Code of Maine Rules › 17 - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION › 229 - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION - GENERAL › Chapter 208 - RULES FOR THE SELECTION OF INTERCHANGE AND SUPPLEMENTAL GUIDE SIGNS › Section 229-208-4 - Supplemental Guide Signs

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Supplemental Guide signs can be used to provide information
				  regarding destinations accessible from an interchange other than places
				  displayed on the standard interchange signing; however, they should only be
				  used in the context of providing a service to the motorist. As there are often
				  far more traffic generators accessible from an interchange than can reasonably
				  be accommodated on directional signage, it is necessary to limit signage to the
				  most significant generators. Otherwise, the result can be an assortment of
				  directional signage that, while serving the interest of a particular
				  destination, provides a disservice to the motorist.
In accordance with the MUTCD guidance, no more than one
				  supplemental guide sign should be used on each interchange approach. No more
				  than two destinations/generators should be listed on a Supplemental Guide sign.
				  When used, Supplemental Guide signs for destinations should be located in
				  advance of the interchanging road that provides the most direct route to the
				  facility. When more than two traffic generators meet the signing criteria, only
				  those generators having the greatest traffic for signing should be considered
				  for display on a Supplemental Guide sign. Signing for a traffic generator
				  should not be displayed on a supplemental guide sign until signing has been
				  installed at the ramp terminals and along the interchanging road and the other
				  roads as necessary to direct the motorist from the freeway to the traffic
				  generator.
Only those generators which have the greatest traffic
				  should be considered for display on Supplemental Guide signs.
This does
				  not mean that all facilities that meet the criteria should automatically
				  receive Supplemental Guide signing. Signing for traffic generators is
				  considered optional and supplemental to the overall signing system for
				  freeways. Therefore, before a sign for a traffic generator is installed,
				  sufficient space should exist to accommodate the placement of the sign without
				  interfering or conflicting with required signing or other optional signing that
				  might be in place.
The following conditions will also apply to the installation
				  of Supplemental Guide signs:
a.
				Sufficient longitudinal space should exist to accommodate the placement of the
				sign without interfering or conflicting with the necessary traffic control
				devices.
b. Signage for
				municipalities and transportation facilities including Park 'N Rides should
				take priority over signage for other generators.
c. Not more than one supplemental guide sign
				for a traffic destination/generator should be provided in one
				direction.
d. No more than one
				supplemental guide sign should be used on each interchange approach.
e. Signs shall be located in advance of the
				interchange that provides the most direct or convenient route to the facility.
				The exception to this will be in areas where there are multiple interchanges
				within one municipality in which case signs can be placed prior to the first
				interchange at the Department's discretion. As determined by the Department,
				supplemental guide signs may be placed in advance of interchanges in order to
				provide guidance to a motorist regarding a preferred route/exit in order to
				avoid congestion and potential traffic choke points.
f. Traffic generators should not be displayed
				on a supplemental guide sign until signing has been installed at the ramp
				terminals and along the intersecting road and other roads as necessary to
				direct the motorist from the Interstate to the facility. This signing will
				normally be the responsibility of the Department, the municipalities or the
				traffic generator.
The MUTCD has included a Specific Service sign category for
				  attractions beginning with the 2000 Millennium edition. This category provides
				  a means for to provide sign presence for qualifying attractions with Specific
				  Service signs (Logo signs). This would also provide for as many as twelve
				  qualifying attractions at an interchange versus the desired limit of two
				  generators on a Supplemental Guide sign. The Department has a Logo Program
				  which is outlined in Chapter 206 of the Secretary of State's, State Agency
				  Rules.
Any specific service or attraction that qualifies for a logo sign
				  will not be eligible for a supplemental guide sign unless that specific service
				  or attraction's name is readily recognized as defining a major recreational
				  area (as defined on P. 4 of this policy) and including it on the Major
				  Recreational signage would provide service to the motorist and avoid driver
				  confusion.