# Presentation: 837865

## Chapter 2H:  Recreational

- and Cultural Interest Signs

- Millennium Edition**Summary of Changes**

**Notes:**
Chapter 2H contains standards for the design, application, and placement of recreational and cultural interest signs.

The following presentation is a summary of Final Rule changes to Chapter 2H of the MUTCD.  These changes were published in the Federal Register dated December 18, 2000.

## Forest Service Symbol Signs

- ‘88 Forest Service Symbol Signs

- Modification & addition of Forest Service Symbol Signs

- Yellow Text Denotes a Standard

_**1988 MUTCD**__**	**__**	**_**    **_**2000 MUTCD**_

**Notes:**
Explanation:	Based on a Memorandum of Understanding between the Federal Highway Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, the 1988 edition of the MUTCD adopted many of the symbols used by the Forest Service.  These symbols were referred to as the “88 Forest Service Symbol Signs.”

In 1997, the Forest Service submitted a request to modify some and add other recreational and cultural interest area symbols to the current group of signs contained in the MUTCD and Standard Highway Signs (SHS) Book.

Diagrams of these signs are shown in the final text, which is available from the FHWA, Office of Transportation Operations.

Signs modified to improve visibility and make the sign design less complex:  Litter Container, Ranger Station, Picnic Area, Laundry, Sleeping Shelter, and Interpretative Trail.

Signs added:  Motor Home, Group Picnicing, Group Camping, Dog, Seaplane, Family Restroom, Helicopter, All-Terrain Vehicle, Archer,Hang Glider, Fishing Pier, Hand Launch for Boating, Kayak, Wind Surf, and Chairlift for Skiing.

## Expanded Utilization

-   Only Winter and
-      Marine signs on
-      expressway & free-
-      way guide signs.

- Option of using any recreation & cultural interest symbol on expressway & freeway directional guide signs.
- 	2H.01, Option

_**1988 MUTCD**__**	**__**	**_**    **_**2000 MUTCD**_

- Yellow Text Denotes a Standard

**Notes:**
Explanation:  The 1988 MUTCD only allowed the Winter and Marine recreation and cultural interest signs for use on expressway and freeway guide signs.

	The FHWA proposes to expand the use of recreation and 	cultural interest signs to provide the OPTION of using any 	of  these symbols on directional guide signs found on 		expressways and freeways.

## Category Chart

- Use of Table II-6 for application of forest service symbols on conventional roads.

- Table 2H-1, Category Chart
- 	2H.03, Support

_**1988 MUTCD**__**	**__**	**_**    **_**2000 MUTCD**_

- Yellow Text Denotes a Standard

**Notes:**
Explanation:  The 1988 MUTCD had Table II-6, on page 2H-4; which discussed when the forest service symbols are appropriate for use on the Type 1 and 2 conventional roads.

	The FHWA’s expanded the use of recreation and cultural 	interest signs to include not just conventional roads but to 	allow unrestricted use on expressways and freeways as 	well.  Therefore, FHWA modified Table II-6, to include 	categories only. The road/type usage information has 	been removed since it is no longer applicable.

## Table 11-7

- Use of Table 11-7 for application of sign by road type

- Not included

_**1988 MUTCD**__**	**__**	**_**    **_**2000 MUTCD**_

- Yellow Text Denotes a Standard

**Notes:**
Explanation: The FHWA expanded the use of recreational and cultural interest signs to include not just conventional roads, but to allow unrestricted use on expressways & freeways as well. Therefore, FHWA deleted  Table 11-7 since it is no longer applicable. 

## Educational Plaques

- Does not clearly specify that the educational plaque should be the same width as the symbol sign.

- Educational plaque should be the same width as the symbol sign.
- 	2H.06, Guidance

_**1988 MUTCD**__**	**__**	**_**    **_**2000 MUTCD**_

- Yellow Text Denotes a Standard

**Notes:**
Explanation:  The width of educational plaques used with Recreational & Cultural interest signs should be equal to the width of the symbol sign.  This simplifies manufacturer specifications & sign installation procedures. 

## Mounting Height

- Contained in Part 11-A. Reduced by 1 foot where parked vehicles, vegetation, etc. do not block the sign face.

- Contained in Chapter 2A -- 2.1m (7’) in urban areas; 1.5 (5’) in rural areas
- 	2H.08, Standard

_**1988 MUTCD**__**	**__**	**_**    **_**2000 MUTCD**_

- Yellow Text Denotes a Standard

**Notes:**
Explanation: Chapter 2A require all signs within the clear zone to be mounted at 2.1 (7ft) in urban areas, and at 1.5m (5ft) in rural areas.

## Category Description

- Section 2H.10 through 2H.15 gave general description of all categories

- Not included

_**1988 MUTCD**__**	**__**	**_**    **_**2000 MUTCD**_

- Yellow Text Denotes a Standard

**Notes:**
Explanation:  The FHWA deleted these sections in the Final Rule since the category titles are self-explanatory and the categories are shown in 2H.04 and Table 2H-1 lists all the symbols within each category.