# Presentation: 170383

## 2003 MUTCDChapter 2D Guide  Signs  

**Notes:**
Part 2D  Changes #92-111

## 2D.03 Color, Retroreflection, and Illumination

** ****Add SUPPORT for color coding to help road users distinguish between multiple potentially confusing destinations**
**Add STANDARD prohibiting the use of different color sign backgrounds (Only color panels on Green background)**

**Notes:**
In Section 2D.03  Color, Retroreflection, and Illumination, the FHWA makes revisions to provide for enhanced uniformity of design and application of color-coding of destinations in guide signs.  The FHWA adds a SUPPORT statement that color coding is sometimes used to help road users distinguish between multiple potentially confusing destinations.  The SUPPPORT statement gives examples of valuable uses of color coding including guide signs for roadways approaching or inside an airport property with multiple terminals serving multiple airlines, and wayfinding signs for various traffic generator destinations within a community or area. 
The FHWA adds a STANDARD statement that prohibits the use of different color sign backgrounds to provide color-coding of destinations and requires that the color-coding shall be accomplished by the use of different colored square or rectangular panels on the face of the guide signs. 
The FHWA also adds an OPTION statement, which states that the different colored panels may include a black or white (whichever provides the better contrast with the panel color) letter, numeral, or other appropriate designation to identify the airport terminal or other destination.  

## 2D.04 Size of Signs

- OPTION that if the sign size is limited by factors such as lane width, or vertical and lateral clearance, the following may be reduced:
- Letter height,
- Interline spacing,
- and edge spacing
- GUIDANCE  to prohibit the use of reduced spacing between the letters or words

**Notes:**
In Section 2D.04  Size of Signs, the FHWA rephrases the first OPTION statement to clarify that reduced letter height, reduced interline spacing, and reduced edge spacing may be used on guide signs if the sign size is limited by factors such as lane width, and vertical and lateral clearance. 
The FHWA adds a STANDARD statement that prohibits the use of reduced spacing between the letters or words of the legend as a means of reducing the overall size of a guide sign, to provide for enhanced legibility of guide signs, especially for older road users.

## 2D.05 Lettering Style

- STANDARD:  Names and destinations for conventional roads shall be either CAPITAL letters or COMBINATION UPPER/LOWER case letters.

**Notes:**
94.  In Section 2D.05  Lettering Style, the FHWA revises of the STANDARD to specify that the lettering for place names and destinations for conventional road guide signs shall be in capital letters or combination lower-case letters with initial upper-case letters and that all other lettering for conventional road guide signs shall be in capital lettering.   

## 2D.06 Size of Lettering

- Remove last paragraph in the STANDARD  which required sign panels to be large enough to accommodate the legend without crowding.  That information has been modified and included in Section 2D.04, where it is more appropriately located.

**Notes:**
95.  In Section 2D.06  Size of Lettering, the FHWA removes the last paragraph in the STANDARD statement (from the 2000 MUTCD), which required sign panels to be large enough to accommodate the legend without crowding.  The FHWA modifies that information and includes it in Section 2D.04  Size of Signs, where it is more appropriately located.  

## 2D.08 Arrows

- Down arrows shall only be used on overhead guide signs that restrict use of specific lanes
- Edit Figures 2E-35, 2E-36, and 2E-37

**Notes:**
96.  In Section 2D.08  Arrows, the FHWA received one comment from a private citizen stating that the STANDARD statement indicating that down arrows shall be used only on overhead guide signs that restrict use of specific lanes to traffic bound for the destination(s) and/or route(s) indicated by the arrows, is in conflict with the optional signs that have down arrows in Figures 2E-35, 2E-36, and 2E-37.  The FHWA agrees that some of the optional signs depicted in Figures 2E-35, 2E-36, and 2E-37 are in error.  The FHWA revises Figures 2E-35, 2E-36, and 2E-37 by removing the optional signs as appropriate.

## 2D.11 Design of Route Signs

- Remove reference to publication “A Proposal for Uniform County Route Marker Program on a National Scale” as the publication is no longer available.

**Notes:**
97.  In Section 2D.11  Design of Route Signs, the FHWA revises the STANDARD statement by removing the reference to the publication “A Proposal for Uniform County Route Marker Program on a National Scale” for design and use of County road identification signs because this publication is no longer available from the National Association of Counties or any other source.  However, because the pertinent requirements of that document are still valid, the FHWA incorporates applicable text from that document into the STANDARD statement.  No new requirements are imposed by this change, because the previously referenced document had been incorporated by reference into the 2000 MUTCD as well as previous editions.

## 2D.17 ALTERNATE Auxiliary Signs

- The shorter (time or distance) or better-constructed route should retain the regular route number.

**Notes:**
98.  In Section 2D.17  ALTERNATE Auxiliary Signs (M4-1, M4-1a), the FHWA adds the qualifiers of time or distance to the word “shorter” in the GUIDANCE statement.  This addition clarifies that the shorter (time or distance) or better-constructed route should retain the regular route number.  

## 2D.23 TEMPORARY Auxiliary Sign

- Add new TEMP (M4-7a) sign

**Notes:**
99.  In Section 2D.23  TEMPORARY Auxiliary Signs (M4-7, M4-7a), the FHWA changes the title to reflect the addition of the new TEMP (M4-7a) sign number.  This abbreviated version of the word message TEMPORARY (M4-7) is added to the MUTCD.  Either sign may be used for an  interim period to designate a section of highway that is not planned as a permanent part of a numbered route, but that connects completed portions of that route.

## 2D.26 Directional Arrow Auxiliary Signs

-  Delete M6-8 and M6-9 multiple direction advance arrow auxiliary signs

**Notes:**
100.  In Section 2D.26  Directional Arrow Auxiliary Signs (M6 Series), the FHWA removes the M6-8 and M6-9 multiple direction advance arrow auxiliary signs.  These specific arrow signs are not consistent in design concept with the other Directional Arrow Auxiliary Signs.  The M6-6 and M6-4 signs or separate assemblies for each route direction should be used instead to provide enhanced clarity to road users.  

## 2D.27 Route Sign Assemblies

**Notes:**
In Section 2D.27  Route Sign Assemblies, the FHWA renumbers Figure 2D-2 of the 2000 MUTCD to Figure 2D-6 and modifies all three sheets of the figure to make the sign assemblies illustrated in the figure consistent with requirements in Section 2D.15  Cardinal Direction Auxiliary Signs (M3-1 through M3-4) regarding the size of the initial letter of the Cardinal Direction Auxiliary Signs, and to illustrate directional assemblies that reflect the most recent practice. 
The FHWA revises the numbers of the US routes on all three sheets to conform to the convention of odd numbers for north-south routes and even numbers for east-west routes.  The FHWA also revises the numbers for all the State routes on these three sheets, even though not all States adopt the US route numbering convention for their State routes.

## 2D.31 Confirming or Reassurance Assemblies

**2D.31 Confirming or Reassurance Assemblies**

- A Confirming Assembly should be installed just beyond intersections of numbered routes.

**Notes:**
102.  In Section 2D.31  Confirming or Reassurance Assemblies, the FHWA  recommends that a Confirming assembly should be installed just beyond intersections of numbered routes.
The FHWA also adds a SUPPORT statement that another word for Confirming and Reassurance Assemblies is Directional Assemblies.
These changes are adopted because use of the Confirming assembly beyond intersections with numbered routes should be a recommended practice rather than completely optional.  Confirming assemblies are an important safety and operational feature that lets the road user know that he/she is on the correct route just beyond the decision point.  The Confirming assembly provides highly desirable information to road users.  

## 2D.34 Destination Signs

**2D.34 Destination Signs**

- Add the sign number designations
- Unless a sloping arrow will convey a clearer indication of the direction to be followed, the directional arrows should be horizontal or vertical.

**Notes:**
103.  In Section 2D.34  Destination Signs (D1 Series), the FHWA changes the title to add sign number designations and changes the section text to clarify which signs are applicable to the material in the section. GUIDANCE added  that reads, “Unless a sloping arrow will convey a clearer indication of the direction to be followed, the directional arrows should be horizontal or vertical.”

## 2D.36 Distance Signs

**2D.36 Distance Signs**

- Add the sign number designations
- Distance determined by each jurisdiction

**Notes:**
104.  In Section 2D.36  Distance Signs (D2 Series), the FHWA changes the title to add sign number designations. .
In the NPA, the FHWA proposed adding a recommendation in the first GUIDANCE statement that the distance shown on the sign be the distance to the center of the central business district, or to the point where the major north/south and east/west routes serving the city intersect, or to some point near the center of the city.  Based on docket comments, GUIDANCE is added that the distance should be determined on a case-by-case basis by the jurisdiction. 

## 2D.38 Street Name Sign

- GUIDANCE:  On multi-lane streets with speed limits of 40 mph or more the **minimum letter size should be 8 inches.**

- *Compliance date is 15 years from date of Final Rule

**Notes:**
In Section 2D.38  Street Name Sign (D3-1), the FHWA changes the title to reflect the appropriate sign designation. In the GUIDANCE, the FHWA adds a recommendation that on multi-lane streets with speed limits of 60 km/h (40 mph) or more the minimum letter size for ground mounted signs should be 200 mm (8 in).  This will improve legibility for older drivers.
To mitigate the financial impact on State or local governments, the FHWA establishes a phase-in target compliance date of 15 years from the effective date of the 2003 MUTCD  final rule for existing signs in good condition.  
FHWA recommends that in urban and suburban areas, especially where Advance Street Name signs are not used, overhead-mounted street name signs be considered.  If overhead Street Name signs are used, the lettering should be at least 300 mm (12 in) high in capital letters or 300 mm (12 in) upper-case letters with 225 mm (9 in) lower-case letters. The FHWA adopts this change because 300 mm (12 in) letters are superior to 250 mm (10 in) letters in terms of legibility distance for older drivers as well as all drivers.  FHWA establishes a 15-year compliance date for 12 inch overhead street name signs.

## 2D.38 Street Name Sign

- OPTION to use government jurisdiction logo.
- STANDARD that jurisdiction logo shall not exceed the letter height of the sign.

**Notes:**
In Section 2D.38, FHWA adds a clarification to the OPTION that a symbol, pictograph, or letter designation may be used on to identify the government jurisdiction.  The OPTION statement provides more specificity by stating that a symbol or letter designation may be used on a Street Name sign to identify the governmental jurisdiction, area of jurisdiction, or other government-approved institution.  This change provides additional flexibility for jurisdictions that install Street Name signs.
The FHWA also adds a STANDARD statement that if a symbol or letter designation is used, the height, in addition to the width, of the symbol or letter designation shall not exceed the letter height of the sign.  This will provide for more uniform Street Name sign design and assure that the name of the street will have more prominence on the sign than the jurisdictional symbol or letter designation.
FHWA has issued a request for interpretation that would allow military decals and other government jurisdiction logos to be used not just on conventional road guide signs but also to be used on interstate guide signs.  This interpretation (request 2-540) will be included in the next edition of the MUTCD.

## 2D.38 Street Name Sign

**Notes:**
In Section 2D.38 the FHWA eliminates the provision allowing the installation of a supplemental Street Name sign separately or below an intersection-related warning sign on intersection approaches, because this is an inappropriate use.  Instead, the Advance Street Name plaque, as described in Section 2C.49, is more appropriate for this purpose.

## 2D.38 Street Name Sign

- GUIDANCE: In urban and suburban areas where Advance Street Name signs are not used, overhead-mounted street name signs should be considered.
- If overhead Street Name signs are used, the lettering should be at least 12 inch.

- *Compliance date is 15 years from date of Final Rule

**Notes:**
The FHWA recommends that in urban and suburban areas, especially where Advance Street Name signs are not used, overhead-mounted street name signs be considered.  If overhead Street Name signs are used, the lettering should be at least 300 mm (12 inch) high in capital letters or 300 mm (12 in) upper-case letters with 225 mm (9 in) lower-case letters.  This proposal reflects the need for enhanced visibility and legibility of Street Name signs for road users, especially older people, in the complex driving environments of urban and suburban areas. A 15 year compliance date is established.

## 2D.39 Advance Street Name Signs

- New Section to describe the uses, placement, legend, and lettering sizes for Advance Street Name signs.

- *Compliance date is 15 years from date of Final Rule

**Notes:**
The FHWA adds a new section, numbered and titled “Section 2D.39  Advance Street Name Signs (D3-2)” and GUIDANCE that describes the uses, placement, legend, and lettering sizes for Advance Street Name signs. The FHWA strongly encourages the use of these signs in rural and urban areas.  These signs, especially in rural areas, are one of the most important things that can be done to improve older driver safety and convenience, and they also benefit other drivers.  To mitigate economic impacts, the FHWA establishes a 15-year compliance date from the effective date of this final rule.

## 2D.39 Advance Street Name Sign

**Notes:**
The FHWA adds a new section, numbered and titled “Section 2D.39  Advance Street Name Signs (D3-2)” and GUIDANCE that describes the uses, placement, legend, and lettering sizes for Advance Street Name signs. The FHWA strongly encourages the use of these signs in rural and urban areas.  These signs, especially in rural areas, are one of the most important things that can be done to improve older driver safety and convenience, and they also benefit other drivers.  
To mitigate economic impacts, the FHWA establishes a 15-year compliance date from the effective date of this final rule.
To preserve consistency of letter sizes, the FHWA withdraws two paragraphs from the STANDARD statement that were proposed in the NPA, and creates a new GUIDANCE that references the letter sizes given in Section 2D.38 Street Name Sign (D3-1).
To clarify the intent and recognize common practices regarding the use of directional arrows on these signs, the FHWA adds a new paragraph to the last OPTION statement that provides information regarding the placement of directional arrows.  

## 2D.45 General Services Signs

- Add

- Modify

- Modify

- *Compliance period is 10 years from effective date of Final Rule

**Notes:**
In Section 2D.45  General Service Signs (D9 Series) (numbered Section 2D.44 in the 2000 MUTCD), the FHWA adds Electric Vehicle Charging to the list of general service signs.
The FHWA also adds an illustration of the Electric Vehicle Charging sign (D9-11b) to Figure 2D-11.
The FHWA changes the words “CB Monitoring” to “Channel 9 Monitored”. This change reflect current practice and terminology. The FHWA establishes a phase-in target compliance date of 10 years from the effective date of this final rule for existing signs in good condition to minimize any impact on State or local governments.
This section removes references in the OPTION for the Road Conditions Dial 511 (D12-5) sign.  New OPTION, STANDARD, and GUIDANCE statements regarding the use and design of the redesigned TRAVEL INFO CALL 511 (D12-5) sign is added.  These changes reflect the assignment of 511 as the nationwide traveler information telephone number.  

## 2D.46 Reference Location Signs

- Change “Reference Posts”  to “Reference Location Signs”
- New Designs:
-     - reference
-     - intermediate

- *Compliance period is 10 years from Final Rule

**Notes:**
n Section 2D.46  Reference Location Signs (D10-1 through 10-3) and Intermediate Reference Location Signs (D10-1a through D10-3a) (numbered and titled “Section 2D.45  Reference Posts (D10-1 through D10-3)” in the 2000 MUTCD), the FWHA changes the title and the term “reference posts” to “reference location signs” throughout the section to correspond to terminology used throughout the MUTCD. The FHWA adds a SUPPORT statement to distinguish the two types of reference location signs: Reference Location signs (D10-1, 2, 3) and Intermediate which are installed at the mile location and Reference Location signs (D10-1a, 2a, 3a) which are used to augment the reference location signs and are placed at various  decimal points within the mile location.
The FHWA also distinguishes between use on conventional roads and freeways.  The design of reference location signs used on conventional roads is unchanged and a minimum sign size of 250 mm (10 in) wide vertical panels is included.  If reference location signs are used on freeways or expressways, the FHWA requires that the Reference Location sign size is a min of 300 mm (12 in) with 250 mm (10 in)  numerals. Unless conditions limit or restrict placement, the FHWA requires the installation of reference location signs on the right side of the roadway. The minimum mounting height of reference location signs shall be 4 feet to the bottom of the sign, to be consistent with the mounting height for delineators.
To mitigate economic impacts, the FHWA establishes a 10-year phase-in target compliance date from the effective date of this final rule for the location and spacing of Reference Location Signs and design of Intermediate Reference Location Signs
 The FHWA does allow the use of blue backgrounds for the Enhanced Reference Location signs, as described in Section 2E.54.

## General Information Signs

- Adopt-a-Highway signs
-          See FHWA memo Nov 9, 2001

**Notes:**
In Section 2D.48  General Information Signs (I Series) (numbered Section 2D.47 in the 2000 MUTCD), tall references concerning Adopt-A-Highway (AAH) signs was removed from the MUTCD based on a November 2001 memo from the Federal Highway Administrator. The AAH section was removed from the MUTCD because current State and local practices pertaining to AAH signs vary so widely and the FHWA needed more information on this state sponsored program.  AAH has always been a state sponsored program. In some cases this program and others have raised questions about the use of commercial logos.  The use of logos raises deeper policy issues regarding Federal and State laws concerning advertising along the right-of-way, general commercialization of the right-of-way, the safety of motorists and workers, and determining appropriate methods for raising revenues  for cash-strapped governments.  Discussions between FHWA and AASHTO to develop an acceptable approach are ongoing. 
An interim policy on Acknowledgement Signs on Highway Rights of Way was published by FHWA on October 29, 2003 which reaffirms FHWA’s long held position that advertising is not permitted on highway rights-of-way.  FHWA does permit agencies to allow acknowledgement signs.  The distinction between advertising signs and acknowledgement signs is that the acknowledgement sign is used to recognize a provider for a  highway-related service. The sign should be devoid of contact information, directions, or slogans.  Placement is restricted from certain high risk areas.
Although the section on AAH signs is removed from the MUTCD, this does not mean that the program cannot continue in the States as it always has in the past.  The information removed from the MUTCD was very general in nature and described general information that States should include in their policy for AAH signs.  We are developing design and placement provisions for acknowledgement signs that will include AAH signs in the next edition.

## Section 2D.48 General Information Signs:

- Safety or transportation-related messages are covered in Chapter 2A

## 2D.48 General Information Signs

- Revise STANDARD -  “jurisdiction logos” with “boundary” to provide additional flexibility highway agencies to use different colors for political boundary signs.

**Notes:**
Finally, the FHWA proposes in the second STANDARD statement replacing the words “jurisdiction logos” with “boundary” to provide additional flexibility highway agencies to use different colors for political boundary signs.

## 2D.49 Signing of Named Highways

- _Add STANDARD to prohibit:_
- the use of memorial names on directional guide signs,
- interference with necessary highway signing, and
-  placement which compromises the safety or efficiency of traffic flow.

**Notes:**
110.  In Section 2D.49  Signing of Named Highways (numbered Section 2D.48 in the 2000 MUTCD), the FHWA adds additional requirements for installing memorial signs on the mainline.  These requirements prohibit the use of memorial names on the directional guide signs, interference with necessary highway signing, and placement which compromises the safety or efficiency of traffic flow.  The STANDARD statement is identical to the STANDARD statement in Section 2E.08  Memorial Highway Signing.  The FHWA adds this for consistency and to clarify the acceptable locations to install memorial signs.  

## 2D.52 National Scenic Byways Marker 

- New National Scenic Byways Marker
- As of January 2002 there were 72 such designated byways in 32 States.

**Notes:**
The FHWA adds a new section, numbered and titled “Section 2D.52  National Scenic Byways Sign (D6-4, D6-4a).”  This section includes SUPPORT, OPTION, and STANDARD statements that describe the National Scenic Byways program and the signs that may be placed on roads designated as National Scenic Byways or All-American Roads by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation.  This new section provides for uniformity of design and application of markers on designated National Scenic Byways. The proper color illustration of the D6-4 and D6-4a signs features a blue flag and border, red text, and white background.  The black and white version was inadvertently published in the NPA.  The FHWA also adds an illustration of a half-size D6-4 sign in response to comments.