2 Del. Admin. Code § 2E.16

Current through Register Vol. 28, No. 5, November 1, 2024

Section 2E.16 - Sign Borders

Standard:

01 Signs shall have a border of the same color as the legend in order to outline their distinctive shape and thereby give them easy recognition and a finished appearance.

Guidance:

02 For guide signs larger than 120 x 72 inches, the border should have a width of 2 inches. For smaller guide signs, a border width of 1.25 inches should be used, but the width should not exceed the stroke width of the lettering of the principal legend on the sign.

03 Corner radii of sign borders should be 1/8 of the minimum sign dimension on guide signs, except that the radii should not exceed 12 inches on any sign.

Option:

04 The sign material in the area outside of the corner radius may be trimmed.

Table 2E-1. Freeway or Expressway Guide Sign and Plaque Sizes (Sheet 1 of 2)

Sign or Plaque	Sign Designation	Section	Minimum Size
Exit Number (plaque)
1-, 2-Digit Exit Number	E1-5P	2E.31	114 x 30
3-Digit Exit Number	E1-5P	2E.31	132 x 30
1-, 2-Digit Exit Number (with single letter suffix)	E1-5P	2E.31	138 x 30
3-Digit Exit Number (with single letter suffix)	E1-5P	2E.31	156 x 30
1-, 2-Digit Exit Number (with dual letter suffix)	E1-5P	2E.31	168 x 30
3-Digit Exit Number (with dual letter suffix)	E1-5P	2E.31	186 x 30
Left (plaque)	E1-5aP	2E.33	72 x 30
Left Exit Number (plaque)
1-, 2-Digit Exit Number	E1-5bP	2E.31	114 x 54
3-Digit Exit Number	E1-5bP	2E.31	132 x 54
1-, 2-Digit Exit Number (with single letter suffix)	E1-5bP	2E.31	138 x 54
3-Digit Exit Number (with single letter suffix)	E1-5bP	2E.31	156 x 54
1-, 2-Digit Exit Number (with dual letter suffix)	E1-5bP	2E.31	168 x 54
3-Digit Exit Number (with dual letter suffix)	E1-5bP	2E.31	186 x 54
Next Exit XX Miles (1 line)	-	2E.34	Varies x 24
Next Exit XX Miles (2 lines)	-	2E.34	Varies x 36
Exit Gore (no exit number)	E5-1	2E.37	72 x 60
Exit Gore (with exit number)
1-, 2-Digit Exit Number	E5-1a	2E.37	78 x 60
3-Digit Exit Number	E5-1a	2E.37	96 x 60
1-Digit Exit Number (with single letter suffix)	E5-1a	2E.37	90 x 60
2-Digit Exit Number (with single letter suffix)	E5-1a	2E.37	108 x 60
3-Digit Exit Number (with single letter suffix)	E5-1a	2E.37	126 x 60
1-Digit Exit Number (with dual letter suffix)	E5-1a	2E.37	120 x 60
2-Digit Exit Number (with dual letter suffix)	E5-1a	2E.37	138 x 60
3-Digit Exit Number (with dual letter suffix)	E5-1a	2E.37	156 x 60
Exit Number (plaque)
1-, 2-Digit Exit Number	E5-1bP	2E.37	42 x 30
3-Digit Exit Number	E5-1bP	2E.37	60 x 30
1-Digit Exit Number (with single letter suffix)	E5-1bP	2E.37	48 x 30
1-Digit Exit Number (with dual letter suffix)	E5-1bP	2E.37	72 x 30
2-Digit Exit Number (with single or dual letter suffix)	E5-1bP	2E.37	72 x 30
3-Digit Exit Number (with single or dual letter suffix)	E5-1bP	2E.37	72 x 30
Narrow Exit Gore	E5-1c	2E.37	60 x 90*
Pull-Through	E6-2	2E.12	Varies x 120*
Pull-Through	E6-2a	2E.12	Varies x 90*
Exit Only (with arrow)	E11-1,1d	2E.24	174** x 36
Exit	E11-1a	2E.24	66 x 18
Only	E11-1b	2E.24	66 x 18
Exit Only	E11-1c	2E.24	120 x 18
Exit Only (with two arrows)	E11-1e,1f	2E.24	222** x 36
Left	E11-2	2E.40	60 x 18
Exit Gore Advisory Speed (plaque)	E13-1P	2E.37	72 x 24
Exit Direction Advisory Speed	E13-2	2E.36	162 x 24
Interstate Route Sign (1 or 2 digits)	M1-1	2E.27	36 x 36
Interstate Route Sign (3 digits)	M1-1	2E.27	45 x 36
Off-Interstate Route Sign (1 or 2 digits)	M1-2,3	2E.27	36 x 36
Off-Interstate Route Sign (3 digits)	M1-2,3	2E.27	45 x 36
U.S. Route Sign (1 or 2 digits)	M1-4	2E.27	36 x 36
U.S. Route Sign (3 digits)	M1-4	2E.27	45 x 36
State Route Sign (1 or 2 digits)	M1-5	2D.11	36 x 36

Table 2E-1. Freeway or Expressway Guide Sign and Plaque Sizes (Sheet 2 of 2)

(Delaware Revision)

Sign or Plaque	Sign Designation	Section	Minimum Size
State Route Sign (3 digits)	M1-5	2D.11	45 x 36
County Route Sign (1, 2, or 3 digits)	M1-6	2D.11	36 x 36
Forest Route (1, 2, or 3 digits)	M1-7	2D.11	36 x 36
Eisenhower Interstate System	M1-10,10a	2E.28	36 x 36
Junction	M2-1	2D.13	30 x 21
Combination Junction (2 route signs)	M2-2	2D.14	60 x 48*
Cardinal Direction	M3-1,2,3,4	2D.15	36 x 18
Alternate	M4-1,1a	2D.17	36 x 18
By-Pass	M4-2	2D.18	36 x 18
Business	M4-3	2D.19	36 x 18
Truck	M4-4	2D.20	36 x 18
To	M4-5	2D.21	36 x 18
End	M4-6	2D.22	36 x 18
Temporary	M4-7,7a	2D.24	36 x 18
Begin	M4-14	2D.23	36 x 18
Advance Turn Arrow	M5-1,2,3	2D.26	30 x 21
Lane Designation	M5-4,5,6	2D.27	36 x 24
Directional Arrow	M6-1,2, 2a,3,4,5,6,7	2D.28	30 x 21
Destination (1 line)	D1-1	2D.37	Varies x 30
Destination (2 lines)	D1-2	2D.37	Varies x 54
Destination (3 lines)	D1-3	2D.37	Varies x 72
Distance (1 line)	D2-1	2D.41	Varies x 30
Distance (2 lines)	D2-2	2D.41	Varies x 54
Distance (3 lines)	D2-3	2D.41	Varies x 72
Street Name	D3-1,1a	2D.43	Varies x 18
Advance Street Name (2 lines)	D3-2	2D.44	Varies x 42*
Advance Street Name (3 lines)	D3-2	2D.44	Varies x 66*
Advance Street Name (4 lines)	D3-2	2D.44	Varies x 84*
Park - Ride	D4-2	2D.48	36 x 48
National Scenic Byways	D6-4	2D.55	24 x 24
National Scenic Byways	D6-4a	2D.55	24 x 12
Weigh Station XX Miles	D8-1	2E.54	96 x 72 (F) 78 x 60 (E)
Weigh Station Next Right	D8-2	2E.54	108 x 90 (F) 84 x 72 (E)
Weigh Station (with arrow)	D8-3	2E.54	84 x 78 (F) 66 x 60 (E)
Crossover	D13-1,2	2D.54	78 x 42
Freeway Entrance	D13-3	2D.46	48 x 30
Freeway Entrance (with arrow)	D13-3a	2D.46	48 x 42
Combination Lane Use / Destination	D15-1	2D.33	Varies x 96
Next Truck Lane XX Miles	D17-1	2D.51	60 x 66
Truck Lane XX Miles	D17-2	2D.51	60 x 54
Slow Vehicle Turn-Out XX Miles	D17-7	2D.52	96 x 54

* The size shown is for a typical sign as illustrated in the figures in Chapters 2D and 2E. The size should be determined based on the amount of legend required for the sign.

** The width shown represents the minimum dimension. The width shall be increased as appropriate to match the width of the guide sign.

Notes:

1. Larger signs may be used when appropriate

2. Dimensions in inches are shown as width x height

3. Where two sizes are shown, the larger size is for freeways (F) and the smaller size is for expressways (E)

Table 2E-2. Minimum Letter and Numeral Sizes for Expressway

Guide Signs According to Interchange Classification

Type of Sign	Type of Interchange (see Section 2E.32)				Overhead
	Major		Intermediate	Minor
	Category a	Category b
A. Advance Guide, Exit Direction, and Overhead Guide Signs
Exit Number Plaques
Words	10	10	10	8	10
Numerals & Letters	15	15	15	12	15
Interstate Route Signs
Numerals	18	-	-	-	18
1- or 2-Digit Shields	36 x 36	-	-	-	36 x 36
3-Digit Shields	45 x 36	-	-	-	45 x 36
U.S. or State Route Signs
Numerals	18	18	18	12	18
1- or 2-Digit Shields	36 x 36	36 x 36	36 x 36	24 x 24	36 x 36
3-Digit Shields	45 x 36	45 x 36	45 x 36	30 x 24	45 x 36
U.S. or State Route Text Identification (Example: US 56)
Numerals & Letters	18	15	15	12	15
Cardinal Directions
First Letters	18	15	12	10	15
Rest of Words	15	12	10	8	12
Auxiliary and Alternative Route Legends (Examples: JCT, TO, ALT, BUSINESS)
Words	15	12	10	8	12
Names of Destinations
Upper-Case Letters	20	16	13.33	10.67	16
Lower-Case Letters	15	12	10	8	12
Distance Numbers	18	15	12	10	15
Distance Fraction Numerals	12	10	10	8	10
Distance Words	12	10	10	8	10
Action Message Words	10	10	10	8	10
B. Gore Signs
Words	10	10	10	8	-
Numerals & Letters	12	12	12	10	-

Note: Sizes are shown in inches and where applicable are shown as width x height

Table 2E-3. Minimum Letter and Numeral Sizes for Expressway

Guide Signs According to Sign Type (Sheet 1 of 2)

Type of Sign	Minimum Size
A. Pull-Through Signs
Destinations - Upper-Case Letters	13.33
Destinations - Lower-Case Letters	10
Route Signs
1- or 2-Digit Shields	36 x 36
3-Digit Shields	45 x 36
Cardinal Directions - First Letters	12
Cardinal Directions - Rest of Word	10
B. Supplemental Guide Signs
Exit Number - Words	8
Exit Number - Numerals and Letters	12
Place Names - Upper-Case Letters	10.67
Place Names - Lower-Case Letters	8
Action Messages	8
Route Signs
Numerals	12
1- or 2-Digit Shield	24 x 24
3-Digit Shield	30 x 24
C. Interchange Sequence or Community Interchanges Identification Signs
Words - Upper-Case Letters	10.67
Words - Lower-Case Letters	8
Numerals	10.67
Fraction Numerals	8
Route Signs
Numerals	12
1- or 2-Digit Shield	24 x 24
3-Digit Shield	30 x 24
D. Next XX Exits Sign
Place Names - Upper-Case Letters	10.67
Place Names - Lower-Case Letters	8
NEXT XX EXITS - Words	8
NEXT XX EXITS - Number	12

Table 2E-3. Minimum Letter and Numeral Sizes for Expressway

Guide Signs According to Sign Type (Sheet 2 of 2)

Type of Sign	Minimum Size
E. Distance Signs
Words - Upper-Case Letters	8
Words - Lower-Case Letters	6
Numerals	8
Route Signs
Numerals	9
1- or 2-Digit Shield	18 x 18
3-Digit Shield	22.5 x 18
F. General Services Signs (see Chapter 2I)
Exit Number - Words	8
Exit Number - Numerals and Letters	12
Services	8
G. Rest Area, Scenic Area, and Roadside Area Signs (see Chapter 2I)
Words	10
Distance Numerals	12
Distance Fraction Numerals	8
Distance Words	8
Action Message Words	10
H. Reference Location Signs (see Chapter 2H)
Words	4
Numerals	10
I. Boundary and Orientation Signs (see Chapter 2H)
Words - Upper-Case Letters	8
Words - Lower-Case Letters	6
J. Next Exit and Next Services Signs
Words and Numerals	8
K. Exit Only Signs
Words	12
L. Overhead Arrow-Per-Lane and Diagrammatic Signs
See Table 2E-5

Note: Sizes are shown in inches and where applicable are shown as width x height

Table 2E-4. Minimum Letter and Numeral Sizes for Freeway

Guide Signs According to Interchange Classification

Type of Sign	Type of Interchange (see Section 2E.32)				Overhead
	Major		Intermediate	Minor
	Category a	Category b
A. Advance Guide, Exit Direction, and Overhead Guide Signs
Exit Number Plaques
Words	10	10	10	10	10
Numerals & Letters	15	15	15	15	15
Interstate Route Signs
Numerals	24/18	-	-	-	18
1- or 2-Digit Shields	48 x 48/ 36 x 36	-	-	-	36 x 36
3-Digit Shields	60 x 48/ 45 x 36	-	-	-	45 x 36
U.S. or State Route Signs
Numerals	24/18	18	18	12	18
1- or 2-Digit Shields	48 x 48/ 36 x 36	36 x 36	36 x 36	24 x 24	36 x 36
3-Digit Shields	60 x 48/ 45 x 36	45 x 36	45 x 36	30 x 24	45 x 36
U.S. or State Route Text Identification (Example: US 56)
Numerals & Letters	18	18/15	15	12	15
Cardinal Directions
First Letters	18	15	15	10	15
Rest of Words	15	12	12	8	12
Auxiliary and Alternative Route Legends (Examples: JCT, TO, ALT, BUSINESS)
Words	15	12	12	8	12
Names of Destinations
Upper-Case Letters	20	20	16	13.33	16
Lower-Case Letters	15	15	12	10	12
Distance Numbers	18	18/15	15	12	15
Distance Fraction Numerals	12	12/10	10	8	10
Distance Words	12	12/10	10	8	10
Action Message Words	12	12/10	10	8	10
B. Gore Signs
Words	12	12	12	8	-
Numeral & Letters	18	18	18	12	-

Notes:

1. Sizes are shown in inches and where applicable are shown as width x height

2. Slanted line (/) signifies separation of desirable and minimum sizes

Table 2E-5. Minimum Letter and Numeral Sizes for Freeway

Guide Signs According to Sign Type (Sheet 1 of 2)

Type of Sign	Minimum Size
A. Pull-Through Signs
Destinations - Upper-Case Letters	16
Destinations - Lower-Case Letters	12
Route Signs
1- or 2-Digit Shields	36 x 36
3-Digit Shields	45 x 36
Cardinal Directions - First Letter	15
Cardinal Directions - Rest of Word	12
B. Supplemental Guide Signs
Exit Number Words	10
Exit Number Numerals and Letters	15
Place Names - Upper-Case Letters	13.33
Place Names - Lower-Case Letters	10
Action Messages	8
Route Signs
Numerals	12
1- or 2-Digit Shield	24 x 24
3-Digit Shield	30 x 24
C. Interchange Sequence or Community Interchanges Identification Signs
Words - Upper-Case Letters	13.33
Words - Lower-Case Letters	10
Numerals	13.33
Fraction Numerals	10
Route Signs
Numerals	12
1- or 2-Digit Shield	24 x 24
3-Digit Shield	30 x 24
D. Next X Exits Sign
Place Names - Upper-Case Letters	13.33
Place Names - Lower-Case Letters	10
NEXT X EXITS - Words	10
NEXT X EXITS - Number	15
E. Distance Signs
Words - Upper-Case Letters	8
Words - Lower-Case Letters	6
Numerals	8
Route Signs
Numerals	9
1- or 2-Digit Shield	18 x 18
3-Digit Shield	22.5 x 18
F. General Services Signs (see Chapter 2I)
Exit Number Words	10
Exit Number Numerals and Letters	15
Services	10

Table 2E-5. Minimum Letter and Numeral Sizes for Freeway

Guide Signs According to Sign Type (Sheet 2 of 2)

Type of Sign	Minimum Size
G. Rest Area, Scenic Area, and Roadside Area Signs (see Chapter 2I)
Words	12
Distance Numerals	15
Distance Fraction Numerals	10
Distance Words	10
Action Message Words	12
H. Reference Location Signs (see Chapter 2H)
Words	4
Numerals	10
I. Boundary and Orientation Signs (see Chapter 2H)
Words - Upper-Case Letters	8
Words - Lower-Case Letters	6
J. Next Exit and Next Services Signs
Words and Numerals	8
K. Exit Only Signs
Words	12
L. Overhead Arrow-Per-Lane Signs
Arrowhead (Type D Directional Arrow)	21.625
Arrow Shaft Width	8
Arrow Height
Through	72
Left Only	48
Right Only	48
Optional-Diverge (Through with Left or Right)	72
Optional-Split (Left and Right)	66
Vertical Separator Width	2
Vertical Space between Vertical Separator and Top of Nearest Arrow	8
Horizontal Space between Vertical Separator and Top of Nearest Through Arrow	15
Horizontal Space between Arrow Shaft and EXIT and ONLY plaques	10
EXIT and ONLY Panels	60 x 18
M. Diagrammatic Signs
Arrowhead (Type D Directional Arrow)	13.5*
Lane Widths	5
Lane Line Segments	1 x 6
Spacing between Lane Line Segments	6
Stem Height to Upper Point of Departure	30
Horizontal Space between Arrowhead and Route Shield or Destination	12

* The size shown is the arrowhead width per lane depicted on the corresponding arrow shaft

Note Sizes are shown in inches and where applicable are shown as width x height

2 Del. Admin. Code § 2E.16