Work Zone Safety | HSIP Application/Procedure update | Traffic Engineering memoranda | MUTCD and Virginia Supplement

The Virginia Supplement to the 2009 Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) contains standards, guidance, options, and support for the design, application, and placement of traffic control devices on roadways in Virginia. 

The Virginia Supplement was developed from a combination of existing VDOT directives and new guidelines generated from statewide technical committees after a thorough review of the 2009 MUTCD. 

VDOT Traffic Engineering Memoranda have been reviewed, and applicable technical content has been included as appropriate.

The Virginia Supplement can be viewed in its entirety or in individual parts. This is the final version, which was formally approved by the Commonwealth Transportation Board in December 2011.

The effective date for implementation was Jan. 1, 2012.

Click on the PDF symbol for each section below.

Virginia Supplement to the MUTCD

Part	Last updated	PDF
Entire document	December 2011	14 MB
Cover and introduction	December 2011	1 MB
1. General	December 2011	1 MB
2. Signs	December 2011	7 MB
3. Markings	December 2011	3 MB
4. Signals	December 2011	1.6 MB
7. Schools	December 2011	1 MB
8. Railroads	December 2011	800 KB
9. Bicycles	December 2011	1.1 MB
Appendix A	December 2011	375 KB

There are no Virginia-specific changes to Part 5 of the 2009 MUTCD (Traffic Control Devices for Low-Volume Roads). 

Part 6 of the 2009 MUTCD (Temporary Traffic Control) is entirely replaced by the Virginia Work Area Protection Manual (WAPM), which is a separate document. The WAPM was adopted as part of the Virginia Supplement but is published separately to facilitate its use. 

Here are some facts about the Virginia Supplement:

• The supplement documents any deviation from the MUTCD and it assists designers and practitioners in the application of Virginia’s standards.
  
  
• Committees of subject matter experts and practitioners were established to develop the specific standards and guidance. 
  
  
• The supplement has incorporated existing standards, guidelines and practices.
  
  
• Similar to the MUTCD, the Virginia Supplement is a living document that is expected to be updated periodically.
  
  
• Because the Supplement is available for free download from this website, no printed copies are planned.
  
  
• The Virginia Supplement and Work Area Protection Manual have both been reviewed and approved by the Federal Highway Administration.

A list of frequently asked questions, along with answers to these questions, can be found by clicking here (PDF).
 

Questions and Future Revisions

You can submit questions regarding the Virginia Supplement or adoption of the 2009 MUTCD to VDOT Traffic Engineering at VASupplement@VDOT.Virginia.gov.  

You can also use this e-mail to request notifications of future revisions to the Virginia Supplement, or to be updated on other news associated with the Virginia Supplement.
 

Virginia Standard Highway Signs Book (Virginia SHS Book)

The Traffic Engineering division has finalized a companion to the Virginia Supplement and Virginia Work Area Protection Manual.  It is the Virginia Standard Highway Signs (SHS) Book.  

This document contains sign design details, along with layouts of many Virginia-specific signs referenced within the Virginia Supplement and WAPM.  

The Virginia SHS Book is intended to serve as an aid to sign designers and fabricators of both permanent and temporary traffic control signs.

Virginia Standard Highway Signs Book  (PDF, 4 MB)

Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)

2009 Edition

The 2009 edition of the MUTCD, published Dec. 16, 2009, was formally approved by the Commonwealth Transportation Board in December, 2011.

The document contains new federal requirements and guidelines for the use of traffic signals, signs, and pavement markings on all public roadways and private roadways open to public travel.  

Several new sections were added, and guidelines were revised as a result of new research and practices throughout the country.

The effective date for implementation was Jan. 1, 2012.

The 2009 MUTCD is at: http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/kno_2009.htm

FHWA Standard Highway Signs

In addition to the MUTCD, the FHWA has a companion document called the Standard Highway Signs Book.

As is the case with the Virginia SHS Book (see above), the FHWA Standard Highway Signs Book serves as an aid to sign designers and fabricators.

Link to FHWA Standard Highway Signs Book.