Code of Maine Rules › 17 - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION › 229 - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION - GENERAL › Chapter 205 - RULES FOR ADMINISTERING THE MAINE TRAVELER INFORMATION SERVICES ACT › Section 229-205-1 - DEFINITIONS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
1.
Categorical sign
. A sign
				bearing a non-commercial message that may be placed in the right of way or
				adjacent to the right of way with the consent of the property owner under the
				restrictions set out in Sections
				3 and
				4 below.
2.
Clear zone
. The total
				roadside border area, starting at the edge of the traveled way, available for
				safe use by errant vehicles. This area may consist of a shoulder, a recoverable
				slope, a non-recoverable slope, and/or a clear run-out area. The desired
				minimum width is dependent upon corridor priorities, traffic volumes and speeds
				and on the roadside geometry. Simply stated, it is an unobstructed, relatively
				flat area beyond the edge of the traveled way that allows a driver to stop
				safely or regain control of a vehicle that leaves the traveled way. Clear zone
				distances are defined by the latest MaineDOT Engineering
				Instructions.
3.
Commissioner
. The Commissioner of the Maine Department of
				Transportation, as appointed pursuant to
				23 M.R.S.
				§4205.
4.
Deadly fixed object
. Any
				natural or man-made structure that does not give or break away when hit by a
				motor vehicle. Examples of deadly fixed objects are trees, ledge, boulders,
				decorative granite, steel beams, mailbox and sign posts that do not give or
				breakaway and planters over 4 inches tall.
5.
Department
. The Maine
				Department of Transportation. (Also known as MaineDOT)
6.
General service symbol.
A
				design used to identify traveler services approved for use by the Manual on
				Uniform Traffic Control Devices or by the Department as set forth in Appendix,
				Figure 1.
7.
Island and
				Median
. A traffic control feature used to physically divide or guide
				traffic in the roadway or within a driveway/entrance to limit access onto the
				roadway. An island or median can be raised using curbing or flush to the level
				of the roadway.
8.
Non-profit
				historical and cultural institution
. Anon-profit institution within the
				state having regular published hours of operation which engages in the
				cultural, intellectual, scientific, environmental, educational or artistic
				enrichment of the people of this state, including, but not limited to, aquaria,
				botanical societies, historical societies, land conservation organizations,
				libraries, museums, performing arts associations or societies, scientific
				societies, wildlife conservation organizations and zoological societies. For
				purposes of this rule, "institution" is defined as a building structure used to
				house an organization engaged in the activities listed above, "cultural" is
				defined as the beliefs, customs, arts of a particular society, group, place, or
				time, and "historical" is defined as the political, social, cultural, and
				economic setting for a particular idea or event. A municipal body politic and
				educational institutions or organizations primarily engaged in religious or
				sectarian activities do not meet the purposes or intent of this
				definition.
9.
Non-profit
				organization
. A charitable organization that fosters cultural and social
				unity to achieve objectives related to public service that has a certificate of
				good standing as a 501(c)(3) organization from the Internal Revenue
				Service.
10.
National Highway
				System
. National Highway System: A portion of the roadway system in
				Maine deemed to carry inter-state and inter-regional traffic. These roads will
				be the latest roads shown as NHS in the MaineDOT Mapviewer. Mapviewer can be
				found at
http://medotmaps.maine.gov/MapViewer/
11.
Official Business Directional
				Sign
. A sign in the state's right of way licensed by the Department upon
				application by an eligible business under the restrictions set out in section
				2 below. Also known as an OBDS
				sign.
12.
Intracommunity/Wayfinding Signs
. A system of directional signs
				that provides general information to inform both motorists and pedestrians of
				destinations within the local area.
13.
Point of Interest
. A
				building or facility where a business is carried on or practiced. A point of
				interest may include storage areas, warehouses and other auxiliary structures
				or fixtures.
14.
Public Right
				of Way
. The land shown in a state, county or town roadway layout plan,
				or in the absence of any layout or monumentation, the land established by
				roadway use which is considered either the toe of slope in fill sections or the
				upper back-slope of the ditch in ditch sections. The width of most roadways
				will be a minimum of 33 feet from the centerline.
15.
Real Estate Sign
. A sign
				that advertises a property for sale that has been placed by a realtor, real
				estate agency and/or the owner of the property.
16.
Sandwich Board.
A pair of
				signboards fastened at their tops and separated at their bases to form a
				freestanding structure intended for sidewalk or roadside advertising.
17.
Sight distance
. A
				continuous, unobstructed sight line of sufficient distance needed for a vehicle
				operator to see an approaching vehicle in order to make a turning maneuver
				safely. Sight distance measurements are as defined in the Department's Chapter
				299 Highway Driveway and Entrance Rules.
18.
Sign assembly
. A sign
				assembly is one or more signs on a sign support.
19.
Temporary On-Premise Sign.
A
				sign installed outside the Right of Way that promotes or advertises for a
				commercial entity that is performing work on the property.
20.
Temporary Sign
. A sign
				bearing a noncommercial message that has been placed within the public
				right-of-way for a limited period of time.
21.
Travel lanes
. The portion of
				the roadway used for carrying through traffic. For the purpose of these rules,
				a center two-way left turn lane is considered a travel lane.