Arrows

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.
Arrows used on freeway guide signs. (click in image to see full-size image)
Figure 4-4. Arrows used on freeway guide signs.
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 A arrow used on an Exit Directionsign. (click in image to see full-size image)
Figure 4-5. Type A arrow used on an Exit Direction sign.
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 B arrows used on an Exit Only panel. (click in image to see full-size image)
Figure 4-6. Type B arrows used on an Exit Only panel.
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.
Type C arrow used on an Exit Only panel. (click in image to see full-size image)
Figure 4-7. Type C arrow used on an Exit Only panel.
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.