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2009 Edition Part 2 Figure 2G-23. Example of Signing for an Intermediate Entry to a Barrier- or Buffer-Separated Priced Managed Lane

Full-size image of Figure 2G-23

Figure 2G-23. Example of Signing for an Intermediate Entry to a Barrier- or Buffer-Separated Priced Managed Lane

This figure shows an example of signing for an intermediate entry to a barrier- or buffer-separated priced managed lane.

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

The figure shows a vertical highway as a divided highway with one managed lane to the left of a buffer or barrier to the left of three general purpose lanes. Broken white lines separate the general purpose lanes from each other. The word "EXPRESS" in white is shown marked several times on the pavement of the managed lane.

One-third from the bottom of the figure, a theoretical gore is shown extending from the barrier north. It is shown composed of a white triangle formed by white channeling lines and white chevron markings. The theoretical gore is shown separating the managed lane from an exit lane that angles from the left general purpose lane to the managed lane. The word "EXPRESS" in white is shown marked in this exit lane. The exit lane continues north and is separated from the managed lane by a solid white line extending from the north end of the theoretical gore and then changing to a dotted white line. It then is shown tapering to the left and into the managed lane by the angle of a second theoretical gore shown extending from the southern end of a barrier at the top of the figure. This theoretical gore is shown separating the managed lane from the general purpose lanes. It is shown extending as a long narrow taper between the exit lane and general purpose lanes.

At the top of the figure, the exit lane has disappeared and the one managed lane is shown to the left of a barrier to the left of the three general purpose lanes.

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

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

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

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

  • At the bottom of the figure, the first sign is shown as a horizontal rectangular sign. This sign is shown at a dimensioned distance of ½ mile prior to the fourth sign. The top part of the sign is shown as a purple panel with a 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 "1 MILE." 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 EZ 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 at a dimensioned distance of 800 ft. MIN. beyond the first sign and is labeled "optional." 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." 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 a R3-43 horizontal rectangular white sign with a black border and legend. The words "HOV 2+" in large letters are shown above the words "2 OR MORE PERSONS PER VEHICLE" on two lines. Footnote 2 applies to this sign.  
  • The third sign is shown at a dimensioned distance of 800 ft. MIN beyond the second sign and 800 ft. MIN. prior to the fourth sign. It is shown as a R3-48 vertical 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. To the right of the sign, the word "OR" is shown and another sign. This sign is shown as a R3-48a sign and is the same except the word "TOLL" is shown to the right of the EZ 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.
  • The fourth sign is shown at a dimensioned distance of ½ mile in advance of the start of the taper into the exit lane to the managed lane. This sign is shown as identical to the first except the words "1/2 MILE" are shown instead of the words "1 MILE." 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 "1/2 MILE" are shown instead of the words "1 MILE." Footnote 2 applies to this sign.
  • The fifth sign is shown at a dimensioned distance of 800 ft. to 1/4 mi. beyond the fourth sign. It is shown as the same as the third sign but is labeled "optional." 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 third alternate sign but is labeled "optional." Footnote 2 applies to this sign. Below these signs, the word "OR" is shown and a third sign. This sign 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. It is labeled "optional," and footnote 1 or 2 applies to this sign.  
  • The sixth sign assembly is shown at the start of the taper into the exit lane to the managed lane, where a dotted white line is shown marked on the pavement between the exit lane and the left general purpose through lane. The sign assembly is shown as 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 "1 MILE." 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 "1 MILE." Footnote 2 applies to this sign.
  • The seventh sign is shown mounted over the exit to the managed lane at the beginning of the second theoretical gore. This sign is shown as a R3-44 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. 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.

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.
  5. Warning signs are not shown.

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