Office of Traffic, Security, and Technology Guide Sign Design June 18-19, 2013 Arden Hills, MN

Office of Traffic, Security, and Technology 2 Class Kickoff  Introductions Company or position, level of Sign Design experience, any SignCAD experience Technical Experts: Rick Sunstrom, Eric Peterson  Class Information Beta course offered in January of 2001, started from 6 pages of notes Manual, handouts, Website Agenda Room arrangements

Office of Traffic, Security, and Technology 3 Class Kickoff  What this course is: fundamental guidelines to designing guide signs deals with the sign message size and component placement focus is design uniformity  What this course is not: a SignCAD course actual sign placement decisions material decisions, etc Separate courses on sign placement

Office of Traffic, Security, and Technology 4 Introduction  Background –This Traffic Guide Sign Design Manual has been developed to provide training on the design of guide signs. –Participants will learn the fundamentals needed to design guide signs. –The software package SignCAD will be used to demonstrate design elements and to develop guide sign examples

Office of Traffic, Security, and Technology 5 Introduction  Manual is divided into 5 chapters –Chapter 1 - Introduction –Chapter 2 - Basic Information –Chapter 3 - Sign Components –Chapter 4 - Example Problems –Chapter 5 - Appendix

Office of Traffic, Security, and Technology 6 Introduction  Acknowledgements –Heather –Rick –Eric –Others

Office of Traffic, Security, and Technology 7 Introduction  Disclaimer –This Manual is disseminated under the sponsorship of MnDOT, Office of Traffic, Security and Operations. MnDOT and Albeck Gerken, Inc assume no liability for its contents or use thereof. –MnDOT does not endorse products or manufacturers. Trademarks of manufacturers’ names may appear herein only because they are considered essential to the purpose of this manual. –The contents of this manual reflect the views of the authors, who are responsible for the facts and accuracy of the data presented herein. –This manual addresses the design layout of guide sign panels only and does not address related guide sign topics such as sign structure design, sign location and placement, or sign message content.

Office of Traffic, Security, and Technology 8 Introduction  Website

Office of Traffic, Security, and Technology 9 Basic Information/Background  Signs –Several basic provisions for regulating, warning, and guiding traffic Fulfill a need Command attention Convey a clear, simple meaning Command respect of road users Give adequate time for proper response

Office of Traffic, Security, and Technology 10 Basic Information/Background

Office of Traffic, Security, and Technology 11 Basic Information/Background  Historical Perspectives –Guide Signs MnDOT has ~80 years of experience in signing and is a national leader in signing Consistency in signing was key from beginning –Lettering Style and Size Various styles have been developed over the years: –A (no longer used), B, C, D, E, F, E modified, & D modified –Research will continue to improve signing National (minimum) standards set by FHWA

Office of Traffic, Security, and Technology 12 Basic Information/Background  Sign Design Variables –Guide signs compete for the drivers attention like all traffic control devices –Need to get the message across in a clear, simple, and efficient manner Consistency with readability is key –Human Factors Exercise Volunteer?

Office of Traffic, Security, and Technology 13 Basic Information/Background YellowRedBlue OrangeGreenGrey BrownBlackPink Say the COLOR of the text as fast as possible

Office of Traffic, Security, and Technology 14 Basic Information/Background GreenGreyOrange BlackBrownPink BlackGreenGrey Say the COLOR of the text as fast as possible

Office of Traffic, Security, and Technology 15 Basic Information/Background  Human Factors Exercise –We are visual readers –As designers, we sometimes unknowingly ‘trick’ the road user –Major implications to the science of signing –What can we do? Consistency with readability is key

Office of Traffic, Security, and Technology 16 Basic Information/Background  MnDOT Specific Guidance for Traffic Signs –Basic Considerations for Installation of Traffic Signs Design: size, color, shape Placement: physical location Operation: application of the device, readability Maintenance: upkeep and removal Uniformity: same message for similar situations

Office of Traffic, Security, and Technology 17 Basic Information/Background –Functional Classifications of Traffic Signs from the MN MUTCD: Regulatory signs Warning signs Guide signs –Focus of this class

Office of Traffic, Security, and Technology 18 Basic Information/Background –Guide signs for expressways and freeways have two (2) sub-classifications: Primary guide signs –Advance junction signs, exit directional signs, exit gore signs, destination signs, freeway exit numbers, distance signs Supplemental guide signs –Provide further geographic orientation and secondary destinations at interchanges –Destinations include cities, motorist services, or traffic generators.

Office of Traffic, Security, and Technology 19 Basic Information/Background –Department Classification by Sign Design Type Type A signs are large breakaway guide, directional, or informational signs normally installed on mainline freeways, expressways, and occasionally on conventional roads. Section 2.2.3

Office of Traffic, Security, and Technology 20 Basic Information/Background –Department Classification by Sign Design Type Type C signs are primarily regulatory, warning, route marker assemblies, and auxiliaries, as found in the Standard Signs Manual They are the most common sign type and typically installed on driven U posts or square tube posts

Office of Traffic, Security, and Technology 21 Basic Information/Background –Department Classification by Sign Design Type Type D signs are the smaller guide, destination, or informational signs.

Office of Traffic, Security, and Technology 22 Basic Information/Background –Department Classification by Sign Design Type Type OH – mounted overhead –sign support (no walkway or sign lighting)

Office of Traffic, Security, and Technology 23 Basic Information/Background –Department Classification by Sign Design Type OH –truss (may or may not include walkway and sign lighting) and

Office of Traffic, Security, and Technology 24 Basic Information/Background –Department Classification by Sign Design Type OH –bridge mounted (may or may not include walkway and sign lighting).

Office of Traffic, Security, and Technology 25 Basic Information/Background Type EA signs are exit number panels attached with U-posts to Type A sign panels.

Office of Traffic, Security, and Technology 26 Basic Information/Background Type EO signs are exit number panels attached with U- posts to Type OH sign panels.

Office of Traffic, Security, and Technology 27 Basic Information/Background –Conventional Road (Single Lane) A two-lane, two-way roadway –Conventional Road (Multilane) An undivided or divided roadway with more than one lane in each direction of travel and having a posted speed less than 55 mph –Expressway A high speed, divided, multi-lane highway which is generally an arterial road with a posted speed of 55 mph and greater Most intersections are at grade, although grade separated interchanges may exist

Office of Traffic, Security, and Technology 28 Basic Information/Background –MnDOT Conventional Roads Guide Sign Types Destination signs typically have a destination(s) with an accompanying arrow(s) indicating direction. No more than three city names should be on a sign. A few exceptions have been made where multiple routes intersect.

Office of Traffic, Security, and Technology 29 Basic Information/Background –MnDOT Conventional Roads Guide Sign Types Distance signs typically have a destination(s) with mileage(s) indicating the distance from the sign location. No more than three city names should be on a sign. A few exceptions have been made where multiple routes intersect at junctions.

Office of Traffic, Security, and Technology 30 Basic Information/Background –MnDOT Conventional Roads Guide Sign Types Junction signs indicate the intersection of two or more routes.

Office of Traffic, Security, and Technology 31 Basic Information/Background –MnDOT Conventional Roads Guide Sign Types Directional signs typically have a route marker(s), possibly city or street names, and an arrow(s) indicating turning direction.

Office of Traffic, Security, and Technology 32 Basic Information/Background –MnDOT Conventional Roads Guide Sign Types Supplemental signs show secondary destinations such as airports or tourist attractions. Under MnDOT policy supplemental signs may be provided for the following: –National Parks –National monuments –State parks, with certain amenities –Airports –Educational institutions –Traffic generator signing

Office of Traffic, Security, and Technology 33 Basic Information/Background –MnDOT Conventional Roads Guide Sign Types Supplemental signs show secondary destinations such as airports or tourist attractions. Under MnDOT policy supplemental signs may be provided for the following:

Office of Traffic, Security, and Technology 34 Basic Information/Background –MnDOT Conventional Roads Guide Sign Types Street name signs are normally mounted only on mast arms. Specific service signs

Office of Traffic, Security, and Technology 35 Basic Information/Background –Supplemental and Motorist Services Signs Numbered Interchanges Unnumbered Interchanges

Office of Traffic, Security, and Technology 36 Basic Information/Background –MnDOT Freeway Guide Sign Types Distance (Sign Type A or OH) Advanced Guide

Office of Traffic, Security, and Technology 37 Basic Information/Background –MnDOT Freeway Guide Sign Types Exit Directional Guide Exit Panel (Sign Type EA or EO)

Office of Traffic, Security, and Technology 38 Basic Information/Background –MnDOT Freeway Guide Sign Types Supplemental Guide (Sign Type A or OH)

Office of Traffic, Security, and Technology 39 Basic Information/Background –REVIEW

Office of Traffic, Security, and Technology 40 Basic Information/Background –REVIEW What is the MnDOT Design Type classification of this sign? A C D OH EA EO

Office of Traffic, Security, and Technology 41 Basic Information/Background  REVIEW –What Type of Guide Sign is this sign? Advance Guide Distance Exit Directional Supplemental Guide Exit Panel