Section 1D.04 Design of Traffic Control Devices
Guidance:
[01] Devices should be designed so that features such as size, shape, color, composition, lighting or retroreflection, and contrast are combined to draw attention to the devices; so that size, shape, color, and simplicity of message combine to produce a clear meaning; so that legibility and size combine with placement to provide adequate time for response; and so that uniformity, size, legibility, and reasonableness of the message combine to command respect.
Option:
[02] Except for symbols and colors, minor modifications in the specific design elements of a device may be made based on an engineering study or engineering judgment, in accordance with Paragraph 3 of this Section, provided the essential appearance characteristics are preserved.
Guidance:
[03] Aspects of the standard design of a traffic control device should not be modified unless there is a demonstrated need in unusual circumstances, based on an engineering study or engineering judgment.
Support:
[04] An example of acceptably modifying the design of a device would be to modify the Combination Horizontal Alignment/Intersection (W1-10) sign to show intersecting side roads on both sides rather than on just one side of the major road within the curve.
Section 1D.05 Color Code
Support:
[01] The following color code establishes general meanings for 11 colors of a total of 13 colors that have been identified as being appropriate for use in conveying traffic control information.
Standard:
[02] The general meaning of the 13 colors shall be as follows:
- Black—regulation
- Blue—road-user services guidance, tourist information, and evacuation route
- Brown—recreational and cultural interest area guidance
- Coral—reserved for future designation (see Paragraph 4 of this Section)
- Fluorescent Pink—incident management
- Fluorescent Yellow-Green—pedestrian warning, bicycle warning, playground warning, school bus warning, and school warning
- Green—indicated movements or actions permitted and direction guidance
- Light Blue—reserved for future designation (see Paragraph 4 of this Section)
- Orange—temporary traffic control
- Purple—restricted to use only by vehicles with registered electronic toll collection (ETC) accounts
- Red—stop or prohibition
- White—regulation
- Yellow—warning
[03] These colors shall be used only as prescribed for the specific devices or applications throughout this Manual.
Support:
[04] The two colors for which general meanings have not yet been assigned are being reserved for future applications that will be determined only by the FHWA after consultation with the States, the engineering community, and the general public. The meanings described in this Section are of a general nature. More specific assignments of colors are given in the individual Parts of this Manual relating to each class of devices.
[05] Tolerance limits for each color are contained in 23 CFR Part 655, Appendix to Subpart F and are available at the Federal Highway Administration’s MUTCD Web site at http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov.
Section 1D.06 Public Domain, Copyrights, and Patents
Standard:
[01] Traffic control device design or application provisions contained in this Manual shall be in the public domain. Traffic control devices contained in this Manual shall not be protected by a patent, trademark, or copyright, except for the Interstate Shield, 511 Travel Information pictograph, National Scenic Byway graphic, and any items under the stewardship of or owned by FHWA.
