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2009 Edition Part 2 Figure 2G-21. Example of Signing for the Entrance to an Access-Restricted Priced Managed Lane

Full-size image of Figure 2G-21

Figure 2G-21. Example of Signing for the Entrance to an Access-Restricted Priced Managed Lane

This figure shows an example of signing for the entrance to an access-restricted priced managed lane.

A legend shows an arrow indicating the direction of travel on the highway.

The figure shows one direction of travel on a vertical highway with four general purpose lanes. They are shown as separated from each other by broken white lines. At the top of the figure, a left exit lane to a managed lane is added to the left of the general purpose lanes and separated from them by a barrier. The word "EXPRESS" is shown in white letters on the pavement of the exit lane to the managed lane. The direction of travel is from the bottom to the top of the figure.

Two footnotes are shown that apply to many of the signs:

Footnote 1. All vehicles must have a registered ETC account. Toll discounts or exemptions through a registration program might be applicable for certain vehicles.

Footnote 2. All vehicles except HOV must have a registered ETC account. If registration is required for non-toll travel by HOV traffic, case (1) signing shall be used.

A series of 13 signs (and alternates) are shown, from the bottom to the top of the figure, all of which are shown as mounted over the left lane, except as otherwise noted:

  • At the bottom of the figure, the first sign is shown as a horizontal rectangular sign. It is shown at a dimensioned distance of 1 mile prior to the fifth sign. The top part of the sign is shown as a purple panel with an Toll Pass logo to the left of the word "ONLY" in black on a white rectangle. This panel is shown above a horizontal white line that extends from the left border to the right border. Below this dividing line, the words "EXPRESS LANE ENTRANCE" are shown on three lines above the words "2 MILES." A smaller horizontal rectangular yellow plaque with a black border and the word "LEFT" in black is shown above the top left side of the sign. Footnote 1 applies to this sign. To the right of the sign, the word "OR" is shown and another sign. This sign is shown as the same except instead of the Toll Pass logo and the word "ONLY," a white panel is shown at the top of the sign with the purple Toll Pass logo to the left of the word "OR" on the top line and the words "HOV 2+ ONLY" on the second line. Footnote 2 applies to this sign.
  • The second sign is shown mounted to the left of the highway at a dimensioned distance of 800 ft. beyond the first sign. It is shown as a horizontal rectangular white R3-43 sign with a black border and legend. This sign is shown with the words "HOV 2+ 2 OR MORE PERSONS PER VEHICLE" on three lines. Footnote 2 applies to this sign. To the right of this sign is shown the word "OR" and a second sign, shown as a R3-40 sign, which is identical to the other sign except that it is a vertical rectangular sign and the legend is on 4 lines instead of 3. Footnote 2 also applies to this sign.
  • The third sign is shown at a dimensioned distance of 1/4 to 1/3 mi beyond the first sign. It is shown as a horizontal rectangular green sign with white letters and a white border. At the top of the sign, a red and blue Interstate shield for I-495 is shown to the left of the word "VIA" on one line. Under this legend, a horizontal white line extends from the left border to the right border, separating the sign into two horizontal portions. A vertical white line extends from the horizontal dividing line to the bottom border, separating the lower part of the sign into two parts. In the lower left portion of the sign, the words "EXPRESS LANE" are shown on two lines above a changeable message, represented by a black rectangle with the numeral "32" composed of white dots, to the left of the word "MIN." In the lower right portion of the sign, the words "LOCAL LANES" are shown on two lines above a changeable message, represented by a black rectangle with the numeral "46" composed of white dots, to the left of the word "MIN."
  • The fourth sign is shown at a dimensioned distance of 1/4 to 1/3 mile beyond the third sign and 1/4 to 1/3 mile prior to the fifth sign. A note states: "Potential location of a changeable message sign (CMS) for reversible or contraflow operations." It is shown as a horizontal rectangular white sign with a black border and legend. A green panel with a white border is shown at the top of the sign with the words "EXPRESS LANE" in white. Below this panel, a purple Toll Pass logo is shown to the left of the word "ONLY" on the top line. On the middle line, the word "TO" is shown to the left of a black square with a white disk and the numeral "128" in black to the left of a changeable message, represented by a black rectangle with the message "$.50" in white. On the bottom line, the word "TO" is shown to the left of a red and blue Interstate shield for I-495 to the left of a changeable message, represented by a black rectangle with the message "$2.00" in white. Footnote 1 applies to this sign, which is shown as a R3-48 sign. To the right of the sign, the word "OR" is shown and another sign. This sign is shown as the same except the word "TOLL" is shown to the right of the Toll Pass logo instead of the word "ONLY" and a horizontal black line is shown extending from the left border to the right border, separating the sign into two horizontal portions. Below this dividing line, the words "HOV 2+ NO TOLL" are shown on one line. Footnote 2 applies to this sign, which is shown as a R3-48a sign.
  • The fifth sign assembly is shown at a dimensioned distance of 1/4 mi prior to the seventh sign. It is shown as identical to the first sign assembly except the words "1 MILE" are shown instead of the words "2 MILES." Footnote 1 applies to this sign. To the right of the sign, the word "OR" is shown and another sign. This sign is shown as identical to the first alternate sign except the words "1 MILE" are shown instead of the words "2 MILES." Footnote 2 applies to this sign.
  • The sixth sign is shown to the left of the highway and at a dimensioned distance of 800 ft beyond the fifth sign assembly and is labeled "optional." It is shown as a vertical rectangular white sign with a black border and legend. The top third of the sign is shown as a black panel with the words "EXPRESS LANE" in white on two lines. This panel is shown above the words "HOV 2+ NO TOLL" on two lines. Footnote 2 applies to this sign.
  • The seventh sign is shown at a dimensioned distance of 1/4 mi. beyond the fifth sign. It is shown as a horizontal rectangular green sign with white letters and a white border. At the top of the sign, the words "EXPRESS LANE EXITS" are shown on one line. Underneath these words, a horizontal white line extends from the left border to the right border, separating the sign into two horizontal portions. In the lower portion of the sign, a black numeral "128 is shown on a white disk to the left of the numeral "4" on the top line. On the middle line, the words "Beacon St" are shown to the left of the numeral "8." On the bottom line, a red and blue Interstate shield for I-495 is shown to the left of the numeral "15" The three numerals are shown with the final digit aligned vertically near the right edge of the sign. A note states: "For access-restricted facilities. Destinations may be augmented to accompany routes on Interchange Sequence signs (see Figure 2E-31)." 
  • The eighth sign assembly is shown at a dimensioned distance of 1/4 mi beyond the seventh sign. It is identical to the first sign assembly except the words "1/2 MILE" are shown instead of the words "2 MILES." Footnote 1 applies to this sign. To the right of this sign, the word "OR" is shown and another sign. This sign is shown as identical to the first alternate except the words "1/2 MILE" are shown instead of the words "2 MILES." Footnote 2 applies to this sign.
  • The ninth sign is shown mounted to the left of the highway at a dimensioned distance of 800 ft beyond the eighth sign. It is labeled "optional." It is shown as identical to the sixth sign. Footnote 2 applies to this sign.
  • The 10th sign assembly is shown at a dimensioned distance of 1/4 mi prior to the 11th sign assembly. It is labeled "optional." It is identical to the fourth sign assembly.
  • The 11th sign assembly is shown where the left exit begins. It is identical to the first sign assembly except a diagonal arrow pointing up and to the left is shown to the left of the legend instead of the words "2 MILES." Footnote 1 applies to this sign. To the right of this sign, the word "OR" is shown and another sign. This sign is shown as identical to the first alternate except a diagonal arrow pointing up and to the left is shown to the left of the legend instead of the words "2 MILES." Footnote 2 applies to this sign.
  • The 12th sign is shown mounted over the exit lane to the managed lane. A note states: "Potential location of a changeable message sign (CMS) for reversible or contraflow operations." This sign is shown as a square white sign with a black border and legend. A purple Toll Pass logo is shown on the top line, the word "ONLY" is shown on the middle line, and a short downward-pointing arrow is centered on the bottom line. Footnote 1 applies to this sign, which is shown as a R3-44 sign. To the right of this sign, the word "OR" is shown and another sign. This sign is shown as a horizontal rectangular white sign with a black border and legend. A purple Toll Pass logo is shown to the left of the word "OR" on the top line, the words "HOV 2+ ONLY" are shown on the middle line, and a downward-pointing black arrow is centered on the bottom line. Footnote 2 applies to this sign, which is shown as a R3-44a sign.
  • The 13th sign is shown mounted on the front of the barrier between the exit lane to the managed lane and the general purpose lanes. It is shown as a vertical rectangular green sign with a white border and legend. The words "EXPRESS LANE ENTRANCE" are shown on three lines above a short diagonal arrow pointing down and to the left. A note states: "Barrier-separated facilities only."

Several notes are included:

  1. For access to a managed lane on the right-hand side, the same signing sequence would be used with adjustments made to sign messages.
  2. Geometry is for illustrative purposes only. Use locally applied geometric criteria.
  3. The minimum vehicle occupancy requirement and hours of operation on the sign may vary for each facility.
  4. See Chapter 3D for pavement markings.

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