Section 229-205-1 - DEFINITIONS1.Categorical sign. A sign bearing a non-commercial message that may be placed in the right of way or adjacent to the right of way with the consent of the property owner under the restrictions set out in Sections 3 and 4 below.2.Clear zone. The total roadside border area, starting at the edge of the traveled way, available for safe use by errant vehicles. This area may consist of a shoulder, a recoverable slope, a non-recoverable slope, and/or a clear run-out area. The desired minimum width is dependent upon corridor priorities, traffic volumes and speeds and on the roadside geometry. Simply stated, it is an unobstructed, relatively flat area beyond the edge of the traveled way that allows a driver to stop safely or regain control of a vehicle that leaves the traveled way. Clear zone distances are defined by the latest MaineDOT Engineering Instructions.3.Commissioner. The Commissioner of the Maine Department of Transportation, as appointed pursuant to 23 M.R.S. §4205.4.Deadly fixed object. Any natural or man-made structure that does not give or break away when hit by a motor vehicle. Examples of deadly fixed objects are trees, ledge, boulders, decorative granite, steel beams, mailbox and sign posts that do not give or breakaway and planters over 4 inches tall.5.Department. The Maine Department of Transportation. (Also known as MaineDOT)6.General service symbol. A design used to identify traveler services approved for use by the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices or by the Department as set forth in Appendix, Figure 1.7.Island and Median. A traffic control feature used to physically divide or guide traffic in the roadway or within a driveway/entrance to limit access onto the roadway. An island or median can be raised using curbing or flush to the level of the roadway.8.Non-profit historical and cultural institution. Anon-profit institution within the state having regular published hours of operation which engages in the cultural, intellectual, scientific, environmental, educational or artistic enrichment of the people of this state, including, but not limited to, aquaria, botanical societies, historical societies, land conservation organizations, libraries, museums, performing arts associations or societies, scientific societies, wildlife conservation organizations and zoological societies. For purposes of this rule, "institution" is defined as a building structure used to house an organization engaged in the activities listed above, "cultural" is defined as the beliefs, customs, arts of a particular society, group, place, or time, and "historical" is defined as the political, social, cultural, and economic setting for a particular idea or event. A municipal body politic and educational institutions or organizations primarily engaged in religious or sectarian activities do not meet the purposes or intent of this definition.9.Non-profit organization. A charitable organization that fosters cultural and social unity to achieve objectives related to public service that has a certificate of good standing as a 501(c)(3) organization from the Internal Revenue Service.10.National Highway System. National Highway System: A portion of the roadway system in Maine deemed to carry inter-state and inter-regional traffic. These roads will be the latest roads shown as NHS in the MaineDOT Mapviewer. Mapviewer can be found at http://medotmaps.maine.gov/MapViewer/11.Official Business Directional Sign. A sign in the state's right of way licensed by the Department upon application by an eligible business under the restrictions set out in section 2 below. Also known as an OBDS sign.12.Intracommunity/Wayfinding Signs. A system of directional signs that provides general information to inform both motorists and pedestrians of destinations within the local area.13.Point of Interest. A building or facility where a business is carried on or practiced. A point of interest may include storage areas, warehouses and other auxiliary structures or fixtures.14.Public Right of Way. The land shown in a state, county or town roadway layout plan, or in the absence of any layout or monumentation, the land established by roadway use which is considered either the toe of slope in fill sections or the upper back-slope of the ditch in ditch sections. The width of most roadways will be a minimum of 33 feet from the centerline.15.Real Estate Sign. A sign that advertises a property for sale that has been placed by a realtor, real estate agency and/or the owner of the property.16.Sandwich Board. A pair of signboards fastened at their tops and separated at their bases to form a freestanding structure intended for sidewalk or roadside advertising.17.Sight distance. A continuous, unobstructed sight line of sufficient distance needed for a vehicle operator to see an approaching vehicle in order to make a turning maneuver safely. Sight distance measurements are as defined in the Department's Chapter 299 Highway Driveway and Entrance Rules.18.Sign assembly. A sign assembly is one or more signs on a sign support.19.Temporary On-Premise Sign. A sign installed outside the Right of Way that promotes or advertises for a commercial entity that is performing work on the property.20.Temporary Sign. A sign bearing a noncommercial message that has been placed within the public right-of-way for a limited period of time.21.Travel lanes. The portion of the roadway used for carrying through traffic. For the purpose of these rules, a center two-way left turn lane is considered a travel lane.17-229 C.M.R. ch. 205, § 1