Freeway Signing Handbook October 2008 © by Texas Department of Transportation (512) 302-2453 all rights reserved Manual Notice 2008-1 From: Carlos A Lopez, P.E. Manual: Freeway Signing Handbook Effective Date: October 01, 2008 Purpose The purpose of this revision was to change information on the proper placement of number panels on Exit Gore Signs in Chapter 3, Section 2 of the manual and to revise and replace graphics in Chapter 5 of the manual to show the proper placement of these signs. Contents Text in Chapter 3, Section 2 of the manual was changed as follows: Original Text: "The Exit Number panel (for Advance Guide, Exit Direction, and Exit Gore signs) must be aligned to the side of the exit. The Number panel must be aligned to the right edge for a right-side exit and the left edge for a left-side exit." New Text: "The Exit Number panel (for Advance Guide and Exit Direction signs) must be aligned to the side of the exit. The Number panel must be aligned to the right edge for a right- side exit and the left edge for a left-side exit. The Exit Number panel for Exit Gore signs must be centered to the parent sign." Graphic files contained in Chapter 5 ofthe manual were changed to show proper placement of Exit Number panels in relation to Exit Gore signs. Contact Address questions concerning information contained in this manual notice to Michael Chacon, Traffic Operations Division (TRF), 512-416-3120. Archives Past manual notices are available in a pdf archive. Table of Contents Chapter 1 — Introduction Section 1 — Overview . .1-2 Introduction . .1-2 Chapter Overview . .1-2 Section 2 — Handbook Information. .1-3 Purpose of Handbook . .1-3 Status of Handbook . .1-3 Application of Handbook Guidelines . .1-3 Handbook Content. .1-4 Section 3 — Relation to Other Documents . .1-5 References to Other Documents . .1-5 Other TxDOT Documents. .1-5 Other Non-TxDOT Documents. .1-8 Chapter 2 — Principles of Freeway Signing Section 1 — Overview . .2-2 Introduction . .2-2 Section 2 — Freeway Signing Basics. .2-3 Freeway Characteristics . .2-3 Philosophy of Freeway Guide Signs . .2-3 Information Provided by Freeway Signing . .2-4 Information Processing . .2-4 Attention and Expectation. .2-6 Limitations on Quantity of Information . .2-6 Driver Information Overload . .2-8 Section 3 — Freeway Signing Terminology . .2-10 Introduction . .2-10 Texas MUTCD Interchange Classification Scheme . .2-10 Freeway Signing Handbook Interchange Classification Scheme . .2-10 Section 4 — Freeway Sign Design Process . .2-12 Design of Freeway Guide Signs . .2-12 Section 5 — Freeway Signing Policies. .2-13 Retroreflective Sheeting for Freeway Signs . .2-13 Freeway Sign Illumination . .2-13 Vertical Sign Clearance. .2-13 Control Cities . .2-14 Sign Support Structures. .2-14 Freeway Signing Handbook i TxDOT 10/2008 Chapter 3 — Application of Freeway Signs Section 1 — Overview . .3-2 Introduction . .3-2 Section 2 — Freeway Direction Signs (White on Green). .3-3 Introduction . .3-3 Overhead Sign Placement . .3-3 Advance Guide Signs . .3-4 Exit Direction Signs . .3-5 Exit Number Panels. .3-6 Diagrammatic Signs . .3-7 Interchange Sequence Signs . .3-7 Pull-Through Signs . .3-9 Exit Gore Signs . .3-9 Supplemental Guide Signs . .3-10 Distance Signs. .3-11 Section 3 — General Service Signs (White on Blue). .3-13 Introduction . .3-13 Types of Facilities . .3-13 Rest Area Signs . .3-13 Tourist Information and Welcome Center Signs. .3-15 Radio-Traffic Information Signs. .3-16 Specific Information Logo Signs . .3-16 Section 4 — Recreational and Cultural Interest Area Signs (White on Brown) . .3-18 Introduction . .3-18 Design and Application. .3-19 Section 5 — Miscellaneous Guide Signs (White on Green). .3-20 Introduction . .3-20 Next X Exits Signs . .3-20 Next Exit Supplemental Signs. .3-21 Weigh Station Signs . ..