1. Chapter 3 Regulatory, Warning & Guide Signs Overview*
07/16/96
Chapter 3 Regulatory, Warning & Guide Signs Overview
Sign Plan Design for At-Grade Intersections
June 2017 *

2. Application of Regulatory Signs
2B.1
Application of Regulatory Signs
Regulatory Signs shall:
be used to inform road users of selected traffic laws or regulations and indicate the applicability of the legal requirements
be installed at or near where the regulations apply
clearly indicate the requirements imposed by the regulations
be designed and installed to provide adequate visibility and legibility in order to obtain compliance

3. Size of Regulatory Sign
2B.1
Size of Regulatory Sign
Regulatory Sign Size
Shown in Table 2B-1 the MN MUTCD
Also refer to the Standard Signs Summary as a guide for signs that are beyond the requirements listed in the MN MUTCD

4. Size of Regulatory Sign
Example Sign Size

5. Size of Sign Example
So What?
24” x 30”
48” x 96”

6. Stop Control From the MN MUTCD
2B.7
Stop Control
From the MN MUTCD
When it is determined that a full stop is always required on an approach to an intersection, a STOP (R1-1) sign shall be used
At intersections where a full stop is not necessary at all times, consideration should first be given to using less restrictive measures such as YIELD signs.
Multi-way stop control can be useful as a safety measure at intersections if certain traffic conditions exist.

7. Stop Control

8. Yield Control From the MN MUTCD
2B.8 through 2B.9
Yield Control
From the MN MUTCD
Shall be a downward-pointing equilateral triangle with a wide red border and the legend YIELD in red on a white background
Installed when a full stop is not required
Second x-road of a divided highway, Median>30’
Channelized turn lane
Engineering judgement
Facing an entrance ramp onto a roadway

9. Speed Limit Sign Location
6-5.13
Speed Limit Sign
Location
Shall be installed at the terminal points of each speed zone
Shall follow the appropriate roadway size as shown in the MnDOT Standard Sign Summary
The first Speed Limit sign in a lower speed zone shall be one size larger than the size designated for that type of roadway
Signs should be posted near junctions that are major traffic generators

10. Do Not Pass Sign
MnDOT policy is to use the NO PASSING ZONE (W14-3) pennant sign (48” x 64” x 64”)
This does not preclude use of the DO NOT PASS sign where it is deemed necessary based on engineering judgment

11. 2B.40
ONE WAY Signs
The ONE WAY sign shall be used to indicate streets or roadways upon which vehicular traffic is allowed to travel in one direction only
ONE WAY signs shall be placed parallel to the one-way street at all alleys and roadways that intersect one-way roadways

12. 2B.40
ONE WAY Signs
At unsignalized intersections, ONE WAY signs shall be placed on the near right and the far left corners of the intersection facing traffic entering or crossing the one-way street
At signalized intersections, ONE WAY signs shall be placed either near the appropriate signal faces, on the poles holding the traffic signals, on the mast arm or span wire holding the signals, or at the locations specified for unsignalized intersections

13. 2B.40
ONE WAY Signs
Where divided highways are separated by median widths of 30 feet or more, ONE WAY signs, or a combination of ONE WAY, DO NOT ENTER, and Divided Highway Crossing signs shall be placed so that at least one sign is plainly visible to each crossroad approach on the near right and far left corners of each intersection with the directional roadways

14. ONE WAY Signs ONE WAY Signs may be omitted
Where the design of interchanges indicates the direction of traffic on the separate roadways
At intersections with divided highways that have medians of less than 30’
From the medians at intersections with divided highways that have median widths of greater than 30’ when an engineering study has demonstrated the signs may confuse motorists

15. *
07/16/96
2B.37
DO NOT ENTER Sign
Use where traffic is prohibited from entering a restricted roadway
If used, this sign should be placed directly in view of a road user at the point where a road user could wrongly enter a restricted roadway
If the sign would be visible to traffic to which it does not apply, the sign should be turned or shielded from the view of that traffic
A second sign on the left side of the roadway may be used, particularly where traffic approaches from an intersecting roadway *

16. WRONG WAY Sign May be used as a supplement to the DO NOT ENTER sign*
07/16/96
2B.38
WRONG WAY Sign
May be used as a supplement to the DO NOT ENTER sign
If used, should be placed at a location farther from the crossroad than the DO NOT ENTER sign *

17. 6-5.05 Bypass Lane Installed in accordance with:
T-intersection, 30” x 30” BYPASS lane at beginning of
Four-Leg, 30” x 30” BYPASS & TURN LANE sign installed at beginning of taper

18. Bypass Lane

19. Function of Warning Signs
Call attention to unexpected conditions or situations not readily apparent to road users
Alert road users to conditions that might call for a reduction in speed or an action in the interest of safe and efficient operation

20. Size of Warning Signs
The minimum size should be the size identified in Table 2C-2 (of the MN MUTCD)
If a minimum size is not provided in the Freeway Column, the Expressway size should be used
If a minimum size is not provided in the Freeway or the Expressway Column, the Oversized size should be used.
Also refer to the Standard Signs Summary as a guide for signs that are beyond the requirements listed in the MN MUTCD

21. Warning Sign Placement
TEM Chart 6.4
Warning Sign Placement

22. Horizontal Alignment of Warning Signs
MN MUTCD 2C.6
In advance of horizontal curves
On roadways with more than 1,000 AADT functionally classified as arterials or collectors
Shall be used in accordance with Table 2C-5
based on the speed differential between the roadway's posted or statutory speed limit or
85th-percentile speed, whichever is higher, or
the prevailing speed on the approach to the curve, and the horizontal curve's advisory speed

23. Horizontal Alignment of Warning Signs

24. 2C.9 /
Chevron Alignment
MUTCD 2C-5: use of Chevrons and/or One Direction Large Arrow (W1-6) signs should be used on curves when the difference between the speed limit and advisory speed is 10 mph, but shall be used when this difference is 15 mph or greater
Generally, these signs are used for curves of over six degrees (a curve radius less than 900 feet)
The use of Chevrons on curves is preferred over the use of the One Direction Large Arrow

25. 2C.9 /
Chevron Alignment
The exception is on conventional roadways when the speed of the turn/curve is 30 mph or less or there is a visual trap
Spacing of the Chevron is shown in MN MUTCD Table 2C-6
An example of Advisory Speed Signs for an Exit Ramp can be found in Figure 2C-3 of the MN MUTCD

26. 2C.9 /
Chevron Alignment

27. TEM
No Passing Zones
It is MnDOT’s practice to use the NO PASSING ZONE (W14-3) pennant signs
This does not preclude use of the DO NOT PASS sign where it is deemed necessary based on engineering judgment
NO PASSING ZONE pennant signs used on conventional highways shall be 64” x 64” x 48”

28. TEM
Speed Reduction Sign
Used if the reduction in speed limits between two zones is 15 mph or greater
May be used if the difference between two zones is 10 mph or less, based on engineering judgment
In transition zones, engineering judgment should determine if placement of a speed reduction sign is necessary for the second reduction in speed

29. Application of Guide Signs
Guide signs are essential to
Direct road users along roads
Direct road users to cities, towns, and other destinations
Identify rivers, streams, parks, historical sites
Generally give information to help users in the most simple, direct manner possible

30. Route Signs Interstate US Route Minnesota Route County Route
2D.10
Route Signs
Interstate
US Route
Minnesota Route
County Route
Township Route
Park & Forest Roads
Memorial Highways
Trails

31. Auxiliary Signs Junction Cardinal Direction Advance Turn Arrow
2D.13 – 2D.26
Auxiliary Signs
Junction
Cardinal Direction
Advance Turn Arrow
Directional Arrow
Others:
ALTERNATE, BYPASS, BUSINESS, TRUCK
TO, BEGIN, END, TEMPORARY

32. 2D.29
Route Sign Assemblies
Route Sign Assemblies shall consist of a route sign and auxiliary signs that identify the route and indicate the direction
Route sign assemblies shall be installed on all approaches to signed numbered routes that intersect with other signed numbered routes

33. Route Sign Assemblies Arrangement by Class
Where two or more routes follow the same section of highway, route signs for Interstate, US, State, and County routes shall be mounted in that order
Left to right in horizontal arrangements
Top to bottom in vertical arrangements

34. Route Sign Assemblies Arrangement by Route Number
2D.27
Route Sign Assemblies
Arrangement by Route Number
Subject to order of precedence by Class, route signs for lower-numbered routes shall be placed at the left or top

35. Route Sign Assemblies Arrangement by Directional Arrow 2D.27
Arrow Direction
Horizontal Arrangement
Vertical Arrangement
Left
Center
Thru
Top
Right
Bottom

36. 2D.28
Junction Assembly
A junction assembly shall consist of a junction auxiliary sign and route sign
This sign shall be installed in advance of every intersection where a signed numbered route is intersected or joined by another signed numbered route

37. Junction Assembly Where two or more routes are to be indicated, 2D.28
a single Junction auxiliary sign may be used for the assembly and all route signs grouped in a single mounting
Or a Combination Junction Sign may be used