Section 1680-03-02-.12 - SUPPLEMENTAL GUIDE SIGNS ON CONVENTIONAL HIGHWAYS(1) Occasionally, the need arises for signing of destinations in addition to those shown on the major guide signs (see Rule 1680-03-02-.11) 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.(2) Rule 1680-03-02-.15 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-.15 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-.16 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) 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.(5) To be eligible for 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. Festivals, cultural shows, athletic contests, religious gatherings and other similar short duration events are not eligible for signing. The sign legend for facilities open only a portion of each year should be covered or removed during the off-season period.(6) 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.(7) 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.(8) If used, the supplemental guide sign shall be installed as an independent sign assembly.(9) No more than two destinations may be shown on one supplemental guide sign. If more than two destinations qualify for signing at an intersection, only the two destinations (without respect to direction of travel) that exceed the prime criterion established in Rule 1680-03-02-.15 by the greatest percentage may be shown.(10) One supplemental guide sign may be installed on each approach to an intersection. A second supplemental guide sign may be installed in exceptional cases where it is required in order to maintain continuity of trailblazer signing. However, in such cases, the total number of traffic generators displayed on the supplemental guide signing shall not exceed four.(11) Supplemental guide signs are intended to be installed at points where motorists would be required to turn in order reach the destination. Signing of destinations is not warranted (and will be removed if existing and another eligible traffic generator qualifies for the same sign space) where the motorist would continue straight ahead in the same direction of travel along the numbered route that the motorist is following.(12) If a traffic generator is located adjacent to a State highway, it is presumed that the facility's on-premise signing will provide adequate guidance information to motorists. Therefore, traffic generators that abut a State highway are normally not eligible for supplemental guide signing along the State highway. Supplemental guide signs may be erected at the entrances to such traffic generators only when engineering judgment indicates that such signing is essential for proper motorist guidance and traffic safety.(13) It is not the intent of this Rule to provide trailblazer signing for a facility over a long distance. In most cases, such signs will be installed only at the nearest State route intersection in each direction of travel from the facility. (Where the traffic generator abuts a State highway, this means the nearest intersection with another State highway for each direction of travel along the State highway. If the traffic generator is not located adjacent to a State highway, this means the nearest intersection with a State highway for each direction of travel on the local road.) By thus locating the signs, motorists will be given guidance as to where to turn from the nearest State highways onto the local road or State highway on which the traffic generator is located.(14) When a destination is not located adjacent to a State highway, the Department will not install supplemental guide signs on the State highway until others having jurisdiction over the non-state highways have erected all other necessary guide signs of appropriate design and size.(15) Since special traffic generators will not be trailblazed over long distances and since it is necessary to keep the sign message to a minimum to avoid driver confusion and undue cost of sign fabrication, information concerning the distance to special traffic generators shall not be displayed on supplemental guide signs.(16) 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-.12
Original rule filed January 10, 1992; effective February 24, 1992. Repeal and new rule renumbered from 1680-03-02-.12 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).