N.M. Code R. § 18.21.3.9 – Location

A. The use of specific service signs should be limited to areas primarily rural in character or to areas where adequate sign spacing can be maintained.
B. Limitation of specific information panels and individual business signs:
(1) Where there are sufficient qualified applicants, a separate specific information panel shall be erected for each type of traveler service. The GAS, FOOD, LODGING, CAMPING and ATTRACTION specific information panels shall carry no more than six individual business signs each.
(2) Combination motorist information signs may be used at an interchange at the discretion of the department or contractor.
C. Relationship to exit gore and right-of-way line: The specific information panels shall be erected between the previous interchange and 1/2 mile in advance of the exit gore for the approaching interchange. These panels shall be located outside of the clear zone and readable from the main traveled way. The last panel shall be erected no closer than 1/2 mile to the exit gore of the approaching interchange with at least 800 foot spacing between the information panels. In the direction of traffic, the successive panels shall be those of "ATTRACTION", "CAMPING", "LODGING", "FOOD", "GAS" in that order.
D. Not to be used where re-entry to freeway is Inconvenient: The specific information panel shall not be erected at an interchange at which an exit from the freeway is provided but at which no entrance ramp exists at that interchange or at another reasonably convenient location that would permit a traveler to proceed in the desired direction of travel without undue indirection or use of poor connection roads.
E. Continuity of signing along exit ramp: The traveler services information, shown on the specific information panels, shall be repeated on the panels located along the interchange ramp where distance allows or at the ramp terminal where the service installations are not visible from the ramp terminal. In addition, appropriate trailblazer assemblies or direction information panels may also be provided along the crossroad, as required, to adequately direct travelers to the respective service facilities. These signs shall be the same in shape, color, and message as those shown on the specific information panels, together with a supplemental arrow sign (M6 series) showing the directions for the different services and, where needed, the mileage to the service installation. Normally, this signing will not be necessary at double-exit interchanges. The legends or symbols on these signs shall be smaller (minimum 4-inch letter height, except that any legend on a symbol shall be in proportion to the size of the symbol) than those shown on the specific information panels.
F. General traveler service signs: There is no need for a general traveler service sign to confirm the specific information panels erected for any of the five services. A general traveler service sign carrying any of the legends or symbols not contained on the specific information panels and also the symbols for phone and hospital, when applicable, may be erected. If so used, it shall be erected in conjunction with the ground mounted exit direction signs, or may be a separate sign with appropriate directional information erected a minimum of 800 feet following the last advance guide sign. Figures 1 through 5 are prepared from the standards and are included for informational purposes.
[9/30/98; 18.21.3.9 NMAC - Rn & A, 18 NMAC 21.3.9, 1/14/2005]