Creating a systems engineering approach for the manual on uniform traffic control devices.

PDFTech ReportSWUTC/11/476660-00009-1DTRT07-G-0006Highway traffic controlHighway traffic control systemsSystems engineeringTraffic control devicesTexasUniversity Transportation Centers Program (U.S.)McNeal, HeatherHawkins, H. Gene, Jr.Texas Transportation InstituteSouthwest Region University Transportation Center (U.S.)University Transportation Centers Program (U.S.)US Transportation CollectionThe Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) provides basic principles for use of trafficcontrol devices (TCD). However, most TCDs are not explicitly required, and the decision to use a givenTCD in a given situation is typically made by an engineer (or an individual working under engineeringsupervision) based on a variety of information including, but not limited to, the MUTCD. There are manyother factors not addressed by the MUTCD that can lead to differences in the decision-making process. Toassist engineers with evaluating these factors, this research developed a decision analysis process to assistengineers with making TCD decisions. The value of this research is the idea that the decision analysisprocess 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 ofexperience in TCD decision-making. When applying this research, it is important to remember that it is notthe intent of this process to remove engineering judgment. This is an important part of the process andshould remain as such