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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWS 2025-10-06 Item 3 - Presentation - Traffic Control DevicesTraffic Control Devices Council Work Session October 06, 2025 Council Chambers The City of opportunity, the community of choice. Agenda • What is a Traffic Control Device (TCD)? • Benefits of the MUTCD • MUTCD in Practice • Who Regulates TCDs? • Risk Discussion • Potential Consequences • Council's Role Prepared by: Jen Tetatzin, PE, PMP Public Works Director Adam Cox, PE Senior Program Manager - Transportation What is a Traffic Control Device (TCD)? A traffic control device is defined as any sign, signal, marking, or other tool placed on or near a roadway to regulate, warn, or guide both vehicular and pedestrian traffic to promote safety and efficiency. Common types of TCDs • Signs Et Signals • Flashing beacons • Speed feedback signs • Pavement striping and markings • Barricades Et crash attenuators • Message boards Et signs • Medians, curbs, guardrails w Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) Benefits • Promotes national consistency in the use, installation, and operation of traffic control devices • Promotes efficiency through uniformity in the meaning and appearance of traffic control devices • Recent changes have focused on inclusion and mobility for all users of the road network, beyond just vehicles • Provides principals for engineers to follow when making decisions regarding the use, installation, operation, maintenance, and removal of traffic control devices a-n u i on Uniform Traffic n rol Devices for Streets told HighwaYs I1 h Edition _ b 202 3 MUTCD in Practice • Technical reference manual, standard designs and guidebook for engineers • Used in development review and capital project designs to determine: • Traffic control plans, road closures, and detour routes • Intersection, travel lane, sidewalk, bike lane standards • Signs, signals, and marking requirements • Used by legal and insurance industry to determine if agencies have met standards • Used by law enforcement to educate and enforce local traffic laws 01 0) Who Regulates TCDs? National: US DOT Federal Highway Administration • Code of Federal Regulations (23 CFR 655) sets the national standard for all traffic control devices used on public roads, bicycle trails, and private roads open to public travel. State: WSDOT Technical Review Committee (TRC) • RCW 47.36.020 adopts the MUTCD for Washington state Local: Official Having Jurisdiction • County Engineers, City Engineers • Councils, Commissioners through ordinances Risks of Deviating from Standards • Safety Risks • Driver confusion and frustration • Increased crash rate and pedestrian fatalities • Risk to construction workers • Reputational Risk • Erosion of public trust in public agencies and engineers • Legal and Financial Risks • Increased tort liability • Loss of state and federal funding • Reduced insurance coverage or higher premiums SPEED LIMIT 25 WRONG WAY TURN ON RED. 6AM•'9A f SPEE CHECE E TaY RADAR NO EWE l0_g14 3rd MONDAY EVERY MONTH 7AM • 10AM "The use of warning signs should be kept to a minimum as the unnecessary use of warning signs tends to breed disrespect for all signs." -MUTCD Section 2C.01.03 co Potential Consequences THE SPOKESMAN -REVIEW Washington state appeals court reinstates jury's $9a_Shi smrdk for Susan Powell's Darents gbiolg- Spokane County jury awards $19.5 million to farmer sheriff's deputy and his wife in defamation case t<' to pay cyclist Sic million after crash at n bump Seattle ©Ks record S65.7 million settlement for attorney injured in crash with Fire Department ambulance is 01is Tataena isterst-flan sate�City 5a pay LM to distniss • Washington has no limit on damages when it relates to suits against government agencies • Joint and several liability puts WA public agencies at much higher risk than private entities • Examples of road related lawsuits • Tapken v. Spokane County, 2019. Upheld $12,000,000 verdict against Spokane County • Sharkey v. State of Washington, 2019. $18,000,000 verdict against WSDOT • Fite v. Mudd; City of Puyallup, 2019. $6,500,000 verdict against Fife • Turner, et al., v. City of Tacoma. 2025. $2,300,000 settlement against Tacoma How can Council help? • Listen to constituents • Understand non -engineering options • Allocate funding and staffing for maintenance • Initiate a code amendment process or Comp Plan update • Prioritize projects in the capital investment program • Submit design concerns to public works engineers O The City of opportunity, the community of choice.