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Call for Comments on Three Key Federal Rulemakings

By Ms. Lisa Fontana Tierney P.E posted 09-21-2011 02:19 PM

  
All ITE members are encouraged to comment on the following three key federal proposed rulemakings. Please submit individual responses directly to the appropriate federal docket with a copy to Natalia Vlasov at ITE Headquarters at nvlasov@ite.org.

1. PROPOSED REVISION OF THE 2009 MUTCD—DEFINITION OF STANDARD AND USE OF ENGINEERING JUDGMENT
On August 2, 2011, a Notice of Proposed Amendments was published in the Federal Register, proposing to revise Sections 1A.09 and 1A.13 of the 2009 MUTCD to clarify the definition of Standard statements in the MUTCD and clarify the use of engineering judgment and studies in the application of traffic control devices. The deadline for comments to the docket is October 3, 2011. The Federal Register notice, which provides detailed discussion of the FHWA's proposal, can be viewed at PDF, 194KB and HTML. To view the proposed text for this revision of the 2009 MUTCD, go to http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/knowledge/09mutcdproposedrev/def_standard_eng/index.htm.

2. PROPOSED REVISION OF THE 2009 MUTCD—COMPLIANCE DATES (TABLE I-2)
On August 31, 2011, a Notice of Proposed Amendments was published in the Federal Register, proposing to revise Table I-2 in the Introduction of the 2009 MUTCD to eliminate, extend, or otherwise revise most of the target compliance dates for upgrading existing traffic control devices in the field that do not meet the current MUTCD standards. The deadline for comments to the docket is October 31, 2011. The Federal Register notice, which provides detailed discussion of the FHWA's proposal, can be viewed at PDF 168KB and HTML. To view the proposed revisions to the text of Table I-2 for this revision of the 2009 MUTCD and other related information, go to http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/knowledge/09mutcdproposedrev/compliance_dates/index.htm

3. US ACCESS BOARD PUBLIC RIGHTS-OF-WAY RULEMAKING
Sidewalks, street crossings, and other elements of the public rights-of-ways present unique challenges to accessibility for which specific guidance is considered essential. The Board is developing new guidelines for public rights-of-way that will address various issues, including access for blind pedestrians at street crossings, wheelchair access to on-street parking, and various constraints posed by space limitations, roadway design practices, slope, and terrain. The new guidelines will cover pedestrian access to sidewalks and streets, including crosswalks, curb ramps, street furnishings, pedestrian signals, parking, and other components of public rights-of-way. On July 26, 2011, the Board released proposed guidelines for public comment. This proposal incorporates feedback from the public on previous drafts of the guidelines. Proposed Guidelines for Public Rights-of-Way are available for comment through www.regulations.gov until 11/23/11. Go to http://www.access-board.gov/prowac/nprm.pdf to view a .pdf file containing the proposed guidelines.
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10-14-2011 02:09 PM

BOARD TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED RIGHTS-OF-WAY GUIDELINES
The Access Board will hold a public hearing on its proposed guidelines for accessible public rights-of-way on November 9 from 9:30 to 11:30. The event will provide an opportunity for the public to provide feedback on these guidelines which the Board published for public comment in July. The guidelines provide design criteria for accessible public streets and sidewalks, including pedestrian access routes, street crossings, curb ramps and blended transitions, on-street parking, street furniture, and other elements.
The hearing will take place at the Board’s meeting space at 1331 F Street, NW, Suite 800, in downtown Washington, D.C. Registration is not required, but those who wish to provide comments are encouraged to contact Kathy Johnson at johnson@access-board.gov, (202) 272-0041 (voice), or (202) 272-0065 (TTY). The Board held a similar hearing in Dallas on September 12.
In addition to the hearing, comments on the Board’s proposal can be submitted through Federal government's rulemaking portal at www.regulations.gov. Comments are due by November 23. Further information on this rulemaking is available on the Board’s website.
Public Hearing on the Proposed Public ROW Guidelines
November 9 (9:30 to 11:30)
Access Board Meeting Room
1331 F Street, NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20004