ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

MISCELLANEOUS GUIDE SIGN

MANUAL

March 2010
Revised August 2011
TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER CONTENTS PAGE

1.0 PURPOSE 1
1.1 Authority 1
1.2 Comprehensive Approach to Signing 1

2.0 DEFINITIONS 1

3.0 EXCLUSIONS, SUNSET PROVISIONS, VARIANCE PROCEDURE,

AUTHORITY & ILLEGAL SIGNS 5
3.1 Exclusions 5
3.2 Sunset Provisions 5
3.3 Variance Procedures 5
3.4 Authority 5

4.0 GENERAL CRITERIA FOR WARRANTING OFFICIAL SIGNS 6

4.1 Benefits of Using Only Official Warranted Signs 6
4.2 Categories of Miscellaneous Guide Signs with Exclusions 6
4.3 Evaluation Overview & Responsibilities of Engineer 6
4.4 Hierarchy and Application of Warranting Criteria by Roadway Class 6
4.5 Quantity Limitations and Allowable Sign Types 7

5.0 DESIGN 8
5.1 General Principles & Requirements 8
5.2 Conspicuity 9
5.3 Use of Action and Exit Messages 9
5.4 Standard Legends, Fonts, Colors, Shields, and Symbols 9

6.0 PLACEMENT & INSTALLATION 14

6.1 Interchange or Intersection Placement 14
6.2 Intermixing with Standard Route or Directional Signing 14
6.3 Qualifying Locations and Quantity of Signs Allowed 15

7.0 FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS 18

8.0 WARRANT TABLES 20

8.1 Interstates & Expressways - Traffic Generators That Do Not 21
Warrant Signing
8.2 Conventional Roads - Traffic Generators That Do Not 22
Warrant Signing
8.3 Interstate & Expressway – General Service 23
8.4 Interstate & Expressway – General Information 26
8.5 Interstate & Expressway – Traffic Generators 27
8.6 Conventional Road – General Service 30
8.7 Conventional Road – General Information 31
8.8 Conventional Road – Traffic Generator 35

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CHAPTER CONTENTS PAGE

APPENDIX A FIGURES
Figure A-1 43
Figure A-2 44
Figure A-3 45
Figure A-4 46
Figure A-5 47
Figure A-6 48
Figure A-7 49
Figure A-8 50
Figure A-9 51
Figure A-10 52
Figure A-11 53

APPENDIX B REVISIONS
Revision List i
Reserved for Revision List ii-ix
Revision 1, Memorandum August 11, 2011 x

Miscellaneous Guide Sign Manual

1.0 PURPOSE

The purpose of this manual is to establish requirements and procedures for the funding, placement, design,
installation, maintenance, and removal of miscellaneous guide signs on state rights-of-way by the Alabama
Department of Transportation (ALDOT) or others when approved by permit or special authorization. This
Manual encompasses informational and directional type signs as described herein, intended for placement at
state or other’s expense.

1.1 AUTHORITY

This Manual provides the necessary information to authoritatively approve or disapprove and remove or
install any sign under jurisdiction of ALDOT (see Code of Alabama Chapters 32-5A-30, 23-1-6, and 32-
5A-36). The MUTCD & AASHTO Publication ISBN 1-56051-154-0 recommends the drafting and
adopting of a signing policy which deals with various categories of guide signing. This Manual
represents ALDOT’s work to comply with those recommendations.

1.2 COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO SIGNING

This Manual, along with Procedures for Specific Service Signing on Interstates (and other Selected)
Highway Systems and Chapter 450-10-1 (Code of Alabama), dealing with outdoor advertising,
represents ALDOT’s work to present a comprehensive plan to address official, unofficial, and
miscellaneous guide signing as defined therein.

2.0 DEFINITIONS

The following words and phrases are used and defined as follows in this Manual. Other definitions are
provided in the Code of Alabama Chapter 32-1-1.1. Should any of the following definitions conflict
substantially with the MUTCD, the MUTCD definition applies.

Advance Street Name Sign: identifies an upcoming intersection by route and/or name.
Business Logo: identifies a brand, symbol, trademark or trade-name or any combination thereof.
Central Office: persons with responsible charge at the Bureau level or higher for sign application,
installation, or maintenance.
Conventional Road: a street or highway other than a low volume road, expressway or interstate.
Destination Sign: identifies the direction of a place name (city, town, village, or other traffic generator)
with an arrow.
Distance Sign: identifies the place name and mileage of three or fewer destinations.
Enhancement marker: a type of pictograph or symbol used as an identifier on community wayfinding
signs to represent destinations as part of a guidance plan for a specific area.
Engineer: person with responsible charge at the Division or District level for sign application, installation
and maintenance.
Expressway: a divided or median barrier highway with partial and/or full control of access. Mainline
roadways and any associated ramps comprise expressways.
General Information Sign: facts, whether directly or indirectly providing guidance, which are conveyed
to the road user; the lowest priority message display for safe, efficient traffic movement.

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General Service Sign: a commercial, governmental, or quasi-governmental service facility which
provides primary needs of the traveling public. General services have standard symbol or legend designs
and include, but are not limited to gas (fuel), food, lodging, camping, hospital(s), RV services, and tourist
information.
Guide sign mount: the use of copy, route shield(s), and/or symbols on a green or brown background to
convey standard junction, advance, and turn information for numbered or other official highway routes.
(Contrast with Independent mount)
Historic Marker: a cast metal sign which conveys detailed historical information about a location or site
approved by the Alabama Historical Commission or the Alabama Department of Archives and History.
Independent mount: two or more guide sign units or markers affixed directly to a post or support
providing direction or information, typically, for numbered or official routes. (Contrast with Guide Sign
mount.)
Informational Guide Sign: informs road users of the color code and/or pictographs meanings if used on
wayfinding signs; typically located at the perimeter or boundary of the wayfinding area.
Interstate: a divided or median barrier highway with full control of access and designated by AASHTO
shield and numeral designation. Mainline roadways and ramps comprise interstates.
Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD): the current ALDOT adopted version of the
FHWA document for the design and usage of traffic control devices.
Miscellaneous Signs: a broad group of official traffic control devices which provide guidance in the
general service, traffic generator, and general information categories; typically the least important group
of guide signs for roadway safety.
Official route shield: a unique sign design for an official public route approved for use by FHWA,
ALDOT, AASHTO, transportation or privately managed toll entity having jurisdiction or authority.
Official sign: a sign placed or authorized to be place on public right of way by ALDOT or the
transportation authority having jurisdiction.
Other named route: a highway for motor vehicle traffic and designated by the Legislature or Governor
whose name is neither attributed nor ascribed to an individual person(s); typically the name conveys a
historical, cultural, scenic, etc. relevance.
Pictograph: An image or figure representation used to identify a governmental jurisdiction, an area of
jurisdiction, or a government agency, base, university, or institution.
Political Boundary Sign: a display which denotes welcome, good will, and/or civic affiliations, etc. near
the border of a united governmental body permitted for installation by ALDOT.
Primary traffic generator: an incorporated city, town, or route junction as determined by the engineer,
appearing on standard (intersection or interchange approach) guide signs placed by ALDOT.
Scenic byway: a route or corridor designated by the State Scenic Byway Committee (SBC route)
Secondary traffic generator: a destination, other than a primary traffic generator, requested by others
which may be eligible for display on highway signs as determined by the engineer based upon warranting
criteria, engineering judgment, availability of ROW, sign spacing, funding resources, etc.
Specific Service Sign: a type of guide sign which provides road users with business identification and
directional information for eligible services and attractions; a LOGO sign panel upon which business
logos are placed.
Street Name Sign: identifies an intersection by route and/or name and placed at the intersection.

Miscellaneous Guide Sign Manual Page 2

Supplemental Guide Sign: displayed destinations accessible from an interchange other than places shown
on standard advance guide and exit direction interchange signing; a primary or secondary traffic generator
display on a controlled access highway.
Survey Zero Point Method: a measurement procedure used to determine the distance to a traffic generator
from the principal roadway. The distance is measured from the physical gore of the exit ramp along the
edge of pavement of the crossroad as a vehicle must travel to reach the access point of the generator (If a
gore is nonexistent, the begin point is the intersection of the roadway centerlines).
Tourist Oriented Directional Sign: a display of business identification and directional information for one
or more businesses, services, or activity facilities whose primary business income/sales comes from out-
of-town patrons or visitors.
Traffic Generator: a facility, location, route corridor or area which warrants signing on a roadway based
upon the MUTCD or satisfaction of various criteria related to the amount of trips, traffic volume, size, etc;
as described in the Warrant Tables.
Trail: 1) a distinct path, marked and maintained, typically for hiking or off-road vehicle, non-motorized
vehicle, and/or equestrian users; or 2) a group of thematic sites in a region or state with distinct
commonality.
Trailblazer: a complementary directional sign for a warranted traffic generator, official route or byway
using, at a minimum, a “TO” auxiliary plaque and/or directional arrow.
Unincorporated sign: denotes a general boundary of an area, which is not organized or united into a
governmental body, which crosses a state highway; only the town name may appear on this display.
Wayfinding Sign: a type of destination guide sign for use on conventional roads which directs road
users to key civic, cultural, recreational or visitor attractions within a city, urbanized, or downtown area.
Wayfinding signs may incorporate enhancement markers and/or color coding to improve recognition.

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Miscellaneous Guide Sign Manual Page 4

3.0 EXCLUSIONS, SUNSET PROVISIONS, VARIANCE PROCEDURE, AUTHORITY & ILLEGAL
SIGNS

3.1 EXCLUSIONS

Specific Service Sign (LOGO) details are not addressed in this Manual. For information on LOGO Signs
refer to ALDOT’s Procedures for Specific Service Signing on Interstates (and other Selected) Highway
Systems. Tourist Oriented Directional Signs are neither addressed in other documents nor included in this
Manual.

3.2 SUNSET PROVISIONS

Existing miscellaneous signs of the categories described herein have been erected and maintained based
upon past rulings, memorandums, and guidance from the MUTCD, the Alabama Manual on Uniform
Traffic Control Devices (AMUTCD, 1992) and ALDOT. Notwithstanding these or any other past
provisions for the erection and maintenance of the said existing signs, a sunset provision will commence
upon the Manual adoption date.

The Sunset provisions are:

Any sign installation which cannot satisfy the criteria contained within this Manual for the warranting
display, maintenance responsibility, or sign placement and design criteria within seven years of the
Manual adoption date shall be removed from state right-of-way. Signs legally permitted by the
Permit Section of the Maintenance Bureau may be exempt from these Sunset Provisions.
Any sign, which fails to satisfy the criteria and/or fails to meet the minimum requirement for maintained
retroreflectivity, as determined by ALDOT procedures, during the sunset provision, shall be
removed from state right-of-way.

3.3 VARIANCE PROCEDURE

Prior to the removal of such signs described in 3.2 Sunset Provisions above, the Division Engineer or
Bureau Chief may submit a request for a variance as detailed below. A Division Engineer or Bureau
Chief may request a variance for any sign or group of signs impacted by the Sunset Provisions following
the request for variance procedure:

Any request for variance from this Manual must be communicated in writing to the State Maintenance or
Traffic Operations Engineer. The request for a variance should state the following as applicable: 1) The
specific variance(s) requested, 2) the safety or mobility impact upon the road user if the variance is not
granted, 3) the cost of the work to be performed and the name of the payer, and 4) the sign installation
plan and designs. The request for variance should be submitted by the appropriate Division Engineer or
Bureau Chief.

3.4 AUTHORITY

Unofficial signs are those placed or maintained upon state right-of-way contrary to the provisions of this
manual or the law. Furthermore, a sign which fails to satisfy the current design requirements and standard
specifications of ALDOT at the time of its fabrication or installation is an unofficial sign. A sign other
than an official sign and notice, as described in Code of Alabama Chapter 450-10-1, 32-5A-30, and 32-
5A-36 is an encroachment. Such signs will be removed from state right-of-way and stored up to ninety
days prior to disposal. Owners of such signs may request the removed sign at the appropriate ALDOT
District or Division Office. Should any provision of this Manual conflict with a Standard Statement in
the MUTCD, the MUTCD shall govern and not this Manual.
Miscellaneous Guide Sign Manual Page 5
4.0 GENERAL CRITERIA FOR WARRANTING OFFICIAL SIGNS

4.1 BENEFITS OF USING ONLY OFFICIAL, WARRANTED SIGNS

Guide signing is essential to direct road users to destinations and inform of services or places of interest.
Adherence to this Manual should: 1) alleviate sign over crowding, 2) provide an effective system of
signing primarily for the benefit of those unfamiliar with the area, 3) promote proper sign selection,
design, and placement standards, 4) establish funding and maintenance responsibilities, and 5) implement
an equitable system for approval or disapproval of miscellaneous guide signs.

4.2 CATEGORIES OF MISCELLANEOUS GUIDE SIGNS WITH EXCLUSIONS

Three broad categories of signs are addressed in this Manual: Traffic Generators, General Service, and
General Information.

For the purpose of providing a comprehensive approach to signing, the General Information Signs
Category shall include Wayfinding, Informational Guide, Street Name, Advance Street Name, scenic
byways, trails, other facilities, named highways & bridges, recreational symbols, and educational plaques.
Criteria for warranting Rest and Scenic Area Signs and other supplemental guide signs not addressed in
this Manual, such as Community Interchange Identification signs, contact the Traffic Operations Section
of the Maintenance Bureau.

4.3 EVALUATION OVERVIEW & RESPONSIBILITES OF ENGINEER

Evaluation of criteria is the responsibility of the ALDOT engineer. The engineer should document the
data and evaluation methods used when a formal review is required. When more than the maximum
number of generators satisfies the criteria for a given roadway placement, the generator exceeding its
criteria by the highest percentage should be signed. If the traffic generator difference is negligible or
cannot be determined, the generator(s) closest to the intersection/interchange should be signed using the
survey zero point method. If two or more warranted traffic generators are contiguous in nature or share
an access, only one warranted generator shall be signed.

4.4 HIERARCHY AND APPLICATION OF WARRANTING CRITERIA BY ROADWAY CLASS

A hierarchy exists for qualification of a generator on more than one roadway type. The highest order is
(1) Interstate and Freeway; the second order is (2) Expressway and the third order is (3) Conventional
roads.

If signing is warranted and installed according to these provisions on any roadway, trailblazer signing for
the same traffic generator is afforded on a lesser roadway regardless of the satisfaction of criteria on the
lesser roadway type. Traffic generator signing should not be installed unless agreements or installations
for minor road signing (local roads) are complete. In order to qualify for signing on (1) Interstate &
Freeway, (2) Expressway, or (3) Conventional Roads, a traffic generator shall meet the minimum criteria
specified in the Warrant Tables or otherwise satisfy requirements as provided herein. Sites or facilities of
the three category types, Traffic Generator, General Service, and General Information, must satisfy the
criteria in the Warrant Tables. Sites or facilities which are otherwise allowed herein, permitted by
regulation or law may be signed. Signs of the type shown in the Tables, “Traffic Generators That Do Not
Warrant Signing” shall not be signed. Note: The variance procedure described in 3.3 may be used for any
site or facility not otherwise qualified.

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4.5 QUANTITY LIMITATIONS AND ALLOWABLE SIGN TYPES

Interstate and Freeways:

Traffic Generator – A limit of two warranted destinations per interchange approach other than the
standard place and/or route names (i.e., the primary traffic generators) on the advance and exit
direction signs. The secondary traffic generator shall only be signed on a ramp if the criterion is
satisfied and signs are installed for the mainline roadway. Traffic Generator Signs on these
roadways are commonly referred to as supplemental guide signs.

General Service – The following General Service Signs shall be allowed: Hospital, Emergency
Medical Care, Camping, Lodging, Food, Gas (including approved alternative fuel designations),
and Tourist Information & Welcome Center.

The General Service Signs Camping, Lodging, Food, and/or Gas may be used for eligible service
types at an interchange if the following conditions are satisfied:

• Criteria is satisfied in the Warrant Tables,

• No specific service signs exist at the subject interchange,
• Located in a rural area (<10,000 population), and
• In an area that is greater than three exits from specific service signing.

A General Service Sign (symbol or word message) shall not be used on a Specific Service Sign.

General Information – The following General Information Signs shall be allowed: Reference
Location (Mile Post), Enhanced Route Overpass, Radio-Weather Information, Carpool/Ridesharing,
Weigh Station/Enforcement, State lines, Time Zones, City Limits, County Lines, Rivers & Creeks,
Airport, Train Station, Cruise/Passenger Ship Terminal, Recreational symbols.

Signing of named highways or bridges should consist of a memorial or honorary plaque in a Rest
Area or other appropriate area where parking is provided.

Expressways:

Traffic Generator – A limit of three warranted destinations (secondary traffic generators) per
interchange or intersection approach other than the standard place and/or route names (the primary
traffic generator) of the advance and exit direction signs or intersection approach guide signs. A
traffic generator shall only be signed on a ramp when the criterion is satisfied and signs are installed
on the mainline roadway. Traffic Generator Signs on these roadways are commonly referred to as
supplemental guide signs.

General Service – The following General Service Signs shall be allowed: Hospital, Emergency
Medical Care, and Tourist Information & Welcome Center. At minor or rural interchanges, where
no specific service signing is used, General Service Signs (Camping, Lodging, Food, and Gas
(including approved alternative fuel designations)) may be installed when:

• Criteria is satisfied in the Warrant Tables, and

• No specific service signs are used along the route.

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 A General Service Sign (symbol or word message) shall be not used on a Specific Service Sign of
the same type on any sign or any interchange approach.

General Information – The following General Information Signs shall be allowed: Reference
Location (Mile Post), Enhanced Route Overpass, Radio-Weather Information, Carpool/Ridesharing,
Advance Street Name, Scenic byways, trails, Named highways & bridges, other named routes,
Weigh Station/Enforcement, State lines, Time Zones, Rivers & Creeks, City Limits, County Lines,
Airport, Train Station, Cruise/Passenger Ship Terminal, Police Jurisdiction and Historic marker
signs. Informational Guide signs, Recreational symbols, and Educational plaques may be installed
on ramps at interchanges.

Conventional Roads:

Traffic Generator – A limit of four warranted destinations (secondary traffic generators) per
intersection approach.

General Service – The following General Service Signs in the Warrant Tables: Hospital, Emergency
Medical Care, and Tourist Information & Welcome Center shall be allowed if criteria are satisfied.

General Information – The following General Information Signs shall be allowed: Reference
Location (Mile Post), Radio-Weather Information, Weigh Station/Enforcement, State lines, Time
Zones, River & Creeks, City and Town Limits, County Lines, Advance Street Name, Street Name,
Airport, Train Station, Cruise/Passenger Ship Terminal, Library, Bus Station, Recreational symbols,
Educational Symbols, Police jurisdiction, Historic marker, Adopt-a-Mile, Adopt-a-Stream, Named
highways & bridges, other named routes, scenic byways, trails, Wayfinding (for municipal
connecting links), and Informational Guide Signs.

Exceptions - For traffic generators which are not warranted on Conventional Roads and are
officially affiliated with a SBC route, the following criteria may be used to sign a generator on a
conventional road: A maximum distance of 3 miles from the scenic byway, the generator must be
open to the public a minimum of 40 hours/week, and trail or byway literature must be available on
site. Any generator which is signed based upon the criteria exceptions stated above must submit
attendance figures to ALDOT. If a minimum of one-half of the traffic warrant criteria in the
Warrant Tables cannot be satisfied or attendance figures are not submitted, the signs shall be
removed at the end of their service life or five years, whichever is less, without replacement. The
traffic generator(s), if signed, shall not use wayfinding or informational guide sign designs.

General Limitations:
Any installed sign(s) of a traffic generator, general service or general information (category) facility
or site may neither be qualified nor signed under a different category or the same category (using a
different facility or site type) unless expressly allowed in this Manual.

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5.0 DESIGN

5.1 GENERAL PRINCIPLES & REQUIREMENTS

All sign designs shall be approved by the Central Office prior to fabrication. All sign designs shall
conform to ALDOT Standard Specifications, ALDOT Standard Drawings, MUTCD and/or FHWA
Standard Highway Sign Book unless otherwise provided for herein; this requirement is applicable to both
standard symbols and word legend messages. Current Revisions to these documents are acceptable for
design consideration as they may become adopted by ALDOT; FHWA Interim Approvals (to the
MUTCD) effecting sign design must be requested by ALDOT or other agency or entity and approved by
FHWA prior to consideration or use. Standard motorist, traveler service, recreational symbols and
educational plaques of other Federal or State Agencies’ may be used only if an adopted symbol does not
exist for the same or related message in the above referenced documents. These supplemental plaques or
symbols, either within the border of a sign or attached beneath a sign, may be used only on standard
advance and exit direction guide signs or on Traffic Generator Signs for warranted parks and recreation
areas.

5.2 CONSPICUITY & UNIFORMITY

Oversized Traffic Generator, General Service, and General Information Signs for the roadway class shall
not be allowed unless determined to be necessary by the engineer due to the roadway environment or
traffic operations. Where outdated or variant sign design elements are present on a route corridor, new or
replacement sign designs should be upgraded to the appropriate functional road class and interchange
classification (per MUTCD). Fonts and letter sizes should maintain consistency throughout a route
corridor. Acceptable abbreviations may be used if consistent with the MUTCD. Place Names used on
Advance Guide and Exit Direction signs shall not be repeated on Traffic Generator Signs for the same
exit or interchange.

5.3 USE OF ACTION AND EXIT MESSAGES

An Exit Number plaque, exit number action message, or word legend, “NEXT RIGHT, NEXT EXIT,
NEXT LEFT, NEXT SIGNAL, NEXT INTERSECTION”, or other appropriate action message shall be
part of the Traffic Generator Sign on Interstate Highways. For intersections on Expressways and
Conventional Roads, lane use action messages such as “LEFT LANE” or a Standard FHWA arrow may
be substituted as appropriate for roadway conditions. The word “SECOND” or other approved prompt or
descriptive word may be substituted for “NEXT.” Unnecessary or redundant word messages, such as
“FOLLOW, TRAFFIC, and USE,” shall not be used.

5.4 STANDARD LEGENDS, FONTS, COLORS, SHIELDS, AND SYMBOLS

All sign designs in this Section shall conform with the Tables “Minimum Letter and Numeral Sizes for
Freeway Guide Signs According to Interchange Classification” and “Minimum Letter and Numeral Sizes
for Expressway Guide Signs According to Sign Type” in the MUTCD. Design exceptions shall be
submitted to the Central Office for approval prior to fabrication.

Interstate and Freeways:

Traffic Generator – Design layouts shall conform to the standards and principles in the “ALDOT
Interstate Guide Sign Handbook”. Reflectorized white copy and border on a reflectorized green
and/or brown background shall be used. Font series shall be Clearview 5W-R for place name and
destination. Clearview 5W shall be used for all other words, letters, and numerals and shall be all
uppercase. Uppercase and lower case combinations shall be used for destination as indicated in the
Miscellaneous Guide Sign Manual Page 9
 Handbook. The engineer shall determine the appropriate letter and numeral heights taking existing
roadway sign design elements into consideration. Pictographs are allowed if incorporated, as part
of or in whole, as an official route shield or is an official image of a Federal Agency or Division and
improves recognition of the destination name. Descriptive words, phrases, or symbols shall not be
used. Incorporated or trademarked words shall not be used unless the words are part of the official
generator name and necessary for motorist recognition of the generator. A simplified or abbreviated
place name should be used when the place name word count is greater than four.

General Service – Reflectorized white copy and border on a reflectozied blue background of ASTM
Type II or higher sheeting shall be used. Font series shall be Clearview 5W, all uppercase. All other
words & letters shall be uppercase either standard D font or Clearview 4W. Either symbol or word
messages shall be used for services on an interchange approach and ramp signs. Symbol and word
messages shall not be mixed within interchange signing. For Tourist Information and Welcome
Centers, only word messages shall be used on signs. For Gas Symbol signs, only the standard
symbol or ALDOT approved alternative fuel symbol shall be used.

General Information – Where MUTCD Standard Highway Designs (symbols or word legends) are
applicable, they shall be used. A Pictograph, logo, or embellishment shall not be used unless it is
associated with an official route or scenic byway sign or shield as recognized and approved for
Interstate or Freeway use by FHWA or AASHTO.

Expressways:

Traffic Generator – Reflectorized white copy and border on a reflectorized green and/or brown
background shall be used. Font series shall be E Modified, D Modified, or Clearview 4W for place names
and destinations. Uppercase and lower case combinations shall be used for destination & place
names of primary traffic generators. All other words & letters, including secondary traffic
generators, shall be uppercase either standard D Series Font or Clearview 4W. The engineer shall
determine the appropriate letter and numeral heights taking existing roadway sign design elements
into consideration. Pictographs shall not be used unless incorporated as part of or in whole, as an
official route shield. Descriptive words, phrases, or symbols shall not be used. A simplified or
abbreviated place name should be used when the place name word count is greater than four.

General Service – Reflectorized white copy and border on a reflectorized green and/or brown
background shall be used. Font series shall be E Modified, D Modified, or Clearview 4W for place
names and destinations. All words & letters shall be uppercase either standard D Series Font or
Clearview 4W. Either symbol or word messages shall be used consistently on an interchange
approach and ramp signs. For Tourist Information and Welcome Centers, only word messages
shall be used on signs. For Gas Symbol signs, only the standard symbol or ALDOT approved
alternative fuel symbol shall be used. A distance plaque and/or arrow of a standard design may be
used to supplement independent mount installations.

General Information – Where MUTCD Standard Highway Designs (symbols or word legends) are
applicable they shall be used. Variations from standard designs shall be approved by the Central
Office. A Pictograph, logo, or embellishment shall not be used unless it is associated with an
official route, SBC route (i.e. State design), or off-road trail system and its shield or logo is
approved for use by FHWA, AASHTO, or ALDOT. Design criteria for General Information Signs
on Expressways shall be the same as detailed in 5.4, Conventional Roads.

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Conventional Roads:

Traffic Generator – Reflectorized white copy and border on a reflectorized green and/or brown
background shall be used. Pictographs shall not be used unless incorporated, as part of or in whole,
as an official route shield. Descriptive words, phrases, or symbols shall not be used. A simplified
or abbreviated place name should be used when the place name word count is greater than three. A
numeral distance (rounded to the nearest whole value) may be used on this type of destination sign.
The engineer should determine the appropriate letter and numeral heights using the guidance
provided below:

Primary Traffic Generator Signs shall use an uppercase and lower case lettering combination.
Exceptions to combination requirements are route and auxiliary plaque abbreviations. United
States Highway shall be “US,” Alabama State Highway shall be “AL,” and County Roads
shall be “CR.” An auxiliary plaque abbreviation example is “JCT” for Junction. Primary
traffic generators shall use Standard Highway D series or Clearview 4W fonts.

Letter sizes should be as follows as indicated in the Table below:

Table 5.4a – Primary Traffic Generator Letter Sizes for Conventional

Roads
Speed Uppercase Lowercase
(MPH) (inch) (inch)
≤ 40 6 4.5
≥ 45* 8 6
* For two way roadways with four or fewer undivided lanes where speeds are 45-55 mph, the
≤ 40mph letter sizes may be used.

Secondary Traffic Generator Signs shall use all uppercase letters. These signs shall use
Standard Highway C Series or Clearview 3W fonts.

Table 5.4b – Secondary Traffic Generator Letter Sizes for Conventional

Roads
Speed (MPH)
Roadway Uppercase (inch)
Undivided,
≤ 55
≤ 4 lanes 4
Divided or
≤ 40
Undivided
Undivided,
≤ 55
≥ 5 lanes 6
Divided or
> 55
Undivided

General Service – Reflectorized white copy & border on a reflectorized blue background of ASTM
Type II or higher sheeting shall be used. Either symbol or word messages shall be used. For
Tourist Information & Welcome Centers, only word messages shall be used on signs. A distance
lane use and/or arrow plaque of a standard design may be used to supplement independent mount
installations.

Miscellaneous Guide Sign Manual Page 11

General Information – MUTCD Standard Highway Sign Designs (symbols or word legends) and
ALDOT Standard Designs shall be used. Variations from standard designs shall only be approved by
the Central Office. For use of pictographs, logos, or embellishments, See Expressways General
Information above and Table 5.4c, Use & Signing Characteristics of Routes and Trails.

Street Name Signs

Street Name Signs shall comply with the MUTCD Section 2D. These signs may incorporate
official city/town pictographs provided they satisfy the applicable Guidance and Standard
Statements in MUTCD Section 2D. Pictographs shall not be used on Advance Street Name
Signs. Advance Street Name Signs shall use uppercase/lowercase letter combinations,
Clearview 4W, and standard letter heights of primary traffic generators (See Table 5.4a). If
used, action messages shall be all uppercase, using the letter height of the lowercase size.

Transportation or Multimodal Facilities

Transportation facilities (e.g. Bus or Train Station) satisfying warranting criteria should be
signed using symbols. Transportation facility signs may display the name given to the facility
by the governmental or transportation authority. If used, the name should appear as a
supplemental plaque above the symbol with 4 inch maximum, all uppercase letters, Series D,
suitable for the roadway class.

Named Highways

Highways or bridges named in honor or memory of individuals or groups by the Alabama

Legislature, Highway Director, or Governor shall be white copy on green brown background
using all uppercase letters. Font and sizes shall be the same as secondary traffic generators
(See Table 5.4b).

Scenic Byways & Trails, Other named routes

If a scenic byway has one or more concurrent scenic byways only one should be signed (e.g.
state designation or national designation).

SBC routes – these routes shall use the approved State Scenic Byway Committee’s, State
Scenic Byway marker. A supplemental plaque of the same color as the Scenic Byway marker
may be used for the specific name of the route. The plaque shall be white copy on green
background Series D or Clearview 4W font using letter sizes from Table 5.4b. Directional
signs for associated sites of the byway shall use the Thematic site sign design below using a
green background.
Other named routes – these routes shall use a standard white on green layout using uppercase
lettering Clearview 3W or 4W font using letter sizes from Table 5.4b.
Off-road trail – these routes shall use a standard white on brown layout with 4”
uppercase/lowercase lettering, Clearview 3W font.
Thematic site – these directional signs for sites shall use a standard white on brown layout
with 4 inch all uppercase lettering, Clearview 3W font.

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 Table 5.4c - Use & Signing Characteristics of Routes & Trails

Facility or Signing Characteristics

Motorized
Facility Off Road Directional Turn
Motor Confirmation Junction
Vehicles, Signs for assembly 2
Type Vehicles Signing for assembly sign Sign Design
Non- Associated signs for
Allowed? Route/Trail for Route
motorized, Sites or Trail Route
etc. Allowed?
By appropriate 1 1 1 1
SBC Route authority
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 1
Other
By appropriate 3
Named authority
Yes No No No No 3
Route
Off Road 1
Typical Atypical N/A Yes N/A Atypical 2a
Trail
Thematic 1
N/A N/A N/A Yes N/A N/A 2
Sites
Notes: 1) Yes: Satisfaction of Manual criteria and warrants, spacing, etc. required
N/A: In unusual circumstances, an N/A designation may be subjective; in such cases an N/A=No.
2)Required Sign Design (shown below):
Type 1 – State Scenic Byway sign with Name Plaque (Standard Design)
Type 2 – Brown background/White copy Directional Sign (Standard Design w/ All Uppercase)
Type 2a – Brown background/White copy Directional Sign (Standard Design w/ Uppercase/lowercase letters)
Type 3 – Green background/White copy route Sign (Standard Design w/All Uppercase)
3) Typical placement is at beginning and end of route only

Figure 5.4 Facility Sign Designs

Type 2 Thematic Site Type 2a Off-Road Trail

Directional Sign Directional Sign

Type 3 Other named route

Begin/End Sign

Type 1
State Scenic Byway

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 Community Wayfinding Signs

Fonts and letter/numeral heights shall be approved by the Central Office prior to fabrication
or use; Detailed architectural or engineering drawings shall be submitted as well as and
foundation plans.

Neither commercial graphic nor business logos shall be used on Wayfinding Guide Signs.
Pictographs, enhancement markers and/or color coding may be used on Wayfinding signs. If
color coding is used, square or rectangular shapes shall be used. A rectangular color coding
may encompass the entire width of the panel for each given destination. If a colored square or
rectangle (not panel width type) is used on a wayfinding sign, it shall meet the size
requirement of pictographs.

Arrow location and priority order shall follow the provisions described in Section 2D of the
MUTCD. Arrow design should be FHWA standard. Alternate designs shall be approved by
the Central Office for use and shall have the same overall size as the prescribed standard
arrows, the same visual stroke width, and head area size as standard arrows, in order to
facilitate sufficient conspicuity and readability.

Informational guide signs, if used, shall be white legend on a green background with a
standard font and size for the roadway environment, as determined by the engineer. Color
codes and pictographs, if used on Wayfinding signs, should be repeated on informational
guide signs to identify the attractions and generators found on wayfinding signs.

6.0 PLACEMENT & INSTALLATION

All miscellaneous guide signs shall be erected in accordance with the general specifications of the MUTCD and
ALDOT standards. This requirement includes, but is not limited to, placement, support structures, and
crashworthiness.

6.1 INTERCHANGE OR INTERSECTION PLACEMENT

On Interstates and Expressways, secondary Traffic Generator Signs shall only be installed between the
exit to which the sign applies and the nearest exit upstream. Secondary Traffic Generator Signs should
not be installed on an approach to an interstate to interstate route interchange. On Conventional Roads
and at grade intersections on Expressways, a secondary Traffic Generator Sign may be installed up to a
distance of one mile upstream of the applicable intersection regardless of the number of intermediate
intersections provided no other secondary Traffic Generator Signs are in place for the intermediate,
intersecting roadway(s). If Advance Street Name signs are used for the applicable intersection, the
secondary Traffic Generator Sign shall be installed upstream (in advance) of the Advance Street Name
sign.

6.2 INTERMIXING WITH STANDARD ROUTE OR DIRECTIONAL SIGNING

Miscellaneous signs shall not be installed, except for an Advance Street Name sign, within a series of
standard route or directional guide signs such as at an approach to an intersection/interchange or at other
critical locations requiring motorist attention to execute a maneuver. Specific miscellaneous guide signs
may be installed at these locations under the following two provisions:

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 Grouping Provisions

Grouping is the practice of placing signs on the same support which otherwise are not required to be
displayed together. For purposes of this Manual, grouping is most applicable to General Service
and General Information Signs. Section 5.0, Design allows two, three, or four secondary traffic
generators to be listed on the same sign panel depending on the roadway class; such a display is not
considered Grouping because the sign panel is a single sign installation of one or more traffic
generators. Grouping is encouraged with certain restrictions because it reduces the number of
installations, combines messages of a similar nature or required action, and optimizes right-of-way
space. Secondary traffic generators shall not be grouped with standard junction, advance turn, turn,
directional, destination, or distance signs (See MUTCD Part 2D). Secondary traffic generators shall
not be grouped with primary traffic generators. Grouping shall be allowed for miscellaneous guide
signs which satisfy warranting criteria or are otherwise approved by the provisions of this Manual
according to the Table 6.2a, Permissible Grouping of Miscellaneous Guide Signs on Guide Signs.
If a standard advance turn or directional assembly is a guide sign mount, and symbols are
warranted, only the scenic byway symbol may be used. If other warranted plaques or symbols are
used, they shall be attached directly to the supports. Grouping also requires the permissible
General Service or General Information Signs to be mounted such that the crashworthiness of the
support structure is not compromised. Furthermore, the added signs should be mounted to be easily
identified with any associated turn or required lane change. A supplemental arrow plaque of the
correct design and same color may be used.

Independent Mounting Provisions

Independent Mounting is the practice of placing sign markers or plaques of one or more unified
guidance message sets on the same support. This mounting method is most common to route
marker directional assemblies. Symbols and small message signs or plaques are candidates for
independent mounting methods. Two types are shown in the Table 6.3a, Examples of Independent
Mount General Service and General Information Signs. Directional types are those which are
associated with a movement or turn; hence, an arrow or other action message is needed. Non-
Directional provides information only.

6.3 QUALIFYING LOCATIONS AND QUANTITY OF SIGNS ALLOWED

Secondary Traffic Generator Signs shall not be used at entrances to the generator if either an on-premise
sign is present and viewable in time to make the necessary turn or the facility is viewable from the
roadway in time to make the necessary turn. If neither of the aforementioned conditions exists, then a
secondary traffic generator directional sign may be installed on a numbered highway in advance of the
highway or street that provides the most convenient route to the traffic generator. The distance from the
intersection to the traffic generator shall be within the limits identified in the Warrant Tables. In the
absence of a Table distance, the traffic generator shall be no more than five miles in a rural area or two
miles in an urban area. For secondary traffic generators and general service and general information
categories the following shall apply: 1) No more than two Non-Directional signs may be installed on the
same support, and 2) No more than three Directional signs listed may be installed on the same support.

Miscellaneous Guide Sign Manual Page 15

Table 6.2a

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 Table 6.3a
Examples of Independent Mount General Service and General Information Signs

Directional Non-Directional
• Hospital and Emergency Care Symbols • State lines

• Tourist Information word message • Time Zones

• Airport, Train, Cruise and Bus Symbols • Rivers & Creeks

• Parking Information • County lines

• Police Jurisdiction

• City and Town Limits

• Reference Location (MP)

Secondary traffic generators which exceed the criteria listed in the Warrant Tables by a factor of two or
more and/or the engineer determines an operational problem exists which is correctable by additional
signing on another route, such Traffic Generator Signs may be installed on the additional route other than
the most convenient route. No traffic generator shall be signed on more than two routes unless one of the
roadways warranting signs is an Interstate.

Complimentary signing on local public highways or streets should be installed in conjunction with any
work by state forces upon state right-of-way. Spacing between a secondary Traffic Generator Sign and
any other sign should not be less than the value shown in Table 6.3b for the applicable roadway class and
environment.

Table 6.3b Longitudinal Sign Spacing between a Secondary Traffic Generator and Official Sign

Roadway Class Environment Desirable Spacing(FT) Minimum Spacing(FT)

*Conventional Road Speed of 40 MPH or less or within an 200 100

incorporated town or city with a low
level of roadside development

Speed of 45 MPH or greater or within a

300 200
moderate to high level of roadside
development

Speed of 55 MPH or greater 400 250

Speed of 40 MPH or less 300 200

*Expressway
Speed of 45 MPH or greater 400 300

Speed of 60 MPH or less in an Urban 600 500

#
Interstate & area
Freeway All Rural areas or Speed of 65 800 600
or greater

Miscellaneous Guide Sign Manual Page 17

7.0 FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS

Reimbursement for sign work performed by state forces is typically arranged by either a Special Work
Authorization (SWA) or Miscellaneous Sign Work Request (BM-12) . Funds are collected before work
commences. State law requires others to pay for the entire cost of Named highway and bridge signs if the
designation is one or more individual names. If the funding is the responsibility of others, an estimate for the
work is typically prepared by the Division or District Office of ALDOT using either established charges from
Special Tables 1-3 or estimated expenses. Generally, the lead for work performed by others is the District or
Division Office. For regional or statewide signing efforts, the Maintenance Bureau may prepare estimates and
establish either an SWA or F-7A Budget Allotment for the work. Regardless of who the lead office is,
estimates must include the cost to fabricate the sign(s), the posts and hardware, the equipment, the labor
(including labor additive), and the administrative overhead (rate determined by Finance & Audits Bureau of
ALDOT). The Special Tables 1-3 include all costs and administrative charges. Estimates for signs should be
requested through the Maintenance Bureau of ALDOT. Certain General Service, General Information, and
Secondary Traffic Generator Signs may be installed at the expense of the District, Division, or Bureau at their
discretion as indicated in this Manual. If ALDOT covers the cost of the installation only for such signs, the cost
to others should only include the sign(s) and the administrative overhead. It is the responsibility of the preparer
of the SWA to ensure the appropriate charges are made against the account and to close the account once the
work is complete. If Form BM-12 and the Special Tables 1-3 are used to collect the appropriate amount, work
can be charged to routine maintenance accounts. Funds collected using Form BM-12 are deposited into a
revenue account and used by ALDOT for special project purposes. Table 7.0, Responsibility for Funding Cost
of Sign, Installation, and Maintenance below provides specific information regarding funding responsibilities.

Miscellaneous Guide Sign Manual Page 18

 Table 7.0
Responsibility for Funding Cost of Sign, Installation, and Maintenance 1
Primary Secondary
General
General Information Traffic Traffic
Service
Generator Generator
Interstates ALDOT- all, ALDOT-all, except as noted ALDOT Others
and Freeways except as
noted Others – Named highways &
bridges, parking information,
Others – Informational Guide, named
Tourist Info transportation facilities
Expressways ALDOT – ALDOT – all, except as noted ALDOT Others – all
all, except as except as
noted Others- Named highways & noted.
bridges, other named routes,
2
Others – scenic byways, off road trails, ALDOT
2 (Install only)
Tourist Info thematic sites, parking
information, named
transportation facility plaques,
Informational Guide,
Conventional ALDOT – ALDOT – all, except as noted ALDOT Others – all,
Roads all, except as except as
noted Others-Named Highways & noted.
bridges, other named routes,
2
Others – scenic byways, off road trails, ALDOT
2 (Install only)
Tourist Info thematic sites, Wayfinding,
parking information, named
transportation facility plaques,
Informational Guide
3
Municipal Others Others – all, except as noted ALDOT Others
Connecting
Links on ALDOT – Reference Location
Conventional (MP), State lines, Time zones,
Roads weight enforcement,
governmental boundaries.
1
Only signs indentified in the Warrant Tables and in Section 4.5 of this Manual are included for funding For other signs,
contact the Central Office for funding responsibility.
2
Installation only may be provided; for those not specifically identified herein they must be a vital service to the public
provided by a governmental authority such as, a school, health facility, and public safety center.
3
Municipal connecting links are sections of conventional roadways in urban vicinities designated by the Alabama
Legislature as principal through routes. The municipal or county (or consolidated) governing authority is responsible for
all signs with the exception of primary route guidance signs.

Miscellaneous Guide Sign Manual Page 19

 8.0 WARRANT TABLES

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 TRAFFIC GENERATORS THAT DO NOT WARRANT SIGNING
Interstates & Expressways
Note: This table is not all-inclusive, but provides an indication of the type of facilities, acknowledgements, or
other postings that do not warrant supplemental signs.
Table 8.1, INTERSTATE & EXPRESSWAY
Businesses: Governmental: Military:
*Campgrounds Chamber of Commerce Sites or Detachments
Civic Organizations City Police Armories
Day Care Civil Defense Facilities Arsenals
Farmer’s Markets(Privately County & City Facilities
owned County Sheriff Offices
Industrial Parks Courthouses/City Halls
*Motels/Hotels/Inns Driver’s License Centers
*Restaurants Highway Buildings
Retail Enterprises Jails/Prisons
*Service Stations Maintenance Facilities
Shopping Centers Research/Experimental
Theaters Residential Facilities
Trailer Parks Power Plants
TV/Radio Stations
Cemeteries: Historical: Recreational/Conservational:
Local or State *Homes & Buildings Camps: Scout, Church, 4H,
Private/Public Districts Youth & YMCA/YWCA, etc
Military *Privately Owned Facilities Country Clubs
Fish Hatcheries, Game Farms,
Preserves, & Refuges
* Golf Courses
*Places of Interest
Research/Experimental Center
Tree Nurseries
*Arboretums
Communities: Medical: Schools:
Acknowledgements, such as County, Fraternal, or Nursing Grade/High
Tree City, Bird Sanctuary, Homes Private
Championships, Civic Pride **Emergency Medical Seminaries
Business District Services Vocational/Trade
Fire (and similar) Districts Humane Facilities
Libraries Infirmaries or Treatment
Houses of Worship Centers *May qualify as per Specific
Municipal/County Ordinances Mental Facilities Services Signing(Logo)
Residential Facilities Research Facilities **Hospitals may qualify for
Subdivisions Retirement Facilities General Service per ALDOT
Unincorporated Areas Sanitariums Miscellaneous Guide Sign
VFW/American Legion & Veteran’s Facilities Manual
similar Facilities

Miscellaneous Guide Sign Manual Page 21

 TRAFFIC GENERATORS THAT DO NOT WARRANT SIGNING
Conventional Roads
Note: This table is not all-inclusive, but provides an indication of the type of facilities, acknowledgements, or
other postings that do not warrant supplemental signs.
Table 8.2, CONVENTIONAL
Businesses: Governmental: (Less than 50 Recreational/Conservational:
Campgrounds employees or assigned Country Clubs & Golf Courses
Civic Organizations personnel) Fish Hatcheries, Game Farms,
Day Care Chamber of Commerce Preserves, & Refuges
Farmers Markets (privately County & City Facilities Places of Interest
owned) County Sheriff Facilities Research/Experimental
Industrial Parks Courthouses/City Hall Centers
Motels/Hotels/Inns Highway Buildings Tree Nurseries/Arboretums
Restaurants Jails/Prisons
Retail Enterprises City Police
Service Stations Civil Defense Facilities
Shopping Centers Maintenance Facilities
Theaters/Theatres Power Plants
Trailer or RV Parks Research/Experimental
TV/Radio Stations Residential Facilities
Cemeteries: Medical: Schools:
Local or State County, Fraternal, or Nursing Grade/Middle
Private/Public Homes Research/Experimental
Military *Emergency Medical Service Centers
Humane Facilities
Infirmaries or Treatment
Centers
Mental Facilities
Research Facilities
Retirement Facilities
Sanitariums
Veteran’s Facilities
Communities: Military: *Hospitals may be signed in
Acknowledgements, such as Arsenals accordance with Warrant
Tree City, Bird Sanctuary, Sites or Detachments Table
Championships, Civic Pride, ** An Unincorporated
etc Community may be signed
Fire (and similar) Districts with I-15U signs
Houses of Worship
Monuments other than
approved historical
monuments
Municipal/County Ordinances
Residential Facilities
Subdivisions
**Unincorporated Areas
VFW/American Legion &
similar facilities

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 TABLE 8.3 Warrant Table
Interstate & Expressway
General Service
Criteria
Type NOTE: Unless otherwise noted in the warrant table, a facility shall meet all criteria before signing is eligible for warrant. Fulfillment of
criteria does not guarantee signage.

o Located within 3 miles of interchange on the intersecting road

Miscellaneous Guide Sign Manual

o Appropriate licensing as required by law including compliance with all state, county, and local health and sanitation
codes. Provision of adequate water and sewer systems which have been duly inspected and approved by the
appropriate health authority with documented evidence of such inspection and approval.
o Open to public use without a membership fee or other means of exclusive admission, or where minors are excluded.
This requirement does not preclude the charging of fees for site rentals or other services.
o Roadway ingress and egress shall be a paved surface and at least 12’ wide with a minimum swing radius of 50’ in
Camping order to accommodate RVs and/or large buses
o Roadway ingress and parking shall be free of any electrical wires, tree branches, or other obstructions a minimum of
Rural Interchanges Basic 14’ above the surface in order to accommodate RVs and/or large buses
Only o A minimum of twenty (20) camp sites with full hookup accommodations for all types of travel trailers, tents and other
camping vehicles
o Campgrounds shall have 4 or more spaces that are 18 feet wide and 45 feet long in order to accommodate RVs and/or
large buses
o Adequate parking accommodations for each camp site available for rent.
o Public Telephone
o Continuous operation, seven days a week/year-round.
o Trash receptacles available to patrons

o Located within 1 mile of interchange on the intersecting road

o Appropriate licensing as required by law and a permit to operate issued by the State Health Department as well as
compliance with all local ordinances governing the provision of food to the public
o Year round operation at least twelve (12) continuous hours per day, minimum six (6) days a week, to serve at least
Food three (3) meals per day. The hours of food service operation shall coincide with normal time periods for breakfast (not
Rural Interchanges Basic to open later than 8:00 a.m.), lunch and dinner (not to close earlier than 8:00 p.m.). Sandwich type entrees may be
Only considered meals, but prepackaged items on display shall not qualify as meals.
o Housed in a permanent building and not contained within a larger traffic generator
o Indoor seating for at least thirty (30) persons.
o Rest room facilities available on site and suitable for public use.
o Public Telephone

Page 23
 TABLE 8.3 Warrant Table
Interstate & Expressway
General Service
Criteria
Type NOTE: Unless otherwise noted in the warrant table, a facility shall meet all criteria before signing is eligible for warrant. Fulfillment of
criteria does not guarantee signage.

o Located within ½ mile of interchange on the intersecting road

Miscellaneous Guide Sign Manual

o Appropriate licensing as required by law
Gas o Vehicle services of gas, oil, and tire air. Water for batteries and/or radiators must be available at no charge
o Rest room facilities and state, county and/or local government approved drinking water available for public use
Rural Interchanges Basic o Year round operation at least sixteen (16) continuous hours per day, seven (7) days a week
Only o Public Telephone
o An on premise attendant to collect monies and/or make change. This requirement does not preclude the use of
automatic collection fuel pumps.

o Licensed or approved for definitive medical care by an appropriate State authority

o Equipped for radio voice communications with ambulances and other hospitals.
o Continuous emergency care capability with a physician on duty 24 hrs/7 days per week. Physician on duty includes:
Basic 1. Physician on duty within the emergency department
2. Or registered nurse on duty within the emergency department, with a physician in the hospital on call
Hospital/Emergency 3. Or registered nurse on duty within the emergency department, with a physician on call from office or home
Medical Care
Major Metro Urban Rural
Additional o Within 1 mile of interchange o Within 2 mile of interchange o Within 3 miles of interchange
by o Population of 50,000 or more (US o Population of 5,000-49,999 (US o Population 4,999 or less (US
Interchange Census) Census) Census)

o Located within 1 mile of interchange on the intersecting road

o Appropriate licensing as required by law and a permit to operate issued by the State Health Department
Lodging o Year round operation
Rural Interchanges Basic o Adequate sleeping accommodations consisting of a minimum of twenty (20) units available and suitable for public
Only occupancy
o Off-street vehicle parking spaces for each lodging room for rent
o Public telephone

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 TABLE 8.3 Warrant Table
Interstate & Expressway
General Service
Criteria
Type NOTE: Unless otherwise noted in the warrant table, a facility shall meet all criteria before signing is eligible for warrant. Fulfillment of
criteria does not guarantee signage.

o State owned facility

Miscellaneous Guide Sign Manual

Or meet the following:
o Adequate parking as deemed by ALDOT
o Housed in a permanent building
Basic o Offer State of Alabama and local area maps at no charge
Visitors o Modern sanitary facilities available to public
o Drinking water available at no cost to public
Center/Tourist o Trash receptacles available to public
Information o Shall operate continuously staffed or unstaffed at least 8 hours/day, 7 days/week

Major Metro Urban Rural

Additional
o Within 1 mile of interchange o Within 2 miles of interchange o Within 3 miles of interchange
by
o Population of 50,000 or more (US o Population of 5,000 – 49,999 (US o Population 4,999 or less (US
Interchange
Census) Census) Census)

Reserved

Page 25
 TABLE 8.4 Warrant Table
Interstate & Expressway
General Information
Criteria
Type NOTE: Unless otherwise noted in the warrant table, a facility shall meet all criteria before signing is eligible for warrant. Fulfillment of
criteria does not guarantee signage.

Miscellaneous Guide Sign Manual

Airport - o Publicly owned
o Served by regularly scheduled airlines
Air
o Long term parking for patrons
Carrier/Commercial Basic
o 24-hour fixed base operator
Service o Automated weather reporting
o Within 10 miles of interchange

o Publicly owned
Basic o Automobile parking
o Minimum of 40 based aircraft
Airport -
General Aviation Major Metro Urban Rural
(open to general aircraft) Additional
o Within 3 miles of interchange o Within 5 miles of interchange o Within 7.5 miles of interchange
by
o Population of 50,000 or more (US o Population of 5,000 – 49,999 (US o Population 4,999 or less (US
Interchange
Census) Census) Census)

o Completed resolution from legislature or completed instrument from the Governor of Alabama or Director of Alabama
Department of Transportation
Named Highway & o Memorial plaques are preferred at Welcome Centers and Rest Areas along the route where available
Basic
Memorial Signing o If the entire route is named, memorial may be recognized at Welcome Centers and Rest Areas.
o Unless otherwise directed by the ALDOT Director or Chief Engineer, highways are to be signed at the beginning and
end of route.

o Publicly owned
o Non-profit Port/Modal Authority in place
Seaport, Multi-
Basic o Operate a minimum of eight (8) hours/day for five (5) days/week
Modal Port/Station o Import/ export materials and commercial goods nationally and internationally
o Located within 10 miles of interchange

Page 26
 TABLE 8.5 Warrant Table
Interstate & Expressway
Traffic Generators

Type Criteria
NOTE: Unless otherwise noted in the warrant table, a facility shall meet all criteria before signing is eligible for warrant. Fulfillment of
criteria does not guarantee signage.

Major Metro Urban Rural

Miscellaneous Guide Sign Manual

o Minimum of 6,000 seats or average o Minimum of 5,000 seats or average o Minimum of 4,000 seats or average
annual attendance of 300,000 annual attendance of 250,000 annual attendance of 200,000
Arenas
Basic (minimum) (minimum) (minimum)
Stadiums o Within 2 miles of interchange o Within 3 miles of interchange o Within 5 miles of interchange
o Population of 50,000 or more (US o Population of 5,000-49,999 (US o Population of 4,999 or less (US
Census) Census) Census)

o Located in a municipality that is incorporated.

Basic o Municipality or county government shall adopt a resolution requesting ALDOT to install such signs and agreeing to
install and maintain any trailblazing on local roads

Major Metro Urban Rural

Auditoriums
o Minimum of 6,000 seats or average o Minimum of 5,000 seats or average o Minimum of 4,000 seats or average
Convention Halls Additional annual attendance of 72,000 annual attendance of 60,000 annual attendance of 48,000
by (minimum) (minimum) (minimum)
Interchange o Within 2 miles of interchange o Within 3 miles of interchange o Within 5 miles of interchange
o Population of 50,000 or more (US o Population of 5,000-49,999 (US o Population of 4,999 or less (US
Census). Census) Census

Reserved

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 TABLE 8.5 Warrant Table
Interstate & Expressway
Traffic Generators
Criteria
Type NOTE: Unless otherwise noted in the warrant table, a facility shall meet all criteria before signing is eligible for warrant. Fulfillment of
criteria does not guarantee signage.

Miscellaneous Guide Sign Manual

o In general, a campus should give the visitor the clear impression that they have entered a campus setting. The
campus shall be interpreted as all that contiguous real estate and improvements owned and operated by the
educational institution, housing the main administrative, educational and other programs of the institution. An
educational institution may have more than one sign-warranted campus located within the state provided each
facility meets ALDOT criteria.
o Institution shall be a 2 to 4 year institution offering associate, bachelor, and/or graduate degrees
o The campus shall contain 5 of the following:
Basic  classrooms/laboratories dedicated to credit-hour classes with regularly scheduled live on site instruction
 administrative offices
 faculty offices
 library system
 on-campus student housing staffed by the university
College/University  minimum of 2 athletic fields/facilities
 campus police

Major Metro Urban Rural

o Enrollment of 4,000 (min) full time o Enrollment of 3,000 (min) full time o Enrollment of 2,000 (min) full time
classroom students classroom students classroom students
o Within 3 miles of interchange o Within 4 miles of interchange o Within 5 miles of interchange
Additional by o Population of 50,000 or more (US o Population of 5,000 – 49,999 (US o Population 4,999 or less (US
Interchange Census) Census) Census)

Note: Facilities shall be within a complex dedicated to the purpose of higher learning and/or research directly
connected to an institution listed as such with the ACHE.

Reserved

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 TABLE 8.5 Warrant Table
Interstate & Expressway
Traffic Generators
Criteria
Type NOTE: Unless otherwise noted in the warrant table, a facility shall meet all criteria before signing is eligible for warrant. Fulfillment of
criteria does not guarantee signage.

Major Metro Urban Rural

Miscellaneous Guide Sign Manual

o 5000 employees & permanently o 4000 employees & permanently o 3000 employees & permanently
assigned military personnel assigned military personnel assigned military personnel
Military Bases Basic o Within 5 miles of interchange o Within 7.5 miles of interchange o Within 10 miles of interchange
o Population of 50,000 or more (US o Population of 5,000 – 49,999 (US o Population 4,999 or less (US
Census) Census) Census)

State & National o Within 5 miles of interchange

Parks, Forests, o State and National Monuments not contained within a larger traffic generator shall submit annual attendance records
Wildlife Refuge Basic for previous two (2) years
o Monument shall not be contained within a larger traffic generator
Monuments
o Facility shall have appropriate licenses and permits from local and state authorities
o If applicable, municipal or county government shall adopt a resolution requesting ALDOT to install such signs and
agreeing to install and maintain any trailblazing on local roads.
Basic o Event calendar and corresponding attendance numbers for previous 2 years shall be submitted to ALDOT
o Sanitary facilities available to patrons
o Drinking water available for patrons
Major Recreational o Open a minimum of 8 hours/day, 6 days/week year round or 2500 hours/year
Areas (Fairgrounds, Major Metro Urban Rural
Amusement Parks, o Annual attendance of 300,000 o Annual attendance of 250,000 (min) o Annual attendance of 125,000 (min)
(min) o Within 3 miles of interchange o Within 10 miles of interchange
Etc)
Additional by o Within 2 miles of interchange o Population of 5,000 – 49,999 (US o Population 4,999 or less (US
Interchange o Population of 50,000 or more (US Census) Census)
Census)
Exception: Public Gulf Coast Beaches or other major traffic generators as determined by Department of Tourism and
Travel are exempt from this criteria.

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 TABLE 8.6 Warrant Table
Conventional Road
General Service
Criteria
Type NOTE: Unless otherwise noted in the warrant table, a facility shall meet all criteria before signing is eligible for warrant. Fulfillment of criteria
does not guarantee signage.

o Located within 3 miles of nearest intersecting route

Miscellaneous Guide Sign Manual

o 24-hour service, 7 days per week.
o Emergency department facilities with a physician (or emergency care nurse on duty within the emergency department with a
Hospital Basic physician on call) trained in emergency medical procedures on duty.
o Licensed or approved for definitive medical care by an appropriate State authority.
o Equipped for radio voice communications with ambulances and other hospitals.
o Sign shall be D9-2, symbol or legend

o Governmentally owned facility Should:

OR o Roadway ingress and egress that are a paved surface and at least
Located within 1 mile of nearest intersecting state 12 feet wide with a minimum swing radius of 50 feet to enter
route and exit the facility in order to accommodate RVs and/or large
o Housed in a permanent building and not contained buses
Visitors within a larger traffic generator o Roadway ingress and parking facilities that are free of any
o Offer State of Alabama and/or local area maps at electrical wires, tree branches, or other obstructions a minimum
Center/Tourist Basic no charge of 14 feet above the surface in order to accommodate RVs
Information o Modern sanitary facilities available to public and/or large buses
o Open 8 hours/day 7 days/week with attendant on o Have at least 2 (two) spaces that are 12 feet wide and 65 feet
duty or provide a self service informational device long with a swing radius of 50 feet to enter and exit the space in
to provide public information about local or state order to accommodate RVs and/or large buses
features o Drinking water available at no cost to public
o Trash receptacles available to public

Reserved

Page 30
 TABLE 8.7 Warrant Table
Conventional Road
General Information
Criteria
Type NOTE: Unless otherwise noted in the warrant table, a facility shall meet all criteria before signing is eligible for warrant. Fulfillment of criteria
does not guarantee signage.

Air Carrier: General Aviation: Local/Community Airport:

Miscellaneous Guide Sign Manual

o Publicly owned o Publicly owned o Publicly owned
o Long term automobile parking area o Automobile parking o Minimum of 10 based aircraft
o 24-hour Fixed Base Operator o Aviation fuel available o Lighted windsock and beacon
Airport Basic o Automated weather reporting o Minimum of 35 based aircraft o Aviation Fuel available
o Regularly scheduled commercial/passenger o Within 8 miles of the nearest o Within 4 miles of the nearest
movements intersecting state route intersecting state route
o Within 15 miles of the nearest intersecting state
route

o Municipality shall submit map identifying the area for which signing is requested with the boundaries marked or highlighted
to ALDOT
o Within the proposed area requesting signage, 75% of facilities shall be open for business a minimum of 5 days/week.
Basic o Proposed area is not signed with other directional or district type signs, such as a historical district

Business Note: If the state route passes through the Business District or Downtown, no signing will be installed more than 3 miles from a
District OR primary route
Downtown
Downtown Business District
o Incorporated municipality, population 50,000 or more o Incorporated municipality, population 1,500-49,999
o The center of downtown district shall be located within 5 o The center of business district shall be located within 3 miles
miles of state route. Strip development business centers shall of state route. Strip development business centers shall not

by Type
Additional
not qualify. qualify.

o Passenger service available 6 days/week

o Modern sanitary facilities available to patrons at the depot
Bus Station Basic o Off street parking for patrons
o Located within of 3 miles of nearest intersecting state route

o Incorporated city or town

Page 31
City Limit,
Basic
Town Limit Note: Shall be signed with one sign per direction of travel at the extreme limits on state approaches
 TABLE 8.7 Warrant Table
Conventional Road
General Information
Criteria
Type NOTE: Unless otherwise noted in the warrant table, a facility shall meet all criteria before signing is eligible for warrant. Fulfillment of criteria
does not guarantee signage.

o Limitation on placement is to municipal connecting links unless variance is approved

Miscellaneous Guide Sign Manual

o Community shall have a minimum population of 10,000
o Community shall submit detailed plans to the appropriate ALDOT Division Office. Division Office shall review the plans,
Community
Basic and then forward the plans and their comments to Maintenance Bureau, Traffic Operations for further review and approval or
Wayfinding disapproval. These plans shall include maps showing the overall signing plan and design details on individual installations.
o Traffic generators should meet warranting ALDOT requirements in order to be included on signage
o Designs, layouts, and materials shall meet ALDOT specifications

o Be recognized and listed by Alabama Historical Commission or on the National Register of Historic Places
Historical o Shall contain properties or improvements open to the public on a regular basis
Basic o Center of HD shall be within 5 miles of nearest intersecting state route
District
o Absence of Business District or Downtown signing

o Recognized and listed by Alabama Historical Commission or listed on the National Register of Historic Places
o Open to the public a minimum of 8 hours/day 5 days/week year round or if operated seasonally, it shall be open a minimum of
6 continuous months/year, 8 hours/day, 5 days/week
Historical Site Basic o Accommodates drop-in visitors without reservations
o Located within 5 miles of nearest intersecting state route

Note: Sites within a signed Historical District shall not be signed with guide signs

Historical
o Listed with the ADAH or AHC
Marker
Basic o ALDOT may install signage as deemed appropriate, such as “Historical Marker 1500’ Ahead” or arrows for markers on
(ADAH nearest intersecting local routes.
Marker)

o State, County, or Municipally owned

o Facility generates a minimum of 1000 AADT

Page 32
Industrial
Basic o Contains a minimum of 3 facilities operating a minimum of 8 hours/day for 5 days/week including one interstate
Park import/export facility
o Located within 3 miles of nearest intersecting state route
 TABLE 8.7 Warrant Table
Conventional Road
General Information
Criteria
Type NOTE: Unless otherwise noted in the warrant table, a facility shall meet all criteria before signing is eligible for warrant. Fulfillment of criteria
does not guarantee signage.

o Publicly owned

Miscellaneous Guide Sign Manual

o Free of charge
Library Basic o Open 6 days/week or a minimum of 36 hours/week
o Modern sanitary facilities available to patrons
o Located within 2 miles of nearest intersecting state route

Named
Highway, o Completed instrument from Alabama Legislature, Governor or ALDOT Director
o Approval of installation by the ALDOT Director
Memorial & Basic o Unless otherwise directed by the ALDOT Director or Chief Engineer, highways are signed at the beginning and end of the
other named route
routes
o Governmentally owned
o Open to public with non-reserved spaces
Parking Basic o Located within 4 blocks of nearest intersecting state route
o Minimum of 200 spaces

Recycling,
Landfills and
other Waste & o State, County or Municipally owned
Basic o Located within 5 miles of nearest intersecting state route
Energy
Management
Facilities
o Publicly owned
Seaport, o Non-profit Port/Modal Authority in place
Multi-Modal Basic o Operate a minimum of eight (8) hours/day for five (5) days/week
o Import/ export materials and commercial goods nationally and internationally

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Port/Station
o Located within 10 miles of nearest intersecting state route
 TABLE 8.7 Warrant Table
Conventional Road
General Information
Criteria
Type NOTE: Unless otherwise noted in the warrant table, a facility shall meet all criteria before signing is eligible for warrant. Fulfillment of criteria
does not guarantee signage.

Miscellaneous Guide Sign Manual

SBC Route
o Designation approved by Alabama’s Scenic Byways Committee(SBC)
Basic o Be in Phase 4 of the Scenic Byway Process
Alabama o Receipt of confirmation letter from the SBC to ALDOT Maintenance Bureau
Scenic Byway

o Have regularly scheduled passenger service available 6 days/week

o Parking spaces for patron use
Train Station Basic o Modern sanitary facilities available to patrons at the depot
o Located within a minimum of 3 miles of nearest intersecting state route

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 TABLE 8.8 Warrant Table
Conventional Road
Traffic Generator
Criteria
Type NOTE: Unless otherwise noted in the warrant table, a facility shall meet all criteria before signing is eligible for warrant. Fulfillment of criteria
does not guarantee signage.

Miscellaneous Guide Sign Manual

o Have a seating capacity of a minimum of ten thousand (10,000) or average annual attendance of 60,000 (minimum)
Arena, o Located within 3 miles of nearest intersecting state route
Fairgrounds, o Operating a minimum of 2 years
Basic o Event calendar and/or attendance numbers submitted to ALDOT for previous 2 years
Racetrack,
Stadium
Note: Facility shall not be contained within a signed traffic generator

o Available for municipal or county events

Armory Basic o Minimum capacity of 500
o Located within 3 miles of nearest intersecting state route

Auditorium, o Have a seating capacity of a minimum of five thousand (5,000) or average annual attendance of 60,000 (minimum)
Conference o Located within 2 miles of nearest intersecting state route
o Operating a minimum of 2 years
Center, Basic o Event calendar and/or attendance numbers submitted to ALDOT for previous 2 years
Convention
Hall Note: Facility shall not be contained within a signed traffic generator

o Located within 5 miles of nearest intersecting state route

o Open to public use without a membership fee or other means of exclusive admission, or where minors are excluded. This
Cultural requirement does not preclude the sale of tickets for event admission
Basic o Minimum annual attendance of 75,000 for live performing arts events, concerts, or exhibits that are open to all age groups.
Facility
Attendance numbers should be submitted to ALDOT for previous 2 years
o Modern sanitary facilities available to patrons

Page 35
 TABLE 8.8 Warrant Table
Conventional Road
Traffic Generator
Criteria
Type NOTE: Unless otherwise noted in the warrant table, a facility shall meet all criteria before signing is eligible for warrant. Fulfillment of criteria
does not guarantee signage.

o In general, a campus should give the visitor the clear impression that they have entered a campus setting. The campus shall be

Miscellaneous Guide Sign Manual

interpreted as all that contiguous real estate and improvements owned and operated by the educational institution, housing the
main administrative, educational and other programs of the institution. An educational institution may have more than one sign-
warranted campus located within the state provided each facility meets ALDOT criteria.
o A 4 year institution campus shall contain 5 of the following & a 2 year institution campus shall contain 3 of the following:
 classrooms/laboratories dedicated to credit-hour classes with regularly scheduled live onsite instruction
 administrative offices
 faculty offices
 library system
Educational  on-campus student housing staffed by the university
Institutions:  minimum of 2 athletic fields/facilities
Basic  campus police
College/Univer
sity Post High School 4 year Colleges/Universities Post High School 2 year Institutions
o Listed with Alabama Commission on Higher Education as a o Listed with Alabama Commission on Higher Education as a 2
4 year institution year institution
o Minimum enrollment of 5,000 classroom students according o State operated, public institution
to the Alabama Commission on Higher Education o Minimum enrollment of 2,500 classroom students
o Off street parking provided for students o Located within 2 miles of nearest intersecting state route
o Located within 3 miles of nearest intersecting state route o Not contained within a larger traffic generator or building
complex

Note: Facilities shall be within a complex dedicated to the purpose of higher learning and/or research directly connected to institution
listed as such with the ACHE.

Educational
Institutions o High School with on-campus athletic facility hosting competitions that generate out-of-town traffic or a State school for
Basic special education such as School for Deaf/Blind
Other than
College/ o If required, trailblazing on local roads shall be installed by appropriate authority before signage is installed on state ROW.

Page 36
University
 TABLE 8.8 Warrant Table
Conventional Road
Traffic Generator
Criteria
Type NOTE: Unless otherwise noted in the warrant table, a facility shall meet all criteria before signing is eligible for warrant. Fulfillment of criteria
does not guarantee signage.

o Owned & operated by a local, state, or federal governmental agency and shall provide a direct critical and essential service to

Miscellaneous Guide Sign Manual

Governmental the public serving a minimum of 100 on-site visitors/day.
Facilities, Basic o 50 or more employees or assigned personnel or be located within 3 miles of nearest intersecting state route
Miscellaneous
Examples: Public Health, Public Safety, Public Welfare, Law Enforcement, Driver License, Social Security, Post Office

o Administered by Non-Profit entity

o Located within 3 miles of nearest intersecting state route
o Open to the public a minimum of 8 hours/day, 5days/week
Humanitarian Basic o Have an annual average of 50 clients/day entering facility
OR
A youth camp/ranch facility housing out of town short term visitors. Length of stay for any client shall not exceed 12 weeks.

o Located within 1 mile of nearest intersecting state Should:

route o Roadway ingress and egress are a paved surface and at least 12
o Have been in operation a minimum of 2 years; feet wide with a minimum swing radius of 50 feet to enter and
attendance numbers shall be submitted to ALDOT exit the facility in order to accommodate RVs and/or large
Interpretive for previous 2 years buses.
Centers, o Housed in a permanent building and not contained o Roadway ingress and parking facilities are free of any electrical
within a larger traffic generator wires, tree branches, or other obstructions up to 14 feet above
Cultural or Basic o Modern sanitary facilities available to public the surface in order to accommodate RVs and/or large buses
Heritage o Open 8 hours/day 5 days/week with attendant on o Have at least 1 (one) space that is12 feet wide and 65 feet long
Centers duty or provide a self service informational device with a swing radius of 50 feet to enter and exit the space in
to provide public information about local or state order to accommodate RVs and/or large buses.
features

Exception: Exception is made for NPS, DOI, & similar federal facilities

o 3000 employees & permanently assigned military personnel

Military Bases Basic o Located within 10 miles of nearest intersecting state route

Page 37
 TABLE 8.8 Warrant Table
Conventional Road
Traffic Generator
Criteria
Type NOTE: Unless otherwise noted in the warrant table, a facility shall meet all criteria before signing is eligible for warrant. Fulfillment of criteria
does not guarantee signage.

o Non-profit institution or part of a non-profit institution or government-

Miscellaneous Guide Sign Manual

entity
o Have a formally stated mission; copy shall be submitted to ALDOT
o Have at least one full-time paid professional staff member who has
museum knowledge and experience and is delegated authority and Should:
allocated financial resources sufficient to operate the museum o Have a formal and appropriate program
o Exhibit and maintain works of artistic, historical, or scientific value that of documentation, care, and use of
are essentially educational in nature collections and/or tangible objects
Museum Basic o Present regularly scheduled programs and exhibits that use and interpret o Have a formal and appropriate program
objects for the public according to accepted standards; Event calendars of of presentations and maintenance
previous 2 years submitted to ALDOT exhibits.
o Open to public a minimum of 8 hours/day, 240 days/year or 2000
hours/years and able to accommodate drop-in visitors without reservations
o Guide, attendant, or docent on site during business hours
o Within 2 miles of nearest intersecting state route
o Adequate parking as deemed by ALDOT

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 TABLE 8.8 Warrant Table
Conventional Road
Traffic Generator
Criteria
Type NOTE: Unless otherwise noted in the warrant table, a facility shall meet all criteria before signing is eligible for warrant. Fulfillment of criteria
does not guarantee signage.

o Facility shall be open to non-vehicular traffic including off road vehicles and pedestrians/hikers.

Miscellaneous Guide Sign Manual

o Should demonstrate local involvement by maintaining a nonprofit Dedicated Advocacy Group or Sponsoring Organization
that promotes the route and monitors the facility on a regular basis. The Dedicated Advocacy shall be listed as a non-profit
organization with the IRS. A DAG is typically a non-profit organization that promotes the off road trail and maintains its
purpose and integrity. The structure of the advocacy group is often patterned after the Scenic Byway Corridor Advocacy
Group as detailed in the Alabama Scenic Byway Program Manual.
o Primary guidance shall be in the form of printed literature and strip maps
o Dedicated Advocacy Group or Sponsoring Organization shall submit documentation to ALDOT showing promotional
activities that benefit the trail and the local community for initial approval and annually thereafter in order to maintain
signage. Documentation showing promotional activities shall include 4 of the following:
 Trail brochure & map distribution in venues other than Welcome Centers, Rest Areas, or on the Trail
 Media articles – minimum of 2 in Alabama publications plus 1 article in a national publication
Off-Road  Proof of advertised public events participation by Dedicated Advocacy Group– at least 1 annually
Trailhead Basic  Listing in Alabama Tourism & Travel annual Calendar of Events publication (hard copy) & maintenance of listing
annually
 Maintenance of web site about the trail including map or driving directions
 Other physical evidence of trail activities or trail participation. Example: trail maintenance, work days or payment for
trail maintenance
o Access to trail should be located on no more than 3 miles from the nearest intersecting state route. The trailhead shall be
located within 1/2 mile of the access.
o The parking area shall be provided to include an all weather surface which is traversable under normal weather conditions by
conventionally powered passenger vehicles including automobiles, pickups, camping trailers, and other common types of
recreational vehicles. There shall be an adequate number of spaces to accommodate trail users and avoid parking on the
ROW.
o Site shall have a self service kiosk or device with trail/site maps available

Note: No advance or confirmation signs shall be installed for off-road trails.

Page 39
 TABLE 8.8 Warrant Table
Conventional Road
Traffic Generator
Criteria
Type NOTE: Unless otherwise noted in the warrant table, a facility shall meet all criteria before signing is eligible for warrant. Fulfillment of criteria
does not guarantee signage.

o Offer four (4) or more of the following outdoor activities: Cycling, Should:

Miscellaneous Guide Sign Manual

boating, camping, fishing, hiking/walking, skating, picnicking, swimming, o Be open a minimum of 6 days/wk,
field sports (each field may count as a single activity), horseback riding, daylight hours
Recreational rock climbing, golf, off road motor sports. One (1) indoor activity may be o Trash receptacles available to public
Areas – State, substituted for one (1) outdoor. o Drinking water available at no cost to
Basic o Sanitary facilities available to patrons public
County, or
City owned o Shall not be part of a signed traffic generator
o Located within 15 miles of nearest intersecting state route

Exception: Public Gulf Coast Beaches are exempt from this criteria

o Have an annual attendance of 300,000 Should:

o Have appropriate licenses and permits from local and state authorities o Sanitary facilities available to patrons
o Open to public use without a membership fee or other means of exclusive o Drinking water available for patrons
Recreational admission, or where minors are excluded. This requirement does not o Trash receptacles available to patrons
Areas - preclude the sale of tickets for admission.
o Located within 2 miles of nearest intersecting state route
Privately
Basic o Documentation of attendance numbers submitted to ALDOT for previous
owned 2 years
(Amusement o Open a minimum of 8 hours/day 6 days/week year round or if operated
Parks, Etc) seasonally, it shall be open a minimum of 6 months/year, 8 hours/day, 7
days/week
o Offer three (3) or more activities, such as picnicking, outdoor
sport/physical activities, entertainment rides, live shows, food services

o Contain a minimum of 4 outdoor playing fields used for competitive Should:

events. o Sanitary facilities available to patrons
o Minimum seating capacity of 7,500 or minimum annual attendance of o Drinking water available for patrons
Sports o Trash receptacles available to patrons
Basic 200,000. If attendance criteria is used, records for past 2 years shall be
Complex submitted to ALDOT

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o Open to general public (without membership requirements) 6 days/week
o Located within 2 miles of nearest intersecting state route
 TABLE 8.8 Warrant Table
Conventional Road
Traffic Generator
Criteria
Type NOTE: Unless otherwise noted in the warrant table, a facility shall meet all criteria before signing is eligible for warrant. Fulfillment of criteria
does not guarantee signage.

o State or National Park or Forest

Miscellaneous Guide Sign Manual

State or o Located within 3 miles of nearest intersecting state route and have a minimum annual attendance of 5,000 or have a minimum
National Parks annual attendance of 50,000 regardless of distance
or Forests Basic Note:
o Substations, ranger offices, and other facilities within parks and forests shall not be considered as traffic generators.
Appropriate signing may be installed on roads and ROW under the jurisdiction of the park or forest
o Signs other than standard ALDOT destination/distance signs shall have a completed SWA with ALDOT

o Collection of singularly themed sites that do not involve a specific roadway. These are often referred to as a trail or other
similar designation
o Supported and actively promoted by a sponsoring public or private organization or agency
o Have appropriate signed instrument from state entity, if named by that entity
o Primary guidance shall be in the form of printed literature and strip maps
o Located within 7 miles of nearest intersecting state route
o Site shall be open to public use. No membership fees nor other means of exclusive admission. Minors are allowed with
accompanying adult. This requirement does not preclude the sale of tickets for event admission.
Thematic o Open to the public a minimum of 6 hours/day, 5 days/week or a total of 30 hours/week
Basic
Sites o Sponsoring organization/agency shall submit documentation to ALDOT showing promotional activities that benefit the trail
and the local community for initial approval and annually thereafter in order to maintain signage. Documentation showing
promotional activities shall include the following:
 Trail brochure & map distribution in venues other than Welcome Centers, Rest Areas, or on-site
 Listing in Alabama Tourism & Travel annual Calendar of Events publication (hard copy) & maintenance of listing
annually
 Maintenance of web site about the sites including map or driving directions
 Statistical or physical evidence of economic benefit to the community. Examples: Records of visitors using sites,
financial statistics, annual reports containing financial statistics

Page 41
 TABLE 8.8 Warrant Table
Conventional Road
Traffic Generator
Criteria
Type NOTE: Unless otherwise noted in the warrant table, a facility shall meet all criteria before signing is eligible for warrant. Fulfillment of criteria
does not guarantee signage.

o Accredited or certified by the Association of Zoo and Aquariums

Miscellaneous Guide Sign Manual

OR
Licensed by USDA or Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
o Located within 3 miles of nearest intersecting state route
Zoos Basic o Provide proof of non-profit status to ALDOT
o Open to the public a minimum of 6 days/week & 8 hours/day
o Modern sanitary facilities available to the public
o Provide adequate (as determined by ALDOT) onsite parking for patrons

Page 42
 APPENDIX A – FIGURES

Miscellaneous Guide Sign Manual

 FIGURE A – 1
INTERSTATEInterstate
TRAFFIC GENERATOR
Traffic Generator SIGNING INCLUDING
Signing Including CONVENTIONAL
Conventional Road ROAD

HIGHWAY
INTERSTATE

STATE HIGHWAY

(Directional sign fulfilling

Trailblazer need)

(Distance “5” is optional)

For supplemental guide signs, uppercase/

lowercase combinations are used on Interstate;
All uppercase used on conventional road.
This traffic generator sign is qualified due to

NOTE: ONLY NB APPROACH

* Conventional Road warrants. All others shown
are qualified due to Interstate warrants.

SIGNS SHOWN ON INTERSTATE Details of Gore Sign, Exit Direction & Advance
Guide Signs not shown.

Miscellaneous Guide Sign Manual Page 43

 FIGURE A – 2
INTERSECTION
IntersectionAPPROACH
Approach W/W/TRAFFIC GENERATORS
Traffic Generators

NOTE: ONLY EB DIRECTION SIGNS SHOWN

URBAN OR SUBURBAN AREA

Miscellaneous Guide Sign Manual Page 44

 Signs shown are typical of secondary traffic generators
on interstates or expressways.

Miscellaneous Guide Sign Manual Page 45

Notes: Place Names are Clearview 5W-R font; Cardinal Direction and “EXIT” are 5W.
Place Names (“Athens” & “Fort Payne”) on these guide signs are primary traffic generators.
General Service and Informational plaques must satisfy Interstate warrants

Miscellaneous Guide Sign Manual Page 46

 FIGURE A-5
Typical General Service Signs on Interstate

Note: Clearview 5W or 4W
Miscellaneous Guide Sign Manual Page 47
Standard E, D, or C Fonts

Miscellaneous Guide Sign Manual Page 48

Interstate Overpass Sign (Clearview font)

Standard E, D, or C fonts except as noted. .

Miscellaneous Guide Sign Manual Page 49

 (Standard C font)

Miscellaneous Guide Sign Manual Page 50

Historic Route or Corridor Sign

Informational Guide Sign

Community Wayfinding Sign

Miscellaneous Guide Sign Manual Page 51

Clearview 4W Clearview 4W

SECONDARY
TRAFFIC
GENERATORS

(ALL UPPERCASE)

Clearview 4W

Clearview 4W
Clearview 4W

PRIMARY
TRAFFIC
GENERATORS

(UPPERCASE/
LOWERCASE
COMBINATION)

Clearview 5W-R
Interstate approach / connector road

Miscellaneous Guide Sign Manual Page 52

 Figure A-11
Example of Optional Use of Business District Signs on Conventional Roads

If Distance A is greater than 3 miles use

directional “Bronze City”.

If Distance A is less than or equal to 3 miles or

is in built up area of the City, ‘Business District”
may be used.

If City or Town Limits do not encompass

vicinity of sign placement locations, directional
“Bronze City” sign legend may be used.

Miscellaneous Guide Sign Manual Page 53

 APPENDIX B – REVISIONS

Miscellaneous Guide Sign Manual

APPENDIX B – REVISION LIST

Revision 1
August 11, 2011
a. Effective Date: August 11, 2011, added date to title page
b. Revised Table of Contents
c. Changed background of Memorial Signs to brown, MGSM pg. 12
d. Changed Figure A-8 background color of Memorial Sign example, MGSM pg 50
e. Added Memorandum about brown background on Memorial Signs, pg. x-xii
f. Added Appendix B to MGSM, pg i (reserved pg. ii – ix for expansion of Revision
List) and on MGSM Table of Contents

Miscellaneous Guide Sign Manual page i

Miscellaneous Guide Sign Manual page x
Miscellaneous Guide Sign Manual page xi
Miscellaneous Guide Sign Manual page xii