(1) Agreements between the Tennessee
Department of Transportation and the United States Department of
Transportation, Federal Highway Administration.
(a) Original Agreement (November 11, 1971)
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(b) Supplemental Agreement (October 16, 1984)
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(2) Brightness Standards for Changeable
Message Signs with a Digital Display T.C.A. §
54-21-119(h) establishes the
brightness standards for changeable message signs with a digital display, as
follows:
(a) All changeable message signs
installed on or after July 1, 2014, must come equipped with a light-sensing
device that automatically adjusts the brightness in direct correlation with
ambient light conditions.
(b) The
brightness of light emitted from a changeable message sign must not exceed 0.3
foot candles over ambient light levels measured at a distance of one hundred
fifty feet (150') for those sign faces less than or equal to three hundred
square feet (300 sq. ft.), measured at a distance of two hundred feet (200')
for those sign faces greater than three hundred square feet (300 sq. ft.) but
less than or equal to three hundred eighty-five square feet (385 sq. ft.),
measured at a distance of two hundred fifty feet (250') for those sign faces
greater than three hundred eighty-five square feet (385 sq. ft.) and less than
or equal to six hundred eighty square feet (680 sq. ft.), measured at a
distance of three hundred fifty feet (350') for those sign faces greater than
six hundred eighty square feet (680 sq. ft.), or subject to the measuring
criteria in the applicable table set forth in subdivision (h)(4).
(c) Any measurements required pursuant to
this subsection (h) must be taken from a point within the highway right-of-way
at a safe distance from the edge of the traveled way, at a height above the
roadway that approximates a motorist's line of sight, and as close to
perpendicular to the face of the changeable message sign as practical. If
perpendicular measurement is not practical, valid measurements may be taken at
an angle up to forty-five (45) degrees from the center point of the sign face.
If measurement shows a level above that prescribed in subdivision (h)(4), the
exact calculations must be provided to the sign permit holder.
(d) In the event it is found not to be
practical to measure a changeable message sign at the distances prescribed in
subdivision (h)(2), a measurer may opt to measure the sign at any of the
alternative measuring distances described in the applicable table set forth in
this subdivision (h)(4). In the event the sign measurer chooses to measure the
sign using an alternative measuring distance, the prescribed foot candle level
above ambient light must not exceed the prescribed level, to be determined
based on the alternative measuring distances set forth in the tables in
subdivisions (h)(4)(A), (B), (C), and (D), as applicable.
For any measuring distance between the alternative measuring
distances set forth in the following tables, the prescribed foot candle level
above ambient light must not exceed the interpolated level derived from the
following formula:
[12 = (D2<2>/01<2>) x 11]
Where l1 = the prescribed foot candle level above ambient
light for the measuring distance listed in the tables, l2 = the derived foot
candle level above ambient light for the desired measuring distance, D1 = the
desired measuring distance in feet, and D2 = the alternative measuring distance
in feet listed in the tables, as follows:
1. For changeable message signs less than or
equal to three hundred square feet (300 sq. ft.):
|
Alternative Measuring Distance:
|
Prescribed Foot Candle Level:
|
|
100
|
0.68
|
|
125
|
0.43
|
|
150
|
0.3
|
|
200
|
0.17
|
|
250
|
0.11
|
|
275
|
0.09
|
|
300
|
0.08
|
|
325
|
0.06
|
|
350
|
0.06
|
|
400
|
0.04
|
2.
For changeable message signs greater than three hundred square feet (300 sq.
ft.) but less than or equal to three hundred eighty-five square feet (385 sq.
ft.):
|
Alternative Measuring Distance:
|
Prescribed Foot Candle Level:
|
|
100
|
1.2
|
|
125
|
0.77
|
|
150
|
0.53
|
|
200
|
0.3
|
|
250
|
0.19
|
|
275
|
0.16
|
|
300
|
0.13
|
|
325
|
0.11
|
|
350
|
0.1
|
|
400
|
0.08
|
3.
For changeable message signs greater than three hundred eighty-five square feet
(385 sq. ft.) but less than or equal to six hundred eighty square feet (680 sq.
ft.):
|
Alternative Measuring Distance:
|
Prescribed Foot Candle Level:
|
|
100
|
1.88
|
|
125
|
1.2
|
|
150
|
0.83
|
|
200
|
0.47
|
|
250
|
0.3
|
|
275
|
0.25
|
|
300
|
0.21
|
|
325
|
0.18
|
|
350
|
0.15
|
|
400
|
0.12
|
4.
For changeable message signs greater than six hundred eighty square feet (680
sq. ft.):
|
Alternative Measuring Distance:
|
Prescribed Foot Candle Level:
|
|
100
|
3.675
|
|
125
|
2.35
|
|
150
|
1.63
|
|
200
|
0.92
|
|
250
|
0.59
|
|
275
|
0.49
|
|
300
|
0.41
|
|
325
|
0.35
|
|
350
|
0.3
|
|
400
|
0.23
|
|
425
|
0.2
|
|
450
|
0.18
|
|
500
|
0.15
|
(e) The brightness standards established in
T.C.A. §
54-21-119(h) apply to all changeable message signs located in
this state operated pursuant to a permit issued by the
Commissioner.
(3)
Illustrations
(a) Abandoned Devices
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(b) Measurement of Adjacent Area at
Interchanges
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(c) Destroyed Non-Conforming Outdoor
Advertising Device
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(d) Device Types: Double-Faced
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(e) Device Types: Back-To-Back
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(f) Device Types: V-Type
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(g) Device Types: Stacked Display
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(h) Unzoned Commercial or Industrial
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(i) Sign Face Size & Parts
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(j) Sign Face Size
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(k) Incorrect Sign Face Size
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(l) Sign Spacing: Measurement Methods
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(m) Sign Spacing: Measurement Methods
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(n) Sign Spacing: Measurement Methods
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(o) Sign Spacing: Measurement Along A Curve
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(p) Spacing Exception
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(q) Ramp Control: Outside the City Limits
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(r) Sign Spacing: Not Fully Controlled Access
Control
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(s) On-Premises Device
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(t) Vegetation Control: Example Only
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(u) Vegetation Control Removal Guide
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