Section 1680-03-02-.04 - SUPPLEMENTAL GUIDE SIGNS ON FREEWAYS AND EXPRESSWAYS(1) Occasionally, the need arises to sign destinations in addition to those shown on the major guide signs (see Rule 1680-03-02-.03) because of the presence of a facility that generates a significant volume of non-repetitive traffic from motorists unfamiliar with the area. Under appropriate circumstances, information regarding such special traffic generators may be displayed on supplemental guide signs. Supplemental guide signs should be considered as auxiliaries to major guide signs in promoting the safe and efficient flow of traffic. Such signs shall be located at a minimum 800-foot spacing between the major guide signs.(2) Rule 1680-03-02-.08 identifies traffic generators that may be displayed on supplemental guide signs, and it establishes specific eligibility criteria for such signing. As a general rule, no traffic generator will be considered for a supplemental guide sign unless it meets the eligibility criteria established in Rule 1680-03-02-.08 and other conditions set forth in this Rule; provided, however, that the Commissioner may make an exception to this general rule upon finding that the signing of a traffic generator is in the interest of the motoring public and would not be contrary to public safety. Even if a traffic generator meets these minimum criteria, it may not be signed if, in the judgment of the Department, the sign would not be in the interest of public safety.(3) Rule 1680-03-02-.09 lists examples of the types of facilities that as a general rule are not eligible for supplemental guide signs; provided, however, that the Commissioner may make an exception to this general rule upon finding that the signing of a traffic generator is in the interest of the motoring public and would not be contrary to public safety. This listing is not intended to be all-inclusive, but provides an indication of the types of facilities that normally do not warrant signing.(4) Supplemental guide signs are intended for use only at non-directional interchanges to advise of special traffic generators accessible from such interchanges. Because directional interchanges (defined at Rule 1680-03-02-.02(17)) are major decision points, and since special traffic generators are not accessible from such interchanges, supplemental guide signs for special traffic generators shall not be installed at any directional interchange.(5) City or town destinations may be shown on supplemental guide signs at directional or non-directional interchanges in cases where omission of the sign and reliance on the cities shown on the major guide signs would otherwise mislead or disorient the motorist.(6) Because supplemental guide signs are auxiliary in nature, such signs should be used sparingly and should not be installed where they would interfere with or detract from regulatory, warning, or major guide signs or where such signs would otherwise adversely affect traffic safety.(7) To be eligible for supplemental guide signing, a special traffic generator should be open to the public at least eight hours a day and five days a week during six months each year. This provision does not apply to facilities where regular daily and weekly hours of operation would not be expected, such as arenas, stadiums, and auditoriums. Festivals, cultural shows, athletic contests, religious gatherings and other similar short-duration events are not eligible for signing on expressways or freeways.(8) The facility requesting supplemental guide signing may be required to submit such documentation as the Department deems appropriate to demonstrate the facility's eligibility for such signing. Where annual attendance is the prime criterion for eligibility, a copy of the previous year's annual attendance will be required.(9) Because it is essential to provide clear and concise directions to motorists, the legend on supplemental guide signs should be kept to a minimum. Where more than one qualifying traffic generator is located within or associated with a single facility, complex or area, only the name of the facility, complex or area may be displayed. In addition, elimination of non-essential descriptive words or the use of abbreviations, partial names or generic names may be required where necessary to retain legibility of the sign message and to avoid undue cost of sign fabrication. Trademarks or logos shall not be displayed.(10) Only one supplemental guide sign may be installed at each interchange approach. If used, the supplemental guide sign shall be installed as an independent sign assembly.(11) Generally, no more than two destinations may be shown on one supplemental guide sign. If more than two destinations qualify for signing at an interchange, only the two destinations (without respect to direction of travel) that exceed the prime criterion established in Rule 1680-03-02-.08 by the greatest percentage may be shown.(12) If, in exceptional cases, the Department determines that more than two destinations may be signed at an interchange, letter sizes may be reduced to the expressway category (as defined in the MUTCD) to allow for the signing of additional destinations on one supplemental guide sign.(13) Not more than one supplemental guide sign shall be provided for any one traffic generator in each direction of travel along any one freeway or expressway.(14) Within the urbanized area boundaries of cities having a population of 100,000 or more, an eligible traffic generator shall be signed only along the nearest freeway or expressway, with the signs located in advance of the interchange crossroad that provides the most direct and convenient route to the facility; provided, however, that where the annual attendance for an eligible facility exceeds 500,000 persons per year, such facility may be signed along a second freeway or expressway at an interchange within the urbanized area boundary if the facility is within the maximum eligibility distance from the interchange and, in the judgment of the Department, a second sign would facilitate the safe and efficient movement of traffic. In order to qualify for such additional signing, an official of the facility must submit a written request for such signing to the Department and verify that the facility meets the attendance requirements described above. This provision only applies to those facilities whose specific eligibility criterion is based on annual attendance.(15) Supplemental guide signs should not be erected for a traffic generator where the motorist would be required to travel on the crossroad past a second freeway or expressway.(16) In rural areas, an eligible traffic generator may be considered for signing at an interchange along a second freeway or expressway if the facility is within the maximum eligibility distance from the interchange and can be reached without circuitous travel.(17) Supplemental signing of areas or districts (e.g., forests, downtowns, historic districts, etc.), which are difficult to define or have no facilities, will not be allowed. Only specific facilities associated with these areas or districts that meet eligibility criteria will be considered for signing.(18) When a qualifying facility is located on a crossroad that is not a state highway, or if reaching the facility requires travel over city or county roads after leaving the state highway, the facility will not be signed unless each local government having jurisdiction over such roads provides written confirmation that it will install and maintain suitable trailblazer signs to direct traffic to the facility. Trailblazer signing must be in place before supplemental guide signs will be installed.(19) The use of a corporate sponsor name for an eligible traffic generator may be allowed on a supplemental guide sign, provided that the corporate sponsor is consistently identified as part of the name used to designate the facility. The use of a corporate sponsor name must be endorsed in writing by the local government where the facility is located. Where an existing sign would need to be modified or replaced to add or change a corporate sponsor, the cost for such modification or replacement shall be charged to the facility requesting the modification or replacement. The design of all such signs shall conform to the MUTCD.Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1680-03-02-.04
Original rule filed January 10, 1992; effective February 24, 1992. Repeal and new rule renumbered from 1680-3-44-.05 filed April 12, 2002; effective August 28, 2002. Amendments filed March 11, 2005; effective July 29, 2005.Authority: T.C.A. § 54-5-108(b).