Abbreviations should be avoided whenever possible; however, abbreviations can be useful when completing destination messages on signs of limited size. When used, abbreviations should be only those that are commonly recognized and understood by motorists. The table below provides a list of the common abbreviations for freeway guide signs.

The words NORTH, SOUTH, EAST, and WEST must not be abbreviated when used with Route signs to indicate cardinal directions. The abbreviations for these words are intended for use with a destination name (place or street).

Periods are neither required nor suggested unless noted in the following table. In general, periods may be used when a cardinal direction is abbreviated as part of a destination name or when “United States” is abbreviated, other than for a U.S. numbered route.

Route signs identify the class and number of the highway facility of interest. Route signs can be mounted independently or within a freeway guide sign. Figure 4-1 illustrates the differences between the two types of Route signs. Independently mounted Route signs are mounted on a post and typically used on route confirmation assemblies. Examples of the appearance of independently mounted Route signs are shown in Figure 4‑2. Guide-sign mounted Route signs are attached to a larger guide sign. Figure 4‑3 shows the appearance of Guide-sign mounted Route signs.

General guidance on Route sign size and placement is presented later in this chapter. Dimensional data for Route signs (guide sign and independent use) are given in the

Standard Highway Sign Designs for Texas

.

Arrows are used on freeway guide signs to indicate the direction toward designated routes or destinations. Variations of the “Up” arrow are all rotations of either of two arrow types (Type A and B) and are dependent on the type of guide sign and location of the arrow on the sign. The “Down” arrow (Type C) is a separate arrow type and has a set size for all applications. Figure 4‑4 shows the three basic types of arrows.

Type A arrows are primarily used on Exit Direction signs (Figure 4‑5). The Type A arrow is white and has a longer shaft than a Type B arrow. Type A arrow dimension details are provided in the

Standard Highway Sign Designs for Texas

.

On Exit Direction signs, both overhead and ground mounted, the Type A arrow must be upward slanting and should be pointed at 45 degrees from the horizontal to convey a clear comprehension of the direction to be taken. The arrow must also be placed at the right side of the sign for right exits, and at the left side of the sign for left exits. Specific arrow placement on a Guide sign panel is discussed later in this chapter.

Type B arrows are primarily used on Exit Direction signs for multi-lane exits (Figure 4‑6). Depending on its use and the sign panel color, the Type B arrow can be white or black. It has a shorter shaft than a Type A arrow. Specific standards for the arrows used on multi-lane Exit Direction signs are given in the

Standard Highway Sign Designs for Texas

. Type B arrows may also be used on single-lane Exit Direction signs.

Type C arrows are downward pointing arrows that are used only on overhead guide signs to indicate the use of specific lanes for traffic bound for a destination or route that can be reached only by being in the lanes so designated (Figure 4‑7). The Type C arrow is white and has one specified size. Downward pointing arrows must not be used unless an arrow can be pointed to each lane that can be used to reach the destination or route shown on the sign. The Type C arrow dimension detail is provided in the

Standard Highway Sign Designs for Texas.

The number of arrows on a sign structure as a whole must be equal to the number of lanes underneath the sign structure, unless there is an optional lane. When there is an optional lane, the number of arrows on the sign structure may be the same as the number of lanes immediately downstream of the structure, if the structure is located within the lane-increase transition.

In some cases, it may be necessary or desirable to include an advisory or warning message as part of a guide sign panel. Figure 4‑8 shows two examples of Advisory sign panels. Situations possibly warranting the uses of Advisory or Warning sign panels include:

Other types of warning messages may be appropriate to include as part of a guide sign panel. TxDOT staff should consult with the TxDOT Traffic Operations Division for assistance when a warning or advisory message is being considered for a guide sign panel.