(a)

1. (1) The preferred location of all gateway signs is off the state highway system right-of-way, where increased lateral clearance can be used.
2. (2) If this is not practical, these signs may be allowed on noncontrolled access highway facilities and on certain partially controlled access highways, provided that they abide by the conditions set forth in this subpart.
3. (3) Gateway signs shall not be installed on fully controlled access highways such as interstates and freeways.

(b) Lateral offset.

1. (1) Gateway signs within the highway right-of-way:

   1. (A) Shall be placed so that any text message is viewable in one (1) direction only; and
   2. (B) Shall not create an obstruction to sight distance for highway users.
2. (2) Such signs should also be placed at the furthest edge of the right-of-way when practical or at the furthest practical distance from the roadway.

3. (3) Generally, the latter would have a minimum lateral placement as follows:

   1. (A)

(i) Rural highways.

1. (ii) Outside the lesser of the prevailing cleared width or the clear zone width as specified in AASHTO Roadside Design Guide.

   1. (iii) Outside the deflection distance of any guard rail or concrete median barrier as directed by the Arkansas Department of Transportation District Engineer; and

   2. (B)

      1. (i) Urban highways.
      2. (ii) Twelve feet (12’) minimum from edge of roadway on highways with shoulders up to six feet (6’).
      3. (iii) Six feet (6’) minimum from edge of shoulder on highways with a shoulder wider than six feet (6’).
      4. (iv) Two feet (2’) minimum from face of curb on curbed road.
      5. (v) Outside the deflection distance of any guard rail or concrete median barrier as directed by the department’s District Engineer (installations via highway work permit), or as approved by the Design Engineer (installations via capital project).
      6. (c) Design.
2. (1) The design should be simple and dignified and shall be devoid of any advertising or sponsorship on or near the signs.

3. (2) The sign and structure shall be of such design and color as to be:

   1. (A) Of a reasonable size;
   2. (B) In good taste; and
   3. (C) Aesthetically pleasing.
4. (3) The sign should not be distracting to the motorist but enhance the roadside environment.
5. (4) Directional or destination type signing information shall not be included in the gateway sign.

6. (5) All gateway signs shall be reflective or suitably illuminated if the gateway sign serves as the primary means of denoting the municipal boundary.

   1. (d) Mounting height.
7. (1) Height is the vertical distance between the near edge of the roadway and the bottom of the gateway sign.
8. (2) If the gateway sign serves as the primary means of denoting the municipal boundary, then the sign shall be mounted at a height of at least seven feet (7’).
9. (3) At locations where it is considered unlikely that the sign will interfere with pedestrians, or be obscured by parked vehicles, the minimum height may be reduced to five feet (5’).
10. (4) In instances where an official, MUTCD-compliant municipal boundary sign exists and the gateway sign is simply used as a supplemental sign, then the gateway sign may be mounted at a lesser height.
11. (5) However, it should be noted that even if the sign is beyond the clear zone and in an area unlikely to interfere with pedestrians, a mounting height that will place a potentially heavy sign near the windshield height should be discouraged.

(e) Letter height.

1. (1) Where practical, letter sizes specified in the MUTCD should be considered.
2. (2) For example, on state highways, letters should be a minimum of six inches (6”) high to be readily legible to passing motorists.

(g)

1. (1) Sign information shall be limited to the name of the municipality, the words "Welcome To", and/or a short slogan, e.g., “A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE, WORK AND PLAY”, and if applicable, a pictograph approved by the department.
2. (2) If used, the pictograph height shall not exceed two (2) times the uppercase letters of the principal legend on the sign.

(h) All signs shall be:

1. (1) Crashworthy as defined in the MUTCD if located in the clear zone, as defined in the AASHTO Roadside Design Guide; or

2. (2) Located entirely outside of the clear zone.

   1. (i)
3. (1) A gateway sign shall not resemble in shape and color any regulatory or warning sign.
4. (2) In addition, the sign shall be sized and located so that it does not obscure the view of any other sign.

(j)

1. (1) Signs located on sculptures, brick masonry, and other obstructions must be installed outside of the clear recovery zone along the perimeter of the roadway.
2. (2) To avoid potential safety hazards, the requesting agency will be required to place the proposed gateway sign as far from the travel lane as practical and outside the clear recovery area.
3. (3) Clear zone and lateral object setbacks shall be determined using appropriate AASHTO standards from the most current edition of the AASHTO Roadside Design Guide.