Sign Guidelines and Applications Manual February 2020 © 2020 by Texas Department of Transportation (512) 463-8630 all rights reserved Manual Notice 2020-1 From: Michael A. Chacon, P.E. Manual: Sign Guidelines and Applications Manual Effective Date: February 13, 2020 Purpose The purpose of this manual is to provide information and internal procedures for the placement and use of various types of signs on state roadways. This manual is not meant to be comprehensive, but rather to provide additional information and procedures specific to Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) operations not covered in the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (TMUTCD). Contents The Sign Guidelines and Applications Manual was originally published in March of 2006 as the Signs and Markings Manual to provide guidance on the proper placement of guide signs, which are discussed in Chapter 7. The manual was revised in 2017 to include additional chapters on sign location and installation, sign materials and supports, sign maintenance, regulatory and warning signs, as well as other miscellaneous signs. The 2020-1 Revision removes several sentences of information from Chapter 7, Section 17 that were inconsistent with the Texas Transportation Code. Contact For information on the contents of the Sign Guidelines and Applications Manual, contact Doug Skowronek by email at [email protected], or by phone at 512-416-3120. Archives Previous editions of the Sign Guidelines and Applications Manual can be found in archives. Table of Contents Chapter 1 — Introduction Section 1 — Overview. 1-2 Purpose of this Handbook . 1-2 Importance of Uniformity . 1-2 Section 2 — Authority to Install Signs . 1-3 Legal Authority . 1-3 Payment by Others for Installation of Traffic Control Devices . 1-3 Illegal Traffic Control Devices . 1-4 Section 3 — Reference Sources. 1-5 Introduction . 1-5 The Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (TMUTCD) . 1-5 Using the TMUTCD . 1-5 Standard Highway Sign Designs for Texas (SHSD) . 1-5 Other Resources. 1-6 Chapter 2 — Sign Location Section 1 — Overview. 2-2 Requirements of Effective Signs . 2-2 Basic Considerations . 2-2 More Information. 2-3 Section 2 — Determining Location . 2-4 Determination of Need . 2-4 Field Review . 2-4 Physical Features of Sign Placement. 2-4 Back to Back Mounting. 2-4 Mounting Height . 2-5 Lateral Clearance. 2-5 Rural Intersections. 2-5 Chapter 3 — Sign Materials and Supports Section 1 — Roadside Sign Supports . 3-2 Introduction . 3-2 Foundations . 3-2 Types of Supports . 3-2 Section 2 — Sign and Substrate Structure. 3-4 Substrate . 3-4 Structural Support System . 3-4 Sign Guidelines and Applications Manual i TxDOT 2/2020 Overhead Sign Walkways . 3-4 Section 3 — Retroreflectorization . 3-5 Introduction . 3-5 Retroreflective Sheeting Types . 3-5 Fluorescent Retroreflective Sheeting Types . 3-5 TxDOT Standard . 3-5 Deterioration of Retroreflectivity . 3-5 Section 4 — Sign Legends. 3-7 Introduction . 3-7 Font Types . 3-7 Symbols . 3-7 Application Methods . 3-8 Section 5 — Sign Identification Decal . 3-9 Decal Required . 3-9 Purpose . 3-9 Use of Decal . 3-9 Fabrication Coding . 3-10 Installation Coding . 3-11 Section 6 — Storage and Transport . 3-13 Storage . 3-13 Transport . 3-13 Section 7 — Special Sign Applications . 3-14 Flashing Beacons Attached to Sign . 3-14 Portable Changeable Message Signs . 3-14 Dynamic Message Signs . 3-14 Bilingual Signs . 3-14 Chapter 4 — Sign Maintenance Section 1 — Overview. 4-2 Introduction . 4-2 Maintenance in Cities . ..