Are the figures, tables, and illustrations in the MUTCD standards, guidance, options, or do they have no particular status?
There is no single answer to this. As stated at the bottom of page I-1 in the Introduction of the MUTCD: “Figures, tables, and illustrations supplement the text and might constitute a Standard, Guidance, Option, or Support. The user needs to refer to the appropriate text to classify the nature of the figure, table, or illustration.” For example, the text may state that a sign shall be located as shown in Figure X-XX. The portion of that figure that is referred to in the text as being a “shall” condition would thus be a Standard, even though other portions of the figure may illustrate other things that are not Standards.
There is no single answer to this. As stated in paragraph 11 of the Introduction of the MUTCD: “Figures and tables, including the notes contained therein, supplement the text and might constitute a Standard, Guidance, Option, or Support. The user needs to refer to the appropriate text to classify the nature of the figure, table, or note contained therein.” For example, the text may state that a sign shall be located as shown in Figure X-XX. The portion of that figure that is referred to in the text as being a “shall” condition would thus be a Standard, even though other portions of the figure may illustrate other things that are not Standards.
