MUTCD and Current Practices
Since 1935, the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) has required that signs and pavement markings be reflectorized or illuminated, but it has not contained minimum in-service retroreflective requirements. In 1984, the FHWA was petitioned by the Center for Auto Safety to open rulemaking to establish standards for retroreflectivity of signs and pavement markings. In April 1985, the FHWA issued an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking requesting comments regarding such standards. The FHWA proposed ten basic questions on the issue and received comments from a wide variety of concerned parties. The feedback from the Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking initiated a variety of research and development efforts to address the issues identified, develop minimum levels, determine the impacts of varying minimums, and promote the advancement of methods and technologies associated with implementing guidelines for improved night visibility.
