PURPOSE

The purpose of this Standard Sign Book is to provide the latest accepted standard signs for use on Maryland highways in a format which is user friendly to the fabricator, technician and engineer. A team of fabricators, traffic technicians and traffic engineers put this book together in an atmosphere which fosters quality and improved efficiency. An example of user friendliness for the fabricator is the margin changes. Borders and insets have been changed to the same width. For example, in the Federal Standard Highway Signs manual, it is common to see a sign with a 5/8” inset and a 7/8” border. For the motorist, there is no visible difference between that and using a 3/4” border with a 3/4” inset. The benefit to the fabricator is that now the 3/4” tape can be used as a guide to determine the inset without the use of a measuring device. Using borders and insets as indicated in the Federal Standard Highway Signs manual will be acceptable. User friendliness for the traffic technician/engineer includes the addition of a cross reference to the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). In addition, there is a cross reference to the Maryland MUTCD Supplement. Several different indexes and tabbed dividers were added to help users find what they are looking for faster and easier. The indexes are sorted in three ways: 1) Increasing Sign Standard Number, 2) Sign Category, and 3) Alphabetical Order by Sign Type.

CHANGES

There is a trend to get away from many signs which are text type and move to their symbol counterparts. Many redundant parking signs have been removed Signs have been added which have been designed and used by Maryland SHA and others over the years and yet not formally distributed. Most signs which are included in this book are to scale. If a sign has more than one size, it should be kept in mind that not all sign sizes are simple proportional increase in dimensions. Because warning signs beginning with W20, W21 and W22 and above are only used in Work Zones, these standard sheets have been moved to the back of the Work Zone series. All other signs from different sections which are solely used in Work Zones or which commonly require a color change to orange for use in Work Zones have been duplicated in the Work Zone series. Also, a separate Hiker/Biker series has been added to the book. This section duplicates signs from other sections which have a separate bike size for use on bike trails, or which are used for bike lanes. Several appendices have been added. The first appendix contains the detailed drawing of symbols used in a symbolic assembly. The detailed drawings are on 3/4 inch grids. The second appendix contains details for commonly used arrows. The third appendix contains blank standards for sheet aluminum for standard sign sizes.

SIGN NUMBERS

All sign numbers match the Federal sign numbers where applicable. The Federal Number System was used to number all Maryland signs while still allowing for addition of new Federal signs and numbers. Some sign numbers have been changed from the old Standard Sign Book to avoid the duplication of the sign number for another Federal sign. All Maryland signs which relate to an existing Federal Sign Standard are numbered using the Federal number, followed by a numeral in parenthesis (EX. D11-1(1), stated as D11-1 Maryland Version 1). All Maryland signs which do not relate to an existing Federal sign are numbered by the letter category, followed by the number 95 or 96, followed by a dash and another number (EX. R95-3).

WORK ZONE SIGNS

Warning signs to be used in Work Zones should be ordered in Black on Orange color. All diamond shaped Work Zone signs shall be 48” x 48”. When used on freeways or major expressways, the sign sheeting should be upgraded to conform to Section 950.03.04 of the 2001 Edition of the Maryland Department of Transportation, State Highway Administration’s Standard Specifications for Construction and Materials. When the sign sheeting is upgraded on diamond shaped warning signs, the letter spacing may be increased on the signs, space providing, to increase legibility.

REFLECTIVE SHEETING

The color black shall be non-reflective on all signs. Unless otherwise stated, all signs in this book require reflective sheeting conforming to Section 950.03.02 of the 2001 Edition of the Maryland Department of Transportation, State Highway Administration’s Standard Specifications for Construction and Materials, or further updates. The following signs which have the note “Special Sheeting” on their standard sheet should conform to ASTM D4956-01 Type IX: W1-1, R5-1, and R5-1A. All other standard sheets including the note ”Special Sheeting” should conform to the Federal Highway Administration’s Standard Specifications for Roads and Bridges on Federal Highway Projects, ASTM D 4956-01, Type II. These signs include all No Stopping, No Standing, and No Parking signs, as well as signs directed at the pedestrian or bicyclist and not the driver.

1 - Maryland Department of Transportation, State Highway Administration: “Standard Specifications for Construction and Materials”, October 1993.