Section 411-5-004 - TOURIST-ORIENTED DIRECTIONAL SIGN PANELS004.01 Location 004.01A The location of other official traffic control devices shall at all times take precedence over the location of TODS panels. The signs may be located laterally outside the normal longitudinal alignment of other traffic control signs, but within the right-of-way.004.01B Not more than three TODS panels shall be installed on the approach at any intersection.004.01C One TODS panel shall accommodate all activity plaques for the left-turn direction and one TODS panel will accommodate all Activity plaques for the right-turn direction, except as noted in Section 004.02B.004.01D One TODS panel for the straight ahead direction shall be allowed per direction of travel, as provided in sections 003.11D and 003.11E. When a TODS panel for the ahead direction is allowed, the TODS panel shall be located to the far right corner of the intersection and shall not obstruct the driver's view of other official traffic control devices.004.01E The exact location of TODS panels shall be approved by the Department.004.01F Advance Signing ("1/2 Mile" or "Next Right or Left") may be installed in special circumstances. Advance signing shall be limited to those situations where sight distance, intersection vehicle maneuvers or other vehicle operating characteristics require advance notification of the activity to reduce vehicle conflicts and improve highway safety. The determination of whether advance signing will be allowed, shall be made by the Department. (Illustrations 5 and 6)004.01G The intersection approach TODS panel shall be erected a minimum of 200 feet from the intersection except that the ahead sign, if used, shall be located to the far right corner of the intersection and shall not obstruct the view of traffic control devices.004.01H Advance Signing, when used, shall be located approximately 1/2 mile from the intersection with 800 feet between the TODS panels. In the direction of traffic, the order of Advance Signing shall be for facilities to the left, right and ahead.004.01I Spacing between each TODS panel shall be not less than 200 feet, or more than 500 feet. Spacing between a TODS panel and an official traffic control device shall be not less than 200 feet.004.02 Order of Display 004.02A In the direction of traffic when approaching an intersection where more than one TODS panel is located, the order of TODS panels shall be: 004.02A1 First, activities signed for the left-turn direction.004.02A2 Second, activities signed for the right-turn direction.004.02A3 Third, far right corner of the intersection, activities signed for the AHEAD DIRECTION.004.02B Where the total number of Activity plaques to both the right and left are four or less, they may be combined on one TODS panel. When approved Activity plaques are attached to one TODS panel, the order of the Activity plaques will be: 004.02B1 Top - activities signed for the left-turn direction.004.02B2 Bottom - activities signed for the right-turn direction.004.02C To the extent consistent with other requirements of this section, Seasonal plaques shall occupy the bottom position in a multiple plaque installation. In the event a TODS panel installation contains more than one Seasonal plaque, the plaque serving the business that has the shorter business season during the calendar year shall have the lower position. When a Seasonal plaque is removed or remounted the remaining plaques shall be repositioned to prevent gaps in the TODS panel.004.03 TODS Panel Design 004.03A TODS panels shall consist of one heading plaque with the legend TOURIST ACTIVITIES and from one to four Activity Plaques. The design shall conform to the requirements of the MUTCD and these Rules and Regulations. (Illustrations 1 and 2)004.04 TODS Material 004.04A Heading plaques and Activity plaques shall be fabricated from extrusheet aluminum panels, of the width and length required, conforming to the Standard Specifications for Type B signs, and individually attached to the sign supports. Reflective sheeting with legend and any logo should be affixed directly to the individual extrusheet panels.004.04B Reflective sheeting shall be high quality Type III, IV, VII or XI Reflective Sheeting and shall comply with ASTM designation D 4956-09. Reflective sheeting shall be applied with mechanical equipment in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications.004.04C All aluminum shall be treated before applying the reflective sheeting according to the reflective sheeting manufacturer's specifications.004.05 Structural Supports Structural Supports
004.05A TODS panels shall be mounted on wood or steel posts which conform to the latest edition of the Nebraska Department of Roads Standard Specifications for Highway Construction, sections 1071.02 and 1075.06. Wood posts shall be 4"x4" or 4"x6" as required. All 4"x6" wood posts shall be drilled to be breakaway as shown in Illustration 12. Steel posts for TODS panels shall be heavy weight, heavy mass, black or dark green "U" channel or may be galvanized square tube posts and shall incorporate a breakaway design approved by the Federal Highway Administration.004.06 TODS Panel and Trailblazer Locations 004.06A Rural Areas - The edge of the signs shall be located a minimum of 15 feet from the travelled lane and five feet above the pavement edge. At intersections, signs located less than 100 feet from the cross road shall be mounted seven feet above the pavement edge.004.06B Urban Areas - Signs shall be set back at least six feet from the roadway edge where possible, except when conditions inhibit placement of this distance then the minimum distance shall be two feet. In curbed areas, the setback shall be measured from the back of curb. In non-curb sections, the edge of the signs shall be a minimum of six feet from the travelled lane. All signs in urban areas shall be mounted seven feet above the ground level or pavement edge whichever is higher.004.06C Tree Pruning - Trees or other herbaceous material which obscure TODS panel or Trailblazer sign message shall be pruned to the top elevation of such panel or sign for a distance of 200 feet in advance of such panel or sign. The jurisdiction having authority over the right of way in which the panel or sign is being placed shall be responsible for the pruning activities.004.06D Underground Utilities and Services - The activity and/or the agent shall fully acquaint themselves with the requirement pertaining to any moving or excavation of earth material, and they shall hold harmless the State of Nebraska or its entities. When moving and excavating earth material, the digger must call the Diggers Hotline of Nebraska at 1-800 - 331-5666.411 Neb. Admin. Code, ch. 5, § 004