Signing Requirements for Geometric Schematic

General
Signs are traffic control devices used by TxDOT and LGs to provide guidance on streets, highways or bicycle trails. Major guide signs must be included in the geometric schematic for many LG projects.
Chapter 4 – Preliminary Engineering and Design
includes a section on the development of a geometric schematic. The geometric schematic shows features such as location of interchanges, ramps and the number and arrangement of lanes. It is critical to consider signing requirements at this stage of project development to assure a facility is constructed that can be properly signed and operated.
Federal Requirements
  1. 23 CFR §655.603
    – Provides that the
    National MUTCD
    is the national standard for all traffic control devices installed on any street, highway or bicycle trail open to public travel. A state MUTCD may be used if found by FHWA to be in substantial conformance with the national MUTCD. The
    TMUTCD
    has been found to meet these criteria.
State Requirements
  1. 43 TAC §§5.59
    ,
    15.56
    ,
    26.33
    and
    27.56
    – Requires projects to be designed in accordance with TxDOT procedures, standards and guidelines. For RMA, toll and pass-through financed projects, preliminary design information must be sent to TxDOT for review and approval when the design is approximately 30 percent complete.
  2. 43 TAC §25.1
    – Establishes the TMUTCD as the standard for traffic control devices in Texas.
  3. Texas Transportation Code §544.001
    – Requires TxDOT to develop a manual and specifications for a uniform system of traffic-control devices that correlates with and, to the extent possible, conforms to the system approved by AASHTO.
    1. The
      TMUTCD
      is incorporated by Texas Transportation Code §544.001 and shall be recognized as the Texas standard for all traffic control devices installed on any street, highway or bicycle trail open to public travel.
    2. Texas Transportation Code §544.002(b) requires LGs to use and conform to the TMUTCD and approved specifications adopted under §544.001.
Required Practices
The
LGPM Guide
provides the required practices for the inclusion of signing and other traffic control devices in the geometric schematic developed by the LG and reviewed by TxDOT.