908.2 Signs (MUTCD Chapter 7B)
908.2.1 Design of School Signs (MUTCD Section 7B.01)
Standard. Except as provided in EPG 903.1.7, the sizes of signs and plaques to be used in school areas shall be as shown in Table 908.2.1.
Signs and plaques larger than those shown in Table 908.2.1 shall only be used if approved by the MoDOT Highway Safety and Traffic Division (see EPG 903.1.7).
School warning signs, including the “SCHOOL” portion of the School Speed Limit (S5-1) sign and including any supplemental plaques used in association with these warning signs, shall have a fluorescent yellow-green background with a black legend and border unless otherwise provided in the EPG for a specific sign.
The signs used for school area traffic control shall be retroreflective.
Support. EPG 903.1.13 and EPG 903.1.14 contain provisions regarding the installation, placement, and location of signs.
EPG 903.1.15 contains provisions regarding the mounting heights of signs.
EPG 903.1.16 contains provisions regarding the lateral offsets of signs.
The MUTCD “Standard Highway Signs” publication (see EPG 911) contains information regarding sign lettering.
Option. In-roadway signs for school traffic control areas may be used consistent with the requirements of Sections 2B.20 and 7B.03.
| Sign or Plaque | Sign Designation | EPG Article | Conventional Road (in.) | Freeway/Expressway(in.) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single-Lane | Multi-Lane | Oversized | Mainline and Ramps | |||
| School | S1-1 | 908.2.2 | 36 x 36 | 36 x 36 | - | - |
| School Bus Stop Ahead | S3-1 | 908.2.4 | 36 x 36 | 36 x 36 | - | - |
| School Speed Limit XX When Flashing | S5-1 | 908.2.5 | 36 x 72 | 36 x 72 | - | - |
| End School Zone | S5-2 | 908.2.2 | 24 x 30 | 24 x 30 | - | - |
| End School Speed Limit | S5-3 | 908.2.5 | 24 x 30 | 24 x 30 | - | - |
| School | S4-3P | 908.2.2, 908.2.5 | 36 x 12 | 36 x 12 | - | - |
| Directional Arrow | W16-5P | 908.2.5, 908.2.3 | 21 x 15 | 21 x 15 | - | - |
| Advance Turn Arrow | W16-6P | 908.2.5, 908.2.3 | 21 x 15 | 21 x 15 | - | - |
| Downward Diagonal Arrow | W16-7P | 908.2.5, 908.2.3 | 21 x 15 | 21 x 15 | - | - |
| Ahead | W16-9P | 908.2.5, 908.2.3 | 24 x 12 | 24 x 12 | - | - |
Notes:
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908.2.2 School Area Signs and Plaques (MUTCD Section 7B.02)
Support. Many state and local jurisdictions find it beneficial to advise road users that they are approaching a school that is adjacent to a highway, where additional care is needed, even though no school crossing is involved and the speed limit remains unchanged. Additionally, some jurisdictions designate school zones that have a unique legal standing in that fines for speeding or other traffic violations within designated school zones are increased or special enforcement techniques such as photo radar systems are used (see EPG 950 Automated Traffic Enforcement). It is important and sometimes legally necessary to mark the beginning and end points of these designated school zones so that the road user is given proper notice.
The School (S1-1) sign (see Figure 908.2.2.1) has the following four applications:
- A. School Area – the S1-1 sign can be used to warn road users that they are approaching a school area that might include school buildings or grounds, a school crossing, or school related activity adjacent to the highway.
- B. School Zone – the S1-1 sign can be used to identify the location of the beginning of a designated school zone.
- C. School Advance Crossing – if combined with an AHEAD (W16-9P) plaque to comprise the School Advance Crossing assembly (see Figure 908.2.2.1), the S1-1 sign can be used to warn road users that they are approaching a crossing where schoolchildren cross the roadway (see Section 7B.03). MoDOT does not use the XX FEET plaque for School Advance Crossing assemblies.
- D. School Crossing – if combined with a diagonal downward-pointing arrow (W16-7P) plaque to comprise the School Crossing assembly (see Figure 908.2.2.1), the S1-1 sign can be used to warn approaching road users of the location of a crossing where schoolchildren cross the roadway (see Section 7B.03).
Option. If a school area or school zone is located on a cross street in close proximity to the intersection, a School (S1-1) sign with a supplemental arrow (W16-5P or W16-6P) plaque (see Figure 908.2.2.1) may be installed on each approach of the street or highway to warn road users making a turn onto the cross street that they will encounter a school area soon after making the turn.
Standard. If a school zone has been designated under State or local statute, a School (S1-1) sign (see Figure 7B-1) shall be installed to identify the beginning point(s) of the designated school zone (see Figure 908.2.2.2).
Option. A School Zone (S1-1) sign may be supplemented with a SCHOOL (S4-3P) plaque (see Figure 908.2.2.1).
Standard. The downstream end of a designated school zone shall be identified with an END SCHOOL ZONE (S5-2) sign (see Figures 908.2.2.1 and 908.2.2.2).
Option. A Warning Beacon (see Section 4S.03) may be installed above a School (S1-1) sign for supplemental emphasis at a school zone.
Standard. Prior to the installation of a Warning Beacon, a TR08 Roadside Flashers for School Operations contract shall be executed.
908.2.3 School Crossing Signs (MUTCD Section 7B.03)
Standard. The School Advance Crossing assembly (see Figure 7B-1) shall consist of a School (S1-1) sign supplemented with an AHEAD (W16-9P) plaque.
Except as provided in the first Option paragraph below, a School Advance Crossing assembly shall be used in advance (see Table 2C-3 for advance placement guidelines) of the first School Crossing assembly that is encountered in each direction as traffic approaches a school crosswalk (see Figure 7B-3).
Prior to the installation of an Advanced School Crossing sign(s), a TR10 or TR11 School Crossing contract shall be executed.
Option. The School Advance Crossing assembly may be omitted (see Figure 7B-2B) where a School Zone (S1-1) sign (see Section 7B.02) is installed to identify the beginning of a school zone in advance of the School Crossing assembly if determined to be unnecessary by engineering judgement.
If a school crosswalk is located on a cross street in close proximity to an intersection, a School Advance Crossing assembly with a supplemental arrow (W16-5P or W16-6P) plaque may be installed on each approach of the street or highway to warn road users making a turn onto the cross street that they will encounter a school crosswalk soon after making the turn (see Figure 7B-3).
A 12-inch reduced size in-street School (S1-1) sign (see Figure 7B-1), installed in compliance with the mounting height and special mounting support requirements for an In-Street Pedestrian Crossing (R1-6) sign (see Section 2B.20), may be used in advance of a school crossing to supplement the post-mounted school warning signs with the approval of the Highway Safety and Traffic Division. A 12 x 6-inch reduced size AHEAD (W16-9P) plaque (see Figure 7B-1) may be mounted below the reduced size in-street School (S1-1) sign.
Standard. If used, the 12-inch reduced size in-street School sign shall only be placed in the roadway on a raised island.
If used, the School Crossing assembly (see Figure 7B-1) shall be installed at the school crossing (see Figures 7B-2B and 7B-3), or as close to it as possible, and shall consist of a School (S1-1) sign supplemented with a diagonal downward-pointing arrow (W16-7P) plaque (see Section 2C.63) to show the location of the crossing.
The School Crossing assembly shall not be used at crossings other than those adjacent to schools and those on established school pedestrian routes.
The School Crossing assembly shall not be installed on an approach controlled by a STOP or a YIELD sign except as provided in the first two Option paragraphs below.
Prior to the installation of a School Crossing sign(s), a TR10 or TR11 School Crossing contract shall be executed. All requests for School Crossing sign(s) shall be reviewed in the district.
Option. The School Crossing assembly may be installed on an approach to a circular intersection controlled by a YIELD sign where the crosswalk is at least 20 feet in advance of the yield point at the entrance to a circulatory roadway.
At a signalized or stop-controlled intersection the School Crossing assembly may be installed on an approach to a channelized right turn lane controlled by a YIELD sign where the crosswalk is at least 20 feet in advance of the yield point.
A Yield Here To School Crossing (R1-5a) sign (see Figure 7B-1) may be used, in accordance with the provisions of Section 2B.19, in advance of a marked crosswalk that crosses an uncontrolled multi-lane approach within school zones.
The In-Street School Crossing (R1-6b) sign (see Figure 7B-1) may be used at school crossings on approaches that are not controlled by a traffic control signal, a pedestrian hybrid beacon, or emergency-vehicle hybrid beacon with the approval of the Highway Safety and Traffic Division. If used at a school crossing, a 12 x 4-inch SCHOOL (S4-3P) plaque (see Figure 7B-1) may be mounted above the sign. The STATE LAW legend on the In-Street School Crossing sign may be omitted.
The In-Street School Crossing (R1-6b) sign may be used at intersections or midblock crossings with flashing beacons.
Standard. When used at an uncontrolled crossing, the In-Street School Crossing sign shall be used only as a supplement to a School Crossing assembly with a diagonal downward-pointing arrow (W16-7P) plaque at the crosswalk location.
Option. A 12-inch reduced size in-street School (S1-1) sign (see Figure 7B-1) may be used instead of the In-Street School Crossing (R1-6b) sign at a school crossing on approaches that are not controlled by a traffic control signal, pedestrian hybrid beacon, or an emergency-vehicle hybrid beacon with the approval of the Highway Safety and Traffic Division. A 12 x 6-inch reduced size diagonal downward-pointing arrow (W16-7P) plaque (see Figure 7B-1) may be mounted below the reduced size in-street School (S1-1) sign.
Standard. If an In-Street School Crossing sign or a reduced size in-street School (S1-1) sign is placed in the roadway, the sign support shall comply with the mounting height and special mounting support requirements for an In-Street Pedestrian Crossing (R1-6) sign (see Section 2B.20). An in-Street School Crossing sign or a reduced size in-street School (S1-1) sign shall only be placed in the roadway at the crosswalk location on a raised island.
The In-Street School Crossing sign and the reduced size in-street School (S1-1) sign shall not be used on approaches that are controlled by a traffic control signal, pedestrian hybrid beacon, or an emergency-vehicle hybrid beacon.
908.2.4 School Bus Stop Signs (MUTCD Section 7B.04)
Guidance. The School Bus Stop Ahead (S3-1) sign (see Figure 7B-1) should be installed in advance of locations where a school bus stops to pick up or discharge passengers and the sight distance of the bus available to road users is greater than the minimum sight distance and less than the maximum sight distance shown in Table 903.18.13. All attempts should be made to relocate the school bus stop to improve available sight distance and eliminate the need for the School Bus Stop Ahead (S3-1) sign.
Support. Section 304.050, RSMo, paragraph 4, defines, by state statute the minimum allowable sight distance a school bus stop must have. The statute states “…nor shall any passengers be taken on or discharged while the vehicle is upon the road or highway proper unless the vehicle so stopped is plainly visible for at least five hundred feet in each direction to drivers of other vehicles in the case of a highway with no shoulder and a speed limit greater than 60 miles per hour and at least three hundred feet in each direction to drivers of other vehicles upon other highways”.
While shoulder is not defined in state statutes, for this purpose it will mean a shoulder of sufficient width and strength for a school bus to be able to safely and completely leave the traveled portion of the roadway. At those locations not meeting the requirements above, a school bus stop is not allowed.
It is not intended that these signs be used everywhere a school bus stops to pick up or discharge passengers, but for use where terrain and roadway features limit the approach sight distance and where there is no opportunity to relocate the stop to another location with adequate sight distance.
Standard. The requirements to use the School Bus Stop Ahead signs are:
- For this policy, the school bus stop shall be defined as the location where passengers wait to be picked up or are discharged.
- The sight distance shall be determined using a 3.5 ft. eye height and an 8 ft. object height.
- Each approach to the school bus stop shall be considered independently of each other, i.e. it may not be necessary to sign both approaches to the school bus stop.
- Placement will be as per Table 903.6.6 Guidelines for Advance Placement of Warning Signs.
School districts shall provide confirmation to the MoDOT district office when school bus stops are active. This shall be done prior to the fall session. Also, whenever the school districts are aware of a school bus stop location change, they shall advise the MoDOT district office as soon as possible.
Option. If a location has more than the minimum sight distance required by statute, as described above, but less than the maximum values in Table 903.18.13, placement of the SCHOOL BUS STOP AHEAD sign may be allowed.
Support. The location of school bus stops can change from year to year. MoDOT district staff can keep records of all School Bus Stop Ahead signs to ensure that only necessary signs are installed.
908.2.5 School Speed Limit Signs (MUTCD Section 7B.05)
Standard. A School Speed Limit When Flashing (S5-1) sign (see Figure 7B-1) shall be used to indicate the speed limit where a reduced school speed limit zone has been established based upon an engineering study or where a reduced school speed limit is specified for such areas by statute. The School Speed Limit When Flashing sign shall be placed at or as near as practicable to the point where the reduced school speed limit zone begins (see Figures 7B-2B and 7B-2C).
If a reduced school speed limit zone has been established, a School (S1-1) sign shall be installed in advance (see Table 2C-3 for advance placement guidelines) of the first School Speed Limit When Flashing (S5-1) sign that is encountered in each direction as traffic approaches the reduced school speed limit zone (see Figures 7B-2B and 7B-2C).
The downstream end of an authorized and posted reduced school speed limit zone shall be identified with an END SCHOOL SPEED LIMIT (S5-3) sign (see Figures 7B-2B and 7B-2C).
Option. A standard Speed Limit sign showing the speed limit for the section of highway that is downstream from the authorized and posted reduced school speed limit zone may be mounted on the same post above the END SCHOOL SPEED LIMIT (S5-3) sign or the END SCHOOL ZONE (S5-2) sign.
Guidance. The beginning point of a reduced school speed limit zone should be at least 200 feet in advance of the school grounds or a school crossing; however, this 200-foot distance should be increased if the reduced school speed limit is 30 mph or higher. The maximum beginning point of a reduced school speed limit zone should not be greater than 500 feet in advance of the school grounds or a school crossing.
Standard. When a School Speed Limit When Flashing (S5-1) sign is used, a Speed Limit Sign Beacon (see Section 4S.04) shall be used to identify the periods that the school speed limit is in effect.
Prior to the installation of a School Speed Limit When Flashing sign with a Speed Limit Sign Beacon, a TR08 Roadside Flashers for School Operations contract shall be executed.
Guidance. If a Speed Limit Sign Beacon is installed, no other Warning Beacons should be permitted on school zone signs inside the same school zone.
Standard. Upon receipt of a school speed limit request, the district shall perform a site investigation. A speed study and a crash study may be performed based on engineering judgement. The school speed limit shall be 10 mph below the posted speed limit. In no case shall a school speed limit of less than 25 mph be allowed.
If in the course of the speed study it is determined that the posted speed for the corridor is not proper, the posted speed shall be reevaluated and changed as necessary following EPG 905.2.14 Speed Limit Guidelines.
908.2.6 Higher Fines Zone Signs and Plaques in School Areas (MUTCD Section 7B.06)
Standard. Higher Fines Zone Signs and Plaques are not used by MoDOT. Fines in school zones cannot be raised above statutory limits by MoDOT or local jurisdictions.
908.2.7 Parking and Stopping (R7 and R8 Series) Signs (MUTCD Section 7B.07)
Option. Parking and stopping regulatory signs may be used to prevent parked or waiting vehicles from blocking pedestrians’ views, and drivers’ views of pedestrians, and to control vehicles as a part of the school traffic plan.
Support. Parking signs and other signs governing the stopping and standing of vehicles in school areas cover a wide variety of regulations.
Sections 2B.53 through 2B.55 contain information regarding the signing of parking regulations in school zone areas.