Action Alert: Submit comments to VDOT by February 21, 2025 concerning Virginia’s adoption of the Federal Highway Administration’s Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).

Action Requested: Submit comments to VDOT by February 21, asking that VDOT completely adopt the new bicycling standards, guidance and options in the 11th Edition of the FHWA’s MUTCD, published in December 2023.  VBF suggests that bicycling-related organizations also ask VDOT to include their organization in applicable stakeholder MUTCD outreach.  Submit comments per the instructions on VDOT’s MUTCD Comment Solicitation page.

Background: The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) published the 11th Edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) in December 2023 and requires each state to adopt updated traffic control device guidance that conforms substantially to that document by January 2026.  FHWA gives states the flexibility to decide when to use certain devices or facilities and to choose an applicable device or facility if there are multiple options.  The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has requested public comments on “Guidance’ and “Options” in the new MUTCD by February 21, 2025.  The Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) provides more detailed background in this WABA Blog Post.

Additional Information. FHWA’s 11th Edition of the MUTCD introduces and codifies numerous design elements that meaningfully enhance bicyclist safety and accessibility, including the following:

  • Protected bicycle lanes (separated by physical barriers);
  • Dedicated bicycle signal faces and bicycle-specific traffic signal timing;
  • Painted bike facilities and bike boxes (advanced stop lines for bicyclists at intersections);
  • Contraflow bicycle lanes (enabling two-way bicycling on one-way streets);
  • Mid-block crossings and pedestrian hybrid beacons with bicycle accommodations; and
  • Contextual guidance on speed limit setting with a de-emphasis of the 85th percentile in non-freeway or rural highway settings.

VDOT solicits and provides instructions for comments on its MUTCD Comment Solicitation page. VDOT’s MUTCD Comment portal closes on February 21, 2025.  

View the previously submitted comments for this notice.