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Ohio Administrative Code (Last Updated: January 12, 2021) |
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5501:2 Division of Highways |
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Chapter5501:2-8. Tourist Oriented Directional Signs - Program Rules and Regulations |
5501:2-8-06. Sign requirements
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(A) The design, arrangement, size and location of tourist oriented directional signs, including advance signs and trailblazer signs, authorized under sections 4511.102 to 4511.105 of the Revised Code shall conform to the applicable specifications contained in the federal manual on uniform traffic control devices, the Ohio manual of uniform traffic control devices and the standards and specifications for tourist oriented directional signs.
(B) Standardized symbols for food, lodging and camping, as well as recreational and/or cultural activities as found in the federal manual on uniform traffic control devices, are the only symbols that may be used on the signs in conjunction with other directional information except as provided herein. Only one symbol, one logo, or one symbol and one logo may be displayed on any one sign. If no appropriate symbol exists in the federal manual on uniform traffic control devices, the department will consider proposals for additional symbols. These proposals must come from a national trade association or similar organization. If none exists, submissions from a statewide trade association or similar organization will be considered. The department will coordinate the review of these proposals with appropriate agencies. If the department is in concurrence with a proposal, the symbol will be submitted to the federal highway administration for approval. During this federal highway administration review the symbol may be used. If the federal highway administration subsequently rejects the symbol the program manager will stop using the symbol and remove those that have been installed.
(C) Where sufficient space exists on an intersection leg for only one intersection tourist oriented directional sign assembly for tourist oriented activities in the left and right directions, participation in the program shall be offered to the four closest eligible attractions in the combined left and right directions. Where sufficient space exists on an intersection leg for two intersection sign assemblies for tourist oriented activities in the left and right directions, participation in the program shall be offered to the four closest eligible attractions in both the left and right directions. In either case, participation shall be offered to successively distant eligible attractions in the left and right directions until a maximum of four signs per sign assembly is achieved. Where sufficient space exists on an intersection leg for an intersection assembly for tourist oriented activities in the ahead direction, participation in the program shall be offered to the four closest eligible attractions meeting the requirements contained in this rule. Participation shall be offered to successively distant eligible attractions in the ahead direction meeting the requirements contained in this rule until a maximum of four signs on the assembly is achieved.
(D) Eligible attractions may qualify for tourist oriented directional signs at more than one intersection on a particular approach direction to their activity. If the installation of signs at more than one such location would prevent another eligible attraction from participating in the program, these additional signs shall not be installed.
(E) Only those eligible attractions not plainly visible to the driver proceeding on the cross road will be considered for trailblazing signs. When required, all trailblazing signs shall be erected prior to erection of the intersection signs.
(F) Signing for eligible attractions in the ahead direction shall be considered only when there is signing for a similar activity in either the right or left direction.
(G) Advance tourist oriented directional signing may be installed in those situations where sight distance, intersection vehicle maneuvers, or other vehicle operating characteristics require advance notice of an eligible attraction in order to reduce vehicle conflicts and improve highway safety, provided intersection tourist oriented directional signs are in place.
(H) When not more than four tourist oriented directional intersection signs are to be installed on an approach to an intersection, the signs may be combined on the same assembly with the left turn signs above the right turn signs. Ahead signs shall not be used in such an assembly.
(I) There may be situations where there are more than four eligible attractions desiring to participate in the program in either the left or right direction and fewer than four in the opposite direction. In these situations, one tourist oriented directional sign assembly with four signs will be installed for the direction having the most eligible attractions. The other sign assembly may indicate the additional eligible attractions in this same direction after all the eligible attractions in the opposite direction are included on this other sign assembly. Signs in the ahead direction are not permitted on these assemblies.
(J) Except for eligible attractions providing food, lodging and/or camping, if the hours of operation of an eligible attraction are different than would be reasonably expected of that particular type of attraction, the program manager may include the hours of operation on the signs for that particular eligible attraction.
(K) The program manager shall include a provision in all advertising agreements with eligible attractions involved in the program indicating that, in the event of expiration or termination of the contract with the director, the unexpired portions of such agreements shall be subject to cancellation with any unearned, prepaid charges refunded by the program manager.
(L) If at any time a tourist oriented directional sign is not in place for a period exceeding two weeks during the normal business season of the eligible attraction, the program manager shall reimburse the affected eligible attraction on a pro-rated basis. Such reimbursement shall include the initial two week period.
(M) No reimbursement shall be required to any participating eligible attraction due to road closures or detours established for any reason.
(N) An alternate tourist activities header panel, twice as high as the standard tourist activities panel, may be used to indicate the county name or other information applicable to all eligible attractions displayed on the sign assembly. All eligible attractions displayed on the assembly must agree to participate in the additional cost of this alternate header or this header will not be installed. This alternate header will not be permitted on advance signs.