Section 1680-03-02-.17 - POLICY FOR GENERAL SERVICE SIGNS (HOSPITAL AND TOURIST INFORMATION ONLY)(1) This policy establishes standards for general service signs on State highways in Tennessee, which shall be restricted to hospital and tourist information signs only. This policy also sets forth eligibility criteria for signing these facilities. Where specific differences occur, the special provisions of this policy supersede the provisions of the MUTCD.(2) It is not practical to display signing for all hospital and tourist information facilities that may be accessible from the State highway system. Only those facilities that are essential and adequately meet motorists' needs may be displayed.(3) The purpose of hospital and tourist information signing is to inform unfamiliar motorists of the availability of medical facilities and tourist information centers where these services would not reasonably be expected to be available.(4) A freeway, such as an interstate highway, is a divided highway with full control of access and grade-separated interchanges. An expressway is a divided highway with partial control of access and generally having grade-separated interchanges. A conventional highway is a highway characterized by at-grade intersections and which lacks control of access.(5) The information provided by hospital and tourist information signs is auxiliary in nature. Therefore, such signs should not be installed where they would interfere with or detract from the more essential regulatory, warning or major guide signs or where such signs would otherwise adversely affect traffic safety. These signs should be erected only if the installation would be in conformance with the design standards and safety principles of the MUTCD and this policy.(6) Not more than one sign assembly, with not more than two messages being displayed, shall be installed for hospitals or tourist information centers on any approach to an interchange or intersection.(7) The symbol legend identified in the MUTCD will be used for signing hospitals. A word legend will be used to sign a tourist information center.(8) Hospital and tourist information signing is not eligible to be installed at directional interchanges (interchanges of two interstate highways, or other freeway-to-freeway interchanges having comparable geometric design features).(9) On the mainline of freeways and expressways, hospital and tourist information signs should be located at a minimum spacing of 800 feet from the guide signs. Where a hospital or tourist information center is available in only one direction and is not identifiable from some point either on the mainline or off-ramp, signs may be installed on the off-ramp if needed to indicate the direction a motorist is required to turn to reach that service.(10) On conventional highways, hospital and tourist information signs should be located at or immediately in advance of the crossroad.(11) In view of the local character of hospitals and tourist information centers, the local governmental agency associated with the hospital or tourist information center shall be responsible for the installation and maintenance of all signs on conventional highways for those facilities eligible under this policy. The Department will not install signs on State freeways and expressways until the local government having jurisdiction over the conventional highways leading to the eligible facilities has erected all necessary signs.(12) Signing for hospitals or tourist information centers that fails to continue to qualify under this policy shall be removed.Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1680-03-02-.17
Original rule filed January 10, 1992; effective February 24, 1992. Repeal and new rule renumbered from 1680-03-02-.17 filed April 12, 2002; effective August 28, 2002.Authority: T.C.A. § 54-5-108(b).