914.4 Guide Signs (MUTCD Chapter 9D)
914.4.1 Bike Route Guide Sign (D11-1) (MUTCD Section 9D.02)
Support. The Bike Route Guide (D11-1) sign is used where no unique designation of routes is desired. EPG 914.4.1 through EPG 914.4.3 contain information for Bicycle Route signs where the bicycle route is designated by number, name, or both.
Option. Bike Route Guide signs may be provided along designated unnumbered, unnamed bicycle routes to inform bicyclists of bicycle route direction changes and to confirm route direction and destination.
If used, Bike Route Guide signs may be repeated at regular intervals so that bicycles entering from side streets will have an opportunity to know that they are on a bicycle route. Similar guide signing may be used for shared roadways with intermediate signs placed for bicycle guidance.
Guidance. Travel times should not be used on Bike Route Guide signs.
Support. Travel times can vary greatly for bicyclists based on a variety of factors including individual speed, bicycle type, and type of facility.
914.4.2 Numbered Bikeway Systems (MUTCD Section 9D.04)
Support. MoDOT will only install signage for designated United States Bicycle Routes.
The United States Bicycle Routes are numbered by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) upon recommendations of State highway organizations.
Bicycle route sign systems can be used to distinguish junctions, turns, the beginning of routes, and route termination points. Extensive use of reassurance markers is typically not needed.
Guidance. Establishing bicycle route systems described in the second paragraph of this article and any other bicycle route system should be followed with effective communication between affected jurisdictions. County and local jurisdictions that are establishing numbered routes should coordinate with MoDOT. Care should be taken to avoid the use of numbers or other designations that have been assigned to U.S. Bicycle Routes or other routes in the same geographical region or State. Overlapping numbered routes should be kept to a minimum.
Numbered bicycle routes should be identified by route signs (see EPG 914.4.3) and auxiliary plaques (see EPG 914.4.4).
If used, Bicycle Route signs should be placed at locations to keep bicyclists informed of changes in route direction.
914.4.3 U.S. Bicycle Route Sign (M1-9) (MUTCD Section 9D.07)
Guidance. Where a designated bicycle route extends through two or more States, a coordinated submittal by the affected States for an assignment of a U.S. Bicycle Route number designation should be sent to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.
Standard. The U.S. Bicycle Route (M1-9) sign shall have a green legend and border with a white background and shall display the route designation as assigned by AASHTO.
914.4.4 Bicycle Route Sign and Auxiliary Plaques (MUTCD Section 9D.08)
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Support. EPG 903.4.12 contains additional provisions for the design of route sign auxiliary plaques. EPG 903.4.25 through EPG 903.4.30 contain additional provisions for the general application of route signs.
Guidance. If a designated or numbered bicycle route is concurrent with a numbered highway, the route sign and auxiliary plaques for the bikeway should be installed as independent assemblies and should not be installed with other Route signs or confirmation assemblies for the numbered or named highway on the same assembly.
Standard. Route signs for bikeways shall not be installed on guide signs or overhead.
Option. Route assemblies for a designated or numbered bicycle route may be installed at locations or distances other than those prescribed in EPG 903.4.25 through EPG 903.4.30 if engineering judgment indicates that the operation or speed of the bicycle justifies alternate locations or distances.
Auxiliary plaques may be used in conjunction with Bicycle Route signs as needed.
Guidance. Directional Arrow (M7 series) auxiliary plaques should be mounted below the appropriate Bicycle Route signs.
All route sign auxiliary plaques should match the color combination of the route sign that they supplement.
Route sign auxiliary plaques carrying arrow symbols that are used on bicycle routes should have a minimum size of 12 x 9 inches.
Standard. If the Directional Arrow (M7 series) auxiliary plaques are used on the same sign assembly as a Bicycle Route sign, the Directional Arrow auxiliary plaque shall be installed below the Bicycle Route sign.
Option. With route signs of larger sizes, auxiliary plaques may be suitably enlarged, but not such that they exceed the width of the route sign.
A route sign and any auxiliary plaques used with it may be combined on a single sign as a guide sign.
Standard. If used, a Bicycle Route sign assembly shall consist of a route sign and auxiliary plaques that identify the route and indicate the direction.
Guidance. If the bicycle route is signed, Bicycle Route sign assemblies should be installed on all approaches where that route intersects with other numbered bicycle routes.
Standard. Within groups of assemblies, information for bicycle routes intersecting from the left shall be mounted at the left in horizontal arrangements and at the top or center of vertical arrangements. Similarly, information for bicycle routes intersecting from the right shall be at the right or bottom, and for straight-through bicycle routes at the center in horizontal arrangements or top in vertical arrangements.
A Directional assembly shall consist of a route sign, and a Directional Arrow auxiliary plaque.
Guidance. The various uses of Directional assemblies should be as follows:
- A. Turning movements should be marked by a Directional assembly with a route sign displaying the number of the turning route and a single-headed arrow pointing in the direction of the turn.
- B. The beginning of a route should be marked by a Directional assembly with a route sign displaying the number of that route and a single-headed arrow pointing in the direction of the route.
- C. An intersected route on a crossroad where the route is designated on both legs should be designated by:
- Two Directional assemblies, each with a route sign displaying the number of the intersected route and a single-headed arrow pointing in the direction of movement on that route; or
- A Directional assembly with a route sign displaying the number of the intersected route and a double-headed arrow, pointing at appropriate angles to the left, right, or ahead.
- D. An intersected route on a side road or on a crossroad where the route is designated only on one of the legs should be designated by a Directional assembly with a route sign displaying the number of the intersected route and a single-headed arrow pointing in the direction of movement on that route.
Option. Straight-through movements may be indicated by a Directional assembly with a route sign displaying the number of the continuing route and a M7-2 Directional Arrow – Through auxiliary plaque.
Directional assemblies should be located on the near-right corner of the intersection. Where unusual conditions exist, the location of a Directional assembly should be determined by engineering judgment.
Support. It is more important that guide signs be readable, and that the information and direction displayed thereon be readily understood, at the appropriate time and place than to be located with absolute uniformity.