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Tourism Signage in Indiana

Tourism Signage in Indiana. Tourism Signage Commission November 28, 2007. House Enrolled Act # 1012. Established 11 person Sign Study Commission to review current policy and provide a report. Established new criteria to be added to the Tourist Attraction Sign policy criteria.

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Tourism Signage in Indiana

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  1. Tourism Signage in Indiana Tourism Signage Commission November 28, 2007

  2. House Enrolled Act # 1012 • Established 11 person Sign Study Commission to review current policy and provide a report. • Established new criteria to be added to the Tourist Attraction Sign policy criteria.

  3. Federal Rule on Signs • National Manual of Uniformed Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) • Purpose: • Standardization to assist drivers • Safety • Provide consistent communication to driver • Carried out by: • Traffic Control Devices • Signs (traffic control, motorist services, etc.) • Markings (yellow/white roadway lines, etc.) • Signals (traffic signals, caution lights, etc.)

  4. Federal MUTCD definition for Traffic Control Devices • Command attention and respect from road users • Convey a clear, simple meaning • Fulfill a need • Give adequate time for proper response • Meet set requirements

  5. Traffic Control Devices – Signs(In order of importance) • Regulatory Signs • Warning Signs • Guide Signs • Specific Service Signs (LOGOS),Tourist-Orientated Destination Signs (TODS), Recreational and Cultural Interest Signs • Emergency Management Signs

  6. Federal Requirements of Specific Service Signs (LOGOS), Tourist-Orientated Destination Signs (TODS), Recreational and Cultural Interest Signs • Signage for directional purposes only. • Directional programs available: • Specific business information signs (logos) • Limited tourist attraction signage • Commercial advertising prohibited. Person or public authority can not place/maintain commercial advertising on U.S. (State) right-of-way.

  7. Federal Requirements of Specific Service Signs (LOGOS), Tourist-Orientated Destination Signs (TODS), Recreational and Cultural Interest Signs • A facility shall be eligible for tourist-oriented directional signs only if it derives its major portion of income or visitors during normal business season from road users not residing in the area of the facility.

  8. Indiana MUTCD (IC 9-21-2) • Must conform to the Federal MUTCD • Indiana adopts majority of Federal MUTCD • Must receive Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) approval prior to use

  9. IOTD & INDOT Goal • To Satisfy the Federal MUTCD regulations • Directional signs only • Provide Motorists • With reliable directional information to quality facilities. • Provide Tourism Industry • A cost-effective way to direct the motorist to their facility.

  10. Directional Programs Allowed under Indiana MUTCD • Indiana Logo Sign Program (105 IAC Rule 4) • Indiana Tourist Attraction Sign Policy (IC 9-21-4)

  11. Indiana Logo Sign Program (105 IAC Rule 4) • Business Signs on Information Panels • Blue Food, Gas, Lodging, Camping, and Attraction panels on Interstate • Must meet criteria to receive – i.e. hours of operation, distance from interchange, services offered, category type • Derived from Indiana Tourist Attraction Sign Policy(established in 2001) • Contracted to Indiana Logo SignGroup (indianalogo.com)

  12. Indiana Tourist Attraction Sign Policy (IC 9-21-4) • Tourism Attraction Signs on Information Panels • On Interstates and State Roads/Highways • Must meet standard criteria to receive – i.e. hours of operation, distance, services offered, category type. • Established 1982, revised 1999, 2004 • Program ran by INDOT & IOTD

  13. Tourist Attraction Sign Policy • General Policy Restrictions (all signs) • In policy: • # of signs • Sign Location (one direction) • Facility Location • Outside policy: • Safety issues • Sign placement issues

  14. Tourist Attraction Sign Policy • Purpose: • Provide motorists with reliable directional signage to local attractions (pg. 1) • General Requirements • Admission charge posted, non-discrimination service, on-premise signs, parking, restrooms and drinking water (pg. 2) • Two types of signage in policy • TODS (Tourist Oriented Directional Signs) - State Roads and US Highways • SGS (Supplemental Guide Signs) – Interstates

  15. Tourist Attraction Sign Policy • Standard requirements for both types of signs • Hours of Operation – Open at least 5 days/wk, 6 hrs/day, 8 months/yr. Some exceptions. (pg. 5 & 8) • Minimum Attendance: • TODS - 1,500 or as stated in Table 1 (pg. 5) • SGS - as stated in Table 2 (pg. 8) • 50% of annual attendance must be from actual Tourist Traffic (pg. 2). • Attraction distance from intersection: • TODS – 7 miles or as in Table 1 (pg. 5, 6) • SGS – 10 miles or as in Table 2 (pg. 8, 9)

  16. Tourist Attraction Sign Policy • Sign guidelines/limitations for both types of signs • Maximum number of signs at an intersection (pg. 5, 8): • 2 signs per attraction • TODS - 6 attractions per sign location • SGS - 2 attractions per sign location • Signs are placed on the most direct route to the facility (pg. 6, 8) • Color-coded by category (brown, blue or green), but all categories can be green. (pg. 3-4, 7) • Signs not permitted to direct to or beyond another state highway or freeway (pg. 6, 8)

  17. Tourist Attraction Sign Policy • TODS (Tourist Oriented Directional Signs) • Categories available (pg. 3-4): • Agri-tourism/education attraction, u-pick/farmers market, winery, zoological/botanical facility • Amusement parks, main street communities, visitor center • Airport, arena, convention center, cultural center, fairground • Campgrounds • Cemetery, college/university, military base/armory/reserve center • Educational center, historical site, museum, religious site • Golf course, park, recreation area/forest/refuge, resort area, snow ski area

  18. Tourist Attraction Sign Policy • Additional TODS items • Seasonality (pg. 5): • Located within 5 miles of intersection • Text designates months of operation (i.e. March-October) would be added to signs • Attraction location (pg. 6): • Not permitted for facilities located on state highway. • If on-premise signs visible from highway, TODS not normally needed. • If approved (pg. 12): • INDOT creates, installs and maintains TODS (pg. 5). • Initial cost: $350 per sign. Maintenance: $50/yr (pg. 12) • If government-owned INDOT bares cost and labor.

  19. Tourist Attraction Sign Policy • SGS (Supplemental Guide Signs) • Categories available (pg. 7): • Agri-tourism/education attraction • Airport, arena, convention center, cultural center, fairground • College/university, military base • Park, recreation area/forest/refuge • Visitor center

  20. Tourist Attraction Sign Policy • Additional SGS items • Attraction location (pg. 8): • Not permitted in areas where INDOT does not install signs (SGS or Logo). • Trailblazing signage should be installed prior to SGS. • If approved (pg. 12): • INDOT approved consultant hired by applicant to create and install SGS. INDOT maintains afterwards (pg. 12). • Initial cost: approx. $3,000-5,000 per sign. Maintenance: $300/yr (pg. 12) • If government-owned INDOT bares cost and labor.

  21. Tourist Attraction Sign Policy • Wayfinding/Consolidated Sign Program (pg. 10) • Local county/organization propose • Must meet all requirements of policy • IOTD/INDOT approve • Locals handle sign fabrication, installation, and maintenance

  22. Break Time(10 minutes) Tourism Signage Commission November 28, 2007

  23. Tourist Attraction Sign Policy • Application Process (pg. 11) • Applicant should review policy prior to filling out application. • Must include requested materials (map of location, brochure, etc.) • Send to IOTD • IOTD reviews (30 days) • If approved, moves to INDOT. • If denied, if reason for denial is addressed then applicant can re-apply.

  24. Tourist Attraction Sign Policy • Application process continues (pg. 11) • INDOT conducts site visit and final determination of application. (60 days) • If approved, INDOT & applicant sign a contract regarding payment for signs. Signs installed. (approx. 2-3 months) • If denied, if reason for denial is addressed then applicant can re-apply.

  25. Application Examples • Performance Art Center – Wants TODS. Facility meets general requirements, category requirements. Located in small town, where three state roads converge. The Art Center is located 2 blocks from one, 4 blocks from another and 1 block from the last. Facility would like to be signed on all 3 roads. • Approved, but only 2 signs on the state road nearest the facility allowed.

  26. Application Examples • Denied because located on state road and property signs are readable from state road. (Signs may be considered if there is a safety issue when entering & exiting the state road.) • Agri-tourism business - Wants TODS. Meets general requirements, category requirements. Facility entrance is on state road.

  27. Application Examples • Approved, facility is only open 4 months per year, so months open will be added to the sign. • Snow ski resort - Wants TODS. Meets general requirements, category requirements.

  28. Application Examples • Denied. Category is no longer under this policy, referred to Logo Sign Group. • Historic Downtown/District – Wants SGS. Meets general requirements, category requirements, district/town already has a town sign at the interstate exit.

  29. House EA# 1012 New Criteria • Definition of a Trademark Destination Brand • Trademark • Fee reasonable for inclusion in requirement - $10. • Destination Brand • Proposed definition: A community, city or geographic location that has unique tourism message to communicate.

  30. House EA# 1012 New Criteria • Historical Sites • Current definition: • A structure or district listed on DNR, Historic Preservation and Archeology Division’s Indiana Register of Historic Sites and Structures as being of historical significance and open to the public. (pg. 4)

  31. House EA# 1012 New Criteria • Historical Sites • Amendment Proposed: • A structure or district listed on the National Register of Historic Placesand/or DNR, Historic Preservation and Archeology Division’s Indiana Register of Historic Sites and Structures as being of historical significance and open to the public. Distance requirement does not apply to trademarked destination brand sites. Applicant must provide copy of trademark certificate to satisfy this portion of the requirement.

  32. Tourist Attraction Sign Policy -Changes/Additions? • Change requirements? • Distance from intersection • Current: TODS - 7 miles; SGS – 10 miles • Change to what? Need statewide standard. • Sign on more than one state road • Different directions (US 24 and SR 421) • Same direction (SR 43 to SR 225) • Add Categories? • Breweries • Should they be part of the policy? • Who gets added/Who doesn’t? • What are the statewide requirements?

  33. Tourist Attraction Sign Policy -Changes/Additions? • Add Categories? Continued • Community entertainment venues (Drive-Ins, miniature golf complexes, laser-tag facilities, movie theaters, etc) • Should they be part of the policy? • Who gets added/Who doesn’t? • What are the statewide requirements? • Destination shopping (Outlet malls, artisans shops, antique shops/districts, sporting good stores, etc) • Should they be part of the policy? • Who gets added/Who doesn’t? • What are the statewide requirements?

  34. Tourist Attraction Sign Policy -Changes/Additions? • Add Categories? Continued • Non-tourism destination (community buildings, human societies, etc.) • Should they be part of the policy? • Who gets added/Who doesn’t? • What are the statewide requirements? • Trails (Wine trails, historical trails, etc.) • Should they be part of the policy? • Who gets added/Who doesn’t? • What are the statewide requirements?

  35. Tourist Attraction Sign Policy -Changes/Additions? • Revise category requirements • Visitors Center • Staffed vs. non-staffed • Hours of operation • Revise hours of operation • Revise sign policy to include new tourism business – less than a year old.

  36. Question and Answer Next meeting: December 12, 2007 1 N. Capitol, Ste. 110 Indianapolis

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