Ohio traffic control plan requirements
Ohio adopts the federal MUTCD as amended by the OMUTCD. Taper length, channelizing device spacing and advance warning sign placement come from Part 6; individual cities layer their own submittal checklists on top.
What governs in Ohio
OMUTCDOhio adopts the federal MUTCD as amended by the OMUTCD.
Effective January 16, 2026.
- As of the January 16, 2026 publication the OMUTCD is the Ohio Supplement read together with the federal MUTCD, not a standalone state manual. Anything the Supplement does not restate stays federal.
- The Supplement modifies only eight Part 6 sections: 6A.03, 6B.01, 6B.08, 6G.04, 6G.06, 6G.08, 6H.38 and 6O.02. Tables 6B-1, 6B-2 and 6B-4 are unchanged.
Where Ohio differs from the federal MUTCD
A plan drawn to the federal number is not automatically right here.
| Item | Federal MUTCD | OMUTCD |
|---|---|---|
| Shifting taper | At least 0.5 L at every speed | At least 1 L at 50 mph and above; 0.5 L permitted belowOhio Supplement to the MUTCD 11th Ed, Table 6B-3; MUTCD 11th Ed, Table 6B-4 |
Taper length for Ohio work zones
Enter the posted speed and the width of the lateral offset. The base length L comes from MUTCD 11th Edition Table 6B-4, with the taper-type criterion from Table 6B-3. Ohio modifies this — check the differences above before you draft.
Posted speed limit, off-peak 85th-percentile speed prior to work starting, or anticipated operating speed.
How far traffic is moved sideways — usually the width of the closed lane.
Merging taper length
245ft
L = W × S² ÷ 60 = 12 × 35² ÷ 60 = 245.0 ft
Ohio Supplement to the MUTCD 11th Ed, Table 6B-3; MUTCD 11th Ed, Table 6B-4 — at least L
Plan view
8 devices at 35 ftLength is to scale; the lateral offset is exaggerated so the taper is legible.
All taper types at these conditions
Ohio Supplement to the MUTCD 11th Ed, Table 6B-3; MUTCD 11th Ed, Table 6B-4Merging taper
at least L
245 ft
Shifting taper
at least L; 0.5 L permitted below 50 mph
125 ft
Shoulder taper
at least 0.33 L
85 ft
One-lane, two-way traffic taper
50 ft min, 100 ft max
50 ft
Downstream taper
50 ft min, 100 ft max
50 ft
Channelizing devices
MUTCD 11th Ed, Section 6K.01Maximum spacing in this taper
1 × 35 mph
35 ft
Devices required
One at each end, evenly spaced between
8