2003 MUTCD Chapter 2A Signs General

2A.06 Design of Signs  Add to the support statement “General appearance” of sign legends, colors, and sizes shown in illustrations do not exactly correspond to letter brush stroke widths of the SHS nor tolerance limits of colors 2000 MUTCD 2003 MUTCD

2A.06 Design of Signs  Internet addresses shall not be shown on any sign.

2A.06 Design of Signs Phone numbers with > 4 characters should not be used. These are okay This has too many characters

2A.06 Design of Signs  Add Option that: Special word message signs are allowed for additional regulatory, warning, or guidance information.

2A.07 Changeable Message Signs (CMS) Revise Guidance:  safety or transportation- related messages are allowed on CMS and portable CMS.

2A.07 Changeable Message Signs New Option  Changeable message signs that display a regulatory or warning message may use a black background with a white, yellow, orange, red, or fluorescent yellow-green legend as appropriate.

Section 2A.08 Retroreflectivity and Illumination Table 2A-1, Means of Illumination:  Add Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) to the list.  Use term “Incandescent Light Bulbs” instead of “Patterns of Incandescent Light Bulbs.”

Section 2A.08 Retroreflectivity and Illumination

2A.10 Shapes:  Add rectangular panel for the Emergency Evacuation Route Sign  Clarify Trapezoid Shape for National Forest Signs and Recreation/Cultural Interest Signs * Compliance Period 15 years

2A.11 Sign Colors  Colors to be used on standard signs and their specific use on these signs shall be as indicated in the applicable sections of this Manual.  Coral, Light Blue, and purple remain on Reserved List  Color Coordinate values in 23 CFR Part 655, Sub Part F  Note: MUTCD does not specify color for toll road signs

2A.11 Sign Colors  Assign the color Fluorescent Pink for Incident Management

2A.11 Sign Colors  Modify Table 2A-4 – new column for Fluorescent Pink - New row for Changeable Message signs

2A.14 Word Messages Clarify GUIDANCE for legibility distance:  1 inch letter height = 40 feet of legibility distance is the minimum. Add SUPPORT:  research indicates 1 inch letter height = 33 feet of legibility distance benefits older road users.

2A.15 Sign Borders  Corners of all sign borders, except for STOP signs, shall be rounded.  Not the sign blank

2A.16 Standardization of Location Relocate: Figures 2A-3, 2A-4, 2A-5, and 2A-6 to Section 2B.37 One-Way Signs. Remove Figure 2A-7. *Note “Examples” rather than “typical”

2A.16 Standardization of Location  Add GUIDANCE explaining which signs may be combined. Regulatory signs that do not conflict with each other can be grouped.

2A.17 Overhead Sign Installations Modify GUIDANCE statement:  Clarify that overhead guide signs should be used on freeways

2A.18 Sign Mounting Height  Minimum height in rural area is 5 feet above edge of road  where parking and pedestrian movement occur, the clearance to the bottom of the sign shall be a minimum of 7 feet.

2A.18 Mounting Height  Add OPTION:  Where vertical clearance structures < 16 feet, vertical clearance sign structure may be 1 foot higher.  Lower clearances needed to maximize visibility of signs for low bridge structure or tunnels.

2A.19 Lateral Offset  a STANDARD included to address lateral offset of overhead sign supports (6 feet minimum)  a GUIDANCE included to deal with the lateral offset of ground-mounted signs (12 feet minimum). *Compliance date of January 17, 2013 for Crashworthiness of sign supports for roads with posted speed limit of 50 mph

2A.21 Posts and Mountings  OPTION: retroreflective material on supports of regulatory and warning signs to draw attention to the sign  2 inch width and 2 feet above the edge of road 2 in Color 2ft

2A.23 Median Opening Treatments for Divided Highways with Wide Medians