWA believes that devoting 730 at 810 Vermont Ave. NW.,
believed that the alternative lettering further resources to the development of Washington, DC. The meeting will
style should be used in all applications an alternative will not yield convene at 9:00 a.m. and end at 3:30
and that all lettering should be dramatically different results that would p.m., and is open to the public. Anyone
displayed in upper and lowercase warrant an institutional change. attending must show a valid photo ID to
lettering, regardless of the type of building security and be escorted to the
message. There is also considerable Conclusion meeting. Please allow 15 minutes before
confusion that the requirement of the Based on these findings, FHWA does the meeting begins for this process.
MUTCD to display destination and not intend to pursue further No time will be allocated at this
street names in upper and lowercase consideration, development, or support meeting for receiving oral presentations
lettering equates to the use of the from the public. Members of the public
of an alternative letter style.
provisional lettering style rather than wanting to attend, or needing further
Accordingly, FHWA discontinues
the Standard Alphabets. In actuality, information may contact Pauline
further implementation of an alternative
there is no interdependency between Cilladi-Rehrer, Designated Federal
letter style and terminates and rescinds
letter style and case. Officer, ORD (10P9), Department of
the Interim Approval for new signing
Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue
Purpose of This Notification installations, except as otherwise
NW., Washington, DC 20420, at (202)
Uniformity in the display of traffic provided in the MUTCD. Existing signs
443–5607, or by email at pauline.cilladi-
control devices is central to the that use the provisional letter style and rehrer@va.gov at least 5 days prior to the
underlying foundation of the MUTCD. comply with the Interim Approval are meeting date.
As such, FHWA establishes the criteria unaffected by this action and may
remain as long as they are in serviceable Dated: January 19, 2016.
therein with uniformity in mind. This
condition. This action does not create a Rebecca Schiller,
uniformity extends not only to the
mandate for the removal or installation Advisory Committee Management Officer.
TX–06/0–4984–1. Texas Transportation Institute, of any sign. This action does not amend [FR Doc. 2016–01297 Filed 1–22–16; 8:45 am]
January 2006, resubmitted April 2006. any provision of the MUTCD. BILLING CODE 8320–01–P
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
VerDate Sep<11>2014 13:09 Jan 22, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00069 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\25JAN1.SGM 25JAN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/81_FR_4098/page/2.svg)
Document Created: 2018-02-02 12:35:26
Document Modified: 2018-02-02 12:35:26
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice. | |
| Dates | Effective 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. | |
| Contact | For questions about this notice, contact Mr. Kevin Sylvester, MUTCD Team Leader, FHWA Office of Transportation Operations, (202) 366-2161, or via email at [email protected] . For legal questions, please contact Mr. William Winne, Office of the Chief Counsel, (202) 366-1397, or via email at [email protected] Office hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 4083 |
2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR