INTRODUCTION TO

TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING

TTE 3004
 Today’s Lecture

•Top 3 of the week

•Introduction to traffic control
devices (Chapter 4)
•1 FE Question is from MUTCD

https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/kno_2009r1r2.htm
$51M (Minto)
3,788 Acres
±235 Feet
 Introduction to Traffic Control Devices

Traffic control devices shall be defined as all

signs, signals, markings, and other devices used
to regulate, warn, or guide traffic, placed on,
over, or adjacent to a street, highway,
pedestrian facility, bikeway, or private road
open to public travel (see definition in section
1A.13) by authority of a public agency or
official having jurisdiction, or, in the case of a
private road, by authority of the private owner
or private official having jurisdiction.
 LEGAL ASPECTS OF THE MUTCD

. A standard is a statement of a , mandatory, or specifically prohibitive practice

regarding a traffic control device. Typically, standards are indicated by the use of the term shall
or shall not in the statement.
. Guidance is a statement of , but not mandatory, practice in typical
situations. Deviations are allowed if engineering judgment or a study indicates that a deviation is
appropriate. Guidance is generally indicated by use of the word should or should not.
. An option is a statement of practice that is a permissive condition. It carries
or recommendation. Options often contain allowable modifications to
a standard or guidance. An option is usually stated using the word may or may not.
. This is a purely statement provided to supply additional information to the
traffic engineer. The words shall, should, or may do not appear in these statements (nor do their
negative counterparts).

Source: “Traffic Engineering” by Roess, Prassas & McShane, 4th edition, Pearson.
 COMMUNICATING WITH THE DRIVER

Color is the most easily visible characteristic of a

device. Color is recognizable long before a general shape
may be perceived and considerably before a specific
legend can be read and understood.
After color, the shape of the device is the next
element to be discerned by the driver.
Pattern is used in the application of traffic markings.
In general, double solid, solid, dashed, and broken lines are
used.
The last element of a device that the driver
comprehends is its specific legend. Signals and markings, for
example. Convey their entire message through use of color,
shape, and pattern.

Source: “Traffic Engineering” by Roess, Prassas & McShane, 4th edition, Pearson.
 TRAFFIC MARKINGS
are those markings
placed parallel to the direction of travel. The
vast majority of longitudinal markings involve
centerlines, lane lines, and pavement edge
lines.
, as their name implies
include any and all markings with a component
that cuts across a portion or all of the
traveled way. When used, all transverse
markings are white.
are used to denote
obstructions either in or adjacent to the
traveled way.
Source: “Traffic Engineering” by Roess, Prassas & McShane, 4th edition, Pearson.
markings separate traffic traveling in
opposite directions.
markings separate traffic traveling in
the same direction and are used for all
transverse markings.
markings delineate roadways that will
not be entered or used by the viewer of the
marking.
markings are used to delineate parking
spaces reserved for persons with disabilities.
markings are used in conjunction with
other markings on light pavements. To
emphasize the pattern of the line, gaps
between yellow or white markings are filled in
with black to provide contrast and easier
visibility.
Source: MUTCD 2009 Edition
Source: MUTCD 2009 Edition
 REGULATORY SIGNS

Regulatory signs shall be used to inform road

users of selected traffic laws or regulations
and indicate the applicability of the
Regulatory signs shall be
installed at or near where the regulations
apply. The signs shall clearly indicate the
requirements imposed by the regulations and
shall be designed and installed to provide
adequate visibility and legibility in order to
obtain compliance.

Source: MUTCD 2009 Edition

Source: “Traffic Engineering” by Roess, Prassas & McShane, 4th edition, Pearson.
 REGULATORY SIGNS

Source: MUTCD 2009 Edition

https://britesidepanels.com/
 SPEED LIMIT SIGNS

One of the most important issues

in providing for and
of traffic movement is
the setting of appropriate speed
limits. To be effective, a speed
limit must be communicated to the
driver and should be sufficiently
enforced to engender general
observance. Source: MUTCD 2009 Edition

Source: “Traffic Engineering” by Roess, Prassas & McShane, 4th edition, Pearson.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/germany-autobahn-us-highways-motorways-driving-speed-limit-traffic-motorists-cars-vehicles-roads-a8284061.html
 TURN AND MOVEMENT PROHIBITION SIGNS

Where right, left, and/or u-

tums, or even through
movements, are to be
, one or more of
the movement prohibition
signs shown in figure 2B-4
are used.

Source: “Traffic Engineering” by Roess, Prassas & McShane, 4th edition, Pearson.

Source: MUTCD 2009 Edition

 LANE-USE SIGNS

Lane-use control signs are used

wherever a given movement or
movements are and/or
from designated lanes. Such
situations include left-turn- and right-
tum-only lanes, two-way left-turn lanes
on arterials, and reversible lanes.

Source: “Traffic Engineering” by Roess, Prassas & McShane, 4th edition, Pearson.
 PARKING CONTROL SIGNS
Curb parking control is one of the
more aspects of urban network
management. The economic viability of
business areas often depends on an
adequate and convenient supply of
on-street and off-street parking. At the
same time, curb parking often
interferes with through traffic and
occupies space on the traveled way
that might otherwise be used to service
moving traffic.
Source: “Traffic Engineering” by Roess, Prassas & McShane, 4th edition, Pearson. Source: MUTCD 2009 Edition
 WARNING SIGNS
Warning signs
attention to call
on or adjacent
to a highway or street, public facility,
or private property open to public
travel, and to situations that might not
be readily apparent to road users.
Warning signs alert road users to
conditions that might call for a
reduction of speed or an action in the
interest of safety and efficient traffic
operations.
Source: “Traffic Engineering” by Roess, Prassas & McShane, 4th edition, Pearson.
Source: MUTCD 2009 Edition
 WARNING SIGNS

Source: MUTCD 2009 Edition

Source: MUTCD 2009 Edition
 ROUTE MARKERS
The signs have unique designs that signify the type of route
involved. have a unique shield shape, with
red and blue background and white lettering. The same design is
used for designated Such loops are generally
a major highway that is not part of the interstate system but one
that serves the business area of a city from an interchange on the
interstate system. markers consist of black numerals on
a white shield that is placed on a square sign with a black
background. markers are designed by the individual
states and, therefore, vary from state to state. All
markers, however, follow a standard design, with yellow lettering
on a blue background and a unique shape. The name of the
county is placed on the route marker. Routes in national parks
and/or national forests also have a unique shape and have white
lettering on a brown background.

Source: “Traffic Engineering” by Roess, Prassas & McShane, 4th edition, Pearson. Source: MUTCD 2009 Edition
 DESTINATION SIGNS
Destination signs are used on
to indicate the distance to
critical destinations along the route and to
mark key intersections or interchanges. On
conventional roads, destination signs use an
all-capital white legend on a green
background. The distance in miles to the
indicated destination may be indicated to
the right of the destination.
Destination signs for and
are similar, although there
are different requirements for size and
placement specified in the MUTCD.
Source: “Traffic Engineering” by Roess, Prassas & McShane, 4th edition, Pearson. Source: MUTCD 2009 Edition
 SERVICE GUIDE SIGNS
Another important type of information
drivers require is directions to a variety
of motorists' services. Drivers, particularly
those who are with the area,
need to be able to easily locate such
services as fuel, food, lodging, medical
assistance, and similar services. The
MUTCD provides for a variety of signs,
all using white legend and symbols on a
blue background, to convey such
information.
Source: MUTCD 2009 Edition
Source: “Traffic Engineering” by Roess, Prassas & McShane, 4th edition, Pearson.
 RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL-INTEREST GUIDE SIGNS

Information on historic,
recreational, and/or cultural-
interest areas or destinations is
given on signs with white legend
and/or symbols on a brown
background. are used
to depict the type of activity but
larger signs with word messages
may be used as well.
Source: MUTCD 2009 Edition

Source: “Traffic Engineering” by Roess, Prassas & McShane, 4th edition, Pearson.
Source: MUTCD 2009 Edition
 TRAFFIC SIGNALS
The MUTCD defines nine types of traffic signals:
• Traffic control signals
• Pedestrian signals
• Emergency vehicle traffic control signals
• Traffic control signals for one-lane, two-
way facilities
• Traffic control signals for freeway
entrance ramps
• Traffic control signals for movable bridges
• Lane-use control signals
• Flashing beacons
• In-roadway lights
Source: “Traffic Engineering” by Roess, Prassas & McShane, 4th edition, Pearson. https://www.flickr.com/photos/squirmelia/2451382877
 TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNALS
Traffic signals are the most complicated form of Traffic signals, when properly installed and operated at
traffic control devices available to traffic appropriate locations, provide a number of significant
engineers. The MUTCD addresses: :

for signal displays,
including lens sizes, colors (specific pigments),
arrangement of lenses within a single signal
head, arrangement and placement of signal
heads within an intersection, visibility
requirements, and so on.
• Definitions and of
indications authorized for use.
• Timing and sequence
• With appropriate physical designs, control measures, and
signal timing, the of critical intersection movements
is increased.
• The frequency and severity of is for
certain types of crashes, including right-angle, tum, and
pedestrian accidents.
the various • When properly coordinated, signals can provide for nearly
of through traffic along an arterial
. at a designated speed under favorable traffic conditions.

and operations criteria. • They provide for in heavy traffic streams to

permit crossing vehicular and pedestrian traffic to cross
Source: “Traffic Engineering” by Roess, Prassas & McShane, 4th edition, Pearson. safely.
 SIGNAL INDICATIONS
A steady green circular indication A flashing "yellow" allows traffic
allows vehicular traffic facing the ball to enter the to proceed with caution through the intersection.
intersection to travel straight through the A flashing "red" has the same meaning as a
intersection or to turn right or left, except when STOP sign-the driver may proceed with caution
prohibited by lane-use controls or physical design. after coming to a complete stop.
The steady yellow circular indication Green, yellow, and ed
is a transition between the green ball and the red arrow indications have the same meanings as
ball indication. ball indications, except that they apply only to
The steady red circular indication the movement designated by the arrow.
requires all traffic (vehicular and pedestrian)
facing it to stop at the STOP line, crosswalk line (if
no STOP line exists), or at the conflicting
pedestrian path (if no crosswalk or STOP line
exists).
Source: “Traffic Engineering” by Roess, Prassas & McShane, 4th edition, Pearson.
Source: MUTCD 2009 Edition
Source: MUTCD 2009 Edition
Source: MUTCD 2009 Edition
 PEDESTRIAN SIGNALS
(steady). The new "WALK"
indication is the image of a walking person
in the color white this indicates that it is
permissible for a pedestrian to enter the
crosswalk to begin crossing the street.
(flashing). The new "DON'T
WALK“ indication is an upraised hand in
the color Portland orange. In the flashing
mode, it indicates that no pedestrian may
enter the crosswalk to begin crossing the
street but that those already crossing may
continue safely.
Source: MUTCD 2009 Edition

Source: “Traffic Engineering” by Roess, Prassas & McShane, 4th edition, Pearson.
Source: MUTCD 2009 Edition
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