2009 MUTCD Proposed Revision
The Notice of Proposed Amendment (NPA) which will lead to the 2009 revision of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
(MUTCD) was posted to the Federal Register on 2 January 2008.

This is significant for several reasons which will affect
occupational high-visibility for years to come. Assuming the final issued MUTCD does not change appreciably from this draft, then:
(1) The MUTCD will become the primary regulatory document mandating the use of high-visibility apparel for all affected workers in the U.S.
(2) Current 23 CFR Part 634 language will be absorbed into the MUTCD, and 23 CFR part 634 will be discontinued when the 2009 MUTCD issues
(3) Mandatory use areas will expand beyond Federal-aid highways and will cover all roads “open to public travel,”i.e., any road where you can drive a car without passing through a traffic control gate, even private property
(4) The use of ANSI 207-2006 Public Safety Vest compliant garments is included as an option for first responders to meet requirements of this regulation
(5) Between 24 Nov 2008 when 23 CFR part 634 becomes effective and the time that the 2009 MUTCD issues will be a “gray area”, when technically speaking, 23 CFR part 634 will be in force, yet the changes in the superseding MUTCD will be known and anticipated publicly. The 2009 MUTCD is expected to issue no earlier than March, 2009, and possibly 6-9 months later. It is not clear yet how best to handle this gray period.
Note: this summary represents a view of the MUTCD 2009 draft document only, and should not be interpreted as the final
provisions of MUTCD 2009.
Federal Register Link to View the Public Notice