SECTION 4 2012 EDITION - REVISION 2 Large Guide March 2017 (This page left intentionally blank) Standard Highway Sign Designs for Texas Guide Sign Design Guidelines Design Guidelines dimensions of the sign plates should be in multiples of 6 inches. There are general guidelines to follow in the design of highway signs in order to conform to basic standards. Many of these guidelines are mentioned in various sections of the Texas Manual on Traffic Control Devices (TMUTCD), while others are derived from accepted practice in sign design and layout. Standard Sign Guidelines Highway signs with standardized designs conforming to the general guidelines (like most regulatory, warning, emergency management, school, railroad-highway grade crossing, and bicycle signs), are contained in this book and are shown with different standard sizes depending on the type of highway or facility where the sign is intended to be used. The use of a smaller than “nominal” size for the various four types of roadway signs may sometimes be justified. For instance, a sign mounted over a particular roadway lane to which it applies may have to be limited in width to the lane width. In some cases, vertical clearances may limit the vertical dimension of the sign. On the other hand, a larger than “nominal ” sign may be desirable where greater legibility or emphases is needed. When a variation in the “standard” size is necessary, a reduced or enlarged (as the case may be) letter height, interline, and edge spacing may be used but should be as nearly comparable to standards as possible. Guide Sign Letter Style Guide Sign lettering shall be “Clearview.” Sign lettering is normally all caps except the destination names may be in upper and lowercase lettering. Additional Guidelines for Standard Signs are: Letter Sizes for Guide Signs A. As a guide to choice of alphabets, tests have shown that, for any given legend, better legibility can be obtained by using a relatively wide spacing between letters than by using wider and taller letters with a cramped space. B. Use of Series B alphabet is for street names, parking signs, and other similar signs where limited breadth and stroke widths are required for design purposes. C. Lettering on street name signs should be at least 6 inches high (TMUTCD, Section 2D.43). Supplementary lettering to indicate type of street or section of city may be in smaller lettering but at least 3 inches high. D. An accepted “rule-of-thumb” to follow for legibility for signs other than Interstate is to have 1 inch of letter height for every 40 feet of desired legibility. For guide signs on expressways and freeways, the prescribed numeral and letter sizes, according to interchange classification and component of sign legend, appear in Tables 2E-1T, 2E-4T and 2E-5 of the TMUTCD. The minimum sizes specified should be exceeded where conditions indicate a need for greater legibility. For conventional roads in rural districts on major routes, the principal legend on guide signs shall be in letters 6 to 8 inches in height. On low-volume roads and on urban streets with speed of 25 mph, the principal legend shall be in letters at least 4 inches high. Amount of Legend on Guide Signs The TMUTCD states that regardless of letter size, the legend on a guide sign must be kept to a minimum to be instantly legible. For example, on expressways, the legend on a guide sign should only have two destinations and the directional copy. Directional copy, not exceeding three lines, may include symbols, route numbers, arrows, cardinal directions, interchange number(s), and other exit instructions. Conventional road guide signs should be limited to three lines of principal legend which includes only place names, route numbers, and street names. Guide Sign Dimensioning Although some guide signs also have been standardized and are included in this book, most guide signs need to be designed separately because of the variability in message or legend. For most guide signs, there can be no rigid standardized sizes. Message variability controls overall sign dimensions. Whenever practicable, the overall March 2017 4-1 2012 Edition-Revision 2 Standard Highway Sign Designs for Texas Guide Sign Arrows and/or uppercase letter height used in that line. If 2 or more route markers are in the same line of text they shall be optically centered on the sign with spacing between the markers at not less than the height of the numeral within the route markers. The “Type A”, “Type B” and “Down” arrows are to be used for guide signs and recommended applications are stated in Sections 2D.8 and 2E.19 of the TMUTCD. Examples of the design of guide signs using the above guidelines are shown on the following pages. Guide Sign Borders Diagrammatic Guide Signs Border widths should not exceed the stroke width of the major lettering of the sign. For guide signs, smaller than 60 square feet, a width of 1 to 1¼ inch may be used; for those exceeding 60 square feet the border should be 2 inches wide; and for unusually large signs, a border of 3 inches wide is appropriate. The corner radii of guide sign borders should be approximately one-eight of the lesser side dimension except the radii should not exceed 12 inches on any sign. The area outside the corner radius on large signs may need to be trimmed, except for signs made from extruded aluminum panels. Spacing on Guide Signs 1. The graphic legend shall be a plan view showing a simplified off-ramp arrangement. 2. Only one destination may be shown for each arrowhead, with a maximum of two destinations per sign. 3. The graphic should not depict deceleration lanes. A black on yellow “EXIT ONLY” panel should be used to supplement a lane drop graphic. Interline spacing should be approximately threefourths the average of the capital and/or uppercase letter heights in adjacent lines. Interline spacing shall not be reduced to less than ½ the average height. Spacing between a route marker and the line of text below should be equal to three-fourths the average height of the numeral in the route marker and the tallest letter in that adjacent line. Measurement shall be from the lowest point of the route marker and the top of the tallest letter in the line of text. Interline spacing between an upward sloping arrow and a line of text and/or a route marker should be approximately three-fourths the letter height of the line of text or the numeral inside the marker. 4. The shaft for the exit ramp movement should be shorter than, but not separated from, the through movement graphic. 5. Arrow shafts should contain lane lines where appropriate and route shields shall not be used as a substitute for arrowheads. 6. Route shields, cardinal directions, and destinations should be clearly related to the arrowhead, and the arrowhead should point toward the route shield for the off movement. Lateral spacing to the inside edge of the vertical borders shall be the same as the height of the largest letter on the sign. Each line of copy should be centered within the sign borders. Spacing to the inside edge of the top and bottom borders should be approximately equal to the average of the letter and/or numeral height of the adjacent line of text. When a downward pointing arrow is part of the last line of text, spacing should be equal to the average of the arrow and letter height. If an arrow is the only item in the last line, spacing shall be measured from the lowest point of the arrow and be the same as the spacing at the top of the sign. Lateral spacing between each item (words, route markers, numbers and/or arrows) in any given line of text should be approximately 1 to 1½ times the capital 2012 Edition-Revision 2 Design of diagrammatic signs follow the same principles and guidelines previously covered plus additional guidelines necessary for the details related to graphic components. Diagrammatic signs shall be designed in accordance with the following criteria: 7. The cardinal direction should generally be placed adjacent to the route shield and the destination should be placed below and justified with the route shield. 8. Exit number panels should be located toward the top left edge of the sign for a left exit and toward the top right edge for right exits. The above guidelines were based upon the results of a research project conducted by the Federal Highway Administration. This research generated ideals for various diagrammatic design features. 4-2 March 2017 Standard Highway Sign Designs for Texas These ideal features have been modified so more economical designs could be obtained. Specific design standards for graphic components are presented in the table below and other recommended features are shown in the design illustrations in the following pages. The illustrations shown were designed through a trial and error procedure and will provid e the designer with the guides and elements needed to design an economical diagrammatic sign while maintaining a clear and simple message. GRAPHIC COMPONENT SIZE L a ne W idth L a ne L ine s Spa c e be twe e n L a ne L ine s A rrowhe a ds Stem Height (to upper point of departure-minimum) Space between arrowhead and route shield 5” * 1” x 6” 6” S t a nd “U p” Arrow 30” 12” Space between route shield and cardinal direction, should be equal to the largest letter/number height in tha t line . *Wider lane widths appear to better meet the needs of older drivers. Minimum Letter and Numeral Sizes for Advance Guide and Exit Direction Signs Type of Sign and Sign Elements Minimum Size in inches Exit Panel Word 10 CV 4W Numeral and Letter 15 CV 4W Interstate Route Sign Numeral (see note 1 below) 18 D Series Shield (1-2 Digit) 36 x 36 Shield (3 Digit) 45 x 36 U.S. or State Route Sign, Business, Loop or Spur Interstate Route Sign Numeral (see note 1 below) 18 D Series Shield (1-2 Digit) 36 x 36 Shield (3 Digit) 45 x 36 U.S. or State Route Text Identification (Example: US 56) 15 CV 5WR (18 CV 5WR *) Numerals & Letters Cardinal Direction First Letter 15 CV 5WR (18 CV 5WR*) Rest of Word 12 CV 5WR (15 CV 5WR*) Auxiliary and Alternative Route Legends (Examples: JCT, TO, ALT, BUSINESS) 12 CV 5WR (15 CV 5WR*) Word Name of Place, Street or Highway 16 CV 5WR (20 CV 5WR*) Word Distance Message Numeral 15 CV 5WR (18 CV 5WR*) Fraction 10 CV 5 WR (12 CV 5WR*) Word 10 CV 5WR (12 CV 5WR*) Exit Gore March 2017 Word 12 CV 6W Numerals & Letters 18 CV 4W 4-3 2012 Edition-Revision 2 Standard Highway Sign Designs for Texas EXIT See following pages for detail dimensions. SAMPLE SIGN 2012 Edition-Revision 2 4-4 TEXAS March 2017 March 2017 4-5 13 36 14 Adjust to have 6" increments 14 15CV-5WR 12 16CV-5WR 12.75 Guideline 16 45 15CV-5WR 18 12CV-5WR 12 Standard Highway Sign Designs for Texas TEXAS 2012 Edition-Revision 2 14 15CV-5WR 10CV-5WR 12 20 2 * 80o 10 10 1 x 6 inch lane lines with 6 inch gaps 14 30 Standard Highway Sign Designs for Texas * * See Symbol section for arrow design TEXAS 2012 Edition-Revision 2 4-6 March 2017 12 45 March 2017 15CV-5WR 18 12CV-5WR 16 4-7 14 15CV-5WR 12 16CV-5WR 13 33 17 Adjust to have 6" increments 12.75 Guideline Standard Highway Sign Designs for Texas TEXAS 2012 Edition-Revision 2 Standard Highway Sign Designs for Texas Adjust to have 6" increments Guideline 12 14 36 18 15CV-5WR 36 12.75 12CV-5WR 14 16CV-5WR 12 13 30 1 2 VAR SAMPLE SIGN VAR 10 13.33 CV-5WR 54 10.67 15 CV-5WR 10 CV-5WR 10 10 10 NEXT EXITS SIGN 2012 Edition-Revision 2 4-8 TEXAS March 2017 Standard Highway Sign Designs for Texas Adjust to have 6" increments 2 18 18 Guideline 15 14 36 16 min. Metropolis Utopia EXITS 2 MILES 12.75 12 16CV-5WR 12 12 16CV-5WR 11.625 13 10 CV-5WR 15CV-5WR 15 14 VAR E1-1a 2 18 18 14 12 36 16 min. 12 Newport EXIT 1 MILE 12.75 16CV-5WR 13 10CV5WR 11.625 15CV-5WR 14 12 VAR E1-2 COLORS: LEGEND - WHITE BACKGROUND - GREEN March 2017 4-9 TEXAS 2012 Edition-Revision 2 Standard Highway Sign Designs for Texas .75 3 CL SIGN 1.25 9 21.375 21.375 12E* 30 9 72 E1-5aP * Increase character spacing 25% COLORS: LEGEND - BLACK BACKGROUND - YELLOW 2012 Edition-Revision 2 4-10 March 2017 Standard Highway Sign Designs for Texas 10 60 7.5 3 42.75 1.875 3 18 2 12E 3 54 8.5 7 EXIT 10CV-4W 10 10 31.36 10 VAR 6 15CV-4W 7.5 6 MIN 78 for 1-Digit Exit Number 84 for 2-Digit Exit Number 102 for 3-Digit Exit Number 10 7.5 18 54 60 3 42.75 1.875 3 2 12E 3 8.5 10CV-4W 10 48 A EXIT 10 31.36 6 10 VAR 7.5 VAR 15CV-4W 7.5 6 MIN 90 for 1-Digit Exit Number with single letter suffix 108 for 2-Digit Exit Number with single letter suffix 120 for 3-Digit Exit Number with single letter suffix E1-5bP COLORS: LEGEND, BORDER - WHITE BACKGROUND - GREEN March 2017 4-11 TEXAS 2012 Edition-Revision 2 Standard Highway Sign Designs for Texas 96 for 3-Digit Exit Number 84 for 2-Digit Exit Number 6 72 for 1-Digit Exit Number 7.5 30 10CV-4W 15CV-4W 2 7.5 30 Equal Spacing VAR* 10 Equal Spacing 120 for 3-Digit Exit Number with single letter suffix 102 for 2-Digit Exit Number with single letter suffix 6 90 for 1-Digit Exit Number with single letter suffix 7.5 15CV-4W 30 10CV-4W 2 7.5 Equal Spacing 30 10 VAR* 7.5 VAR Equal Spacing 144 for 3-Digit Exit Number with dual letter suffix 132 for 2-Digit Exit Number with dual letter suffix 6 114 for 1-Digit Exit Number with dual letter suffix 7.5 5 15CV-4W 30 10CV-4W 2 7.5 Equal Spacing 38.5 10 VAR* E1-5P 7.5 4-12 Equal Spacing (*) Max number length for 3-Digit Number is 41” COLORS: LEGEND - WHITE BACKGROUND - GREEN 2012 Edition-Revision 2 35 (max.) TEXAS March 2017 Standard Highway Sign Designs for Texas 6 54 for 1-, 2- or 3-Digit Exit Number 4 10CV-6W 34.68 3 36 15CV-4W 2 VAR 4 72 for 3-Digit Exit Number with single letter suffix 6 60 for 1- or 2-Digit Exit Number with single letter suffix 4 10CV-6W 34.68 3 36 15CV-4W 2 VAR 7.5 VAR 4 96 for 3-Digit Exit Number with dual letter suffix 84 for 2-Digit Exit Number with dual letter suffix 6 66 for 1-Digit Exit Number with dual letter suffix 4 10CV-6W 34.68 3 36 5 15CV-4W 2 VAR 7.5 35 (max.) 4 E1-5TP COLORS: LEGEND - WHITE BACKGROUND - GREEN March 2017 4-13 TEXAS 2012 Edition-Revision 2 Standard Highway Sign Designs for Texas 1 6 6 24 12CV-4W 6 VAR E2-1 1 6 8 12CV-4W 48 8 12CV-4W 8 108 E2-1a 6 1 7 24 10CV-4W 7 120 TYPICAL, MAY VARY TO MATCH PARENT SIGN E2-2 Typical dimensions as per E2-2 E2-3 Typical dimensions as per E2-2 E2-4 COLORS: LEGEND - WHITE BACKGROUND - GREEN OR BLUE 2012 Edition-Revision 2 4-14 TEXAS March 2017 Standard Highway Sign Designs for Texas 6 1.5 10 41.5 12CV-6W 9 60 * A-2 (45°) 23 6 72 E5-1 Symbol * See section for arrow design COLORS: LEGEND - WHITE BACKGROUND - GREEN March 2017 4-15 TEXAS 2012 Edition-Revision 2 Standard Highway Sign Designs for Texas 6 72 10 12CV-6W 5 60 19 E-3 * 2 19 E5-1aT 6 72 8 12CV-6W 5 17 60 2 E-4 * E5-1bT COLORS: LEGEND - WHITE BACKGROUND - GREEN 2012 Edition-Revision 2 4-16 23 * See Symbol section for arrow design TEXAS March 2017 Standard Highway Sign Designs for Texas 6 6 1.5 1.5 10 41.5 41.5 12CV-6W 6 min. VAR 6 min. 9 4 min. VAR (41” max.) 9 VAR 18CV-4W 90 18.5 23 18.5 10 24.5 23 24.5 * * A-2 (45°) A-2 (45°) 23 8 60 1-, 2- or 3-Digit Exit Number 1- or 2-Digit Exit Number with a single letter suffix 72 2- or 3-Digit Exit Number with a single letter suffix E5-1c * See Symbol section for arrow design COLORS: LEGEND - WHITE BACKGROUND - GREEN March 2017 4-17 TEXAS 2012 Edition-Revision 2 4 min. Standard Highway Sign Designs for Texas Adjust to have 6" increments 2 Guideline 12 14 12 15CV-5WR 12CV-5WR 10 108 11.25 36 16 12.75 10 16CV-5WR 12 14 VAR E6-2 2 12 18 14 15CV-5WR 90 12CV-5WR 36 16 10 12.75 16CV-5WR 14 VAR E6-2a COLORS: LEGEND - WHITE BACKGROUND - GREEN 2012 Edition-Revision 2 4-18 TEXAS March 2017 Standard Highway Sign Designs for Texas Adjust to have 6" increments Guideline 1.25 42 8 Greenville 40 St Louis 125 12 min 6 9.25 9 8CV-5WR 8 8 6 8CV-5WR 9 9.25 VAR E7-2T 1.25 6 9.25 9 8CV-5WR 8 8 54 6 8CV-5WR 12 min 6 8CV-5WR 9 9.25 VAR E7-3T One line expressway destination sign shall use a 24 inch sign blank. COLORS: LEGEND - WHITE BACKGROUND - GREEN March 2017 4-19 TEXAS 2012 Edition-Revision 2 Standard Highway Sign Designs for Texas VAR. 144 min 6 min 6 min 32 4 30 Parallel Parent Sign Radius * 1 9 22 12E 9 E11-1 * See Symbol section for DOWN arrow design COLORS: LEGEND - BLACK BACKGROUND - YELLOW 2012 Edition-Revision 2 4-20 TEXAS March 2017 Standard Highway Sign Designs for Texas 1.875 CL SIGN 19.587 3 19.587 18 12 E* 3 66 E11-1a 1.875 CL SIGN 23.401 24.5 18 3 12 E* 3 66 E11-1b CL SIGN 39.174 18 9.401 2.599 12 E* 3 47.901 12 E * 3 1.875 120 E11-1c * Increase character spacing 40%. COLORS: LEGEND - BLACK BACKGROUND - YELLOW NO BORDER March 2017 4-21 2012 Edition-Revision 2 Standard Highway Sign Designs for Texas VAR. 108 min 12 min 9 30 12E 9 Parallel Parent Sign Radius 1 E11-1aT VAR. 144 min 22 22 * 30 15 9 12E 9 Parallel Parent Sign Radius 1 E11-1TR * See Symbol section for B3 arrow design VAR. 144 min 22 22 * 30 15 9 12E 9 Parallel Parent Sign Radius 1 E11-1TL COLORS: LEGEND - BLACK BACKGROUND - YELLOW 2012 Edition-Revision 2 4-22 TEXAS March 2017 Standard Highway Sign Designs for Texas Parent sign VAR. 264 min 156 6 6 9 ** 30 12E ** 1 9 Parallel Parent Sign Radius 144 E11-1dT ** See Symbol section for DOWN arrow design Parent sign VAR. 264 min 156 * 22 22 * 30 15 9 12E 9 1 144 Parallel Parent Sign Radius E11-1eT * See Symbol section for B3 arrow design COLORS: LEGEND - BLACK BACKGROUND - YELLOW March 2017 4-23 TEXAS 2012 Edition-Revision 2 Standard Highway Sign Designs for Texas VAR. 210 min 156 12 min 9 30 Parallel Parent Sign Radius ** ** 12E 9 1 E11-1f ** See Symbol section for DOWN arrow design VAR. 210 min 156 12 min * 30 Parallel Parent Sign Radius * 15 9 12E 9 1 E11-1gT * See Symbol section for B3 arrow design COLORS: LEGEND - BLACK BACKGROUND - YELLOW 2012 Edition-Revision 2 4-24 TEXAS March 2017 Standard Highway Sign Designs for Texas 1.875 C L SIGN 21.375 21.375 3 12 E* 18 3 60 E11-2 * Increase character spacing 25%. VAR. 108 min 12 min 9 30 12E 9 Parallel Parent Sign Radius 1 E11-2aT VAR. 108 min 12 min 9 30 12E 9 3 E11-2cT 72 8 2 8E 12 2 3 E11-2dT COLORS: LEGEND - BLACK BACKGROUND - YELLOW March 2017 4-25 TEXAS 2012 Edition-Revision 2 Standard Highway Sign Designs for Texas 6.5 min 22 max 30 7 3 6.5 min 7 6 10E 24 12E 6 7 .875 .625 72 E13-1P COLORS: LEGEND - BLACK BACKGROUND - YELLOW VAR 49.467 12 12 VAR 35.898 VAR 35.898 VAR 1.875 4.5 6 24 12E 15E 6 4.5 162 E13-2 - OR VAR 36.726 15 VAR 15 1.875 4.5 6 15E 24 12E 6 4.5 162 E13-2 COLORS: LEGEND - BLACK BACKGROUND - YELLOW NO BORDER 2012 Edition-Revision 2 4-26 March 2017 Standard Highway Sign Designs for Texas 108 6 12 12CV-3W 60 12 15CV-3W 12CV-3W 2 12 E21-1T 120 6 12 12CV-3W 60 12 12CV-3W 2 12 E21-2T 6 78 8 12CV-6W 8 12CV-6W 78 7.5 * 23 2 * See Symbol section for arrow design 7.5 E21-3T COLORS: LEGEND - WHITE BACKGROUND - BLUE March 2017 4-27 TEXAS 2012 Edition-Revision 2 Standard Highway Sign Designs for Texas 6 120 12 12CV-3W 60 12 15CV-3W 12CV-3W 2 12 E21-4T 120 6 12 12CV-3W 60 12 12CV-3W 2 12 E21-5T 6 78 8 12CV-4W 8 12CV-6W 78 7.5 * 23 2 7.5 * See Symbol section for arrow design E21-6T COLORS: LEGEND - WHITE BACKGROUND - BLUE 2012 Edition-Revision 2 4-28 TEXAS March 2017 Standard Highway Sign Designs for Texas 6 108 7 8CV-3W 36 6 8CV-3W 1 7 E21-7T 6 120 18 5 1 8CV-3W 5 E21-8T COLORS: LEGEND - WHITE BACKGROUND - BLUE March 2017 4-29 TEXAS 2012 Edition-Revision 2 Standard Highway Sign Designs for Texas 2 10 10 12CV-3W 8 2 8 12CV-3W 102 8 12CV-3W 8 15CV-3W 12CV-3W 10 * 144 E21-9T * Alternate text E21-10T COLORS: LEGEND - WHITE BACKGROUND - BLUE 2012 Edition-Revision 2 4-30 TEXAS March 2017 Standard Highway Sign Designs for Texas 2 10 10 12CV-3W 8 2 8 12CV-3W 102 8 12 12CV-3W * 8 12CV-3W 12 10 120 E21-11T * See Symbol section for arrow design COLORS: LEGEND - WHITE BACKGROUND - BLUE March 2017 4-31 TEXAS 2012 Edition-Revision 2 Standard Highway Sign Designs for Texas 10 2 10 REST AREA 12CV-3W 8 TEXAS TRAVEL INFO CENTER * 17 12 A-2 (45°) 12 2 8 12CV-3W 102 8 12CV-3W 8 12CV-3W 10 138 Symbol * See section for E21-12T arrow design 10 2 REST AREA TEXAS TRAVEL INFO CENTER 2 MILES 15CV-3W 10 12CV-3W 8 8 2 12CV-3W 102 8 12CV-3W 8 ** 12CV-3W 10 138 E21-13T ** Alternate text E21-14T COLORS: LEGEND - WHITE BACKGROUND - BLUE 2012 Edition-Revision 2 4-32 TEXAS March 2017 Standard Highway Sign Designs for Texas 198 10 78 Veterans Affairs Hospital NEXT RIGHT 10.7 13.3CV-5WR 10 13.3CV-5WR * 10 10CV-5WR 10.7 2 E22-1T 198 10 84 Veterans Affairs Hospital 10CV-5WR EXIT 2 235 10 13.3CV-5WR 10 13.3CV-5WR 12 15CV-5WR 10.4 E22-2T * Alternate text: Cemetery Medical Clinic COLORS: LEGEND - WHITE BACKGROUND - GREEN March 2017 4-33 TEXAS 2012 Edition-Revision 2 * Standard Highway Sign Designs for Texas 2.25 12 Variable in increments of 6 inches 12 16CV-5WR 12 96 16CV-5WR 13 15CV-5WR 10CV-5WR 12 2 2.25 12 Variable in increments of 6 inches 12 16CV-5WR 12 90 16CV-5WR 12 10CV-5WR 12 2 COLORS: LEGEND - WHITE BACKGROUND - BROWN 2012 Edition-Revision 2 4-34 TEXAS March 2017
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