903.13 Recreational, Historic Site, and Cultural Interest Area Signs (MUTCD Chapter 2M)

Support. State and Federal Recreational site, Historic Site, and Cultural Interest Area signing placed on the MoDOT system is a form of traffic generator sign. As such, they are included in the department Supplemental Guide Sign Program. These signs only provide guidance to these recreational and historical sites. Federal and state agencies owning recreational and historical sites are responsible for installing and maintain internal site signing to MUTCD standards. MoDOT only adopts those portions of the National MUTCD that are relevant to state-maintained highways. For this reason, MUTCD content related to signing inside these sites is not included in the EPG. Practitioners should reference the National MUTCD for provisions related to traffic control devices that are not included in the EPG.

Standard. For this signing program, a State or Federal Recreation and Historic Site is defined as a site owned and operated by a Missouri state agency (Missouri Department of Conservation or Missouri Department of Natural Recourse) or a federal agency (National Park Service, National Forest Service, Corps of Engineers, US Fish and Wildlife).

All requests for participation in the State and Federal Recreation and Historic Site Signing program shall be forwarded to MoDOT’s Supplemental Guide Sign Program manager for processing. Per the CSR, it is the program manager’s responsibility to receive all requests, evaluate eligibility and administer the contract with the applicant.

MoDOT districts’ role in the program is to review and approve site plans for new sign installations, assuring the new sign installations do not conflict with existing traffic control devices or create sight distance issues. Another critical responsibility is to identify and report damage and/or deficiencies with any of the signs the for which the program manager is responsible.

Central Office Highway Safety and Traffic Division shall be responsible for managing the Supplemental Guide Sign Program Contract, updating the CSR, and interpreting the intent of the CSR and the program contract if there are questions or appeals from prospective applicants. Highway Safety and Traffic Division shall also be responsible for working with Governmental Relations on legislative issues.

The State and Federal Recreation and Historic Site Signing program shall be managed in accordance with the Code of State Regulations 7 CSR 10-17 Supplemental Guide Sign Program and the Supplemental Guide Sign Program contract between the Commission and MoDOT’s third party contractor. The CSR is binding and has the effect of law. Exceptions and/or variations from the CSR are not permitted under normal conditions with the Director having the only authority to authorize such actions.

The rules contained within the CSR are based on, and are in conformance with, the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices and the AASHTO Guidelines for the Selection of Supplemental Guide Signs for Traffic Generators.

Guidance. Recreational and cultural interest symbol signs used on MoDOT right of way are typically limited to those that indicate the availability of camping at a site. These signs are installed as part of state and federal signing in the Supplemental Guide Sign Program managed by MoDOT’s third party contractor and their use is based on a site evaluation for eligibility. The design and size of the symbol signs should match MUTCD standards.

Typical Recreational Symbol Signs Used on MoDOT Right of Way

Option. Rustic Signs may be used by state and federal agencies at first order locations, the intersection that leads drivers off the state system or at the entrance of the site when the state route passes through the recreational areas or historic site. Rustic signs do not meet Federal breakaway standards therefore when they are used they shall be placed at or outside of MoDOT’s right of way line for safety. These signs will typically replace MoDOT’s standard first order signing (see EPG 903.1.24).

903.13.1 Regulatory and Warning Signs (MUTCD Section 2M.03)

Standard. All regulatory and warning signs installed on roads and streets open to public travel within recreational and cultural interest areas shall comply with the requirements in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.