ALERT: Public comments on problematic updates to major federal road design manual, the MUTCD, due Friday, May 14th
Submitted by Brent Hugh on Thu, 05/13/2021 - 7:28am
The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) is the national guidance for all visible parts of the nation's road network--signs, stripes, lanes, crosswalks, bike lanes and markings, traffic signals, and more. The MUTCD is updated about once a decade.
The recently released draft for the 2021 MUTCD update is very problematic from the perspective of pedestrian and bicycle transportation. Public comments on the proposed updates are due Friday, May 14th, 2021 and can be submitted here.
The simplest way to submit a public comment:
Many bike/ped and transportation organizations across the country are organizing to submit public comments. Federal agencies tend to heavily weigh the number of comments submitted supporting a particular issue, so they are strongly encouraging every organization and individual to submit a comment. Even a brief comment carries a lot of weight.
Comments from both individuals and organizations are important. Here is a sample brief comment:
[I/Organization XYZ] support the comments submitted by the League of American Bicyclists, AmericaWalks, the National Association of City Transportation Officials, and other organizations that ask that this update of the MUTCD provide proactive safety guidance so that the United States can make progress on equity, sustainability, and traffic safety goals. As written, the proposed MUTCD updates choose to prioritize speed and vehicle flow over safety in numerous ways.
The MUTCD should prioritize safety, emphasize road design that reduces or eliminates serious injury and death, and forefront the needs of vulnerable road users, such as those who walk and bicycle, people with disabilities, children and seniors, and people who use public transportation.
Please consider submitting a public comment by Friday, May 14th, 2021. Submit your public comment here.
More resources and background information:
- AmericaWalks Action Alert page
- BikeLeague "A once in a lifetime opportunity for better roads" and the League's MUTCD letter (model)
- NACTO comprehensive overview of problems with the proposed MUTCD update
- NACTO's MUTCD letter - comprehensive analysis of the issues and good model for other letters by organizations
- Submit public comments on the MUTCD here
Improving safety for all road users is one of the four primary goals in MoBikeFed's Vision for Bicycling and Walking in Missouri. Supporting the work of major national bicycle and pedestrian organizations that work to improve the design manuals that affect the design and safety of every road and street in America is one way we can help reach that goal.
Your ongoing membership and generous financial support help turn our Vision into reality!
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