1. A. Definitions.

   “Community College” has the meaning as prescribed in A.R.S. § 15-1401.

   “Department” means the Arizona Department of Transportation.

   “FHWA” means the Federal Highway Administration of the U.S. DOT.

   “Major metro area” means an urban area with a population of at least 50,000.

   “Municipality” means an incorporated city or town.

   “MUTCD” means the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, a national standard for the design and application of traffic control devices that is published by the U.S. DOT/FHWA and that is the standard for traffic control devices on the streets and highways of this state as required by A.R.S. § 28-641.

   “Nonconforming sign” means an erected sign that does not comply with this Section or A.R.S. § 28-642(D) due to changes in the statutes, rules, or changed conditions. Examples of changed conditions include the reconstruction of a highway or physical deterioration of a sign.

   “Regionally accredited college or university” means a college or university accredited by a regional institutional accrediting association recognized by the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education.

   “Rural area” means all areas other than a major metro area or an urban area.

   “Signing” means standard highway supplemental guide signs as specified in the MUTCD.

   “State highway” has the same meaning as prescribed in A.R.S. § 28-101.

   “State University” means a university established and maintained by the Arizona Board of Regents under A.R.S. § 15-1601.

   “Trailblazing sign” means a sign installed by a local governmental agency, off the state highway, to guide traffic to a college or university.

   “Trip” means a one-way commute to or from a college or university, calculated by the Department based on the number of students or dorm beds, using the following equivalents:

   One student = 1 1/2 trips

   One dorm bed = three trips.

   “Urban area” means a municipality having a population of at least 10,000 but less than 50,000.

   “U.S. DOT” means the United States Department of Transportation.

2. B. Application for signing. A college or university referenced in A.R.S. § 28-642(D) may request signing by submitting a letter on its letterhead to the Department’s State Traffic Engineer. The letter shall contain the following information:

   1. 1. Name of college or university;
   2. 2. Complete street address;
   3. 3. Names of agencies granting accreditation;
   4. 4. Number of students;
   5. 5. Number of dormitory beds, if applicable; and
   6. 6. Signature of a person authorized to sign for the college or university.

3. C. Requirements. To be considered for signing, a college or university referenced in A.R.S. § 28-642(D) shall satisfy the following:

   1. 1. Is on a road that intersects a state highway. If a college or university is on a road that does not intersect a state highway, it still may qualify if:

      1. a. The governing political subdivision submits to the Department, within 30 days from the Department’s receipt of the request for signing, written confirmation stating that the governing political subdivision will install and maintain trailblazing signs; and
      2. b. The governing political subdivision installs trailblazing signs before the Department places signing on the state highway.

   2. 2. Meets all the requirements under subsection (C)(2)(a), (b), or (c) of this Section.

      1. a. If in a major metro area:

         1. i. Generates at least 4000 trips per weekday.
         2. ii. Is three miles or less from a state highway, except the distance may be increased 1/4 mile for each 10% increase in the required number of trips per weekday to a maximum of five miles.

      2. b. If in an urban area:

         1. i. Generates at least 2000 trips per weekday.
         2. ii. Is four miles or less from a state highway, except the distance may be increased 1/4 mile for each 10% increase in the required number of trips per weekday to a maximum of five miles.

      3. c. If in a rural area:

         1. i. Generates at least 1000 trips per weekday.
         2. ii. Is five miles or less from the state highway, except the distance may be increased 1/4 mile for each 10% increase in the required number of trips per weekday to a maximum of 15 miles.
4. D. Exceptions to standards. The Department may place supplemental guide signs on state highways to direct traffic to colleges and universities. The Department shall determine whether to place supplemental guide signs for a college or university based on the specific criteria and the guidelines in the MUTCD.

5. E. Nonconforming signs. The Department may remove a nonconforming sign if:

   1. 1. Other signs have greater priority under the criteria in the MUTCD,
   2. 2. Physical spacing of signs is limited for an upcoming interchange or intersection, or
   3. 3. A greater number of trips are generated by the subject of other guide signs.
6. F. College or university. Only the initial, main campus of a college or university referenced in A.R.S. § 28-642(D) may qualify for signing, unless otherwise permitted by statute.

Historical Note

Adopted effective May 7, 1991 (Supp. 91-2). Amended by final rulemaking at 8 A.A.R. 3838, effective August 12, 2002 (Supp. 02-3). Amended by final rulemaking at 18 A.A.R. 1263, effective July 6, 2012 (Supp. 12-2). Amended by final rulemaking at 19 A.A.R. 1324, effective July 6, 2013 (Supp. 13-2).