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Chapter 7B. Signs

§7B.01 Design of School Signs

Standard

01. Except as provided in Section 2A.07, the sizes of signs and plaques to be used on conventional roadways in school areas shall be as shown in Table 7B-1.

02. The sizes in the Oversized column in Table 7B-1 shall be used on expressways in school areas.

Guidance

03. The sizes in the Oversized column should be used on roadways that have four or more lanes with posted speed limits of 40 mph or higher.

Table 7B-1. School Area Sign and Plaque Sizes

SignSign DesignationSectionConventional RoadMinimumOversized
SchoolS1-17B.0236 x 3630 x 3048 x 48
School Bus Stop AheadS3-17B.0436 x 3630 x 3048 x 48
School Bus Turn AheadS3-27B.0436 x 3630 x 3048 x 48
Reduced School Speed Limit AheadS4-5, S4-5a7B.0536 x 3630 x 3048 x 48
School Speed Limit XX When FlashingS5-17B.0524 x 48—36 x 72
End School ZoneS5-27B.0224 x 30—36 x 48
End School Speed LimitS5-37B.0524 x 30—36 x 48
Yield (Stop) Here for School CrossingR1-5a, R1-5c7B.0336 x 36——
In-Street Ped or School CrossingR1-6, R1-6a, R1-6b, R1-6c7B.0312 x 36——
Overhead School CrossingR1-9b, R1-9c7B.0390 x 24——
Speed Limit (School Use)R2-17B.0524 x 30—36 x 48
Begin Higher Fines ZoneR2-107B.0624 x 30—36 x 48
End Higher Fines ZoneR2-117B.0624 x 30—36 x 48
PlaqueSign DesignationSectionConventional RoadMinimumOversized
Time of Day X:XX to X:XX AM X:XX to X:XX PMS4-1P7B.0624 x 12—36 x 18
When Children Are PresentS4-2P7B.0624 x 12—36 x 18
SchoolS4-3P7B.02, 7B.0524 x 9—36 x 12
When FlashingS4-4P7B.05, 7B.0624 x 12—36 x 18
Days of Week Mon-FriS4-6P7B.0524 x 12—36 x 18
All YearS4-7P7B.0224 x 12—30 x 18
Fines HigherR2-6P7B.0624 x 18—36 x 24
Fines DoubleR2-6aP7B.0624 x 18—36 x 24
$XX FineR2-6bP7B.0624 x 18—36 x 24
XX Feet (2-line)W16-2P7B.02, 7B.0324 x 18—30 x 24
XX Ft (1-line)W16-2aP7B.02, 7B.0324 x 12—30 x 18
Directional ArrowW16-5P7B.02, 7B.0321 x 15—30 x 21
Advance Turn ArrowW16-6P7B.02, 7B.0321 x 15—30 x 21
Downward Diagonal ArrowW16-7P7B.02, 7B.0321 x 15—30 x 21
AheadW16-9P7B.02, 7B.0324 x 12—30 x 18

Notes: 1. Larger sizes may be used when appropriate 2. Dimensions are shown in inches and are shown as width x height 3. Minimum sign sizes for multi-lane conventional roads shall be as shown in the Conventional Road column

Option

04. Signs and plaques larger than those shown in Table 7B-1 may be used (see Section 2A.07).

Standard

05. School warning signs, including the “SCHOOL” portion of the School Speed Limit (S5-1) sign and including any supplemental plaques used in association with these warning signs, shall have a fluorescent yellow-green background with a black legend and border unless otherwise provided in this Manual for a specific sign.

06. The signs used for school area traffic control shall be retroreflective or illuminated.

Support

07. Sections 2A.13 and 2A.14 contain provisions regarding the installation, placement, and location of signs.

08. Section 2A.15 contains provisions regarding the mounting heights of signs.

09. Section 2A.16 contains provisions regarding the lateral offsets of signs.

10. The “Standard Highway Signs” publication (see Section 1A.05) contains information regarding sign lettering.

Option

11. In-roadway signs for school traffic control areas may be used consistent with the requirements of Sections 2B.20 and 7B.03.

§7B.02 School Area Signs and Plaques

Support

01. Many state and local jurisdictions find it beneficial to advise road users that they are approaching a school that is adjacent to a highway, where additional care is needed, even though no school crossing is involved and the speed limit remains unchanged. Additionally, some jurisdictions designate school zones that have a unique legal standing in that fines for speeding or other traffic violations within designated school zones are increased or special enforcement techniques such as photo radar systems are used. It is important and sometimes legally necessary to mark the beginning and end points of these designated school zones so that the road user is given proper notice.

02. The School (S1-1) sign (see Figure 7B-1) has the following four applications:

  • A. School Area – the S1-1 sign can be used to warn road users that they are approaching a school area that might include school buildings or grounds, a school crossing, or school related activity adjacent to the highway.
  • B. School Zone – the S1-1 sign can be used to identify the location of the beginning of a designated school zone.
  • C. School Advance Crossing – if combined with an AHEAD (W16-9P) plaque or an XX FEET (W16-2P or W16-2aP) plaque to comprise the School Advance Crossing assembly (see Figure 7B-1), the S1-1 sign can be used to warn road users that they are approaching a crossing where schoolchildren cross the roadway (see Section 7B.03).
  • D. School Crossing – if combined with a diagonal downward-pointing arrow (W16-7P) plaque to comprise the School Crossing assembly (see Figure 7B-1), the S1-1 sign can be used to warn approaching road users of the location of a crossing where schoolchildren cross the roadway (see Section 7B.03).

Option

03. If a school area or school zone is located on a cross street in close proximity to the intersection, a School (S1-1) sign with a supplemental arrow (W16-5P or W16-6P) plaque (see Figure 7B-1) may be installed on each approach of the street or highway to warn road users making a turn onto the cross street that they will encounter a school area soon after making the turn.

Standard

04. If a school zone has been designated under State or local statute, a School (S1-1) sign (see Figure 7B-1) shall be installed to identify the beginning point(s) of the designated school zone (see Figure 7B-2).

Option

05. A School Zone (S1-1) sign may be supplemented with a SCHOOL (S4-3P) plaque (see Figure 7B-1).

06. A School Zone (S1-1) sign may be supplemented with an ALL YEAR (S4-7P) plaque (see Figure 7B-1) if the school operates on a 12-month schedule.

07. The downstream end of a designated school zone may be identified with an END SCHOOL ZONE (S5-2) sign (see Figures 7B-1 and 7B-2).

Figure 7B-1. Signs in School Areas and at School Crossings (Sheet 1 of 2)
Figure 7B-1. Signs in School Areas and at School Crossings (Sheet 1 of 2)
Figure 7B-1. Signs in School Areas and at School Crossings (Sheet 2 of 2)
Figure 7B-1. Signs in School Areas and at School Crossings (Sheet 2 of 2)
Figure 7B-2. Example of Signing for a School Zone with a School Speed Limit and a School Crossing
Figure 7B-2. Example of Signing for a School Zone with a School Speed Limit and a School Crossing

§7B.03 School Crossing Signs

Standard

01. The School Advance Crossing assembly (see Figure 7B-1) shall consist of a School (S1-1) sign supplemented with an AHEAD (W16-9P) plaque or an XX FEET (W16-2P or W16-2aP) plaque.

02. Except as provided in Paragraph 3 of this Section, a School Advance Crossing assembly shall be used in advance (see Table 2C-3 for advance placement guidelines) of the first School Crossing assembly that is encountered in each direction as traffic approaches a school crosswalk (see Figure 7B-3).

Option

03. The School Advance Crossing assembly may be omitted (see Figure 7B-2) where a School Zone (S1-1) sign (see Section 7B.02) is installed to identify the beginning of a school zone in advance of the School Crossing assembly.

04. If a school crosswalk is located on a cross street in close proximity to an intersection, a School Advance Crossing assembly with a supplemental arrow (W16-5P or W16-6P) plaque may be installed on each approach of the street or highway to warn road users making a turn onto the cross street that they will encounter a school crosswalk soon after making the turn (see Figure 7B-3).

05. A 12-inch reduced size in-street School (S1-1) sign (see Figure 7B-1), installed in compliance with the mounting height and special mounting support requirements for an In-Street Pedestrian Crossing (R1-6 or R1-6a) sign (see Section 2B.20), may be used in advance of a school crossing to supplement the post-mounted school warning signs. A 12 x 6-inch reduced size AHEAD (W16-9P) plaque (see Figure 7B-1) may be mounted below the reduced size in-street School (S1-1) sign.

Standard

06. If used, the School Crossing assembly (see Figure 7B-1) shall be installed at the school crossing (see Figures 7B-2 and 7B-3), or as close to it as possible, and shall consist of a School (S1-1) sign supplemented with a diagonal downward-pointing arrow (W16-7P) plaque (see Section 2C.63) to show the location of the crossing.

07. The School Crossing assembly shall not be used at crossings other than those adjacent to schools and those on established school pedestrian routes.

08. The School Crossing assembly shall not be installed on an approach controlled by a STOP or a YIELD sign except as provided in Paragraphs 9 and 10 of this Section.

Option

09. The School Crossing assembly may be installed on an approach to a circular intersection controlled by a YIELD sign where the crosswalk is at least 20 feet in advance of the yield point at the entrance to a circulatory roadway.

10. At a signalized or stop-controlled intersection the School Crossing assembly may be installed on an approach to a channelized right turn lane controlled by a YIELD sign where the crosswalk is at least 20 feet in advance of the yield point.

11. A Yield Here To (Stop Here For) School Crossing (R1-5a or R1-5c) sign (see Figure 7B-1) may be used, in accordance with the provisions of Section 2B.19, in advance of a marked crosswalk that crosses an uncontrolled multi-lane approach within school zones.

12. The In-Street Pedestrian Crossing (R1-6 or R1-6a) sign (see Section 2B.20 and Figure 7B-1) or the In-Street School Crossing (R1-6b or R1-6c) sign (see Figure 7B-1) may be used at school crossings on approaches that are not controlled by a traffic control signal, a pedestrian hybrid beacon, or emergency-vehicle hybrid beacon. If used at a school crossing, a 12 x 4-inch SCHOOL (S4-3P) plaque (see Figure 7B-1) may be mounted above the sign. The STATE LAW legend on the R1-6 series signs may be omitted.

13. The In-Street Pedestrian Crossing (R1-6 or R1-6a) sign or In-Street School Crossing (R1-6b or R1-6c) sign may be used at intersections or midblock crossings with flashing beacons.

14. The Overhead School Crossing (R1-9b or R1-9c) sign (see Figure 7B-1) may be used at school crossings on approaches that are not controlled by a traffic control signal, pedestrian hybrid beacon, or an emergency-vehicle hybrid beacon. The STATE LAW legend on the R1-9 series signs may be omitted.

Standard

15. When used at an uncontrolled crossing, the In-Street or Overhead Pedestrian Crossing sign shall be used only as a supplement to a School Crossing assembly with a diagonal downward-pointing arrow (W16-7P) plaque at the crosswalk location.

Figure 7B-3. Example of Signing for a School Crossing Outside of a School Zone
Figure 7B-3. Example of Signing for a School Crossing Outside of a School Zone

Option

16. A 12-inch reduced size in-street School (S1-1) sign (see Figure 7B-1) may be used instead of the In-Street Pedestrian Crossing (R1-6 or R1-6a) or the In-Street School Crossing (R1-6b or R1-6c) sign at a school crossing on approaches that are not controlled by a traffic control signal, pedestrian hybrid beacon, or an emergency-vehicle hybrid beacon. A 12 x 6-inch reduced size diagonal downward-pointing arrow (W16-7P) plaque (see Figure 7B-1) may be mounted below the reduced size in-street School (S1-1) sign.

Standard

17. If an In-Street Pedestrian Crossing sign, an In-Street School Crossing sign, or a reduced size in-street School (S1-1) sign is placed in the roadway, the sign support shall comply with the mounting height and special mounting support requirements for an In-Street Pedestrian Crossing (R1-6 or R1-6a) sign (see Section 2B.20).

18. The In-Street Pedestrian Crossing sign, the In-Street School Crossing sign, the Overhead Pedestrian Crossing sign, and the reduced size in-street School (S1-1) sign shall not be used on approaches that are controlled by a traffic control signal, pedestrian hybrid beacon, or an emergency-vehicle hybrid beacon.

§7B.04 School Bus Stop Signs

Guidance

01. The School Bus Stop Ahead (S3-1) sign (see Figure 7B-1) should be installed in advance of locations where a school bus, when stopped to pick up or discharge passengers, is not visible to road users for an adequate distance and where there is no opportunity to relocate the school bus stop to provide adequate sight distance.

Option

02. The SCHOOL BUS TURN AHEAD (S3-2) sign (see Figure 7B-1) may be installed in advance of locations where a school bus turns around on a roadway at a location not visible to approaching road users for a distance as determined by the “0” column under Condition B of Table 2C-3, and where there is no opportunity to relocate the school bus turn around to provide the distance provided in Table 2C-3.

§7B.05 School Speed Limit Signs and Plaques

Standard

01. A School Speed Limit assembly (see Figure 7B-1) or a School Speed Limit When Flashing (S5-1) sign (see Figure 7B-1) shall be used to indicate the speed limit where a reduced school speed limit zone has been established based upon an engineering study or where a reduced school speed limit is specified for such areas by statute. The School Speed Limit assembly or School Speed Limit When Flashing sign shall be placed at or as near as practicable to the point where the reduced school speed limit zone begins (see Figures 7B-2 and 7B-4).

02. If a reduced school speed limit zone has been established, a School (S1-1) sign shall be installed in advance (see Table 2C-3 for advance placement guidelines) of the first School Speed Limit sign assembly or S5-1 sign that is encountered in each direction as traffic approaches the reduced school speed limit zone (see Figures 7B-2 and 7B-4).

03. Except as provided in Paragraph 4 of this Section, the downstream end of an authorized and posted reduced school speed limit zone shall be identified with an END SCHOOL SPEED LIMIT (S5-3) sign (see Figures 7B-1, 7B-2, and 7B-4).

Option

04. If a reduced school speed limit zone ends at the same point as a designated school zone (see Section 7B.02), an END SCHOOL ZONE (S5-2) sign may be used instead of an END SCHOOL SPEED LIMIT (S5-3) sign. A standard Speed Limit sign showing the speed limit for the section of highway that is downstream from the authorized and posted reduced school speed limit zone may be mounted on the same post above the END SCHOOL SPEED LIMIT (S5-3) sign or the END SCHOOL ZONE (S5-2) sign.

Guidance

05. The beginning point of a reduced school speed limit zone should be at least 200 feet in advance of the school grounds or a school crossing; however, this 200-foot distance should be increased if the reduced school speed limit is 30 mph or higher. The maximum beginning point of a reduced school speed limit zone should not be greater than 500 feet in advance of the school grounds or a school crossing.

Standard

06. The School Speed Limit assembly shall be either a static sign assembly, a blank-out sign, or a changeable message sign (see Chapter 2L).

Figure 7B-4. Example of Signing for a School Zone with a School Speed Limit and Higher Fines Only for Speeding
Figure 7B-4. Example of Signing for a School Zone with a School Speed Limit and Higher Fines Only for Speeding

07. The static School Speed Limit assembly shall consist of a top plaque (S4-3P) with the legend SCHOOL, a Speed Limit (R2-1) sign, and a bottom plaque (S4-1P, S4-2P, S4-4P, or S4-6P) indicating the specific periods of the day and/or days of the week that the special school speed limit is in effect (see Figure 7B-1).

08. When a School Speed Limit When Flashing (S5-1) sign or a Speed Limit (R2-1) sign with a supplemental WHEN FLASHING (S4-4P) plaque is used, a Speed Limit Sign Beacon (see Section 4S.04) shall be used to identify the periods that the school speed limit is in effect.

09. Fluorescent yellow-green pixels shall be used when the “SCHOOL” message is displayed on a changeable message sign for a school speed limit.

Option

10. Changeable message signs may use blank-out messages or other methods in order to display the school speed limit only during the periods it applies.

11. A Vehicle Speed Feedback (W13-20aP) plaque that displays the speed of approaching drivers (see Sections 2B.21 and 2C.13), that is part of a School Speed Limit assembly or a School Speed Limit When Flashing (S5-1) sign, may be used in a school speed limit zone.

Guidance

12. If used, the Vehicle Speed Feedback (W13-20aP) plaque should only be used during the time period when the school speed limit is in effect.

13. A Reduced School Speed Limit Ahead (S4-5or S4-5a) sign (see Figure 7B-1) should be used to inform road users of a reduced speed zone where the speed limit is being reduced by more than 10 mph, or where engineering judgment indicates that advance notice would be appropriate.

Standard

14. If used, the Reduced School Speed Limit Ahead sign shall be followed by a School Speed Limit sign or a School Speed Limit assembly.

15. The speed limit displayed on the Reduced School Speed Limit Ahead sign shall be identical to the speed limit displayed on the subsequent School Speed Limit sign or School Speed Limit assembly.

§7B.06 Higher Fines Zone Signs and Plaques in School Areas

Support

01. The signs and plaques used to inform road users of higher fines zones and their locations depend on whether the fines apply to all traffic violations or only to speeding violations. Their locations also depend on whether the higher fines zone begins and/or ends at the same point as the school zone or school speed limit zone. Figures 7B-4 and 7B-5 show examples of higher fines zones signing.

Standard

02. Where increased fines are imposed for traffic violations within a designated school zone:

  • A. A BEGIN HIGHER FINES ZONE (R2-10) sign (see Figure 7B-1) or a FINES HIGHER (R2-6P), FINES DOUBLE (R2-6aP), or $XX FINE (R2-6bP) plaque (see Figure 7B-1) shall be installed as a supplement to the School Zone (S1-1) sign to identify the beginning point of the higher fines zone (see Figures 7B-4 and 7B-5); and
  • B. An END HIGHER FINES ZONE (R2-11) sign (see Figure 7B-1) or an END SCHOOL ZONE (S5-2) sign (see Figure 7B-1) shall be installed at the downstream end of the zone to notify road users of the termination of the increased fines zone (see Figure 7B-5).

03. If exceeding the speed limit is the only traffic violation that is subject to higher fines, a FINES HIGHER (R2-6P), FINES DOUBLE (R2-6aP), or $XX FINE (R2-6bP) plaque shall be posted with the School Speed Limit (S5-1) sign and shall not be posted beneath the School Zone (S1-1) sign (see Section 7B.05).

04. If the portion of the roadway that is subject to higher fines does not begin at the location of the School Zone (S1-1) sign, a BEGIN HIGHER FINES ZONE (R2-10) sign shall be placed at the point where the higher fines begin (see Sheet 2 of Figure 7B-5).

Option

05. If a BEGIN HIGHER FINES ZONE (R2-10) sign is used downstream of the School Zone (S1-1) sign, a FINES HIGHER (R2-6P), FINES DOUBLE (R2-6aP), or $XX FINE (R2-6bP) plaque may also be placed beneath the School Zone (S1-1) sign.

06. Where appropriate, one of the following plaques may be mounted below the sign that identifies the beginning point of the higher fines zone:

  • A. A S4-1P plaque (see Figure 7B-1) specifying the times that the higher fines are in effect,
  • B. A WHEN CHILDREN ARE PRESENT (S4-2P) plaque (see Figure 7B-1), or
  • C. A WHEN FLASHING (S4-4P) plaque (see Figure 7B-1) if used in conjunction with a yellow flashing beacon.
Figure 7B-5. Example of Signing for a School Zone with Higher Fines for All Traffic Violations (Sheet 1 of 2)
Figure 7B-5. Example of Signing for a School Zone with Higher Fines for All Traffic Violations (Sheet 1 of 2)
Figure 7B-5. Example of Signing for a School Zone with Higher Fines for All Traffic Violations (Sheet 2 of 2)
Figure 7B-5. Example of Signing for a School Zone with Higher Fines for All Traffic Violations (Sheet 2 of 2)

Guidance

07. If other traffic violations in addition to exceeding the speed limit are subject to higher fines, then the duplicate FINES HIGHER (R2-6P), FINES DOUBLE (R2-6aP), or $XX FINE (R2-6bP) plaque should be omitted from the School Speed Limit When Flashing (S5-1) sign (see Section 7B.05).

Option

08. If a higher fines zone ends at the same point as a reduced school speed limit zone, an END SCHOOL ZONE (S5-2) sign may be used instead of a combination of an END HIGHER FINES ZONE (R2-11) sign and an END SCHOOL SPEED LIMIT (S5-3) sign (see Figure 7B-5).

09. Where the higher fines zone is established by statute, the BEGIN HIGHER FINES ZONE (R2-10) sign, FINES HIGHER (R2-6P), FINES DOUBLE (R2-6aP), and $XX FINE (R2-6bP) plaques may be omitted.

§7B.07 Parking and Stopping (R7 and R8 Series) Signs

Option

01. Parking and stopping regulatory signs may be used to prevent parked or waiting vehicles from blocking pedestrians’ views, and drivers’ views of pedestrians, and to control vehicles as a part of the school traffic plan.

Support

02. Parking signs and other signs governing the stopping and standing of vehicles in school areas cover a wide variety of regulations. Typical examples of regulations are as follows:

  • A. NO PARKING X:XX AM to X:XX PM SCHOOL DAYS ONLY
  • B. NO STOPPING X:XX AM to X:XX PM SCHOOL DAYS ONLY,
  • C. XX MIN LOADING X:XX AM to X:XX PM SCHOOL DAYS ONLY, and
  • D. NO STANDING X:XX AM to X:XX PM SCHOOL DAYS ONLY.

03. Sections 2B.53 through 2B.55 contain information regarding the signing of parking regulations in school zone areas.