National Standards for Traffic Control Devices; the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways; Notice of Termination of Interim Approval IA-5, 4083-4084 [2016-01383]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 15 / Monday, January 25, 2016 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration Agency Information Collection Activities: Requests for Comments; Clearance of Renewed Approval of Information Collection: General Operating and Flight Rules Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. AGENCY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to revise a previously approved information collection. Part A of subtitle VII of the Revised title 49 U.S.C. authorizes the issuance of regulations governing the use of navigable airspace. Information is collected to determine compliance with Federal regulations. This revision addresses requirements from the Enhanced Flight Vision Systems (EFVS) Rule, RIN 2120–AJ94. DATES: Written comments should be submitted by March 25, 2016. ADDRESSES: Send comments to the FAA at the following address: Ronda Thompson, Room 441, Federal Aviation Administration, ASP–110, 950 L’Enfant Plaza SW., Washington, DC 20024. PUBLIC COMMENTS INVITED: You are asked to comment on any aspect of this information collection, including (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for FAA’s performance; (b) the accuracy of the estimated burden; (c) ways for FAA to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information collection; and (d) ways that the burden could be minimized without reducing the quality of the collected information. The agency will summarize and/or include your comments in the request for OMB’s clearance of this information collection. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ronda Thompson by email at: Ronda.Thompson@faa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: OMB Control Number: 2120–0005. Title: General Operating and Flight Rules. Form Numbers: None. Type of Review: Revision of an information collection. Background: The reporting and recordkeeping requirements of Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) part 91, General Operating and Flight Rules, are authorized by part A of subtitle VII of asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 13:09 Jan 22, 2016 Jkt 238001 the Revised title 49 U.S.C. FAR part 91 prescribes rules governing the operation of aircraft (other than moored balloons, kites, rockets and unmanned free balloons) within the United States. The reporting and recordkeeping requirements prescribed by various sections of FAR part 91 are necessary for FAA to assure compliance with these provisions. Respondents: Approximately 21,200 airmen, state or local governments, and businesses. Frequency: Information is collected on occasion. Estimated Average Burden per Response: .5 hour. Estimated Total Annual Burden: 235,183 hours. Issued in Washington, DC, on January 14, 2016. Ronda Thompson, FAA Information Collection Clearance Officer, Performance, Policy, and Records Management Branch, ASP–110. [FR Doc. 2016–01312 Filed 1–22–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Highway Administration National Standards for Traffic Control Devices; the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways; Notice of Termination of Interim Approval IA–5 Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways (MUTCD) is incorporated in our regulations, approved by FHWA, and recognized as the national standard for traffic control devices used on all streets, highways, bikeways, and private roads open to public travel. This notice terminates the Interim Approval for Use of Clearview Font for Positive Contrast Legends on Guide Signs (IA–5), issued September 2, 2004, as authorized by Section 1A.10 of the MUTCD, and discontinues the provisional use of an alternative lettering style in traffic control device applications. The result of this termination rescinds the use of letter styles other than the FHWA Standard Alphabets on traffic control devices, except as provided otherwise in the MUTCD. Existing signs that use the provisional letter style and comply with the Interim Approval are unaffected by this action and may remain as long as they are in serviceable condition. This SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00068 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 4083 action does not create a mandate for the removal or installation of any sign. This action does not amend any provision of the MUTCD. DATES: Effective 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions about this notice, contact Mr. Kevin Sylvester, MUTCD Team Leader, FHWA Office of Transportation Operations, (202) 366–2161, or via email at Kevin.Sylvester@dot.gov . For legal questions, please contact Mr. William Winne, Office of the Chief Counsel, (202) 366–1397, or via email at William.Winne@dot.gov. Office hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Numerous research efforts have taken place over the last 15 years with the goal of improving the legibility of highway signs. One area of focus has been on guide signs. As a result of some early studies,1 FHWA issued an Interim Approval allowing provisional use of an alternative lettering style known as ClearviewTM for signs in positive contrast color orientations (lighter legend on darker background).2 Although the research supported only one series of this lettering style, the Interim Approval was written in a way that would authorize narrower letter forms, to correspond to the system of the FHWA Standard Alphabets, in anticipation of successful future research evaluations. However, subsequent evaluations showed no benefit to the narrower letter forms and degraded sign legibility when compared to the corresponding FHWA Standard Alphabet series.3 Additionally, tests of alternative lettering in negative contrast color orientations (dark legend on lighter background, such as for regulatory and warning signs) showed no improvement and significantly degraded legibility of the sign.4 1 Carlson, P.J., Evaluation of Clearview Alphabet with Microprismatic Retroreflective Sheetings, Report No. FHWA/TX–02/4049–1. Texas Transportation Institute, August 2001, resubmitted October 2001. 2 Interim Approval 5 can be accessed at the following Web address: https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/ res-ia_clearview_font.htm. 3 Chrysler, S.T., P.J. Carlson, and H.G. Hawkins. Nighttime Legibility of Ground-Mounted Traffic Signs as a Function of Font, Color, and Retroreflective Sheeting Type, Report No. FHWA/ TX–03/1796–2. Texas Transportation Institute, September 2002. 4 Holick, A., S.T. Chrysler, E. Park, and P.J. Carlson. Evaluation of the ClearviewTM Font for Negative Contrast Traffic Signs, Report No. FHWA/ E:\FR\FM\25JAN1.SGM Continued 25JAN1 4084 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 15 / Monday, January 25, 2016 / Notices Ultimately, the consistent finding among all the research evaluations is that the brightness of the retroreflective sheeting is the primary factor in nighttime legibility. The presence and availability of two separate letter styles with differing criteria have resulted in significant confusion and inconsistency in highway sign design, fabrication processes, and application. Although the terms of FHWA’s 2004 Interim Approval are explicit, misunderstandings and misapplications of the provisional letter style have resulted. Inconsistent sign design practices are becoming more common and may have coincided with the provisional allowance of an alternative lettering style due to a lack of consistent implementation and inaccurate presumptions that lesser sign design criteria, such as reduced interline and edge spacing, are broadly acceptable. Additionally, many agencies believed that the alternative lettering style should be used in all applications and that all lettering should be displayed in upper and lowercase lettering, regardless of the type of message. There is also considerable confusion that the requirement of the MUTCD to display destination and street names in upper and lowercase lettering equates to the use of the provisional lettering style rather than the Standard Alphabets. In actuality, there is no interdependency between letter style and case. Purpose of This Notification Uniformity in the display of traffic control devices is central to the underlying foundation of the MUTCD. As such, FHWA establishes the criteria therein with uniformity in mind. This uniformity extends not only to the asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES TX–06/0–4984–1. Texas Transportation Institute, January 2006, resubmitted April 2006. VerDate Sep<11>2014 13:09 Jan 22, 2016 Jkt 238001 content of the message displayed, but also to the format and appearance of the display itself. Although seldom specifically identifiable by the motorist, non-uniformity of a sign display or sequence of signs might exhibit itself in less direct ways, such as diminished legibility requiring additional glance time directed toward a sign or group of signs instead of toward the traffic on the road. The FHWA is committed to exploring solutions that can significantly contribute to enhanced road user safety and are readily and feasibly implemented. In this particular case, there is no benefit of the alternative method that cannot be similarly achieved within the established practice. In many cases, the established practice actually demonstrated benefits that the alternative could not achieve. The FHWA believes that devoting further resources to the development of an alternative will not yield dramatically different results that would warrant an institutional change. Conclusion Based on these findings, FHWA does not intend to pursue further consideration, development, or support of an alternative letter style. Accordingly, FHWA discontinues further implementation of an alternative letter style and terminates and rescinds the Interim Approval for new signing installations, except as otherwise provided in the MUTCD. Existing signs that use the provisional letter style and comply with the Interim Approval are unaffected by this action and may remain as long as they are in serviceable condition. This action does not create a mandate for the removal or installation of any sign. This action does not amend any provision of the MUTCD. PO 00000 Frm 00069 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 Authority: 23 U.S.C. 101(a), 104, 109(d), 114(a), 217, 315, and 402(a); 23 CFR 1.32; and, 49 CFR 1.85. Issued on: January 15, 2016. Gregory G. Nadeau, Administrator, Federal Highway Administration. [FR Doc. 2016–01383 Filed 1–22–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–22–P DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS National Research Advisory Council, Notice of Meeting The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) gives notice under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C., App. 2, that the National Research Advisory Council will hold a meeting on Wednesday, March 2, 2016, in Room 730 at 810 Vermont Ave. NW., Washington, DC. The meeting will convene at 9:00 a.m. and end at 3:30 p.m., and is open to the public. Anyone attending must show a valid photo ID to building security and be escorted to the meeting. Please allow 15 minutes before the meeting begins for this process. No time will be allocated at this meeting for receiving oral presentations from the public. Members of the public wanting to attend, or needing further information may contact Pauline Cilladi-Rehrer, Designated Federal Officer, ORD (10P9), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20420, at (202) 443–5607, or by email at pauline.cilladirehrer@va.gov at least 5 days prior to the meeting date. Dated: January 19, 2016. Rebecca Schiller, Advisory Committee Management Officer. [FR Doc. 2016–01297 Filed 1–22–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8320–01–P E:\FR\FM\25JAN1.SGM 25JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 15 (Monday, January 25, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4083-4084]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-01383]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


National Standards for Traffic Control Devices; the Manual on 
Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways; Notice of 
Termination of Interim Approval IA-5

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and 
Highways (MUTCD) is incorporated in our regulations, approved by FHWA, 
and recognized as the national standard for traffic control devices 
used on all streets, highways, bikeways, and private roads open to 
public travel. This notice terminates the Interim Approval for Use of 
Clearview Font for Positive Contrast Legends on Guide Signs (IA-5), 
issued September 2, 2004, as authorized by Section 1A.10 of the MUTCD, 
and discontinues the provisional use of an alternative lettering style 
in traffic control device applications. The result of this termination 
rescinds the use of letter styles other than the FHWA Standard 
Alphabets on traffic control devices, except as provided otherwise in 
the MUTCD. Existing signs that use the provisional letter style and 
comply with the Interim Approval are unaffected by this action and may 
remain as long as they are in serviceable condition. This action does 
not create a mandate for the removal or installation of any sign. This 
action does not amend any provision of the MUTCD.

DATES: Effective 30 days after publication in the Federal Register.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions about this notice, 
contact Mr. Kevin Sylvester, MUTCD Team Leader, FHWA Office of 
Transportation Operations, (202) 366-2161, or via email at 
Kevin.Sylvester@dot.gov . For legal questions, please contact Mr. 
William Winne, Office of the Chief Counsel, (202) 366-1397, or via 
email at William.Winne@dot.gov. Office hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 
p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Numerous research efforts have taken place over the last 15 years 
with the goal of improving the legibility of highway signs. One area of 
focus has been on guide signs. As a result of some early studies,\1\ 
FHWA issued an Interim Approval allowing provisional use of an 
alternative lettering style known as Clearview^TM for signs 
in positive contrast color orientations (lighter legend on darker 
background).\2\ Although the research supported only one series of this 
lettering style, the Interim Approval was written in a way that would 
authorize narrower letter forms, to correspond to the system of the 
FHWA Standard Alphabets, in anticipation of successful future research 
evaluations. However, subsequent evaluations showed no benefit to the 
narrower letter forms and degraded sign legibility when compared to the 
corresponding FHWA Standard Alphabet series.\3\ Additionally, tests of 
alternative lettering in negative contrast color orientations (dark 
legend on lighter background, such as for regulatory and warning signs) 
showed no improvement and significantly degraded legibility of the 
sign.\4\

[[Page 4084]]

Ultimately, the consistent finding among all the research evaluations 
is that the brightness of the retroreflective sheeting is the primary 
factor in nighttime legibility.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Carlson, P.J., Evaluation of Clearview Alphabet with 
Microprismatic Retroreflective Sheetings, Report No. FHWA/TX-02/
4049-1. Texas Transportation Institute, August 2001, resubmitted 
October 2001.
    \2\ Interim Approval 5 can be accessed at the following Web 
address: https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/res-ia_clearview_font.htm.
    \3\ Chrysler, S.T., P.J. Carlson, and H.G. Hawkins. Nighttime 
Legibility of Ground-Mounted Traffic Signs as a Function of Font, 
Color, and Retroreflective Sheeting Type, Report No. FHWA/TX-03/
1796-2. Texas Transportation Institute, September 2002.
    \4\ Holick, A., S.T. Chrysler, E. Park, and P.J. Carlson. 
Evaluation of the Clearview^TM Font for Negative Contrast 
Traffic Signs, Report No. FHWA/TX-06/0-4984-1. Texas Transportation 
Institute, January 2006, resubmitted April 2006.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The presence and availability of two separate letter styles with 
differing criteria have resulted in significant confusion and 
inconsistency in highway sign design, fabrication processes, and 
application. Although the terms of FHWA's 2004 Interim Approval are 
explicit, misunderstandings and misapplications of the provisional 
letter style have resulted. Inconsistent sign design practices are 
becoming more common and may have coincided with the provisional 
allowance of an alternative lettering style due to a lack of consistent 
implementation and inaccurate presumptions that lesser sign design 
criteria, such as reduced interline and edge spacing, are broadly 
acceptable. Additionally, many agencies believed that the alternative 
lettering style should be used in all applications and that all 
lettering should be displayed in upper and lowercase lettering, 
regardless of the type of message. There is also considerable confusion 
that the requirement of the MUTCD to display destination and street 
names in upper and lowercase lettering equates to the use of the 
provisional lettering style rather than the Standard Alphabets. In 
actuality, there is no interdependency between letter style and case.

Purpose of This Notification

    Uniformity in the display of traffic control devices is central to 
the underlying foundation of the MUTCD. As such, FHWA establishes the 
criteria therein with uniformity in mind. This uniformity extends not 
only to the content of the message displayed, but also to the format 
and appearance of the display itself. Although seldom specifically 
identifiable by the motorist, non-uniformity of a sign display or 
sequence of signs might exhibit itself in less direct ways, such as 
diminished legibility requiring additional glance time directed toward 
a sign or group of signs instead of toward the traffic on the road.
    The FHWA is committed to exploring solutions that can significantly 
contribute to enhanced road user safety and are readily and feasibly 
implemented. In this particular case, there is no benefit of the 
alternative method that cannot be similarly achieved within the 
established practice. In many cases, the established practice actually 
demonstrated benefits that the alternative could not achieve. The FHWA 
believes that devoting further resources to the development of an 
alternative will not yield dramatically different results that would 
warrant an institutional change.

Conclusion

    Based on these findings, FHWA does not intend to pursue further 
consideration, development, or support of an alternative letter style. 
Accordingly, FHWA discontinues further implementation of an alternative 
letter style and terminates and rescinds the Interim Approval for new 
signing installations, except as otherwise provided in the MUTCD. 
Existing signs that use the provisional letter style and comply with 
the Interim Approval are unaffected by this action and may remain as 
long as they are in serviceable condition. This action does not create 
a mandate for the removal or installation of any sign. This action does 
not amend any provision of the MUTCD.

    Authority:  23 U.S.C. 101(a), 104, 109(d), 114(a), 217, 315, and 
402(a); 23 CFR 1.32; and, 49 CFR 1.85.

    Issued on: January 15, 2016.
Gregory G. Nadeau,
Administrator, Federal Highway Administration.
[FR Doc. 2016-01383 Filed 1-22-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-P

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