office of traffic, safety, and operations application guidelines warning signs signing plan design...

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Application Application Guidelines Warning Guidelines Warning

SignsSigns

Signing Plan Design (At-Grade)June 20, 2012

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Application Guidelines – Warning Signs 2

Function of Warning SignsFunction of Warning Signs

MN MUTCD 2C.1– Call attention to unexpected

conditions or situations not readily apparent to road users

– Alert road users to conditions that might call for a reduction in speed or an action in the interest of safe and efficient operation

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Placement of Warning SignsPlacement of Warning Signs

MN MUTCD 2C.5– The time needed to complete a

reaction to a sign is the sum of time for:• Perception• Identification (understanding)• Emotion (decision-making)• Volition (execution)

– Table 2C-4 (TEM Chart 6.5) lists suggested sign placement

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MN MUTCD Table 2C-4 TEM Chart 6.5

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MN MUTCD 2C.5– Distances in Table 2C-4 are for

guidance and should be applied with engineering judgment

– Signs should not be placed too far in advance of the condition, such that drivers will forget, especially in urban areas

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6-6.03 Advance Warning 6-6.03 Advance Warning Signs on Local Road Signs on Local Road ApproachesApproaches STOP AHEAD YIELD AHEAD SIGNAL AHEAD

– Place using Chart 6.5

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6-6.03 Advance Warning 6-6.03 Advance Warning Signs on Local Road Signs on Local Road ApproachesApproaches

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– The Chevron Alignment sign is a warning sign and, as with all warning signs, should be used sparingly, as excessive use will reduce its effectiveness.

– Generally, this sign should be used only on 6 degree curves or greater. Curves of less than 6 degrees would be marked by standard delineation as covered in Chapter 7 (not covered in this class)

6-6.07 Chevron Alignment 6-6.07 Chevron Alignment SignsSigns

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– Spacing is based on speed, grade, super elevation, visibility, and vertical alignment• See Chart 6.6

– Classification of the road governs sign size• trunk highways – 18” x 24”

– 24” x 30” may be used based on engineering judgment

• Expressways – 30” x 36”

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6-6.09 Crossing Signs6-6.09 Crossing Signs

– Non-vehicular (ped, trail, deer) and vehicular (snowmobile) crossing signs should only be used at locations • where the condition, crossing activity, or

shared use of the roadway is unexpected• Where a sight restriction exists• Where a geometric constraint exists

– Crossing signs shall be placed in accordance with the MN MUTCD Table 2C-4 (Chart 6.5)

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Non-Vehicular Signs– Pedestrian Crossing Signs

• Typical Applications– Isolated intersections with heavy ped volumes– Ped crossings where approach visibility is poor– Mid-block crossings

• Special treatment not usually required at normal intersections within municipalities or rural ints.

– In urban areas, the distance for the sign may be less where lateral clearnace is limited or where inadequate spacing exists

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In-Street Ped Crossing Signs

– Used to remind road users of the state law that requires a vehicle to stop and yield the right of way to a ped crossing the roadway with a marked or unmarked crosswalk

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6-6.09 Crossing Signs6-6.09 Crossing Signs In-Street Ped Crossing Signs

– Guidelines for use on state highways

a. Shall be permitted thru MnDOT district officesb. Shall be used speed zones of 35 mph or lessc. Only one sign structure shall be used per approach near marked

crosswalksd. Shall not be used at intersections controlled by traffic signals or on

approaches controlled by STOP signse. Should only be used at key locations (high volume)f. Shall only be used as an in-street sign (not on the shoulder or parking

lane). Shall not impede or obstruct through or turning traffic movementsg. When sign is used at a school crossing, it shall include a SCHOOL plaqueh. The STOP FOR legend shall be used as Minnesota state law and

specifically requires a driver to stop for a ped in the crosswalki. Shall have a black legend and border on white and fluor. Yellow-green

background and have dimensios shown on standard sign R1-6bj. Shall have the same message on both sides or a reflective stip mounted

on the backside which is the same color as the lane line on which it is mounted. Back-to-back signs should only be used on two-lane, two-way roadways (see MN MUTCD Figure 2B-2).

k. Shall meet the crashworthiness requirements of NCHRP Report 350l. Max mounting height shall be two feet to bottom or sign panel.m. May be used seasonally to prevent damage in winter due to plowing ops,

and may be removed at night if activity is minimal

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In-Street Ped Crossing Signs– MN MUTCD Figure 2B-2

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Trail Crossing Signs

– Should only be installed for officially designated trails which cross the highway and are not continuously visible for a distance of 850 feet from the crossing

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6-6.12 No Passing Zones6-6.12 No Passing Zones

No Passing Zone Signs– Size – 48” x 60” x 60”

Terminal Marker Posts– A yellow post may be used to mark each

terminal end of a No Passing Zone– A yellow, 360° visibility enhancer shall

be mounted on the top of each marker post

– A 3.5” x 2” sticker stating “MnDOT No Passing Zone Terminal Marker” shall be installed near the top of each enhancer

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6-6.16 Speed Reduction 6-6.16 Speed Reduction SignSign

– 48” x 48”– Shall be used if the reduction in speed limit

between zones is 15 mph or greater• For difference in zones of 10 mph or less, use

engineering judgment

– Shall be installed 1000’ in advance of first speed limit sign

• May be installed up to 1700’ in advance due to geometrics, grade, or sign clutter

– A two-line distance plaque may be used – In-place speed reduction signs shall be

replaced through attrition

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Typical SigningTypical Signing

6-6.18 Typical Signing for Transitions between Divided Highway Section and Two-Lane, Two-Way Section– Figure 6.23

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6-6.06 Channelized Intersections– Figure 6.20A – Raised Median– Figure 6.20B – Painted Median

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