TEA-21 logo TEA-21 - Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century
Moving Americans into the 21st Century
TEA-21 Home | DOT Home


DOT LogoMemorandum
U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration

ACTION: Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) - Revision to Sections 2G-5.7 October 22, 1998
 
Director, Office of Highway Safety

HNG-10
 

Division Administrators
Resource Center Directors

 

We have received several inquiries concerning the specific service food sign changes described in Transportation Equity Act of the Twenty -First Century (TEA-21) (P.L. 105-178). Specifically TEA-21, Section 1217, Eligibility, paragraph (f) Information Services.

The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) Sections 2G-5.7 and 2G-5.8 contain eligibility guidance for food businesses which may display logos on specific service signs. The most current edition of the MUTCD Section 2G-5.7, Guidelines for Specific Service Signs, states that "Use of specific service signing should conform to the following guidelines: ... The use of FOOD signs including continuous operations to serve three meals a day, 7 days a week and a telephone." This MUTCD criteria has been modified by TEA-21, Section 1217, paragraph (f) by adding the following requirement:

(f) INFORMATION SERVICES- A food business that would otherwise be eligible to display a mainline business logo on a specific service food sign described in section 2G-5.7(4) of part IIG of the 1998 edition of the MUTCD for Streets and Highways under the requirements specified in that section, but for the fact that the business is open 6 days a week, cannot be prohibited from inclusion on such a food sign."

This subsection became effective and applicable when TEA-21 became public law on June 9. The States or local jurisdictions should assure that their specific service sign policies and programs are in compliance with this TEA-21 requirement. They should also review and revise as appropriate any related statutes, local ordinances, and MUTCD provision for compliance with the requirement. The TEA-21 was very specific and it applies only to specific service signs for food businesses. All other guidance in MUTCD Section 2G-5.7 which concerns public accommodations, distances from the interchange, etc. remain applicable. The State or local jurisdiction should continue to maintain a policy that sets priorities on the types and eligibilities of services on these signs.

The draft revised MUTCD text is attached. We will shortly place a final rule in the Federal Register this subject. Please inform your respective State transportation agency of this change. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Ernie Huckaby at 202-366-9064.

Original signed by Rudy Umbs
on 10/22/98 for Michael F. Trentacoste


1988 MUTCD Revision No. XX

This revision to the MUTCD is made for compliance with the requirement in Federal Public Law 105-178 [112 Stat. 214] which was effective on June 9, 1998.

In the 1988 MUTCD section 2G-5.7, the sentence,

  1. The use of FOOD signs including continuous operations to serve three meals a day, at least 7 days a week and a telephone.

Is replaced by the following sentences:

  1. The use of FOOD signs including continuous operations to serve three meals a day, at least 6 days a week and a telephone.

TEA-21 Home | DOT Home
United States Department of Transportation