908.2 Signs (MUTCD Chapter 7B)
908.2.1 Design of School Signs (MUTCD Section 7B.01)
Standard. Except as provided in EPG 903.1.7, the sizes of signs and plaques to be used in school areas shall be as shown in Table 908.2.1.
Signs and plaques larger than those shown in Table 908.2.1 shall only be used if approved by the MoDOT Highway Safety and Traffic Division (see EPG 903.1.7).
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 the EPG for a specific sign.
The signs used for school area traffic control shall be retroreflective.
Support. EPG 903.1.13 and EPG 903.1.14 contain provisions regarding the installation, placement, and location of signs.
EPG 903.1.15 contains provisions regarding the mounting heights of signs.
EPG 903.1.16 contains provisions regarding the lateral offsets of signs.
The FHWA “Standard Highway Signs” publication (see EPG 911 (MUTCD Section 1A.05)) contains information regarding sign lettering.
Option. In-roadway signs for school traffic control areas may be used consistent with the requirements of EPG 903.2.19 and EPG 908.2.3.
| Sign or Plaque | Sign Designation | EPG Article | Conventional Road | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | Oversized | Special | ||||
| School | S1-1 | 908.2.2 | 36 x 36 | - | - | |
| School Bus Stop Ahead | S3-1 | 908.2.4 | 36 x 36 | - | - | |
| School | S4-3P | 908.2.2 | 36 x 12 | - | - | |
| School Speed Limit XX When Flashing | S5-1 | 908.2.5 | 36 x 72 | - | - | |
| End School Zone | S5-2 | 908.2.2 | 24 x 30 | - | - | |
| End School Speed Limit | S5-3 | 908.2.5 | 24 x 30 | - | - | |
| Yield Here for School Crossing | R1-5a | 908.2.3 | 36 x 36 | - | - | |
| In-Street School Crossing | R1-6b | 908.2.3 | 12 x 36 | - | - | |
| Directional Arrow | W16-5P | 908.2.2, 908.2.3 | 21 x 15 | - | - | |
| Advance Turn Arrow | W16-6P | 908.2.2, 908.2.3 | 21 x 15 | - | - | |
| Downward Diagonal Arrow | W16-7P | 908.2.2, 908.2.3 | 21 x 15 | - | - | |
| Ahead | W16-9P | 908.2.2, 908.2.3 | 24 x 12 | - | - | |
Note:
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908.2.2 School Area Signs and Plaques (MUTCD Section 7B.02)
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Support. 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 (see EPG 950). 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.
The School (S1-1) sign has the following four applications:
- A. School Area – the S1-1 sign can be used to warn road users that they are approaching school buildings or grounds immediately 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 to comprise the School Advance Crossing assembly, the S1-1 sign can be used to warn road users that they are approaching a crossing where schoolchildren cross the roadway (see EPG 908.2.3). MoDOT does not use the XX FEET plaque for School Advance Crossing assemblies.
- D. School Crossing – if combined with a diagonal downward-pointing arrow (W16-7P) plaque to comprise the School Crossing assembly, the S1-1 sign can be used to warn approaching road users of the location of a crossing where schoolchildren cross the roadway (see EPG 908.2.3).
Option. 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 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. If a school zone has been designated under State or local statute, a School (S1-1) sign shall be installed to identify the beginning point(s) of the designated school zone (see Figure 908.2.2).
Option. If a school zone is not established by a State or local statute, school zone signing may be installed adjacent to the school’s property lines or as determined by engineering judgement.
A School Zone (S1-1) sign may be supplemented with a SCHOOL (S4-3P) plaque.
Standard. The downstream end of a designated school zone shall be identified with an END SCHOOL ZONE (S5-2) sign (see Figure 908.2.2).
Option. A Warning Beacon (see EPG 902.18.3) may be installed above a School (S1-1) sign for supplemental emphasis at a school zone.
Standard. Prior to the installation of a Warning Beacon, a TR08 Roadside Flashers for School Operations contract shall be executed.
908.2.3 School Crossing Signs (MUTCD Section 7B.03)
Standard. The School Advance Crossing assembly shall consist of a School (S1-1) sign supplemented with an AHEAD (W16-9P) plaque.
Except as provided in the first Option paragraph below, a School Advance Crossing assembly shall be used in advance (see Table 903.3.4 for advance placement guidelines) of the first School Crossing assembly that is encountered in each direction as traffic approaches a school crosswalk).
Prior to the installation of an Advanced School Crossing sign(s), a TR10 or TR11 School Crossing contract shall be executed.
Option. The School Advance Crossing assembly may be omitted (see Figure 908.2.5.1) where a School Zone (S1-1) sign (see EPG 908.2.2) is installed to identify the beginning of a school zone in advance of the School Crossing assembly if determined to be unnecessary by engineering judgement.
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 908.2.5.1).
Standard. If used, the School Crossing assembly shall be installed at the school crossing (see Figure 908.2.5.1), 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 EPG 903.3.62) to show the location of the crossing.
The School Crossing assembly shall not be used at crossings other than those adjacent to schools.
The School Crossing assembly shall not be installed on an approach controlled by a STOP or a YIELD sign except as provided in the first two Option paragraphs below.
Prior to the installation of a School Crossing sign(s), a TR10 or TR11 School Crossing contract shall be executed. All requests for School Crossing sign(s) shall be reviewed in the district.
Option. 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.
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.
A Yield Here To School Crossing (R1-5a) sign may be used, in accordance with the provisions of EPG 903.2.18, in advance of a marked crosswalk that crosses an uncontrolled multi-lane approach within school zones.
The In-Street School Crossing (R1-6b) sign may only be used at midblock school crossings on approaches that are not controlled by a traffic control signal, a pedestrian hybrid beacon, or emergency-vehicle hybrid beacon.
Standard. When used at an uncontrolled crossing, the In-Street School 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.
An In-Street School Crossing sign shall not be placed in advance of the crosswalk to educate road users about the State law prior to reaching the crosswalk, nor shall it be installed as an educational display that is not near any crosswalk.
Option. In-Street School Crossing signs may be mounted back-to-back on the center line of an undivided roadway.
Standard. In-Street School Crossing signs shall only be installed:
- A. Permanently on a raised island, or
- B. Temporarily on a portable base.
If an In-Street School Crossing sign is installed permanently 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) sign (see EPG 903.2.19).
If an In-Street School Crossing sign is temporarily placed in the roadway, the sign shall be retroreflective and shall be deployed on a portable temporary sign support. The sign support shall be a crashworthy portable base meeting a minimum of NCHRP 350 standards. The top of an In-Street School Crossing sign shall be a maximum of 4 feet above the pavement surface.
Temporary In-Street School Crossing signs shall be removed from the roadway when the school crossing guard is not present.
Support. MoDOT does not provide or install temporary In-Street School Crossing signs. If used, temporary portable In-Street School Crossing signs are supplied and installed by school districts.
Standard. The In-Street School 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.
908.2.4 School Bus Stop Signs (MUTCD Section 7B.04)
Support. Section 304.050, RSMo, paragraph 5, defines, by state statute the locations where school buses can stop to load and unload passengers based on the number of lanes on the roadway, presence of shoulders, visibility, and speed limits.
It is not intended that School Bus Stop Ahead (S3-1) signs be used everywhere a school bus stops to load or unload passengers, but for use where terrain and roadway features limit the approach sight distance and where there is no opportunity to relocate the school bus stop to another location with adequate sight distance. For this article, a school bus stop is defined as the location where schoolchildren wait to be picked up by a school bus and/or where schoolchildren are discharged from a school bus.
Standard. Requests for School Bus Stop Ahead signs shall be submitted to MoDOT district staff by the school district. When a request for a S3-1 sign is received, sight distance shall be evaluated at the school bus stop location. Sight distance shall be measured using a 3.5-foot driver’s eye height and an 8-foot object height. Each approach for the school bus stop shall be measured independently for each direction of travel along the roadway.
If the minimum sight distance in Table 908.2.4 is not met, a school bus stop shall not be allowed by state statute. If the maximum sight distance in Table 908.2.4 is not met, the school district shall attempt to relocate the school bus stop to a location that does meet or exceed the maximum sight distance.
| Posted Speed (mph) | Minimum Sight Distance (ft.) | Maximum Sight Distance (ft.) |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | 300 | 500 |
| 35 | 300 | 500 |
| 40 | 300 | 500 |
| 45 | 300 | 500 |
| 50 | 300 | 510 |
| 55 | 300 | 560 |
| 60 | 300 | 625 |
| 65 | 500 | 700 |
| 70 | 500 | 740 |
Option. If the school district has reviewed a school bus stop location and there are no viable alternative locations to relocate the school bus stop, the school district may submit a letter to MoDOT district staff verifying that there are no alternate locations.
The School Bus Stop Ahead sign may be installed on an approach to a school bus stop based on engineering judgement if all the following conditions are met:
- A. Sight distance exceeds the minimum value in Table 908.2.4 when measured as described in the first Standard paragraph above,
- B. Sight distance is less than the maximum value in Table 908.2.4 when measured as described in the first Standard paragraph above, and
- C. A letter has been provided to MoDOT as described in the previous paragraph.
Guidance. Each approach to a school bus stop should be evaluated independently as it may not be necessary to install S3-1 signs for both approaches to a school bus stop.
If a School Bus Stop Ahead sign is installed, it should be located for a stop condition per Table 903.3.4.
Standard. To ensure proper placement of signs and encourage driver compliance, all requests for School Bus Stop Ahead signs shall be submitted by school district staff, and the school district must verify the status of all school bus stops with signing as active or inactive on a yearly basis.
Guidance. MoDOT district staff should send a standard letter requesting verification of school bus stop status prior to the fall session.
Option. If the school district fails to verify the status of school bus stops, the MoDOT district may remove the School Bus Stop Ahead signs at those stops.
Guidance. If the signs are removed due to lack of compliance with these requirements, the signs should not be reinstalled for one year. Whenever the school district moves a school bus stop location with S3-1 sign(s), they should advise the district office as soon as possible rather than waiting for the annual review.
908.2.5 School Speed Limit Signs (MUTCD Section 7B.05)
Note:
The sign with WHEN FLASHING legend shall be accompanied by a flashing yellow Speed Limit Sign Beacon (see EPG 902.18.4)
Standard. A School Speed Limit When Flashing (S5-1) sign 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 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 908.2.5.1 and 908.2.5.2).
If a reduced school speed limit zone has been established, a School (S1-1) sign shall be installed in advance (see Table 903.3.4 for advance placement guidelines) of the first School Speed Limit When Flashing (S5-1) sign that is encountered in each direction as traffic approaches the reduced school speed limit zone (see Figures 908.2.5.1 and 908.2.5.2).
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 908.2.5.1 and 908.2.5.2).
Option. 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. 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. When a School Speed Limit When Flashing (S5-1) sign is used, a Speed Limit Sign Beacon (see EPG 902.18.4) shall be used to identify the periods that the school speed limit is in effect.
Prior to the installation of a School Speed Limit When Flashing sign with a Speed Limit Sign Beacon, a TR08 Roadside Flashers for School Operations contract shall be executed.
Guidance. If a Speed Limit Sign Beacon is installed, no other Warning Beacons should be permitted on school zone signs inside the same school zone.
Standard. Upon receipt of a school speed limit request, the district shall perform a site investigation. A speed study and a crash study may be performed based on engineering judgement. The school speed limit shall be 10 mph below the posted speed limit. In no case shall a school speed limit of less than 25 mph be allowed.
If in the course of the speed study it is determined that the posted speed for the corridor is not proper, the posted speed shall be reevaluated and changed as necessary following EPG 905.2.14.
908.2.6 Higher Fines Zone Signs and Plaques in School Areas (MUTCD Section 7B.06)
Support. Higher Fines Zone Signs and Plaques are not used by MoDOT. There is no authority under state law to charge higher fines for moving or speeding violations in school zones.
908.2.7 Parking and Stopping (R7 and R8 Series) Signs (MUTCD Section 7B.07)
Option. 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. Parking signs and other signs governing the stopping and standing of vehicles in school areas cover a wide variety of regulations.
EPG 903.2.43 through 903.2.45 contain information regarding the signing of parking regulations in school zone areas.