MUTCD Part 10: Tolling, ITS, and Connected Vehicles — Reference Guide
MUTCD “Part 10” — Toll, ITS, and Connected/Automated Vehicle Provisions: Where to Find Them in the 11th Edition
Important note: The MUTCD 11th Edition does not have a Part 10. The manual contains 9 Parts (Parts 1 through 9) plus Appendices. If you are looking for provisions related to tolling, Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), or connected/automated vehicles, this guide explains where to find that content within the 11th Edition’s structure.
Why There Is No Part 10
Some practitioners expected the 11th Edition to include a new Part 10 for emerging technologies, tolling, and ITS topics. However, the FHWA chose a different organizational approach. Rather than creating a separate Part, the relevant content was distributed across existing Parts where it is most naturally applied, and a new Part 5 was created specifically for automated vehicle considerations. The 11th Edition structure is:
- Part 1 — General
- Part 2 — Signs
- Part 3 — Markings
- Part 4 — Highway Traffic Signals
- Part 5 — Traffic Control Device Considerations for Automated Vehicles (NEW)
- Part 6 — Temporary Traffic Control
- Part 7 — Traffic Control for School Areas
- Part 8 — Traffic Control for Railroad and Light Rail Transit Grade Crossings
- Part 9 — Traffic Control for Bicycle Facilities
- Appendices A1 and A2
Toll Road and Toll Facility Provisions
Toll road signing is covered in Part 2, Chapter 2F — Toll Road Signs. This chapter addresses:
- Toll plaza advance signs: Standards for signing in advance of toll plazas, including lane assignments for cash, electronic toll collection (ETC), and mixed-use lanes.
- ETC lane signs: Signs specific to electronic toll collection lanes (E-ZPass, SunPass, etc.), including the use of purple as the standard color for ETC facilities.
- Toll rate signs: Standards for displaying toll rates, including variable toll rate displays for managed facilities.
- Express/managed toll lanes: Signing for dynamically priced facilities and express toll lanes, coordinated with Chapter 2G (Managed Lanes).
- Open road tolling: Provisions for overhead gantry-based tolling without traditional toll plazas.
The PDF for Chapter 2F is available at mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/pdfs/11th_Edition/Chapter2f.pdf.
Managed Lane and Preferential Lane Provisions
Managed lanes, HOV lanes, and express lanes are covered in Part 2, Chapter 2G — Preferential and Managed Lane Signs. This chapter addresses:
- HOV lane signs: Regulatory and guide signs for high-occupancy vehicle lanes.
- Managed lane signs: Signs for dynamically managed lanes where access requirements or pricing change based on conditions.
- Express lane signs: Signing for express toll lane facilities.
- Bus-only lane signs: Regulatory signs for dedicated transit lanes.
- Overhead lane-use signs: Signs used on overhead gantries to control access to managed lanes.
The PDF for Chapter 2G is available at mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/pdfs/11th_Edition/Chapter2g.pdf.
Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Provisions
ITS-related traffic control devices are covered in multiple locations throughout the 11th Edition:
- Changeable Message Signs (CMS/DMS): Chapter 2L covers Dynamic/Changeable Message Signs, including standards for message design, display time, readability, and content restrictions.
- Lane-Use Control Signals: Chapter 4K covers overhead lane-use control signals (green arrow, red X, yellow X) used for reversible lanes and dynamic lane management.
- Ramp Metering: Chapter 4G covers traffic signals for freeway ramp metering.
- Speed Feedback Signs: Provisions for radar speed feedback signs are addressed in Part 2.
- Variable Speed Limit Signs: Standards for regulatory variable speed limit displays are in Chapter 2B.
Connected and Automated Vehicle (CAV) Provisions
Connected and automated vehicle considerations are the focus of the new Part 5 — Traffic Control Device Considerations for Automated Vehicles. This Part:
- Establishes a framework for ensuring traffic control devices support both human and machine perception.
- Reinforces that MUTCD-compliant devices inherently support automated vehicle operations through standardization and proper maintenance.
- Addresses the importance of retroreflectivity, consistent sign placement, and uniform marking patterns for machine readability.
- Acknowledges that additional standards will be developed as CAV technology matures.
For a complete guide to Part 5, see our Part 5: Automated Vehicles Reference Guide.
Key Changes in the 11th Edition for These Topics
- Purple standardized for tolling: Purple is established as the standard color for ETC and managed lane applications in signing and pavement markings.
- Managed lane signing expanded: Chapter 2G provides more comprehensive signing guidance for the growing number of managed lane facilities nationwide.
- CMS/DMS standards modernized: Chapter 2L reflects current practices for dynamic messaging technology, including full-color and full-matrix displays.
- Automated vehicles addressed for the first time: Part 5 is entirely new, marking the MUTCD’s first formal recognition of the automated vehicle landscape.
- Variable speed limits formalized: Provisions for regulatory variable speed limit signs are more clearly defined.
Quick Reference: Where to Find It
| Topic | Location in 11th Edition |
|---|---|
| Toll road signs | Part 2, Chapter 2F |
| Electronic toll collection signs | Part 2, Chapter 2F |
| HOV / managed lane signs | Part 2, Chapter 2G |
| Changeable message signs (DMS/CMS) | Part 2, Chapter 2L |
| Lane-use control signals | Part 4, Chapter 4K |
| Ramp metering signals | Part 4, Chapter 4G |
| Variable speed limit signs | Part 2, Chapter 2B |
| Speed feedback signs | Part 2 |
| Automated vehicle considerations | Part 5 |
| Connected vehicle infrastructure | Part 5 |
| Purple color for tolling | Part 2, Chapter 2A (color standards) and Chapter 2F |
Related Resources on mutcd.info
- Part 2: Signs — Complete Reference Guide
- Part 4: Highway Traffic Signals — Reference Guide
- Part 5: Automated Vehicles — Reference Guide
- MUTCD 11th Edition: Complete Overview of Changes
- Changeable Message Sign Standards
For the complete text of the MUTCD, visit the official FHWA MUTCD at mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov. The 11th Edition with Revision 1 (December 2025) is the current official edition.