Rule Chapter 14-51, F.A.C., is being amended to clarify rule provisions, eliminate unnecessary language, provide criteria for highway signage, eliminate references to the official Florida Transportation Map, allow for signage to large scale mixed ...

 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

RULE NOS.:RULE TITLES:

14-51.011Definitions

14-51.012Trailblazing Signs

14-51.013Sign Evaluation Process

14-51.014General Criteria

14-51.020Supplemental Guide Signs

14-51.021General Service Signs

14-51.030Supplemental Guide Signs

14-51.031General Services Signs

14-51.040Exclusions

14-51.041Criteria for Unincorporated Areas

14-51.043Customized Place Name Signs

14-51.051Standards

14-51.053Installation

14-51.062General Criteria for TODS on the SHS

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: Rule Chapter 14-51, F.A.C., is being amended to clarify rule provisions, eliminate unnecessary language, provide criteria for highway signage, eliminate references to the official Florida Transportation Map, allow for signage to large scale mixed use developments and include signage for licensed craft distilleries in accordance with Chapter 2015-12, Laws of Florida.

SUMMARY: Florida’s Highway Guide Sign Program.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION: The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the Agency.

The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: The rule does not impose a regulatory cost.

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 316.0745, 334.044(2), 479.02, 479.262 FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 316.03, 316.0745, 479.01, 479.262 FS.

IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW (IF NOT REQUESTED, THIS HEARING WILL NOT BE HELD):

DATE AND TIME: Tuesday, December 1, 2015, 1:00 p.m.

PLACE: Florida Department of Transportation, Rhyne Building Suite 3C, 2740 Centerview Drive, Tallahassee, FL

Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this workshop/meeting is asked to advise the agency at least 7 days before the workshop/meeting by contacting: Susan Schwartz, Assistant General Counsel, Florida Department of Transportation, 605 Suwannee Street, Mail Station 58, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0458, [phone], [e-mail]. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1(800)955-8771 (TDD) or 1(800)955-8770 (Voice).

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Susan Schwartz, Assistant General Counsel, Florida Department of Transportation, 605 Suwannee Street, Mail Station 58, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0458, [phone], [e-mail]

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

PART I GENERAL

14-51.011 Definitions.

As used in this rule chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings:

(1) through (9) No change.

(10) “Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)” means the federal publication used to establish the uniformity of traffic control devices, such as sign placement, color of sign backgrounds and letters, and sign messages incorporated in Rule 14-15.010, F.A.C..

(11) “Non-Limited Access Facility” means an arterial or collector road as defined in Section 334.03, F.S.

(12) “Non-traffic Control Sign” means an authorized highway sign that does not have any traffic control purpose, is not intended for use by road users in general, and is not considered to be a traffic control device, such as highway service signs and the associated sponsorship.

(12)(13) “Official Traffic Control Devices” means as defined in Section 316.003, F.S.

(13)(14) “Pari-mutuel Facility” means a racetrack, fronton, or other facility used by a permit holder of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation for the conduct of pari-mutuel wagering as defined in Section 550.002, F.S. These facilities may include cardrooms only when authorized by Section 849.086, F.S.

(15) “Permit System” and “Permitted” means as defined in Rule 14-20.010, F.A.C.

(14)(16) “Pictograph” means a pictorial representation used to identify a governmental jurisdiction, an area of jurisdiction, a governmental agency, a military base or branch of service, a governmental-approved university or college, a toll payment system, or a government-approved institution.

(15)(17) “Place Name Sign” means a sign identifying the geographic boundary of a municipality or county, lying on or along a road on the state highway system.

(16)(18) “Recreational Attractions” means facilities located within 15 miles of the limited access facility that provide easy access for motorists, ample all-weather parking areas, and several recreational activities such as picnicking, camping, hiking, swimming, fishing or boating. Examples include public recreational facilities, state forest recreation areas, and wildlife refuges.

(19) “Rural Interchange” means a grade separated intersection between streets or roadways outside the limits of any urban or urbanized area, as defined in Section 334.03, F.S. Where either the immediate right of way of a limited access facility or the right of way of an intersecting roadway is within the boundary of an urban or urbanized area, the interchange or intersection shall be considered urban.

(17)(20) “Sign” means any traffic control device intended to communicate specific information to road users through a word or symbol legend. They do not include traffic control signals, pavement markings, delineators, or channelization devices.

(18) “Stand-alone Emergency Room” means a hospital facility licensed in accordance  with Section 395.003, F.S., located off the hospital’s main premises, operating under the same direction, offering the same services, and complying with the same regulatory requirements as the emergency department located on the hospital’s main premises.

(19)(21) “Supplemental Guide Sign” means a sign placed or erected to provide information regarding destinations, other than the principle destinations displayed on the exit directional sign, accessible from the interchange.

(20)(22) “Tourist Attraction” means facilities that principally provide recreation, amusement, or leisure activities to the general public, with the majority of its visitors traveling over 100 miles to visit the facility, and with the major portion of their income from these non-resident visitors.

(21)(23) “Tourist-Oriented Directional Signs” or “TODS” means guide sign assemblies with individual panels displaying the identity and directional information for a business, service, or activity facilities.

(22)(24) “Trailblazers” means signs erected at strategic locations in conjunction with the signing of a destination, tourist attraction, or general service facility.

(23)(25) “Unincorporated Area” means all lands outside of the boundaries of municipalities within a county boundary.

Rulemaking Authority 316.0745, 334.044(2), 479.02 FS. Law Implemented 316.03, 479.01 FS. History–New 3-27-05, Amended 5-8-06, 6-24-08, 11-24-11,                                  .

 

14-51.012 Trailblazers.

(1) Trailblazers shall be used for destinations which are five miles or more from the interchange or intersection and a motorist could drive through highly developed areas, “Y” intersections, or multiple strip developments to reach the destination.

(2) A countdown distance system to national and state park sites shall be based upon specific site/area conditions, and installed by the park agency through the Department’s permit system.

(2)(3) Local governments shall have all trailblazers in place on their road system prior to installing the corresponding destination sign or Tourist-Oriented Directional Sign on the state highway system.

(3)(4) Trailblazers shall provide the distance and/or direction to the nearest or most convenient point of access.

(4)(5) Trailblazers shall match the color scheme or symbol of its corresponding sign on the state highway system.

Rulemaking Authority 316.0745, 334.044(2) FS. Law Implemented 316.0745 FS. History–New 3-27-05, Amended 11-24-11,.

 

14-51.013 Sign Evaluation Process.

(1) Sign requests must originate from state agencies, city or county resolution, official representatives of schools or universities, or representatives of tourist attractions or businesses. Requests shall be made, in writing, to the District Traffic Operations Engineer for the Department District where the sign is proposed.

(2) Upon receiving a written request, the Department will determine whether:

(a) The written request concerns an eligible destination or motorist service.

(b) The trip generation meets or exceeds the minimum criteria in Table 2 for Limited Access Facilities or Table 4 for Non-Limited Access Facilities.

(c) There are seasonal considerations.

(d) Significant rapid growth is projected.

(d)(e) The intersection or interchange approach can may accommodate additional destination legend without exceeding the mandatory space limitations for either existing sign panels, or an additional sign structure. If a request for destination guide signing is received, but the intersection or interchange has the maximum number of destinations, then the request will be denied.

(e)(f) The addition of the sign will benefit the safety of the motoring public.

(3) Written requests shall provide data to support the trip generation of the proposed destination. It shall also provide data to support the function of the facility (e.g., tourist attraction) to determine which set of criteria from Table 2 1, Criteria for Signing Destinations on Limited Access Facilities, and Table 4, Criteria for Signing Destinations on Non-Limited Access Facilities, will apply. If additional support data is needed, the Department will require an engineering study to validate the request.

(4) If the written request complies with the signing these criteria for the destination, the District Traffic Operations Engineer shall review the sign location for space availability.

(5) Supplemental guide sign destinations are subject to a four-year review cycle to verify that the trip generation characteristics are consistent with Department signing criteria. The review will confirm that mid-way through the life of the sign panel (approximately seven to eight years) an opportunity will exist to make sign changes. The Department will not replace a signed destination with a new destination, regardless of annual trips, as long as the signed destination remains in operation.

(6) The following shall be considered when developing a guide sign system:

(a) Highest preference will be given to destinations that attract a larger number of trips from distances greater than 100 miles.

(b) The likelihood that the destination will continue to generate a high number of trips or if there are seasonal characteristics.

(c) Local government recommendations.

(d) The cooperation of local government and the tourism industry with the development of a regional signing plan.

(e) When concurrence can be reached by all affected parties, changes to the Department’s supplemental guide sign system may be approved through the permit system.

(7) Table 2, Criteria for Signing Destinations on Limited Access Facilities and Table 4 are mandatory criteria for guide signs installed under this rule chapter. The criteria will assist the District Traffic Operations Engineer in determining which destination will be signed for on limited and non-limited access facilities.

(7)(8) Destinations signed prior to the March 27, 2005, effective date of this rule chapter shall not be subject to the requirements of this rule chapter unless the sign is modified.

(8)(9) Signs may be approved temporarily by the Department for research and evaluation based on studies provided by the applicant. These studies shall include, at a minimum, trip generation, origin and destination studies i.e., entrance and exit locations, specific route, U-turns, and last minute lane changes to determine the safety impact. All studies shall be signed and sealed by a professional engineer registered in Florida. If the Department determines that it would be appropriate to allow the temporary installation to become permanent, the rule will be revised accordingly.

Rulemaking Authority 316.0745 FS. Law Implemented 316.0745 FS. History–New 3-27-05, Amended 11-24-11,             .

 

14-51.014 General Criteria.

(1) through (5) No change.

(6) No supplemental guide signs for destinations shall be erected prior to approval by the District Traffic Operations Engineer. Applicants seeking a guide sign to be installed by permit must submit a Guide Sign Permit form, effective 7/15, incorporated herein at_https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-06099.

(7) through (8) No change.

(9) Guide signs will only be permitted to destinations that have an on-premises sign visible from the roadway on which the destination is located.

(9) The proposed design, location, materials, and support structure must fully comply with current Department Design Standards Indices Numbered 11860 and 17302, and Sections 700 and 994, “Retroreflective and Non-reflective Sign Sheeting,” from the Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction, 2004 edition. These documents, incorporated herein by reference, can be downloaded at:

http://www.dot.state.fl.us/rddesign/DesignStandards/Standards.shtm

http://www.dot.state.fl.us/specificationsoffice/

(10) Guide signs will only be permitted to destinations that are open for business year round, have restrooms for patron use, and paved handicapped parking facilities.

(11) All proposed signs must fulfill a need for the use of a traffic control device as specified in Section 1A.2 of the MUTCD.

Rulemaking Authority 316.0745 FS. Law Implemented 316.0745 FS. History–New 3-27-05, Amended 11-24-11,             .

 

PART II GUIDE SIGNS ON LIMITED ACCESS FACILITIES

14-51.020 Supplemental Guide Signs.

(1) General. The criteria referenced for destinations listed in Table 2 are used to determine which supplemental destinations will be signed for on limited access facilities.

Table 2 – Criteria for Signing Destinations on Limited Access Facilities
Type of Destination	Criteria	Guidelines
		Major Metro Areas1	Urban Areas2	Rural Areas3
State and National Parks, and State Forest Recreational Areas	Miles from Interchange (maximum)	15	15	15
Private Colleges and Universities	Number of Trips Generated Annuallyc (minimum)	550,000a	550,000a	300,000a
		1,200,000b	750,000b	750,000b
	Miles from Interchange (maximum)	15	15	15
Military Bases	Number of Trips Generated Annuallyc (minimum)	5,000,000	4,000,000	3,000,000
	Miles from Interchange (maximum)	10	10	10
Medical Facility (excluding those referenced in table 3)	Miles from interchange (maximum)	10	10	10
	Number of Hospital Beds (minimum)	500	500	any
Veteran’s Administration (VA) Hospitals	Miles from Interchange (maximum)	10	10	10
Arenas, Auditoriums, Amphitheaters, Civic Centers, Convention Halls, Stadiums, Sports Complexes, Major Tourist Attractions (Fairgrounds, Amusement Parks, Zoos, etc.)	Number of Trips Generated Annuallyd (minimum)	200,000	165,000	135,000
	Miles from Interchange4 (maximum)	5	5	5
Historical, Cultural, or Recreational Attractions, Historic Districts	Number of Trips Generated Annuallyd (minimum)	100,000	100,000	100,000
	Miles from Interchange4 (maximum)	15	15	15
1. Over 50,000 population.
2. 5,000 to 49,999 population.
3. Under 5,000 population.
4. The distance may be increased ½ mile for each 10 percent over the minimum number of trip generated annually requirement listed to a maximum of 2 times the maximum distance listed.
a. Annual Trips = Number of Enrolled Students (who physically attend classes on campus) x 1.5 (college or university without dormitories, each student equals 1.5 trips) x Number of semesters per year x Number of weeks per semester x 5 days per week. Figures based on AASHTO’S 2001 Selection of Supplemental Guide Signs for Traffic Generators.
b. Annual Trips = Number of Enrolled Students (who physically attend classes on campus) x 2.0 (college or university with dormitories, each student equals 2 trips) x Number of semesters per year x Number of weeks per semester x 5 days per week. Figures based on AASHTO’S 2001 Selection of Supplemental Guide Signs for Traffic Generators.
c. One employee or military personnel equals 0.9 trips. Figures based on AASHTO’S 2001 Selection of Supplemental Guide Signs for Traffic Generators.
d. Trip: a single or one-direction vehicle movement either to or away from the traffic generator. Any conversion of attendance to trip generation figures will be evaluated by the Department, based on general engineering practice.

(2) Standards.

(a) Not more than four one supplemental guide sign destinations on no more than two guide sign assemblies shall be signed at any one erected at each interchange approach. No more than three lines of text shall be permitted at any one sign The supplemental guide sign shall contain no more than two destinations with no more than three lines of legend, excluding exit numbers or exit directions. Minimum sign spacing provided in Table 1 shall not be violated.

(b) If two supplemental guide sign panels are required at any interchange approach only one destination shall be displayed on each panel. Not more than two destinations shall be signed at any one interchange approach.

(b)(c) Each destination shall be signed only once in each direction.

(c)(d) Supplemental guide signs shall be located in advance of the interchange that is the most practical route to the facility. Local government recommendations on the most practical route will be considered.

(d)(e) Countdown trailblazers shall not be erected on the mainline portion of limited access facilities.

(e)(f) Except where specifically authorized by this rule chapter, as otherwise specified in Rule 14-85.004, F.A.C., and other areas of this section, the name of the operating agency, community group, or enterprise shall not appear in the legend of any supplemental guide sign, or attached to it.

(f)(g) Supplemental guide signs shall not be installed in advance of freeway-to-freeway interchanges. Interchanges between freeways are major decision points; therefore, sign messages shall only contain the route shield, cardinal direction, and name of the next control city on that route.

(g)(h) Supplemental guide signs shall be installed in advance of freeway-to-spur interchanges if the spur serves a local community.

(3) Guidelines.

(a) Cultural, historical, and recreational attractions or historical districts shall meet the trip generation criteria in Table 2 and the following specific criteria in order to be eligible for evaluation for signing:

1. The cultural, historical, and recreational attractions or historical district shall be identified by name on the current Official Florida Transportation Map. Identification on local city maps does not qualify for interstate signing.

2. Cultural and historical attractions or historical districts must be on the National Register of Historic Places, meet trip generation, be located within 15 miles of the limited access facility, provide easy access for motorists, and ample all-weather (surface treated) parking to be eligible for signing. These attractions or districts can be publicly or privately owned, but shall be operated on a non-profit basis and open to the general public year-round for sign eligibility. Examples include forts, battlegrounds, plantations, archeological or geological sites, art galleries, and museums.

3. Any conversion of attendance to trip generation figures will be evaluated by the Department, based on general engineering practice.

4. Recreational attractions shall be operated on a non-profit basis and meet ADA accessibility standards for public access.

(b) The criteria referenced in Table 2 shall be used to determine which destination to sign for on new interchanges, or to determine which destination to add to an existing supplemental guide sign with an existing destination.

(c) For the purpose of geographic identification, only state lines, county lines, and municipal limits, as well as significant natural geographic features shown on the Official Florida Transportation Map, such as waterways, will be eligible for signing signed on limited access facilities. The limited access facility must traverse the corporate limits of a municipality for geographic identification guide signing limits in both directions. No custom place name signs or auxiliary panels will be permitted other than approved 48" x 48" pictographs representing the locality and having sufficient legibility and visual acuity on a standard white on green sign design. With the addition of the pictograph, the local government must provide an approved sign panel.

(d) Mixed use developments shall be eligible for signing on limited access facilities only when the development:

1. is located within 5 miles of the interchange that is the most practical route to the development;

2. covers 20 square miles or more;

3. is open to the general public year round with non-gated access to commercial, retail, and activity/entertainment areas;

4. is a census designated place; and,

5. has 15,000 or more dwelling units, 1,000,000 or more square feet of commercial and retail space, and 4,000,000 square feet or more of office space.

(e)(d) Airports shall be eligible for signing on limited access facilities when they are served regularly by scheduled airlines with interstate passenger service. The standard An airport symbol compliant with the MUTCD shall also be used with the airport name.

(f)(e) Deep water public cargo and passenger ports (Port Authority locations) shall be eligible for signing.

(g)(f) Rail terminals shall be eligible for signing on limited access facilities when they are intercity rail (Amtrak, Commuters, etc.). They must provide regularly scheduled passenger service and have parking spaces available to accommodate patrons.

(h)(g) Certified Florida Farm Wineries shall be eligible for signing pursuant to Section 599.004, F.S.. The Florida Farm Winery logo panel with supplemental name panel shall be installed based on space availability. There is a $250 one-time fee per sign associated with this signing.

(i) Licensed Craft Distilleries shall be eligible for signing pursuant to Section 565.03, F.S. One sign in each direction at the nearest state road intersection to the distillery will be permitted based on space availability. The Craft Distillery will be responsible for all signs and associated costs, including replacements, through the Department’s permit system in accordance with 14-51.014, F.A.C.

(j)(h) Signing for “regional malls” or “outlet malls” “regional shopping centers” (Malls) shall be eligible for signing through the Department’s permit system: only if the facility is located within 5 miles of the qualifying interchange and occupies 1,000,000 square feet or more of active retail sales area (excluding any parking, business, residential or hotel space, landscape area, or shipping, receive, warehousing, or stock areas) and is open for business. Regional or outlet malls Malls with open-air promenades comprised of individual buildings, located together in a themed environment that meet the square feet requirement and are in a climate-controlled active retail area may be considered. To be eligible for signing as a Mall, all property included as square footage shall be managed by a single leasing agent and storefronts shall be on the same or contiguous properties. Outparcels are not included in the square footage summary. If the Mall requests a name change within six years of sign installation, the Mall shall be responsible to contract for all supplemental guide sign replacements, through the Department’s permit system, at their own expense. If the District Traffic Operations Engineer determines that safety or operational problems can be attributed to unclear directions to the Mall, then a request shall be processed based on the criteria established in Rule 14-51.013, F.A.C. If the minimum qualifying criteria is not met, the The applicant shall submit a traffic engineering study performed by a licensed Florida professional engineer, addressing each of the qualifying criteria which include:

1. Research and evaluation of the need for any Mall directional signs on the roadway(s) leading to the Mall from the interchange.

2. The safety and operational issues affecting both site and non-site destined traffic.

3. Whether existing or proposed on-site Mall signage is visible and provides sufficient advance notice to motorists traveling on the limited access facility to recognize the Mall destination and safely enter the exit ramp at the interchange.

4. Documentation verifying Mall square footage and leasing agent.

(k)(i) State-funded community college main campuses, vocational/technical center campuses, and university main campus are eligible for signing. Satellite campuses are eligible, only if the curriculum allows students to obtain an Associate of Arts (AA) degree or higher at the campus site.

1. If the campus requests a name change within six four years of sign installation, the campus shall be responsible to contract for all supplemental guide sign panel replacements, through the Department permit system at their own expense.

2. The campus shall provide an inventory of all existing supplemental guide sign sizes and locations, including the local road system.

3. The Department will provide an approved standard sign design for the supplemental guide signs on the state highway system. The Department will install the supplemental guide signs on the state highway system, unless a pictograph is requested in the design. The campus All supplemental guide signs with pictographs shall install all supplemental guide signs with pictographs be installed through the Department’s permit system at their own expense.

(l)(j) Private colleges and universities, whether for-profit or non-profit, where student travel, to attend regularly scheduled classes at that campus that meet the minimum trip generation criteria in Table 2 as documented by the requesting organization are eligible for signing through the permit system where space is available. Other private universities with existing signs will be allowed to retain their signs, so long as they remain active.

(m)(k) Schools licensed by the Department of Education’s Commission for Independent Education are not eligible for signing to any site, unless student travel to that site meets the trip generation criteria referenced in Table 2 as documented by the requesting organization.

(n)(l) Signing for multi-modal transportation facilities is considered supplemental guide signing, except for those that qualify as a general service. Multi-modal facilities are stations that link various modes of transportation: airports (air carrier and general aviation), seaports (passenger and cargo), commuter rail terminals, freight and intercity rail terminals, intercity buses, parking lots, garages, and Park and Ride. A signing plan for multi-modal facilities must be submitted.

(o)(m) Veteran’s Hospitals designated as the regional treatment centers for veterans are eligible for signing on limited access facilities. VA community service and community based outpatient clinics, centers, benefits offices, and national veterans cemeteries are not eligible to be signed on limited access facilities.

(p)(n) Medical treatment facilities/research centers that have regional, statewide, or national significance, provide in-patient and out-patient services by advance appointment, perform specialized surgery or treatment of human diseases are eligible for signing on limited access facilities.

(q)(o) If a destination qualifies for supplemental guide signing, but is participating in the logo program in the attraction category it shall not be eligible for supplemental guide signing. If a signed destination is approved for a business logo in the attraction category, then it will be removed from the supplemental guide sign.

(r)(p) Major metropolitan area Aairports licensed under Section 330.30, Florida Statutes, providing scheduled commercial air carrier service and major seaport passenger facilities listed in Section 403.021(9)(b), Florida Statutes, providing scheduled commercial passenger service are considered prime destinations and are eligible for signing.

(s)(q) General aviation will not be eligible for signing.

(t)(r) “DOWNTOWN” signs must meet the following criteria in order to be eligible for signing:

1 through 5 No change.

(4) Destinations Not Eligible for Signing.

(a) Except for LOGO signing as provided in Rule Chapter 14-85 14-85.004, F.A.C., the following destinations, shown in Table 3, shall not be eligible for signing.

Table 3 – Destinations Not Eligible for Signing on Limited Access Facilities
Businesses	Chamber of Commerce, television/radio station, live performance or movie theaters, motels/hotels/inns, travel trailer parks, industrial parks and plants, commerce centers, shopping or outlet centers, auto malls, auctions, flea markets, mixed-use developments or re-developments (retail, and/or office, and/or residential, and/or other commercial facilities regardless of combined trip generation).
Cemeteries	Local, state, federal, sovereign nation, public, private.
Community Facilities	Libraries, churches, subdivisions, mixed use facilities, community and general aviation airports, recreational facilities or parks, community recognition or acknowledgment.
Governmental	Research/experimental campuses even when associated with a state college or university; regional political offices or boundaries, state, regional, district, local offices even where trip generation is associated with public meetings, hearings or permit applications, Government centers, courthouses, driver license centers, jails, correctional facilities, prisons, civil defense facilities, maintenance facilities, power plants, gaming facilities not operated under Florida pari-mutuel licensing.
Schools	K through 12, seminaries, post-graduate educational facilities.
Historical	Homes/buildings/sites/landmarks publicly or privately owned, heritage trails.
Medical	All classes of hospitals, and other licensed facilities except as specified in Rules 14-51.021 and 14-51.020, F.A.C., mental health facilities, research facilities, sanitariums, rehabilitation/infirmaries /treatment centers, non hospital Veteran’s facilities, county/fraternal/nursing homes, retirement facilities, humane facilities including animal emergency services (not qualified under General Services).
Military	Sites/detachments, armories, arsenals and recruitment centers.
Recreation/Conservation	Country clubs/golf courses/resorts, fish hatcheries, game farms, tree nurseries/ arboretums, points of interest, camps (scout, church, 4-H, youth, YMCA/YWCA) nature trails, conservation or protection areas, conservation developments, watersheds, trail heads and crossings, gun and archery clubs .

Rulemaking Authority 316.0745 FS. Law Implemented 316.0745 FS. History–New 3-27-05, Amended 11-24-11,                          .

 

14-51.021 General Service Signs.

(1) No change.

(2) Standards.

(a) Except as otherwise specified in Chapter 14-85 Rule 14-85.004, F.A.C., where logo signs are utilized, general service signs shall not be used. General service signing off the Department’s right of way shall not be provided when those services are conveniently located off an interchange.

(b) Except as otherwise specified in Chapter 14-85 Rule 14-85.004, F.A.C., only symbol signs will be used to advise of the availability of gas, food, lodging, camping, hospital, and telephone on rural limited access facilities.

(c) No change.

(3) Guidelines. Each general service sign has its own set of criteria that must be met in order for signing to be provided on limited access facilities.

(a) through (d) No change.

(e) Hospital Emergency Room Service:

1. General service signs for hospital emergency room services will be erected in rural and urban areas in advance of an interchange to provide direction to motorists in need of immediate medical services.; and

2. Hospitals and stand-alone emergency rooms that meet the following criteria will be eligible for general service signs The purpose of the hospital sign is to provide direction to motorists in need of immediate medical services. Hospital general service signs shall be erected in advance of the interchange which provides the most practical route to the emergency room that facility when

a. Tthe hospital must have an onsite facility has an emergency room open 24 hours, 7 days a week.

b. Stand-alone emergency rooms must be open 24 hours, 7 days a week and must have onsite emergency medical transportation available to immediately transport patients to the hospital’s inpatient facility.

c. The hospital emergency room shall not be located more than 10 miles from the exit ramp terminal.

3. Where more than one hospital has an emergency room open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, only the hospital with the most direct route will be eligible for signing or trailblazing. meeting the criteria is available from any one interchange, only the hospital located closest to the exit point shall be signed or trailblazed.

4. The hospital facility shall not be located more than 10 miles from the exit ramp terminal; and

5. In the event a hospital or stand-alone emergency room meets the criteria, but another hospital is closer by continuing along the limited access facility to another exit, the first emergency room hospital will not be signed.

(f) through (i) No change.

Rulemaking Authority 316.0745 FS. Law Implemented 316.0745 FS. History–New 3-27-05, Amended 11-24-11,                          .

 

PART III GUIDE SIGNS ON NON-LIMITED NON-LIMIED ACCESS FACILITIES

14-51.030 Destination Guide Signs.

(1) General.

(a) The criteria referenced for destinations listed in Table 4 are used to determine which destinations will be signed for on non-limited access facilities.

(b) For pari-mutuel facilities that offer gaming, trip generation that may be attributed to the draw of the gaming activity alone are not eligible to qualify that facility for destination guide signing on the basis of trip generation.

(2) No change.

(3) Guidelines.

(a) Any state or national park or state forest; open to the public and offering multiple recreational activities with ADA access and accommodations, including restrooms and paved handicapped parking, shall be eligible. Countdown trailblazers permitted in rural areas for route confirmation. Sign panels, installation, and maintenance shall be provided by the park or forest destination. Advance signs shall not be located more than 10 miles from the park entrance.

Table 4 Criteria for Signing Destinations on Non-limited Access Facilities
Type of Destination	Criteria	Guidelines
		Major Metro Areas1	Urban Areas2	Rural Areas3
State Colleges and Universities	Nearest intersection to the state highway system.
Private Colleges and Universities	Number of Trips Generated Annually (minimum)	550,000ad	550,000ad	300,000ad
		1,200,000bd	750,000bd	450,000bd
Private Vocational/Technical Schools	Number of Trips Generated Annually (minimum)	675,000d	550,000d	300,000d
Military Bases	Number of Trips Generated Annually (minimum)	5,000,000c	4,000,000c	3,000,000c
Arenas, Auditoriums, Amphitheaters, Civic Centers, Convention Halls, Stadiums, Sports Complexes, Major Tourist Attractions (Fairgrounds, Amusement Parks, Zoos, etc.)	Number of Tripsd Generated Annually (minimum)	37,500 trips plus 3,750 per mile of distance from intersection
State and National Parks, and State Forest Recreational Areas	Nearest intersection to the state highway system.
Youth Camps (YMCA, Scouts, etc.)	Signing only in rural areas, with facilities for a minimum of 50 persons on an overnight basis and in operation for at least 6 months of the year.
Mental Health and Medical Facilities (excluding those referenced in Table 5)	Minimum of 500 beds in urban and suburban areas. Nearest state highway system Exit. Bed minimum can be lowered for hospitals with access off the state highway system serving isolated, rural county populations.
Downtown	There must be a clear central core commonly considered the downtown area that is located on an intersecting road a maximum of 3 miles off the state road. This excludes requests for signing new development or re-development zones as “downtown” that were not historically the “downtown” prior to new construction or rehabilitation.
Drivers License	Nearest intersection only.
State Agency Buildings	Number of Tripsd Generated Annually (minimum)	260,000	100,000	1,500
1. Over 50,000 population (Section 334.03, F.S.).
2. 5,000 to 49,999 population (Section 334.03, F.S.).
3. Under 5,000 population.
4. Trip: a single or one-direction vehicle movement either to or away from the traffic generator.
a. Annual Trips = Number of Enrolled Students (who physically attend classes on campus) x 1.5 (college or university without dormitories, each student equals 1.5 trips) x Number of semesters per year x Number of weeks per semester x 5 days per week. Figures based on AASHTO’S 2001 Selection of Supplemental Guide Signs for Traffic Generators.
b. Annual Trips = Number of Enrolled Students (who physically attend classes on campus) x 2.0 (college or university with dormitories, each student equals 2 trips) x Number of semesters per year x Number of weeks per semester x 5 days per week. Figures based on AASHTO’S 2001 Selection of Supplemental Guide Signs for Traffic Generators.
c. One employee or military personnel equals 0.9 trips. Figures based on AASHTO’S 2001 Selection of Supplemental Guide Signs for Traffic Generators.
d. Trip: a single or one-direction vehicle movement either to or away from the traffic generator. Any conversion of attendance to trip generation figures will be evaluated by the Department, based on general engineering practice.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) Hospitals are eligible for destination guide signing when the hospital does not have access from the state highway system, and is not located more than three miles from the intersection to be signed (other than trailblazers from a limited access facility).

(e) Unincorporated areas shall meet the criteria shown in Rule 14-51.041, F.A.C., in order to qualify for signing. Counties may develop a program to sign the boundaries of unincorporated communities with historic or cultural interest that are not on the Official Florida Transportation Map, through the Department’s permit system. Standard white-on-green geographic identification signs may be placed within the Department’s right-of-way. All custom place name signs for unincorporated communities must be located outside the right-of-way.

(d)(f) Recreational, historical, or cultural attractions funded by federal, state, or local governments are eligible for destination guide signing:

1. through 4. No change.

5. All recreational, historical, or cultural attractions shall have multiple activities, restrooms, ADA access and paved handicapped parking facilities.

(e)(g) Signs shall be installed to identify designated, developed parking areas for state or local recreational trails only. To be eligible for destination guide signing, the recreational trail must be ADA accessible and the parking ADA compliant. These signs are for traffic control purposes only, and are not intended for advertisement.

(f)(h) Rail Terminals shall be eligible for destination guide signing when the following criteria are met:

1. through 2 No change.

(g)(i) Destination guide signing for a non-charter interstate bus service shall only include the standard general service signing for a Greyhound bus station and/or bus stop. The purpose of the standard Greyhound symbol sign is to assist motorists who are trying to locate a bus station which is inside a building, or a published, scheduled stop that is not serviced by any ticket agent at that remote stop.

(h)(j) Seaports, deep water public cargo, or passenger ports (for Port Authority locations) are eligible for destination guide signing on non-limited access facilities.

(i)(k) Airports are eligible for signing when the following criteria are met:

1. through 2 No change.

(j)(f) Certified Florida Farm Wineries shall be eligible for destination guide signing pursuant to Section 599.004, F.S. The Florida Farm Winery logo with supplemental name panel shall be installed at the nearest state highway intersection based on space availability for certified wineries. There is a $250 one-time fee per sign associated with this signing.

(k) Licensed Craft Distilleries shall be eligible for signing in accordance with Section 565.03, F.S.. The Craft Distillery shall be responsible for all signs and associated costs, including replacements, through the Department’s permit system in accordance with 14-51.014, F.A.C.. One sign in each direction at the nearest state road intersection to the distillery will be permitted based on space availability.

(l)(m) Regional malls or outlet malls regional shopping centers (1,000,000 square feet or more) shall be eligible for destination guide signing through the permit system when safety or operational problems can be attributed to unclear directions and when the criteria established in Rule 14-51.013, F.A.C., is are met. and a traffic engineering study has been completed Safety and operational problems, where signing will improve corridor safety or relieve congestion and affects both site destined and other traffic, shall be documented by a Professional Engineer registered in the State of Florida. If the Mall requests a name change within six years of sign installation, the Mall shall be responsible to contract for all new supplemental guide sign replacements, through the Department’s permit system, at their own expense.

(m) Mixed use developments shall be eligible for signing on non-limited access facilities only when the development:

1. covers 20 square miles or more;

2. is open to the general public year round with no-gated access to commercial, retail, and

activity/entertainment areas;

3. is a census designated place; and,

4. has 15,000 or more dwelling units, 1,000,000 or more square feet of commercial and retail space, and 4,000,000 square feet or more of office space.

(n) Colleges and Universities:

1. State-funded community college main campuses, vocational/technical center campuses, and or university main campuses are eligible for signing to request destination guide signing. Satellite campuses are eligible, only if the curriculum allows students to obtain an associate of arts (AA) degree, or higher, at the campus site attending classes at that campus (no travel to another campus or web-based courses to complete coursework in standard schedule).

a. If the campus requests a name change within six years of sign installation, the campus shall be responsible to contract for all supplemental guide sign replacements, through the Department’s permit system at their own expense. Name changes on existing destination guide signs made within four years of existing sign panel installation will be allowed at the expense of the college or university. The board shall be responsible to contract with a private vendor for the sign replacement panel, or overlay at their own expense. The Department will install and maintain the updated panel.

b. The campus shall provide an inventory of all existing supplemental guide sign sizes and locations, including the local road system.

c. The Department will provide an approved standard sign design for the supplemental guide signs on the state highway system that can be accommodated on the existing structure. The Department will install the supplemental guide signs on the state highway system, unless a pictograph is requested in the design. Modifications, such as abbreviations to the desired legend text may be necessary. All supplemental guide signs with a If a pictograph is used, the sign shall be installed and maintained through the Department’s permit system at the applicant’s expense.

2. Private and all for-profit colleges and universities that meet the trip generation referenced in Table 4, as documented by the requesting organization, are eligible for signing through the Department’s permit system, if they meet the criteria outlined in Rule 14-51.013, F.A.C. Private universities with existing signs will be retained so long as they remain active. Private and for-profit universities shall only be eligible for destination guide signing to distinct college campuses, when the core baccalaureate degree requirement courses are available in traditional classroom settings at that site and meet the trip generation criteria.

3. Schools licensed by the Department of Education’s Commission for Independent Education are not eligible for signing to any site unless they meet the trip generation criteria referenced in Table 4 as documented by the requesting organization.

(o) Signing for multi-modal transportation facilities is considered destination guide signing, except for those that qualify as a general service.

1. through 2. No change.

(p) Veterans’ Hospitals designated as the regional treatment center or State Veterans’ nursing homes are eligible for destination guide signing on non-limited access facilities.

(q) Medical facilities/research providing by advance appointment, specialized surgery or treatment of human diseases, providing both in-patient and out-patient services, are eligible for destination guide signing on non-limited access facilities.

(q) Hospitals shall only be eligible for destination guide signs or general service signing, not both.

(r) Requests for destination guide signing by local government agencies shall be approved through the Department’s permit system. The Department shall allow local governments to fabricate, and install, and maintain the following destination guide signs pursuant to Department standards and direction. The following facilities are eligible for destination guide signing when they do not have direct state road access. The signs shall be erected at the intersection nearest the facility and shall not interfere with official traffic control devices:

1. through 5. No change.

6. City and County Parks;

7. High Schools;

8. Constitutional Officials, such as Tax Collectors Offices;

9. through 20. No change.

21. Custom Place name signs;

2122. Public parking, parking lots and garages shall be eligible for destination guide signing if they are open to the public, with non-reserved parking spaces available daily, and not more than one mile from the intersection. The green and white “P” parking symbol sign shall be used without the name of the parking facility;

2223. Destination guide signing for an intercity bus service shall consist of the standard single post local bus stop signs. Permit applications are not required, but all signs must be installed outside the clear zone and may not interfere with priority traffic control devices;

2324. City historical areas or districts that are officially declared by either city or county resolution.

(4) Destinations Not Eligible for Signing on Non-Limited Access Facilities.

Except as provided in Rule Chapter 14-85 or Rule Rules 14-85.004 or 14-51.021, F.A.C., destination guide signing shall not be provided for the following destinations shown in Table 5.

Table 5 Destinations Not Eligible for Signing on Non-Limited Access Facilities
Businesses	Television/radio station, theaters, motels/hotels/inns, travel trailer parks, industrial parks and plants, office parks, shopping districts, shopping centers strip malls; mixed-use developments (retail, restaurant, office, residential in any combination).
Cemeteries	Local, state, federal, sovereign nation, public, private.
Community Facilities	Civic groups (Kiwanis, Lions, Rotary, etc.), churches, subdivision, mixed use facilities, business districts, community recognition of acknowledgment signs.
Government	State, local and regional political offices or boundaries.
Military	Sites/detachments, armories, arsenals and recruitment centers.
Schools	K through 9.
Medical	Infirmaries, out-patient or residential treatment centers; county, fraternal or non-Veterans nursing homes, retirement facilities, specialized short or long term treatment or rehabilitation facilities, ambulatory surgical center, specialty hospitals or clinics.
Recreation/Conservation	Water and soil conservation district boundaries, water sheds, habitat or natural resource protection zones, recreation centers (community centers, swimming pools, baseball/softball fields, tennis courts, etc.), training centers, country clubs, private golf courses, resorts, tree nurseries/arboretums (including those sponsored by government services), gun and archery clubs.

Rulemaking Authority 316.0745 FS. Law Implemented 316.0745 FS. History–New 3-27-05, Amended 11-24-11,                     .

 

14-51.031 General Services Signs.

(1) General Criteria

(a) through (j) No change.

(2) Standards.

(a) No change.

(b) Hospitals and stand-alone emergency rooms that meet the following criteria are eligible for general service signing when the hospital emergency room is located not more than five miles from an intersection (other than trailblazing from a limited access facility).

(c) When requested, general service signs for a hospital shall be erected on the state highway system in advance of the intersection which provides the most practical route to that facility: when the hospital has an emergency room open 24 hours, 7 days a week. When more than one hospital meeting the criteria is available from any one intersection, only the hospital located closest to the exit point shall be signed or trailblazed.

1. Hospitals must have an onsite emergency room open 24 hours, 7 days a week.

2. Stand-alone emergency rooms must be open 24 hours, 7 days a week and must have onsite emergency medical transportation available to transport patients to the hospital’s inpatient facility.

3. The hospital or stand-alone emergency room must be within five miles of the state highway system intersection providing signage (other than trailblazing from a limited access facility).

4. At intersections where more than one hospital meets the criteria, only the hospital with the most direct route will be eligible for signing or trailblazing.

(c) A hospital or stand-alone emergency room that does not meet the criteria listed above may be eligible for an Emergency Medical Services sign as provided in the MUTCD.

(d) through (f) No change.

(g) Pari-mutuels associated with jai-alai, horse tracks, or dog tracks are eligible for general service symbol signing on non-limited access facilities. The state standard symbol will be displayed on the non-limited access facility. The registered name of a qualifying pari-mutuel can be included if it is trailblazing from a limited access facility supplemental guide signing that displays the name. If the Department installs the word message general service panel on the limited access facility, the local government may choose to display the official operating name of the pari-mutuel at the nearest state road intersection as an auxiliary to the standard general service sign, as an assembly, through the Department’s permit system.

Rulemaking Authority 316.0745 FS. Law Implemented 316.0745 FS. History–New 3-27-05, Amended 11-24-11,.

 

PART IV PLACE NAME SIGNS ON NON-LIMITED ACCESS FACILITIES

14-51.040 Exclusions.

(1) Place name signs other than for natural geographic features and official boundaries of counties, municipalities, or unincorporated areas found on the Official Florida Transportation Map shall not be erected on non-limited access facilities.

(2) Place name signs for other governmental or quasi-governmental boundaries including, but not limited to, water management districts, school districts, voting districts, commissioner districts, and fire districts, shall not be erected on the state highway system.

(3) Place name signs shall not be installed for urban subdivisions unless they appear on the full size Official Florida Transportation Map (not on the urban area enlargements).

(4) “Exiting” or “Leaving” added to a place name signs shall not be permitted.

(5) Overhead signs/structures shall not be permitted.

(6) Place name sign requests can only be originated by a resolution of the organizations or persons other than the local government shall not be considered.

Rulemaking Authority 316.0745 FS. Law Implemented 316.0745 FS. History–New 3-27-05, Amended 11-24-11,                          .

 

14-51.041 Criteria for Unincorporated Areas.

(1) If an unincorporated area appears on the Official Florida Transportation Map, place name signing shall be provided on non-limited access facilities by the Department upon request by the county.

(2) Place name signs for sovereign lands or an unincorporated area not appearing on the current Official Florida Transportation Map will be eligible for signing through the Department’s permit system upon written request of the county. Such requests must demonstrate the following:

(1)(a) A clearly identifiable localized development in the area.

(2)(b) The community must lie on or along the state highway system.

(3)(c) A community, for the purpose of place name signing, must have an identifiable boundary. The boundary and area name may not be coincidental to platted or unplatted subdivisions. The community must be demonstrated to have historical or cultural significance, not recreational significance. The community must not be associated with a specific developer, specific development theme, corporate business or investment, or entities such as a private golf course or resorts.

(4)(d) The county must demonstrate that the unincorporated community has significant historical, cultural, or educational value, that the county has an investment in preserving.

(5)(e) The county has installed or agreed to install place name signs on its roads traversing the area.

(6) A resolution passed by the county requesting signing.

Rulemaking Authority 316.0745 FS. Law Implemented 316.0745 FS. History–New 3-27-05, Amended 11-24-11,                         .

 

14-51.043 Customized Place Name Signs.

Rulemaking Authority 316.0745 FS. Law Implemented 316.0745 FS. History–New 3-27-05, Amended 11-24-11, Repealed.

 

PART V COMMUNITY WAYFINDING GUIDE SIGNS

14-51.051 Standards.

(1) through (3) No change.

(4) Communities eligible for community wayfinding guide signs must be on the Official Florida Transportation Map. Community wayfinding signs not appearing on the Official Florida Transportation Map are eligible to participate with written acceptance of full responsibility by the local government. Such requests shall follow the process outlined in subsection 14-51.041(2), F.A.C.

(4)(5) Existing community wayfinding guide signs that were installed on the state highway system prior to this rule becoming effective on May 8, 2006, shall be allowed to remain or be replaced until a new community wayfinding guide sign system plan is approved by the local government and designed and installed in accordance with this rule chapter.

(5)(6) Community wayfinding guide signs shall be limited to non-limited access facilities. Community wayfinding guide signs shall not be allowed within the right of way of limited access facilities, including ramps and frontage roads.

(6)(7) Community wayfinding guide signs shall be designed, installed, and maintained in accordance with the standards referenced in subsections 14-51.014(7) and (8), F.A.C.

(7)(8) The planning, design, installation, and maintenance of all community wayfinding guide signs and their assemblies are the responsibility of the local government, including those on the state highway system.

(8)(9) Community wayfinding guide signs shall not be used to provide direction to primary destinations or to highway routes or streets. Destination or other guide signs shall be used for this purpose, as described in Section 2D of the MUTCD, and shall have priority over any community wayfinding guide sign.

(9)(10) Community wayfinding guide signs shall not be mounted overhead.

(10)(11) The local government shall submit their community wayfinding guide sign system plan to the appropriate District Traffic Operations Office to initiate the Department’s permit system.

Rulemaking Authority 316.0745 FS. Law Implemented 316.0745 FS. History–New 5-8-06, Amended 11-24-11,                  .

 

14-51.053 Pedestrian Wayfinding Signs.

(1) through (2) No change.

(3) The intent of pedestrian wayfinding signs is to provide guidance and navigation information to local cultural, historical, recreational, and tourist activities. No destination shall be displayed for the purpose of advertising.

Rulemaking Authority 316.0745 FS. Law Implemented 316.0745 FS. History–New 11-24-11,                        .

 

PART VI TOURIST-ORIENTED DIRECTIONAL SIGNS (TODS)

 

14-51.062 General Criteria.

(1) Development of a TODS program is limited to rural areas counties meeting the Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) criteria as provided referenced in Section 288.0656, F.S. 479.262, F.S.

(2) No change.

Rulemaking Authority 479.262 FS. Law Implemented 479.262 FS. History–New 6-24-08, Amended 11-24-11,.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Mark Wilson, State Traffic Operations Engineer

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Jim Boxold, Secretary

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: October 20, 2015

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: December 3, 2014