PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 468-70 WAC, Motorist information signs.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 47.36.030 Traffic control devices -- Specifications to counties and cities -- Signs, banners over highways, RCW 47.36.360 Motorist information signs--"RV" logo.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: This rule is necessary to incorporate revised federal regulations concerning motorist information signs, as set forth in the 2003 Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) published by the Federal Highway Administration; and to conform with section 1, chapter 398, Laws of 2005 (state of Washington).
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) publishes the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). MUTCD Chapter 2F establishes national standards for motorist information signs. The Washington state department of transportation receives concurrence from the FHWA before adopting final rule.
Process for Developing New Rule: Chapter 468-70 WAC has a thirty-one year history and is based on Washington state law and national signing standards included in the Federal Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. This rule will amend chapter 468-70 WAC to incorporate newly revised state and federal motorist information sign provisions.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. Provide comments or questions concerning this possible rule-making to Mr. Michael J. Dornfeld, WSDOT, P.O. Box 47344, Olympia, WA 98504-7344, phone (360) 705-7288, fax (360) 705-6826, e-mail dornfem@wsdot.wa.gov.
March 9, 2006
John F. Conrad, Assistant Secretary
Engineering and Regional Operations