2011 Publication 46 - PennDOT

1 traffic engineering manual Bureau of Maintenance and Operations PUB 46 (2-12) There are hyperlinks throughout this document that should provide network connections to other publications, regulations, Vehicle Code, etc. There are also hyperlinks that reference other sections, exhibits, or appendices within this manual , and these should assist you in navigating. Although not obvious by their color, the Table of Contents and the List of Exhibits also work as hyperlinks. Simply, left click on the section or exhibit number, title, or page number and your computer should take you to the proper page. You may also find the bookmarks on the left side of the screen helpful. Pennsylvania Department of Transportation traffic engineering manual (Pub.)

2 46) March 2014 Table of Contents Page | i TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1 - GENERAL .. 1-1 OVERVIEW .. 1-1 Purpose .. 1-1 State and Federal Mandates .. 1-1 Principles of traffic Control 1-2 engineering Study and engineering Judgment .. 1-2 Requests to Experiment with Unique traffic Control Devices .. 1-2 Older Drivers .. 1-3 Applicability of the MUTCD .. 1-4 Acceptable Abbreviations for Use on traffic Control Devices .. 1-4 Proprietary Items .. 1-4 Laws, Regulations, Forms and Other Publications .. 1-5 Definitions .. 1-10 CHAPTER 1 APPENDIX .. 1-14 Proprietary Item Approval Request Sample Letter .. 1-14 Access Route Approval Expanded Access .. 1-16 References .. 1-16 Background .. 1-16 PROCEDURE FOR EXPANDED ACCESS.

3 1-16 CHAPTER 2 - SIGNING .. 2-1 SIGNING OVERVIEW .. 2-1 Purpose .. 2-1 Classification of Signs .. 2-1 Design of Signs .. 2-1 Minimum Retroreflectivity .. 2-4 Enhanced Conspicuity for Signs .. 2-5 Recouping Costs Incurred from Crashes .. 2-6 Laws, Regulations, and Other Publications .. 2-6 OFFICIAL SIGNS AND APPROVED SIGN MANUFACTURERS .. 2-7 Official 2-7 Approved Sign Manufacturers .. 2-7 APPROVAL AND ERECTION RESPONSIBILITIES .. 2-7 Signing Responsibilities .. 2-7 Signs Erected by Others .. 2-10 Issuance of Sign Work Orders .. 2-10 REGULATORY SIGNS .. 2-10 Requirement for engineering and traffic Study .. 2-10 Establishment of Priorities .. 2-10 STOP Sign Installations .. 2-11 Signing Responsibilities at Intersections with Local Roads.

4 2-11 Posting Regulatory Speed Limits .. 2-11 PASS WITH CARE Signs .. 2-12 ONE-WAY Sign Installations .. 2-13 Weight Limits .. 2-13 Signing on Lower-Volume Roads .. 2-14 WARNING SIGNS .. 2-15 2-15 Advance Placement of Warning Signs .. 2-16 Pennsylvania Department of Transportation traffic engineering manual (Pub. 46) March 2014 Table of Contents Page | ii Signing Curves and Turns .. 2-17 Stop Ahead Signs .. 2-21 Share the Road Sign .. 2-21 Advance Street Name Signs .. 2-22 GUIDE SIGNS AND ROUTE MARKERS .. 2-23 2-23 Definitions .. 2-24 Clearview Font .. 2-26 Numbered traffic Routes .. 2-27 Route Marker Assemblies .. 2-29 Additional Route and Destination Guidance Signs .. 2-31 Longitudinal Placement.

5 2-32 TOURIST ORIENTED DIRECTIONAL SIGNS (TODS) POLICY .. 2-34 Purpose, Authority, and Authorization .. 2-34 Definitions .. 2-35 General Eligibility 2-36 Additional Eligibility Requirements .. 2-37 Eligible Types of Participants .. 2-38 Location, Spacing, and Design of TODS for Conventional Roads .. 2-42 Sign Installation, Cost and Maintenance .. 2-44 Seasonal 2-45 Removal of a TODS .. 2-45 Application Procedure .. 2-46 Signing Districts .. 2-47 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT SIGNS .. 2-52 General Requirements .. 2-52 Adopt-A-Highway Signs .. 2-53 Beautification Area Signs .. 2-53 Sponsor-a-Highway .. 2-53 OPERATIONAL CHANGES REQUIRING TRANSITIONAL SIGNING .. 2-53 General Discussion of Operational Changes.

6 2-53 Reversing STOP Signs .. 2-54 Four-Way to Two-Way Stop Control .. 2-54 One-Way to Two-Way Street Operation .. 2-54 Two-Way to One-Way Street Operation .. 2-55 One-Way Street Reversal .. 2-55 Revised Exit Numbers .. 2-55 MISCELLANEOUS SIGNS .. 2-56 Anti-Littering Signs .. 2-56 Coffee Break Signs .. 2-56 Historical Markers .. 2-57 Library Signs .. 2-57 Memorial Markers .. 2-57 Motorist Alert Signs .. 2-59 Municipal Name Signs .. 2-59 Recreational and Cultural Interest Symbol 2-60 Recycling Program Signs .. 2-60 Scenic River Signs .. 2-61 Signs and Banners across State Highways .. 2-61 SR and Segment Markers .. 2-62 Street Name Signs .. 2-63 Welcome to Pennsylvania Signs .. 2-63 Pennsylvania Department of Transportation traffic engineering manual (Pub.)

7 46) March 2014 Table of Contents Page | iii Wildflower Area Signs .. 2-63 Object Markers .. 2-65 EXCESSIVE USE OF SIGNS .. 2-65 Sign Clutter .. 2-65 Double Stop Signs .. 2-65 Sign Grouping .. 2-65 STANDARD FREEWAY AND EXPRESSWAY SIGNS .. 2-65 Standards and Approvals .. 2-65 Selection of Major Destinations .. 2-66 Selection of Supplemental Destinations .. 2-68 Motorist Service Signs .. 2-69 Reference Location and Enhanced Reference Location Signs .. 2-69 Intermediate Reference Location Signs .. 2-70 Interchange 2-71 Overhead Signs .. 2-72 Upgrading Temporary Signs .. 2-72 Overpass Roadway Identification 2-72 Public Relations .. 2-72 GENERAL MOTORIST SERVICE SIGNS .. 2-72 Purpose and Authorization.

8 2-72 Definitions .. 2-72 Acceptable Types of Motorist Services .. 2-73 Additional Criteria .. 2-74 Sign Location .. 2-74 Design of New Installations .. 2-75 Procedures for Application .. 2-75 LOGO PROGRAM .. 2-77 Purpose .. 2-77 Authority .. 2-77 Administration .. 2-77 Definitions .. 2-77 Types of Services .. 2-78 Distance to Services .. 2-81 Unacceptable Locations for Logo Signs .. 2-81 Continuation of General Motorist Service Signs .. 2-83 Logo Requirements .. 2-83 Sign Panels .. 2-85 Application and Agreements .. 2-88 Funding and Responsibilities .. 2-95 Department Action .. 2-96 Changes in Program Administration .. 2-96 CONGESTION MANAGEMENT SIGNS .. 2-104 2-104 Park and Ride Signing .. 2-104 High Occupancy Vehicle Signs.

9 2-104 Lane Restriction Signs .. 2-105 Ramp Metering Signs .. 2-105 INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SIGNS .. 2-105 2-105 Emergency Detour Signing .. 2-106 Crash Investigation Site 2-107 Emergency Cellular Telephone Signs .. 2-108 Pennsylvania Department of Transportation traffic engineering manual (Pub. 46) March 2014 Table of Contents Page | iv Fire Hose Access Signs .. 2-108 Changeable Message Signs .. 2-108 Highway Advisory Radio Signs .. 2-108 WELCOME CENTER AND REST AREA 2-108 2-108 Supplemental Signs .. 2-108 PROCURING SIGNS AND SIGN ACCESSORIES .. 2-109 County Sign Inventory .. 2-109 Materials from the Sign Shop .. 2-109 CHAPTER 2 APPENDIX .. 2-115 Proposed traffic Route Change .. 2-115 Physical Limitations of the Proposed traffic Route.

10 2-116 Municipal Agreement re traffic Route Change .. 2-118 Resolution Designating Signature Authority .. 2-122 CHAPTER 3 - MARKINGS .. 3-1 GENERAL .. 3-1 Purpose .. 3-1 Laws, Regulations and Other Publications .. 3-1 Definitions .. 3-2 PAVEMENT MARKINGS .. 3-2 Pavement Marking Materials .. 3-3 Black Contrast Markings .. 3-6 Minimum Retroreflectivity .. 3-6 Durable Pavement Markings .. 3-7 Pavement Markings in Construction and Resurfacing Projects .. 3-7 Raised Pavement Markers .. 3-7 Stop and Yield Lines .. 3-9 Crosswalks .. 3-10 Accessible Parking 3-10 Pavement Word and Symbol Markings .. 3-12 Speed Measurement Markings .. 3-12 OBJECT MARKERS .. 3-13 Object Marker Design .. 3-13 DELINEATORS.