TRN-50-07-00001-P New York State Supplement to the National Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways

12/12/07 N.Y. St. Reg. TRN-50-07-00001-P

NEW YORK STATE REGISTER

VOLUME XXIX, ISSUE 50

December 12, 2007

RULE MAKING ACTIVITIES

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

PROPOSED RULE MAKING

NO HEARING(S) SCHEDULED

 

I.D No. TRN-50-07-00001-P

New York State Supplement to the National Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways

PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE State Administrative Procedure Act, NOTICE is hereby given of the following proposed rule:

Proposed action:

This is a consensus rule making to amend Chapter V of Title 17 NYCRR.

Statutory authority:

Vehicle and Traffic Law, section 1680, subd. (a); and Transportation Law, section 14, subd. 18

Subject:

New York State Supplement to the National Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways — 2003 Edition.

Purpose:

To amend the New York State Supplement to the National Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways — 2003 Edition regarding standards for traffic control devices.

Substance of proposed rule (Full text is posted at the following State website: https://www.nysdot.gov/portal/page/portal/divisions/operating/oom/transportation-systems/traffic-operations-section/mutcd):

This rulemaking makes 44 changes to sections of 17 NYCRR Chapter V (“New York State Supplement”), hereafter referred to as the “Supplement.” These changes are being made to further refine the Supplement into a document that best suits the need of New York State by: correcting technical errors and inadvertent omissions; clarifying information in the National MUTCD that has proven confusing to the public; and providing additional information in instances where the National MUTCD guidance is deficient for the needs of New York State.

The majority of changes in this rulemaking essentially allow for the continuance of traffic control practices already used in New York State. The only changes representing new information are:

(–) Extending the compliance time for five signs allowed by the National MUTCD but disallowed by the Supplement.

(–) Replacing National MUTCD warning sign placement table with new State table.

(–) Guidance on how to establish advisory speeds.

(–) Guidance on when to use advisory speed plaques.

(–) Guidance on how to sign a route with both a number and facility sign.

(–) Option to use 4″ letters on Street Name signs on highways with a speed limit of up to 30 mph.

(–) Mandate to use a six-panel Specific Service Ramp sign instead of two assemblies.

The changes are grouped by their main purpose as follows:

(–) 18 changes add information to the Supplement that existed in the previous 17 NYCRR.

(–) 11 changes make corrections to graphics/tables that were necessitated by changes to text.

(–) 8 changes correct or clarify information in the Supplement that was either inadvertently omitted, or written incorrectly.

(–) 7 changes add information to the Supplement that did not exist in the previous 17 NYCRR, but was deemed necessary in order to address deficiencies in the National MUTCD guidance.

Text of proposed rule and any required statements and analyses may be obtained from:

David Woodin, Department of Transportation, Traffic Operations Section, Transportation System Operations Bureau, 50 Wolf Rd., POD 4-2, Albany, NY 12232, [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]

Data, views or arguments may be submitted to:

Same as above.

Public comment will be received until:

45 days after publication of this notice.

Consensus Rule Making Determination

The Department of Transportation has determined that no person is likely to object to the adoption of this rule as written because these amendments merely: allow certain traffic control devices to continue being used in their existing manner (e.g., the use of 4″ letters on highways with speed limits up to, and including, 30 mph); provide guidance to help clarify confusing provisions in the National MUTCD (e.g., placement of warning signs); and make other technical and editorial changes that are not controversial in nature.

Job Impact Statement

1. Nature of impact:

These revisions to the Supplement will generally maintain the same or a greater level of employment related to the manufacture, distribution, installation and upkeep of traffic control devices.

2. Categories and numbers affected:

This revision will affect all governments that install traffic control devices, all highway users, all businesses that depend on transportation, and all businesses that make, distribute or install traffic control devices.

3. Regions of adverse impact:

These regulations will not have a disproportionate adverse impact on jobs or employment in any regions of the state.

4. Minimizing adverse impact:

The Department has minimized the adverse impact of this rulemaking by providing advance notice to businesses and local governments of changes to traffic control devices, and by incorporating previous public comments into the Supplement wherever possible. This advance notification was provided by conducting training sessions in every NYSDOT Region in the State, with both State and local persons in attendence.

Essentially, the rulemaking serves to minimize the adverse effects of portions of the National MUTCD that would have otherwise been a burden on the public.