Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1680-03-03-.04 - Criteria for the Erection of Signs for the Logo Sign Program

(1) The Department will allow the erection and maintenance of signs for the Logo Sign Program in accordance with the MUTCD, these rules, and contract provisions. However, to minimize the interference with the more critical regulatory, warning and guide signs, the logo sign background sign panels will be erected prior to the advance guide sign on the mainline, where possible, and at close spacing on the exit ramp. In addition to the aforementioned, the following criteria should be met:

(a) The desired spacing between each mainline background sign panel should be at least eight hundred (800) feet, and the mainline background sign panel shall not conflict or interfere with any other official highway guide sign.

(b) Exit ramp background sign panels shall not be erected where the ramp terminus offers no options for turns. However, where no businesses are visible from the terminus, the contractor may install trailblazer signs at a location determined by the Department and in conformance to specifications for trailblazer signs.

(c) There shall be no more than a total of four background sign panels along the approach to any interchange, in each direction of travel, and no more than one background sign panel shall be erected for each eligible motorist service. The background sign panels should be erected in the following order in relation to the direction of travel: first, attraction and/or camping; second, lodging; third, food; and fourth, gas.

1. A separate background sign panel shall be erected for each type of motorist service, except where no more than three approved businesses are available for each of two types of services. The Department in that case may elect to display a background sign panel for two types of services on the same background sign panel.

2. A business will have its logo signs installed at an interchange that provides it with the shortest eligibility distance.

3. A business may have logo signs installed at a second interchange, provided it meets all the requirements as set forth in these rules and the business does not prevent another eligible business from participating in the Logo Sign Program at that interchange.

4. The number of logo signs on the background sign panel shall be limited to six for each motorist service.

5. The placement of individual logo signs on all background sign panels will be as follows:

(i) All businesses that are accessible via a left turn from the exit ramp terminus will be placed first.

(ii) All businesses that are accessible via a right turn from the exit ramp terminus will then be placed.

(iii) The logo signs of all businesses will be placed according to eligibility distance from each direction of turn, starting with the logo sign of the business with the shortest eligibility distance and going to the logo sign of the business with the greatest eligibility distance.

6. A business is eligible to participate in the Logo Sign Program provided that it offers at least one of the specific motorist services (gas, food, lodging, camping or attraction) and it meets the applicable minimum criteria set forth in Rule 1680-03-03-.05.

7. In the event that a business provides more than one motorist service, it may be eligible to display a logo sign for each service it provides on the proper background sign panel, provided the following conditions are met;

(i) It meets all minimum criteria for the service,

(ii) It does not prevent participation by another business which offers a sole service and would otherwise qualify for placement on the background sign panel,

(iii) Space is available on the background sign panel.

8. Within the urbanized area boundary of cities of 100,000 or greater population as designated by the United States Bureau of Census in the most recent decennial federal census, the total number of boards at each individual interchange may vary based on the space allowance, but the total number shall not exceed four. Priority will be as follows: first, gas and/or food; second, lodging; and third, attraction and/or camping.

(d) At interchange approaches having a single exit, each background sign panel shall bear the type of service followed by the exit number on a line above the logo signs.

(e) On interchange approaches having a double exit, each background sign panel shall consist of two sections.

1. The top section shall bear the type of service and display the logo sign for the businesses accessible from the first exit.

2. The lower section shall bear the type of service and display the logo sign for the businesses accessible from the second exit.

3. The exit number shall be displayed on a line above the logo signs in each section.

4. When a motorist service is to be signed at only one of the two exits, one section of the background sign panel may be omitted or a single exit interchange background sign panel may be employed.

(f) All businesses displayed on a mainline background sign panel will also be displayed on the exit ramp background sign panel. This only applies to interchanges that are eligible for exit ramp background sign panels.

1. Exit ramp background sign panels shall consist of a logo sign identical to but smaller than the logo sign on the mainline background sign panel.

2. The arrangement of individual logo signs on an exit ramp background sign panel will be the same as the arrangement of logo signs as stipulated in Rule 1680-03-03-.04(1)(c) 5.

3. There will be directional arrows and mileage to each business on the exit ramp background sign panels at single exit interchanges. (See Rule 1680-03-03-. 13, Figure 2.)

(g) Descriptive advertising words, phrases, or slogans shall not be allowed on any logo sign, except to indicate dates of operation of eligible campgrounds that open on a seasonal basis, to indicate that a business is "open 24 hours," or that a business offers "diesel" or "auto diesel fuel," or other as approved by the Department. If more than two (2) descriptive words, phrases, or slogans are requested, approval must be obtained from the Department.

(h) The distance that a gas, food or lodging motorist service business can be located from the PPOI to qualify for a logo sign shall not exceed three (3) miles in either direction. The distance that a camping or attraction motorist service business can be located from the PPOI to qualify for a logo sign shall not exceed fifteen (15) miles in either direction.

(i) Trailblazer signs may be installed to indicate the need for a turn when the crossroad terminates. In addition, trailblazer signs should be used to indicate whenever a turn is needed to reach an eligible business. All trailblazer signs will have a supplemental sign showing a directional arrow and mileage to the business.

1. Where the road on which the trailblazer sign is needed is a state highway, the qualifying business will furnish the contractor with the appropriate trailblazer signs. The contractor will erect and maintain all trailblazer signs.

2. Where the road on which the trailblazer sign is needed is a city or county road, it shall be the responsibility of the business to make arrangements with the appropriate local governmental agency allowing the contractor to erect and maintain the trailblazer sign(s).

3. Trailblazer signs shall consist of a logo sign identical to but smaller than a mainline logo and a supplemental directional arrow and mileage sign. (See rule 1680-03-03-.13, Figures 3 & 4 for sign specifications.)

(j) Logo signs shall not be installed at any directional interchange. A directional interchange is an interchange of two Interstate highways, or any other freeway-to-freeway interchange having comparable geometric design features.

(k) The applicants and business participants in the Logo Sign Program agree to hold harmless the State of Tennessee, the Department of Transportation, and its employees for any loss of business caused by any damage to or removal of background sign panels, logo signs or trailblazer signs.

(2) An interchange which was an eligible location for the Logo Sign Program as of March 9, 1989, shall continue to be an eligible location notwithstanding changes in the urbanized area boundary. An interchange which became an eligible location at a later date shall be unaffected by changes in the urbanized area boundary for the duration of the term of the contract between the Department and the contractor in effect at the time of any such change.

Notes

Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1680-03-03-.04

Original rule filed January 23, 1989; effective March 9, 1989. Amendment filed September 7, 1990; effective October 22, 1990. Amendment filed January 17, 1992; effective March 3, 1992. Amendment filed January 11, 2002; effective May 31, 2002. Rule has been assigned a new control number from 1680-09-01-.04 filed and effective February 1, 2003. Repeal and new rule filed May 14, 2014; effective 10/29/2014.

Authority: T.C.A. § 54-5-1108.