Office of Traffic, Safety, and Operations Application Guidelines Warning Signs Signing Plan Design (At-Grade) June 20, 2012

Office of Traffic, Safety, and Operations Application Guidelines – Warning Signs2 Function of Warning Signs  MN MUTCD 2C.1 MN MUTCD 2C.1 –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

Office of Traffic, Safety, and Operations Application Guidelines – Warning Signs3 Placement of Warning Signs  MN MUTCD 2C.5 –The time needed to complete a reaction to a sign is the sum of time for: Perception Identification (understanding) Emotion (decision-making) Volition (execution) –Table 2C-4 (TEM Chart 6.5) lists suggested sign placement

Office of Traffic, Safety, and Operations Application Guidelines – Warning Signs4 Placement of Warning Signs  MN MUTCD Table 2C-4  TEM Chart 6.5

Office of Traffic, Safety, and Operations Application Guidelines – Warning Signs5 Placement of Warning Signs  MN MUTCD 2C.5 –Distances in Table 2C-4 are for guidance and should be applied with engineering judgment –Signs should not be placed too far in advance of the condition, such that drivers will forget, especially in urban areas

Office of Traffic, Safety, and Operations Application Guidelines – Warning Signs Advance Warning Signs on Local Road Approaches  STOP AHEAD  YIELD AHEAD  SIGNAL AHEAD –Place using Chart 6.5

Office of Traffic, Safety, and Operations Application Guidelines – Warning Signs Advance Warning Signs on Local Road Approaches

Office of Traffic, Safety, and Operations Application Guidelines – Warning Signs Advance Warning Signs on Local Road Approaches

Office of Traffic, Safety, and Operations Application Guidelines – Warning Signs9 –The Chevron Alignment sign is a warning sign and, as with all warning signs, should be used sparingly, as excessive use will reduce its effectiveness. –Generally, this sign should be used only on 6 degree curves or greater. Curves of less than 6 degrees would be marked by standard delineation as covered in Chapter 7 (not covered in this class) Chevron Alignment Signs

Office of Traffic, Safety, and Operations Application Guidelines – Warning Signs Chevron Alignment Signs –Spacing is based on speed, grade, super elevation, visibility, and vertical alignment See Chart 6.6 –Classification of the road governs sign size trunk highways – 18” x 24” –24” x 30” may be used based on engineering judgment Expressways – 30” x 36”

Office of Traffic, Safety, and Operations Application Guidelines – Warning Signs Chevron Alignment Signs

Office of Traffic, Safety, and Operations Application Guidelines – Warning Signs Crossing Signs –Non-vehicular (ped, trail, deer) and vehicular (snowmobile) crossing signs should only be used at locations where the condition, crossing activity, or shared use of the roadway is unexpected Where a sight restriction exists Where a geometric constraint exists –Crossing signs shall be placed in accordance with the MN MUTCD Table 2C-4 (Chart 6.5)

Office of Traffic, Safety, and Operations Application Guidelines – Warning Signs Crossing Signs

Office of Traffic, Safety, and Operations Application Guidelines – Warning Signs Crossing Signs  Non-Vehicular Signs –Pedestrian Crossing Signs Typical Applications –Isolated intersections with heavy ped volumes –Ped crossings where approach visibility is poor –Mid-block crossings Special treatment not usually required at normal intersections within municipalities or rural ints. –In urban areas, the distance for the sign may be less where lateral clearnace is limited or where inadequate spacing exists

Office of Traffic, Safety, and Operations Application Guidelines – Warning Signs Crossing Signs

Office of Traffic, Safety, and Operations Application Guidelines – Warning Signs Crossing Signs  In-Street Ped Crossing Signs –Used to remind road users of the state law that requires a vehicle to stop and yield the right of way to a ped crossing the roadway with a marked or unmarked crosswalk

Office of Traffic, Safety, and Operations Application Guidelines – Warning Signs Crossing Signs  In-Street Ped Crossing Signs –Guidelines for use on state highways a.Shall be permitted thru MnDOT district offices b.Shall be used speed zones of 35 mph or less c.Only one sign structure shall be used per approach near marked crosswalks d.Shall not be used at intersections controlled by traffic signals or on approaches controlled by STOP signs e.Should only be used at key locations (high volume) f.Shall only be used as an in-street sign (not on the shoulder or parking lane). Shall not impede or obstruct through or turning traffic movements g.When sign is used at a school crossing, it shall include a SCHOOL plaque h.The STOP FOR legend shall be used as Minnesota state law and specifically requires a driver to stop for a ped in the crosswalk i.Shall have a black legend and border on white and fluor. Yellow-green background and have dimensios shown on standard sign R1-6b j.Shall have the same message on both sides or a reflective stip mounted on the backside which is the same color as the lane line on which it is mounted. Back- to-back signs should only be used on two-lane, two-way roadways (see MN MUTCD Figure 2B-2). k.Shall meet the crashworthiness requirements of NCHRP Report 350 l.Max mounting height shall be two feet to bottom or sign panel. m.May be used seasonally to prevent damage in winter due to plowing ops, and may be removed at night if activity is minimal

Office of Traffic, Safety, and Operations Application Guidelines – Warning Signs Crossing Signs  In-Street Ped Crossing Signs –MN MUTCD Figure 2B-2

Office of Traffic, Safety, and Operations Application Guidelines – Warning Signs Crossing Signs  In-Street Ped Crossing Signs –MN MUTCD Figure 2B-2

Office of Traffic, Safety, and Operations Application Guidelines – Warning Signs Crossing Signs  In-Street Ped Crossing Signs –MN MUTCD Figure 2B-2

Office of Traffic, Safety, and Operations Application Guidelines – Warning Signs Crossing Signs  In-Street Ped Crossing Signs –MN MUTCD Figure 2B-2

Office of Traffic, Safety, and Operations Application Guidelines – Warning Signs Crossing Signs  Trail Crossing Signs –Should only be installed for officially designated trails which cross the highway and are not continuously visible for a distance of 850 feet from the crossing

Office of Traffic, Safety, and Operations Application Guidelines – Warning Signs No Passing Zones  No Passing Zone Signs –Size – 48” x 60” x 60”  Terminal Marker Posts –A yellow post may be used to mark each terminal end of a No Passing Zone –A yellow, 360° visibility enhancer shall be mounted on the top of each marker post –A 3.5” x 2” sticker stating “MnDOT No Passing Zone Terminal Marker” shall be installed near the top of each enhancer

Office of Traffic, Safety, and Operations Application Guidelines – Warning Signs Speed Reduction Sign –48” x 48” –Shall be used if the reduction in speed limit between zones is 15 mph or greater For difference in zones of 10 mph or less, use engineering judgment –Shall be installed 1000’ in advance of first speed limit sign May be installed up to 1700’ in advance due to geometrics, grade, or sign clutter –A two-line distance plaque may be used –In-place speed reduction signs shall be replaced through attrition

Office of Traffic, Safety, and Operations Application Guidelines – Warning Signs25 Typical Signing  Typical Signing for Transitions between Divided Highway Section and Two-Lane, Two-Way Section –Figure 6.23

Office of Traffic, Safety, and Operations Application Guidelines – Warning Signs26

Office of Traffic, Safety, and Operations Application Guidelines – Warning Signs27 Typical Signing  Channelized Intersections –Figure 6.20A – Raised Median –Figure 6.20B – Painted Median

Office of Traffic, Safety, and Operations Application Guidelines – Warning Signs28 Typical Signing