Volume I illustrates many of the typical worksites describing the most common conditions encountered. The information provided can be used to supplement local, state, and national standards. The topics include, among others: Public information, regulatory control, special traffic provisions, protection of pedestrians, flagging, temporary traffic signals, and nighttime procedures. Volume II is intended primarily for use by job site supervisors. It addresses the most common situations, problems and solutions that supervisors might be faced with. The topics include, among others: Emergency work moving operations, temporary traffic control devices, placing devices, temporary removal of signs, and pedestrian needs.

The traffic control devices (TCD) are very critical for the safe and efficient transportation of people and goods. The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), by setting minimum standards and providing guidance, ensures uniformity of traffic control devices across the nation. The use of uniform TCDs (messages, location, size, shapes, and colors) helps reduce crashes and congestion, and improves the efficiency of the surface transportation system. Uniformity also helps reduce the cost of TCDs through standardization. The information contained in the MUTCD is the result of either years of practical experience, research, and/or the MUTCD experimentation process. This effort ensures that TCDs are visible, recognizable, understandable, and necessary. The MUTCD is a dynamic document that changes with time to address contemporary safety and operational issues.