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. (M) School Area Sign and Plaque Sizes

Sign	Sign Designation	Section	Conventional Road	Minimum	Oversized
School	S1-1	7B.02	36 x 36	30 x 30	48 x 48
School Bus Stop Ahead	S3-1	7B.04	36 x 36	30 x 30	48 x 48
School Bus Loading Area	S3-X1	7B.04.1	24 x 30
Reduced School Speed Limit Ahead	S4-5, S4-5a	7B.05	36 x 36	30 x 30	48 x 48
School Speed Limit XX When Flashing	S5-1	7B.05	24 x 48	—	36 x 72
End School Zone	S5-2	7B.02	24 x 30	—	36 x 48
End School Speed Limit	S5-3	7B.05	24 x 30	—	36 x 48
Yield (Stop) Here for School Crossing	R1-5a, R1-5c	7B.03	36 x 36	—	—
In-Street Ped or School Crossing	R1-6, R1-6a, R1-6b, R1-6c	7B.03	12 x 36	—	—
Overhead School Crossing	R1-9b, R1-9c	7B.03	90 x 24	—	—
Speed Limit (School Use)	R2-1	7B.05	24 x 30	—	36 x 48
Begin Higher Fines Zone	R2-10	7B.06	24 x 30	—	36 x 48
End Higher Fines Zone	R2-11	7B.06	24 x 30	—	36 x 48

Plaque	Sign Designation	Section	Conventional Road	Minimum	Oversized
Time of Day X:XX to X:XX AM X:XX to X:XX PM	S4-1P	7B.06	24 x 12	—	36 x 18
When Children Are Present	S4-2P	7B.06	24 x 12	—	36 x 18
School	S4-3P	7B.02, 7B.05	24 x 9	—	36 x 12
When Flashing	S4-4P	7B.05, 7B.06	24 x 12	—	36 x 18
Days of Week Mon-Fri	S4-6P	7B.05	24 x 12	—	36 x 18
All Year	S4-7P	7B.02	24 x 12	—	30 x 18
Fines Double	R2-6aP	7B.06	24 x 18	—	36 x 24
XX Feet (2-line)	W16-2P	7B.02, 7B.03	24 x 18	—	30 x 24
XX Ft (1-line)	W16-2aP	7B.02, 7B.03	24 x 12	—	30 x 18
Directional Arrow	W16-5P	7B.02, 7B.03	21 x 15	—	30 x 21
Advance Turn Arrow	W16-6P	7B.02, 7B.03	21 x 15	—	30 x 21
Downward Diagonal Arrow	W16-7P	7B.02, 7B.03	21 x 15	—	30 x 21
Ahead	W16-9P	7B.02, 7B.03	24 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

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

06.1 Section 2A.11 contains criteria for enhanced conspicuity of standard signs.

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. (M) The “Standard Highway Signs” publication and "MnDOT Standard Signs and Markings Manual" (see Section 1A.05) contain information regarding sign lettering. MnDOT's Office of Traffic Engineering (OTE) provides information on sign design and application.

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. (M) Signs in School Areas and at School Crossings (Sheet 1 of 2)

If used, the assembly or sign with WHEN FLASHING legend shall be accompanied by a flashing yellow Speed Limit Sign Beacon (see Section 4S.04). S4-5a

Figure 7B-1. (M) Signs in School Areas and at School Crossings (Sheet 2 of 2)

B – Signs in advance of the school crossing R1-5c C – In-street signs at the school crossing R1-6a R1-6c D – Overhead signs at the school crossing R1-9c (shown reduced 50% proportional to other signs on page) Notes:

1. The use of the STATE LAW legend is optional on the R1-6 series and R1-9 series signs (see Section 7B.03).
2. The use of the SCHOOL plaque above the R1-6a signs is optional.
3. Signs are shown in proportion to their designated sizes unless otherwise noted. *Reduced size signs for in-street use (see Section 7B.03): S4-3P 12 x 4 inches

Figure 7B-2. Example of Signing for a School Zone with a School Speed Limit and a School Crossing

(see note) Sch ool Note: The use of a School Advance Crossing Assembly is optional within a signed school zone (see Section 7B.03) W16-2aP (optional) (see note) (optional) S4-3P (optional)

§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. REMOVED

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. (M) The School Crossing assembly shall not be installed on an approach controlled by a STOP sign, a YIELD sign, or a traffic control signal 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. (M) A Stop Here For School Crossing (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. (M) The In-Street Pedestrian Crossing (R1-6a) sign (see Section 2B.20 and Figure 7B-1) or the In-Street School Crossing (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. (M) The In-Street Pedestrian Crossing (R1-6a) sign or In-Street School Crossing (R1-6c) sign may be used at intersections or midblock crossings with flashing beacons.

14. (M) The Overhead School Crossing (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.

Option

16. REMOVED

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

Standard

17. (M) If an In-Street Pedestrian Crossing sign, or an In-Street School Crossing 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 (R1-6a) sign (see Section 2B.20).

18. (M) The In-Street Pedestrian Crossing sign, the In-Street School Crossing sign, and the Overhead Pedestrian Crossing 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. REMOVED

§7B.04.1 SCHOOL BUS LOADING AREA Sign¶

Option

01. If a school bus loading area sign is needed, the SCHOOL BUS LOADING AREA (S3-X1) sign may be used (see Figure 7B-1).

Support

02. Minnesota Statutes 169.443 and 169.444 provide information on school bus loading areas.

§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).

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).

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

08. S4-3P (optional) (optional) (optional) R2-6aP Sch ool (optional) R2-6aP (optional) S4-3P (optional) 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.

Option

08.1 To improve legibility, an oversized supplemental S4-1P or S4-2P plaque may be used with the Conventional Road School Speed Limit assembly size (see Figure 7B-1).

Standard

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.

Support

11.1 Minnesota Statute 169.14, subd 5a discusses speed zoning in school zones. The most recent edition of MnDOT's "A Guide to Establishing Speed Limits in School Zones" provides procedures for establishing school zone speed limits.

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. (M) The signs and plaques are used to inform road users of higher fine zones where increased fines are imposed for school speed limit violations within a designated school zone. 01.1 Minnesota Statute 169.14, subd 5a provides provisions regarding fines for violations of school speed limits.

Standard

02. REMOVED

Option

03. (M) A FINES DOUBLE (R2-6aP) plaque may be posted with the School Speed Limit (S5-1) sign (see Section 7B.05).

Standard

03.1 A FINES DOUBLE (R2-6aP) plaque shall not be posted beneath the School Zone (S1-1) sign.

04. REMOVED

Option

05. REMOVED

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.

Guidance

07. REMOVED

Option

08. REMOVED

09. REMOVED Figure 7B-5 REMOVED

§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.