PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Revisions to chapter 468-95 WAC, Manual on traffic control devices for streets and highways (MUTCD).
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 47.36.030 Traffic control devices.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Rules are needed to adopt into the Washington Administrative Code, the 2009 edition of the federal MUTCD. Part 655.603 of the Code of Federal Regulations requires the states to adopt traffic control device standards that are substantially compliant with the MUTCD published by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The FHWA sets the standards for traffic control devices used on federal-aid public roadways within the United States, through its MUTCD. Rule making to revise chapter 468-95 WAC, to reflect specific Washington state traffic control device laws and practices, is coordinated and requested for approval through the FHWA, Olympia division. No other federal or state agencies regulate this subject.
Process for Developing New Rule: Negotiated rule making.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Rick Mowlds, State Signing Engineer, Washington State Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 47344, Olympia, WA 98504-7344, phone (360) 705-7988, fax (360) 705-6826, or e-mail mowldsr@wsdot.wa.gov.
May 27, 2011
Stephen T. Reinmuth
Chief of Staff