Iowa Traffic Control Devices and Pavement Markings: A Manual for Cities and Counties

Download the whole manual (7.2 mb pdf)

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Quick Reference Page
• Signs
• Pavement Markings
• Object Markers
• Delineators
• Additional Situations
• Traffic Studies
• Operations
• Inventory Systems for Traffic Control Devices
• Temporary Traffic Control During Operations
• Appendix

All the files below are in pdf format. To read pdf files you need a copy of the Adobe Acrobat reader, which you can download free.

Section A: Introduction

Introduction (8k pdf) A1.1

Operating Statement (8k pdf) A2.1

Back to top

Section B: Quick Reference Page

Quick Reference (203k pdf) B1.1

• Minimum Suggested Channelizing Device and Sign Spacings in Work Zones
• A Guide for Advanced Warning Sign Placement Distances
• Speed Conversions Between mph and kph
• Sign Sheeting Material
• Phone Numbers and Websites
• Sign Color Code
• Uniform Utility Color Code
• Standard Colors for Pavement Markings
• Miscellaneous Measure
• Length Unit Conversions
• Important Publications
• Cones
• Channelizing Devices (Temporary Use)
• Typical Barricades (Temporary Use)
• Barricade Characteristics

Back to top

Section C: Signs

Signs (61k pdf) C1.1

• Sign Types
• Visibility
• Sign Sheeting
• Sign Substrate
• Orientation of Signs
• Warranties
• Recycling

Children at Play Signs (11k pdf) C2.1

Commercial Developments (8k pdf) C3.1

Crossings (10k pdf) C4.1

Curves and Hills (233k pdf) C5.1

• Signs and Devices
• Turn Sign (W1-1)
• Curve Sign (W1-2)
• Reverse Turn Sign (W1-3)
• Reverse Curve Sign (W1-4)
• Winding Road Sign (W1-5)
• Advisory Speed Plate (W13-1)
• Large Arrow Sign (W1-6)
• Chevron Alignment Sign (W1-8)
• Hill Sign (W7-1 to W7-5)

Deer Crossing Signs (63k pdf) C6.1

Guide Signs (121k pdf) C7.1

• Route Markers
• Destination and Distance Signing
• Trailblazing
• Miscellaneous Guide Signs
• Street Name Signs
  • Lettering Specifications
  • Spacing Specifications
  • Installation Suggestions
  • General Suggestions

Intersections (9k pdf) C8.1

Location and Height of Signs (166k pdf) C9.1

Low-Water Stream Crossings (99k pdf) C10.1

• Flood Area Ahead Sign
• Impassable During High Water Sign
• Do Not Enter When Flooded Sign

Narrow Bridges and Culverts (278k pdf) C11.1

• Tapering Recommendations

Reduced Maintenance Level Roads (100k pdf) C12.1

School Bus Stop Ahead Signs (21k pdf) C13.1

• Suggested Response to Installation Requests
• Suggested Warning Sign Applications
• Sign Maintenance

Sign Posts and Supports (585k pdf) C14.1

• Small Sign Supports
  • Wood Posts
  • Steel Posts
  • Additional Small Sign Considerations
• Large Sign Supports

Stop and Yield Signs (41k pdf) C15.1

"T" and "Y" Intersections (118k pdf) C16.1

Unofficial and Unauthorized Signs (10k pdf) C17.1

• MUTCD and Iowa Code Stipulations
• Political Signs

Warning Sign Placement (32k pdf) C18.1

Back to top

Section D: Pavement Markings

Pavement Markings (778k pdf) D1.1

• Materials
  • Nondurable Markings
  • Durable Markings
• Special Marking Products and Procedures
• Application Recommendations
  • Paints
  • Other Materials
• Contract Bidding and Administration
• Warranties
• Applications of Pavement and Curb Markings
  • Center Lines
  • Lane Lines
  • No Passing Zones
  • Edge Lines
  • Pavement Markings Extensions through Intersections
  • Lane-Reduction Transition Markings
  • Curb Markings
  • Channelizing Markings
  • Transverse Markings
  • Crosswalks
  • Parking Spaces
  • Words and Symbols
  • New Symbols
    

Back to top

Section E: Object Markers

Object Markers (186k pdf) E1.1

Back to top

Section F: Delineators

Delineators (76k pdf) F1.1

Back to top

Section G: Additional Situations

Bicycle Paths and Lanes (175k pdf) G1.1

• Exclusive Bicycle Facilities
  • Signs
  • Pavement Markings
• Shared-Use Facilities
  • Signs
  • Pavement Markings

End of Road or Street (158k pdf) G2.1

Flashing Beacons (20k pdf) G3.1

• Hazard Identification Beacon
• Speed Limit Sign Beacon
• Intersection Control Beacon
• Stop Sign Beacon

Highway/Rail Grade Crossings (213k pdf) G4.1

• Signs
  • Railroad Crossing Sign (Crossbuck)
  • Railroad Advance Warning Sign
  • Stop and Yield Signs
• Pavement Markings for Grade Crossings

Mailboxes in Roadway Right of Way (234k pdf) G5.1

• Placement Recommendations
• Mailbox Supports
• Object Markers for Mailboxes

Movable Stop Signs for School Zones (267k pdf) G6.1

Rumble Strips (169k pdf) G7.1

Snowmobiles (231k pdf) G8.1

Traffic Calming Measures (406k pdf) G9.1

• Closures, Diversions, and Semi-Diversions
• Medians and Islands
• Speed Bumps, Humps, Tables, and Rumble Strips
• Chokers and Bulb-Outs
• Chicanes
• Roundabouts and Traffic Circles

Weight Restrictions (141k pdf) G10.1

Back to top

Section H: Traffic Studies

Advisory Speed Determination (17k pdf) H1.1

No Passing Zones (422k pdf) H2.1

• Towed Target or Rope Method
• Distance Measuring Equipment Method

Speed Limits (82k pdf) H3.1

• 85th Percentile Speed
• Other Factors
  • Crash History
  • Traffic Volume
  • Roadway Environment and Features
  • Engineering Judgement

Warning Signs for Special Conditions (16k pdf) H4.1

Back to top

Section I: Operations

Inspection Procedures (16k pdf) I1.1

Maintenance of Traffic Control Devices and Pavement Markings (13k pdf) I2.1

• Preventative Maintenance
• Routine Maintenance
  • Repairs
  • Vegetation
  • Cleaning
  • Replacements
• Emergency Maintenance
• Pavement Marking Maintenance
  • Center Lines
  • Edge Lines
  • Transverse Lines
  • Symbols and Miscellaneous Markings
• Public Response and Documentation

Responding to a Deficiency Notice (10k pdf) I3.1

• Signs and Devices
• Pavement Markings

Sign Shop and Stock Management (791k pdf) I4.1

• Sign Materials
  • Substrate
  • Sheeting Material
  • Legend
• Shop and Stock Management
• Stocking and Fabrication Practices
  • Small Agencies
  • Medium Agencies
  • Medium-Large Agencies
  • Large Metropolitan Agencies
• Storage of Materials and Completed Signs

Theft and Vandalism (8k pdf) I5.1

Back to top

Section J: Inventory Systems for Traffic Control Devices

Inventory Systems for Traffic Control Devices (266k pdf) J1.1

• Choosing a System
• Developing the System
• Choosing a Reference System
• Determining Elements of the Inventory
  • Core Elements
  • Critical Elements
  • Desirable Elements
• Collecting the Data
• Maintaining the Inventory

Back to top

Section K: Temporary Traffic Control During Operations

Temporary Traffic Control During Operations (664k pdf) K1.1

Back to top

Section L: Appendix

Conversions and Formulas (29k pdf) L1.1

References (7k pdf) L2.1

Sample Resolutions and Policies

90-day Embargo on Specific Roads Resolution (9k pdf) L3.1

Application for Permit for Overweight Vehicle (9k pdf) L3.2

Blanket 90-Day Embargo Resolution (9k pdf) L3.3

Bridge Embargo Resolution (9k pdf) L3.4

Letter to Schools (12k pdf) L3.5

Policy on Supplemental Signs and Traffic Control Devices (13k pdf) L3.7

Political Sign Policy (9k pdf) L3.10

Snowmobile Permit and Agreement (10k pdf) L3.11

Snowmobile Policy (11k pdf) L3.13

Tools for Signing and Marking (90k pdf) L4.1

Back to top