# Presentation: 006470

## MUTCD Part 2F: Specific Service Signs

- Millennium Edition**Summary of Changes**

**Notes:**
Explanation:	This presentation will cover the significant changes to Chapter 2F of the MUTCD.

	These changes were adopted in the Federal Register dated December 18, 2000 and the effective date of the Federal Register is January 17, 2000.  States have 2 years from the effective date to adopt these changes.

## Renumbered Chapter

- Chapter 2G  Specific Service Signing

- Chapter 2F Specific Service Signs

- Yellow Text Denotes a Standard

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

**Notes:**
1988 MUTCD: Chapter 2G - Specific Service Signing

2000 MUTCD: Chapter 2F - Specific Service Signs

Explanation:	Due to the consolidation of Parts 2E and 2F of the 1988 MUTCD (for  Expressway and Freeway Guide Signs) into Chapter 2E, Specific Service (or Logo) Signs is moved from Part 2G in the 1988 MUTCD to Part 2F in the 2000 MUTCD.

## Terms Defined

- Inconsistent meanings for terms: sign, sign panel, and sign assembly

- Terms defined for consistency

- Yellow Text Denotes a Standard

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

**Notes:**
1988 MUTCD: Inconsistent use and meaning of terms “sign, “sign panel” and “sign assembly” 

2000 MUTCD: Consistent use and meaning of terms “sign, sign panel and“sign assembly

Explanation:	The terms “sign, sign panel and sign assembly” have been defined in Section 1A.13 so that when they are used, they have the same meaning.

## Title 6 Requirements

- Recommends     Services comply with Title VI              (Civil Rights Act of 1964)

- Requires Services comply with Title VI     (Civil Rights Act of 1964)

- Section 2G-5.7

- Section 2F.1

- Yellow Text Denotes a Standard

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

**Notes:**
1988 MUTCD: (GUIDANCE) Use of specific service signing should conform to the following guidelines:  Eligible service facilities shall comply with laws concerning the provisions of public accommodations with regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, or national origin, and laws concerning the licensing and approval of service facilities.
2000 MUTCD: (STANDARD) Eligible service facilities shall comply with laws concerning the provisions of public accommodations without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, or national origin, and laws concerning the licensing and approval of service facilities.

Explanation:	Including Title VI requirements concerning the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is consistent with the compliance requirements of other Federal programs

## New “Attraction” Category

- Not In MUTCD

- Add “Attractions” Service Category

- Yellow Text Denotes a Standard

- Section 2G-5.7

- Sections 2F.1 and 2F.2

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

**Notes:**
1988 MUTCD: Not in MUTCD
2000 MUTCD (STANDARD) Section 2F.1: The attraction services shall include only facilities which have the primary purpose of providing amusement, historical, cultural, or leisure activities to the public.
2000 MUTCD (STANDARD) Section 2F.2:  A Specific Service sign shall display the word message GAS, FOOD, LODGING, CAMPING, or ATTRACTION,...

Explanation:	Based on successful experimentations conducted using the ATTRACTIONS sign, this new category is added to the Specific Service signs.  In addition to the existing four service categories (GAS, FOOD, LODGING, and CAMPING), now ATTRACTION signs are included.  

Kentucky requested this change and studies were conducted in ten States including AL, CO, IA, MA, MO, NV, NY, OR, and PA under experimental requests II-227(Ex), II-232(Ex), 
	II-260(Ex), and Request II-264(C). 

## Specific Service Sign Eligibility

- Distance to eligible service addressed only services not available

- Eligibility distance also  addresses services which choose not to participate

- Yellow Text Denotes a Standard

- Section 2G-5.7

- Section 2F.1

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

**Notes:**
1988 MUTCD:  (OPTION) If within a (3 mile) limit, services of the type being considered are not available, the limit of eligibility may be extended in (3 mile) increments until one or more services of the type being considered, or 15 miles, whichever comes first, are reached.
2000 MUTCD.  (OPTION) If within a 5 km (3 mile) limit, facilities for the services being considered are not available, or choose not to participate in the program, the limit of eligibility may be extended in 5 km (3 mile) increments until one or more facilities for the services being considered chooses to participate or until 25 km (15 mi) is reached, whichever comes first.
Explanation:	Based on docket comments received from 6 logo organizations, FHWA has modified this sentence to allow States flexibility to extend the distance criteria for selecting specific service businesses to address those facilities which choose not to participate in the program.

## Specific Service Sign Eligibility 

- Not In MUTCD

-  Added Criteria for Alternative Fuel and FOOD services

- Yellow Text Denotes a Standard

- Section 2G-5.7

- Section 2F.1

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

**Notes:**
1988 MUTCD: Not In MUTCD

2000 MUTCD:  (GUIDANCE, Section 2F.1 :  To qualify for a GAS sign, a business should have: Vehicle services including gas and/or alternative fuels, oil, and water;...
	To qualify for a FOOD sign, a business should have:  Continuous operations to serve three meals per day, at least 6 days per week;...

## Logos and Logo Panels 

- Not In MUTCD

- Additional messages may be installed at bottom of GAS and FOOD logo panels

- Yellow Text Denotes a Standard

- Section 2G-5.7

- Section 2F.3

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

**Notes:**
1988 MUTCD: Not In MUTCD

2000 MUTCD: (OPTION), Section 2F.3 :  A portion at the bottom of a GAS logo panel may be used to display the legends for alternative fuels (see Section 2E.51) available at the facility.  A portion at the bottom of a FOOD logo panel may be used to display a day of the week when the facility is closed 	
Explanation:	An OPTION to install the alternative fuel legend at the bottom of the GAS logo panel is provided.  Also the word CLOSED and the day of the week may be installed at the bottom of the FOOD logo panel.  

## Number of Service Categories Displayed on the Same Sign

- Logos for 2 service categories may be displayed on the same sign

- No more than 3  service categories shall be displayed on the same sign

- Yellow Text Denotes a Standard

- Section 2G-5.5

- Section 2F.2

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

**Notes:**
1988 MUTCD:  In remote rural areas...logos for 2 types of services may be displayed on the same sign.

2000 MUTCD:  No more than 3 types of services shall be represented on any sign or sign assembly.  If 3 types of services are shown on the same sign, then the logo panels shall be limited to 2 for each service (for a total of 6 logo panels).

Explanation:	Based on docket comments from logo organizations, FHWA is allowing a maximum of 3 service categories to be displayed on a single Specific Service sign (example: GAS, FOOD, ATTRACTIONS).  If 3 service categories are used, then the logo panels are limited to 2 for each service (for a total of 6 logo panels). 
	Since service signs may be combined on one sign, FHWA has also deleted the requirement for separate signs for each service category. FHWA has also deleted the urban vs. rural distinction.  The same provisions apply in both cases.

## Maximum Number of Logo Panels

- 6 for GAS
-  4 for Other Categories

- 6 for Any  Category
- 4 and 2 for Combination Category Sign

- Yellow Text Denotes a Standard

- Section 2G-5.5

- Section 2F.4

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

**Notes:**
1988 MUTCD:  (GUIDANCE) The GAS specific service signs should be limited to six logos and the FOOD, LODGING, and CAMPING specific service signs should be limited to four logos each.
2000 MUTCD:  (STANDARD)  Each specific service sign or sign assembly shall be limited to no more than six logo panels.  There shall be no more than four logo panels for one of the two service types on the same sign or sign assembly. 

Explanation:	The 1988 MUTCD allowed a maximum of 6 GAS logo panels and 4 logo panels for the other categories.  With the growth in demand for Specific Service signs and the variance in business availability in different locations, the 2000 MUTCD now provides for a maximum of 6 logo panels regardless of service category.  If 2 service categories are combined on the same sign, then the maximum shall be 4 logo panels for one service and 2 for the other. (See Figure 2F-1 for graphic example)

## Maximum Logo Panel Size

- Based on Table II-4

- Table deleted
- Fwy & Expwy size is 60” x 36”
- Conv. Roads & Ramps  is 24” x 18”

- Yellow Text Denotes a Standard

- Section 2G-5.3

- Section 2F.4

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

**Notes:**
1988 MUTCD: (STANDARD) Table II-4 in section 2G-5.3, sizes are determined by class of highway and by type of service. 
2000 MUTCD: (STANDARD) A logo panel on signs for freeways and expressways shall not exceed 1500 mm (60 in) in width and 900 mm (36 in) in height.  A logo panel on signs for conventional roads and ramps shall not exceed 600 mm (24 in) in width and 450 mm (18 in) in height.

Explanation:  Table deleted in the 2000 MUTCD.  Section 2F.4 lists one size for specific service signs used on Freeways and Expressways and a smaller size for specific service signs used on conventional roads and ramps.  This simplifies the design dimensions.

## Minimum Letter Sizes

- Based on Table II-5

- Fwy and Expwy - Min. 250 mm (10”)
- Conventional Rds. & Ramps -         Min. 150 mm (6”)

- Yellow Text Denotes a Standard

- Section 2G-5.4

- Section 2F.5

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

**Notes:**
1988 MUTCD: (STANDARD) All letters and numerals on specific service signs, other than on the logos, shall conform to the sizes specified in Table II-5. 
2000 MUTCD: (STANDARD) All letters and numerals on specific service signs, except on the logo panels, shall be a minimum height of 250 mm (10 in) for signs on freeways and  expressways,  and 150 mm (6 in) for signs on conventional roads and ramps. 

Explanation:	Table II-5 is deleted in the 2000 MUTCD. Instead of determining letter sizes based on so many factors such as whether it is an action message or whether it is used on a Category 1 expressway intersection, FHWA has simplified the design dimensions to require a minimum of 10 letter size for signs on freeways and expressways and a minimum of 6 inches for signs on conventional roads and ramps.  
A 10 year phase in compliance period after the effective date of this final rule is provided to minimize any impact on State and local highway agencies.  The effective date of this final rule applies to all new sign installations.

## Ramp Sign Spacing for Specific Service Signs

- Not In MUTCD

- Should be spaced 30 m (100 ft) from exit gore sign, from each other, and from ramp terminal

- Yellow Text Denotes a Standard

- Section 2G-5.7

- Section 2F.6

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

**Notes:**
1988 MUTCD: Not In MUTCD

2000 MUTCD: (GUIDANCE) Specific service ramp signs should be spaced at least 30 m (100 ft) from the exit gore sign, from each other, and from the ramp terminal.

Explanation:	Based on survey conducted by the NCUTCD on the practices of 18 State highway agencies, this GUIDANCE is added to provide appropriate spacing layout for Specific Service signs on ramps.  The spacing should be 100 feet from the exit gore sign, 100 feet between each ramp sign, and 100 feet from the ramp terminal.  This spacing takes into consideration the road user’s ability to read and comprehend the messages without the signs being too closely spaced.

## Exit Numbers Options

-  Not in the MUTCD

- Option to use Exit Number plaque (E1-5) on top of sign assembly

- Yellow Text Denotes a Standard

- Section 2G-5.5

- Section 2F.7

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

**Notes:**
1988 MUTCD: Not in MUTCD
2000 MUTCD:  (OPTION),	Section 2F.7 : An exit number plaque as discussed in Section 2E.28 may be used instead of the exit number on the signs located in advance of an interchange. 
Explanation:  Instead of placing the exit number within the Specific Service sign assembly, the exit number plaque may be installed on the top of the sign assembly.  (See Figure 2E-13 and 2E-34 for example graphics)
	This provides State and local highway agencies more flexibility when designing these signs.

## Visibility of Facilities

- Logos should not be displayed for facilities visible from 300 ft of intersection

- No specific distance given

- Yellow Text Denotes a Standard

- Section 2G-5.6

- Section 2F.9

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

**Notes:**
1988 MUTCD: (GUIDANCE) Logos should not be displayed for a type of service for which a qualified facility is visible from a point on the traveled way 300 feet from the intersection.
2000 MUTCD: (GUIDANCE) Logos should not be displayed for a type of service for which a qualified facility is readily visible.

Explanation:	Logos should not be displayed for a type of service for which a qualified facility is readily visible.  The distance of 300 feet referenced in the 1988 MUTCD is deleted. 
	This gives State and local highway agencies more flexibility to determine acceptable visibility limits for the logo sign.