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Road signs in the United States

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11th edition of the MUTCD, published December 2023

In the United States, road signs are, for the most part, standardized by federal regulations, most notably in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and its companion volume the Standard Highway Signs (SHS).

Adoption and compliance

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Map showing state adoption of the 2009 edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices:
  Adopted national MUTCD
  Adopted national MUTCD with state supplement
  Adopted state-specific MUTCD

The 11th edition of the MUTCD was released on December 19, 2023.[1] The effective date, 30 days after publication, of the MUTCD was January 18, 2024. States have two years after the effective date to do one of the following options: adopt the revised MUTCD, adopt the revised MUTCD with a state supplement, or adopt a state-specific MUTCD.[2]

Eighteen states use the manual without alterations; 22 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico have adopted it in conjunction with a supplemental volume; and ten states have a state version in substantial conformance to the MUTCD.[3] The MUTCD and SHS establish seven categories of signs for road and highway use, as follows:[4] (The list does not cover all situations; the signage is from the national MUTCD unless specified):

Regulatory signs

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R1 series: Stop and yield

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R2 series: Speed limit

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R3 series: Lane usage and turns

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R4 series: Regulation of movement

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R5 series: Exclusionary

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R6 series: One way and divided highway

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R7 series: Parking

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R8 series: Parking and emergency restrictions

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R9 series: Bicycles and pedestrians

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R10 series: Traffic signal

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R11 series: Road closed

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R12 series: Weight limits

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R13 series: Weigh stations

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R14 series: Truck routes

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R15 series: Rail and light rail

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R16 series: Seat belts and headlight use

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R22 series: Blasting zones

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School Signs

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Warning signs

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W1 series: Horizontal alignment

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W2 series: Intersections

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W3 series: Advance traffic control

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W4 series: Lanes and merges

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W5 series: Road width restrictions

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W6 series: Divided highway

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W7 series: Hills

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W8 series: Pavement and roadway conditions

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W9 series: Lane transitions

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W10 series: Railroad crossings

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W11 series: Advance warnings

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W12 series: Low Clearance Warnings

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W13 series: Advisory speeds

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W14 series: Dead end streets and no passing zones

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W15 series: Playgrounds

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W16 series: Supplemental plaques

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W17 series: Speed humps

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W18 series: No traffic signs

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W19 series: Freeway or expressway end signs

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W20 series: Work zones

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W21 series: Road work

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W22 series: Blasting zones

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W23 series: Slow traffic

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W24 series: Lane shifts

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W25 series: Oncoming traffic has extended green

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W26 series: Watch for stopped traffic

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Object Markers

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Route Marker Signs

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M1 Series: Route Shields

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M2 Series: Junction Markers

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M3 Series: Cardinal Direction Markers

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M4 Series: Route Marker Auxiliaries

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M5 Series: Advance Turn Arrow Auxiliary Signs

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M6 Series: Directional Arrow Auxiliary Signs

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M10 Series: Scenic Area

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M11 Series: National Historic Trails

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Bicycle Route Plaques

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Destination Signs

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D1 series: Destination

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D2 Series: Distance

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D3 Series: Street name

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D4 Series: Parking

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D5 Series: Rest area

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D8 Series: Weigh Station

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D10 Series: Reference Location

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D11 Series: Bicycle Facility and Shared-use path

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D12 Series: Radio, Telephone and Carpool information

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D13 Series: Crossover and Freeway entrance

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D15 Series: Combination lane use/destination

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D17 Series: Truck lane and slow vehicle signs

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Construction Information Signs

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Motorist services

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General information

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Freeway and Expressway Signs

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E1 Series: Exit Number

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E2 Series: Next Exit

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E4 Series: Exit Direction

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E5 Series: Exit Gore

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E6 Series: Pull-Through

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E7 Series: Post-Interchange Distance

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E8 Series: Preferential Lane Entrance, Exit, and Intermediate Egress

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E11 Series: Panels

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E13 Series: Exit Advisory Speed

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Emergency Management Signs

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Recreational Symbols

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General Recreation Symbols

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Accommodation Recreation Symbols

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Services Recreation Symbols

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Land Recreation Symbols

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Water Recreation Symbols

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Winter Recreation Symbols

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See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ a b c d e f The legend STATE LAW is optional.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i A fluorescent yellow-green background color may be used instead of yellow for this sign.
  3. ^ According to the 11th edition of MUTCD, STREET CLOSED (R11-2a), BRIDGE OUT (R11-2b), or PATH CLOSED (R11-2c) signs may be substituted for Road Closed signs where applicable.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g A fluorescent yellow-green background color may be used for this sign.[5]
  5. ^ a b c d e f The background color (yellow, fluorescent yellow-green or orange) shall match the color of the warning sign that it supplements.

References

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  1. ^ "FHWA Releases New Traffic Control Device Manual with Updates to Improve Safety for Pedestrians, Bicyclists, and All Road Users" (Press release). U.S. Department of Transportation. December 19, 2023. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  2. ^ "Frequently Asked Questions - General Questions on the MUTCD". MUTCD. Federal Highway Administration. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  3. ^ "MUTCDs & Traffic Control Devices Information by State". Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Federal Highway Administration. July 14, 2020. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
  4. ^ Staff. "The Shape—and Color—Give Us a Sign". Federal Highway Administration. Archived from the original on April 1, 2009. Retrieved April 5, 2009.
  5. ^ "2009 Edition Part 2 Figure 2C-11. Non-Vehicular Warning Signs". Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. United States Department of Transportation. Retrieved June 6, 2012.
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