How to Join the National Committee
The purpose of the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (NCUTCD) is to assist in the development of standards, guides and warrants for traffic control devices. The NCUTCD’s primary work is to develop and recommend proposed changes to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).
Membership in the NCUTCD consists of Members, Associate Members and Technical Members. Members and Associate Members are appointed by the Sponsoring Organizations and are eligible to serve as voting members of the Council, to hold various NCUTCD offices and to serve as voting members of individual Technical committees.
The bulk of the work of the NCUTCD takes place in the following Technical Committees:
- Regulatory and Warning Signs
- Guide and Motorist Information Signs
- Markings
- Signals
- Railroad and Light Rail Transit
- Temporary Traffic Control
- Bicycle
Technical Members are individuals who have a particular interest and/or expertise in the work of one or more of the Technical Committees and who are willing and able to contribute to the work of that Technical Committee.
A Technical Member is expected to serve actively on a Technical Committee as described below.
- Attend the meetings of the NCUTCD. The Committee holds two three-day meetings each year normally beginning on Wednesday and concluding on Friday. The Annual Meeting is usually held in the Washington, DC area in January near the time of the Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting. The location of the Midyear Meeting rotates around the United States and is held in conjunction with the AASHTO Traffic Engineering Subcommittee meeting. This is usually in June. At a minimum, a Technical Member should attend at least one meeting per year.
- Serve on and participate actively in Technical Committee Task Forces.
- Actively correspond by mail, phone, fax or e-mail between NCUTCD meetings.
A person who has an interest in the work of the NCUTCD and who has the expertise and experience to contribute to the work of one or more of the Technical Committees may apply to become a Technical Member. Generally, an applicant should have a clear understanding of the NCUTCD, have attended at least one meeting and have discussed with one or more Technical Committee Chair(s) how he or she can contribute to the work of the Technical Committee. He or she should be willing and able to attend the Annual and Midyear Meetings and have the support to his or her employer for such participation.
A person desiring to become a Technical Member shall submit an application to the NCUTCD Executive Secretary at secretary@ncutcd.org indicating his/her preference for assignment to a Technical Committee (1st choice, 2nd choice, etc.) as well as his/her qualifications to contribute to the work of the committee(s).
The Executive Secretary will then determine if the committee(s) applied for has openings for additional members and forward the application to the appropriate Technical Committee chair. If the application is approved by the Technical Committee Chair, it will be considered at the next meeting of the Executive Board. If approved by the Executive Board, the person will then be a member of the Technical Committee and be eligible to vote at the next meeting of the Technical Committee.
A consistent failure to attend meetings and to participate in Technical Committee activities shall be considered a demonstration of lack of interest. Generally, when a Technical Member is absent from three consecutive meetings or consistently refuses to participate in Technical Committee business, the Executive Board may, with the recommendation of the Technical Committee Chair, terminate his/her membership.