CONCEPTUAL APPROACH TO SIGNING PRINCIPLES IN THE 1982 MANUAL

This presentation outlines some of the changes in the 1982 edition of the Indiana Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (IMUTCD). These changes are generally in the direction of allowing engineers to use this discretion and engineering judgement in the placement of traffic signs based on existing field conditions. One manifestation of this new latitude is the definitions of "shall", "should", and "may". "Shall" has been modified with the term "Normally" to mean a normally mandatory practice instead of one which is strictly mandatory. "Should" has also been modified with term "Normally" to mean a normally advised or recommended practice instead of one which is strictly advised or recommended. The definition of "may" remains as a permissive practice. Another example is that all references to the design of signs and their support systems have been removed. Since the manual is promulgated into law, it was not considered to be advisable to incorporate design measures in the manual since these may change based on the current state of the art.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper was presented at the 68th Annual Road School, Purdue University, March 9-11, 1982.
• Corporate Authors:

  Purdue University

  School of Aeronautics and Astronautics
  West Lafayette, IN  United States  47907
• Authors:
  • Larkin, R
• Publication Date: 1982

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 143-144
• Serial:
  • Engineering Bulletin of Purdue University
  • Issue Number: 153
  • Publisher: Purdue University

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Manuals; Standards; Traffic control devices; Traffic signs
• Uncontrolled Terms: Change
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; I73: Traffic Control;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00382971
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 30 1984 12:00AM