Creating a Systems Engineering Approach for the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices

The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) provides basic principles for use of traffic control devices (TCD). However, most TCDs are not explicitly required, and the decision to use a given TCD in a given situation is typically made by an engineer (or an individual working under engineering supervision) based on a variety of information including, but not limited to, the MUTCD. There are many other factors not addressed by the MUTCD that can lead to differences in the decision-making process. To assist engineers with evaluating these factors, this research developed a decision analysis process to assist engineers with making TCD decisions. The value of this research is the idea that the decision analysis process for TCD can be modeled and analyzed using appropriate factors including need, impacts, influences, and cost. This process will contribute to more uniform decisions amongst all levels of experience in TCD decision-making. When applying this research, it is important to remember that it is not the intent of this process to remove engineering judgment. This is an important part of the process and should remain as such.