001.01.98 Ark. Code R. § 001 - Revised Regulations for Erection of Specific Information Signs (LOGOS)

1. DEFINITIONS. Except as defined in this paragraph, the terms used in this directive shall be defined in accordance with the definition and usage of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).

a. Business Sign (Logo) - a separately attached sign mounted on the rectangular sign panel to show the brand, symbol, trademark, or name, or combination of these, for a motorist service available on a crossroads at or near an interchange or an intersection.

b. Specific Information Sign - a rectangular sign panel with:

(1) The words "GAS", "FOOD", "LODGING", or "CAMPING";

(2) Directional Information; and

(3) One or more business signs (Logos).

2. LOCATION

a. Eligible Areas. Upon request from a local jurisdiction, logo signing will be allowed on those sections of the Interstate highway system and other fully-controlled access highways, where the maximum posted speed limit is greater than 55 miles per hour.

b. Lateral Location Approved by AHTD. The specific information sign locations shall be approved by the Department and should be located so as to take advantage of natural terrain, to have the least impact on the scenic environment, and to avoid visual conflict with other signs within the highway right-of-way. Sign panel supports shall be of a breakaway design.

c. Relative Location. In the direction of traffic successive specific information signs shall be those for "CAMPING", "LODGING", "FOOD", and "GAS" in that order.

3. CRITERIA FOR SPECIFIC INFORMATION PERMITTED

a. Conformity with Laws. Each business identified on a specific information sign shall have given written assurance to the Department or its contractor of its conformity with all applicable laws concerning the provision of public accommodations without regard to race, religion, color, sex, or national origin, and shall not be in breach of that assurance.

b. Distance to Services. The maximum distance that service facilities can be located from the main traveled way to qualify for a business sign shall not exceed 3 roadway miles in either direction for "FOOD", "LODGING", and "CAMPING" services and 1 mile for "GAS"; except that, if within that 3-mile limit services of the type being considered are not available, the limit of eligibility may be extended in 3-mile increments until services of the type being considered or 15 miles, are reached.

c. Types of Services Permitted. The types of services permitted shall be limited to "GAS", "FOOD", "LODGING", and "CAMPING". To qualify for display on a specific information sign:

(1) "GAS" shall include:

(a) Vehicles services, which shall include fuel, oil, and water;

(b) Restroom facilities and drinking water;

(c) Continuous operation at least 16 hours per day, 7 days a week; and

(d) Telephone.

(2) "FOOD" shall include:

(a) Licensing or approval, where required;

(b) Continuous operation to serve meals beginning no later than 11:00 a.m., 6 days a week;

(c) Telephone.

(3) "LODGING" shall include:

(a) Licensing or approval, where required;

(b) Adequate sleeping accommodations; and

(c) Telephone.

(4) "CAMPING" shall include:

(a) Licensing or approval, where required;

(b) Adequate parking accommodations; and

(c) Modem sanitary facilities and drinking water.

d. Number of Signs Permitted. The number of specific information signs permitted shall be limited to one for each type of service along an approach to an interchange or intersection. The number of business signs permitted on a sign panel is specified in paragraph 5b and 6f Businesses offering more than one service may have their signs displayed on more than one service panel, as long as no other business would be eliminated. In those instances where this section applies, the decision of the Department to limit a business to one service panel shall be final.

4. COMPOSITION

a. Sign Panels. The sign panels shall have a blue background with a white reflectorized border. The size of the sign panels shall not exceed the minimum size necessary to accommodate the maximum number of business signs permitted using the required legend height and the interline and edge spacing specified in the NRJTCD.

b. Business Signs. Where business identification symbols or trademarks are used alone for a business sign, the border may be omitted, the symbol or trademark shall be reproduced in the colors and general shape consistent with customary use, and any integral legend shall be in proportionate size. Messages, symbols, and trademarks which resemble any official traffic control device are prohibited. The vertical and horizontal spacing between business signs on sign panels shall not exceed 8 inches and 12 inches, respectively.

c. Legends. All Specific Information Sign directional arrows and all letters and numbers used in the name of the type of service and the directional legend shall be white and reflectorized.

5. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

a. Location

(1) Separate Sign Panel. Except as provided in paragraph 5b(3), a separate sign panel shall be provided for each type of service for which business signs are displayed.

(2) Relationship to Exit Gore. The specific information signs shall be erected between the previous interchange and 800 feet in advance of the exit direction sign at the interchange from which the services are available. There should be at least 800 feet spacing between the main lanes Logo signs. Excessive spacing should be avoided.

(3) Convenient Reentry Required. Specific information signs shall not be erected at any interchange where the motorist cannot conveniently, as determined by the Department, reenter the rural Interstate highway and continue in the same direction of travel, or at interchanges between rural Interstate highways.

(4) Exit Ramp Signs. At single-exit interchanges where service facilities are not visible from a ramp terminal, ramp signs shall be installed along the ramp or at the ramp terminal, and may be provided along the crossroads. These signs shall be duplicates of the corresponding specific information signs along the main roadway but reduced in size. The signs shall include the distances to the service installations and directional arrows in lieu of words. The minimum letter height should be 4 inches except that any legend on a symbol shall be proportional to the size of the symbol. Ramp signing may be used on ramps and crossroads at double-exit interchanges.

b. Composition

(1) Single-Exit Interchanges. The name of the type of service followed by the exit number shall be displayed in one line above the business signs. The "GAS", "FOOD", "LODGING", and "CAMPING", specific information signs shall be limited to nine (9) business signs each.

(2) Double-Exit Interchanges. The specific information signs shall consist of two sections, one for each exit. The top section shall display the business signs for the first exit and the lower section shall display the business signs for the second exit. The name of the type of service followed by the exit number shall be displayed in a line above the business signs in each direction. Where a type of motorist service is to be signed for at only one exit, one section of the specific information sign may be omitted, or a single-exit interchange sign may be used. The number of business signs on the sign panel (total of both sections) shall be limited to nine each for "GAS", "FOOD", "LODGING", and "CAMPING".

(3) Remote Rural Interchanges. In remote rural areas, where not more than two qualified facilities are available for each of two or more types of services, business signs for two types of services may be displayed on the same sign panel. Not more than two business signs for each type of service shall be displayed in combination on a panel. The name of each type of service shall be displayed above its respective business sign(s), and the exit number shall be displayed above the names of the types of services. Business signs should not be combined on a panel when it is anticipated that additional service facilities will become available in the near future. When it becomes necessary to display a third business sign for a type of service displayed in combination, the business signs involved shall then be displayed in compliance with paragraph 5b(l) and 5b(2).

c. Size

(1) Business Signs.

(a) Each business sign displayed on the "GAS" specific information sign shall be contained within a 48-inch wide and 36-inch high rectangular background area, including border.

(b) Each business sign on the "FOOD", "LODGING", and "CAMPING" specific information signs shall be contained within a 60-inch wide and 36-inch high rectangular background area, including border.

(2) Legends. All letters used in the name of the type of service and the directional legend shall be in conformance with the MUTCD.

6. PROCEDURES

a. Contracts. Contracts for erection or replacement of Logo signs shall be provided by the Department or its contractor.

b. Erection. Specific information panels shall be erected and business signs shall be attached by the Department or its contractor.

c. Cost. Business signs (Logos) shall be furnished to the Department or its contractor, in accordance with Departmental specifications, by the participating businesses.

d. Replacement. Upon notice from the Department or its contractor, businesses will provide replacement Logos for those signs which become worn out or damaged.

e. Removal. The Department or its contractor shall remove or cover business signs for those businesses that are not in compliance with the conditions indicated in paragraph 3 of this policy.

f. Selection of Eligible Businesses. If there is not enough space on specific information panels to accommodate all businesses wishing to display signs, those businesses closest to the particular interchange will be selected. If subsequently, a business exists or is constructed closer to the interchange than one being displayed on the panel, the business on the panel may continue to display until such time as they no longer desire to do so. At that time, the business that is located closer to the interchange may apply for the sign.

g. Seasonal Removal/Covering. Each business sign displayed on the "CAMPING" specific information signs and ramp signs shall be removed or covered by the Department or its contractor during off-season months if such business is operated on a seasonal basis only. Said signs shall be reinstalled or uncovered by the Department or its contractor during seasonal operations. Each such business shall notify the Department or its contractor at the time of annual maintenance fees of their operating intentions for the forthcoming year. The Department or its contractor shall remove signs at an interchange for any such business that fails to give notice at least six months in advance of any seasonal closing.

7. FEES

The Arkansas State Highway Commission shall determine the initial fees, annual fees, and special fees pertaining to the Specific Information (Logo) Sign Program.

a. Annual Fees. Upon approval of a business for Logo Signing, the annual maintenance fees shall be paid in accordance with the terms of the contract between the business and the Department or its contractor.

The following section shall define the sole remedy available to a permittee for removal of a Logo sign.

If an application for permit renewal is, for any reason, not granted, all fees tendered with the renewal application shall be promptly refunded. If a permit has been renewed, no part of the annual maintenance fees shall be refunded. If, however, the business sign is subsequently removed at the direction of the Department for any reason, a proportional refund of the annual maintenance fees shall be made. However, in case of any removal, the annual maintenance fees for any months or major portion (16 days or more) of a month remaining to the anniversary date of placement of the business sign shall be refunded. There shall be no refund of annual maintenance fees for any business sign temporarily removed or covered pursuant to Section 6e or 6g.

The business shall be notified when the motorist information signs are erected and the logos installed by the Department or its contractor.

b. Special Fees.

1. A fee will be charged per business per interchange for the removal of Logo signs by the Department or its contractor (other than by being displaced).

2. A fee will be charged per business per interchange for the seasonal removal or covering by the Department or its contractor of "CAMPING" Logo signs per interchange (fee to include corresponding reinstallation or uncovering at the end of the off-season).

LOGO SIGNING FEES

Logo Signing Application Fee	$25.00 per application
Logo Signing Installation Fee	$50.00 per Logo sign
Logo Signing Annual Maintenance Fee	$125.00 per Logo sign
Logo Signing Removal Fee	$100.00 per interchange

Notes

001.01.98 Ark. Code R. § 001

11/23/1998