2021 Mndot Signs 101 Manual
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MnDOT Signs 101 Course Manual TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION..............................................................................................................1-1 1.1 Background ................................................................................................................1-1 1.2 Goals of Course ...........................................................................................................1-1 1.3 Disclaimer ..................................................................................................................1-1 1.4 Acknowledgements......................................................................................................1-1 1.5 Written Communications Policy......................................................................................1-1 1.6 Contact Information .....................................................................................................1-2 1.7 MnDOT OTE Website....................................................................................................1-2 1.8 Definitions..................................................................................................................1-2 2. SIGNING OVERVIEW........................................................................................................2-1 2.1 Purpose of Signs ..........................................................................................................2-1 2.2 What is Retroreflectivity? ..............................................................................................2-1 2.2.1 Retroreflective Sheeting Materials ..............................................................................2-2 2.2.2 Why is Retroreflectivity Important? ............................................................................2-3 2.2.3 Minimum Retroreflectivity ........................................................................................2-4 2.3 Five Principles of Traffic Control Devices...........................................................................2-4 2.4 Classification of Signs....................................................................................................2-5 2.5 Design of Signs ............................................................................................................2-5 2.5.1 Sign Nomenclature ..................................................................................................2-5 2.5.2 Elements of Traffic Sign Design...................................................................................2-7 2.5.3 Shape ....................................................................................................................2-7 2.5.4 Color .....................................................................................................................2-7 2.5.5 Size .......................................................................................................................2-8 2.5.6 Legend ................................................................................................................ 2-11 2.6 Legal Authority for Placement of Traffic Signs.................................................................. 2-12 2.6.1 Traffic Signs Ins talled by MnDOT Maintenance Forces .................................................. 2-12 2.6.2 Traffic Signs Installed by Contract ............................................................................. 2-12 2.6.3 Traffic Signs Installed by Others by Maintenance Permit ............................................... 2-12 2.6.4 Temporary Traffic Control Signs Installed by Construction Contracts and Public Utility Companies at Work Sites ........................................................................................ 2-12 2.7 Associated Manuals ................................................................................................... 2-13 2.7.1 Federal Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices...................................................... 2-13 2.7.2 Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices ................................................. 2-14 2.7.3 Traffic Engineering Manual ...................................................................................... 2-15 2.7.4 MnDOT Standard Signs and Markings Manual............................................................. 2-16 2.7.5 MnDOT Standard Signs and Markings Summary .......................................................... 2-17 2.7.6 Guide Sign Design Manual ....................................................................................... 2-18 2.7.7 Sign Plan Design - Conventional Roads Manual............................................................ 2-19 2.7.8 Freeway Signing Plan Design Manual......................................................................... 2-19 3. WHY SIGNS ARE INSTALLED..............................................................................................3-1 3.1 Introduction ...............................................................................................................3-1 3.2 Engineering Standards ..................................................................................................3-1 3.2.1 MN MUTCD Text Headings ........................................................................................3-1 February 2021 Page | i Table of Contents MnDOT Signs 101 Course Manual 3.2.2 Signing Standards ....................................................................................................3-2 3.2.3 Engineering Judgment and Documentation ..................................................................3-3 3.3 Signing Priorities ..........................................................................................................3-4 3.4 Functional Classifications of Traffic Signs ..........................................................................3-4 3.5 Sign Effectiveness ........................................................................................................3-4 3.6 Excessive Use of Signs...................................................................................................3-5 3.6.1 Sign Clutter ............................................................................................................3-5 3.6.2 Sign Grouping .........................................................................................................3-5 3.7 Sign Justification ..........................................................................................................3-5 3.7.1 Politically Motivated Signs .........................................................................................3-6 3.8 Advertising Signs vs. Traffic Control Signs .........................................................................3-7 3.8.1 Logo Signs ..............................................................................................................3-7 3.8.2 Bonus Law (1958) ....................................................................................................3-8 3.8.3 Highway Beautification Act (1965) ..............................................................................3-8 4. TYPES OF SIGNS..............................................................................................................4-1 4.1 Functional Classifications of Traffic Signs ..........................................................................4-1 4.1.1 Department Classification of Signs ..............................................................................4-1 4.2 Regulatory Signs ..........................................................................................................4-4 4.2.1 Application of Regulatory Signs ..................................................................................4-4 4.2.2 Establishment of Priorities.........................................................................................4-4 4.3 Warning Signs .............................................................................................................4-5 4.4 Guide Signing ..............................................................................................................4-5 4.4.1 Purpose .................................................................................................................4-5 4.5 Work Zone and Detour Signing .......................................................................................4-5 5. SUPPLEMENTAL GUIDE SIGNS...........................................................................................5-1 5.1 Supplemental Guide Signs and Costs ...............................................................................5-1 5.1.1 Specific Service Signs ................................................................................................5-2 5.1.2 General Motorist Service Signs ...................................................................................5-2 5.1.3 LOGO (Specific Service) .............................................................................................5-3 5.1.4 Major Traffic Generator ............................................................................................5-3 5.1.5 Minor Traffic Generators...........................................................................................5-4 5.1.6 Other Traffic Generators ...........................................................................................5-4 5.2 Requester Pay Memo ...................................................................................................5-5