Description

The TODS program allows for official signing to be located within rural highway rights-of-way that give specific directional information to activities or sites of interest. These are the familiar rectangular blue and white signs you see along the highway alerting motorists to bed-and-breakfasts, flighting services, gift shops, etc.

Sign Layout

TODS are rectangular, 90 X 18 inches, and have a white border and legend on a blue background. Each sign has an approximate symbol indicating a general class of business or activity, a directional arrow, distance to the facility, and up to two lines of legend. There is a list of standard icons, however, if no appropriate logo exists for the applicant, the Department will help design one.

Typical Location

Unprotected sign supports located within the clear zone must be of breakaway design. Signs must be located where they do not interfere with other regulatory, warning, or directional signs.

In general, TODS are located within the right-of-way of rural highways at least 200 feet from the intersection or driveway leading to the traveler-oriented activity. There is a limit of six signs per intersecting road/driveway (two groupings of three) that must be spaced at least 200 feet from each other and from other traffic control devices.

TODS may not be placed at the following intersections

Nor may TODS be placed on a freeway, expressway, the off-ramps, or where the majority of traffic exits at the intersecting road/driveway.

Qualifications for TODS

The applicant activity must derive at least 25 percent of its gross receipts from motorists who reside more than 20 miles from the location of the activity. The activity must not be more than 25 miles from the highway on which the sign is placed. Exceptions are applicants for a food or gas TODS permit who must not be more than three miiles from the highway. The location of the activity or the intersecting road/driveway cannot be located within the urban portion of an organized borough that exceeds 2,500 permanent residents. Neither the tourist-oriented activity nor a sign advertising it can be visible from the highway until the motorist is within 1,250 feet of the intersecting road/driveway. The proposed location must have fewer than six existing TODS, and have not been designated a community services sign or a tourist information kiosk location.

Application/Permit Process

The applicant must include a $100 nonrefundable application fee. We will review the application, and if it is approved, we will notify the applicant and a $400 nonrefundable issuance fee will be due ($300 if the application is a renewal). A permit is required. The initial permit is issued for a period of between four and five years. This is because all permits are set up to expire on December 31 of the fourth year from the issue date. Subsequent renewals will last five years. See Motorist Services Fee Summary and Application Data at the ROW homepage.

Maintenance Responsibility

The manufacture, installation, maintenance, seasonal closings, and removal of the TODS are the responsibility of the permittee, but must be performed by a sign contractor (see definitions in the regulations).

Description

The intent of the program is to point out to travelers areas of significant recreational and/or cultural interest, through the use of signs distinctive in size and color. To be eligible, the site must be accessible by a maintained road, attract an average of at least 100 people per day during at least four consecutive months, and be widely noted for its recreational or cultural significance. Areas eligible for the RCIA sign include national parks, state parks, and sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Recreational attractions include such facilities as parks, racetracks, and ski areas, while cultural attractions include museums and historic sites.

Typical Locations

Unprotected sign supports located within the clear zone must be of breakaway design. Signs must be located where they do not interfere with other regulatory, warning, or directional signs.

Site selection is not as restrictive as the TODS program in that RCIA signs may be placed in the urban portion of an organized borough that exceeds 2,500 permanent residents. The signs may not be located within 200 feet of any other highway sign. The attached graphic shows the typical locations for the RCIA signs.

Click here for larger view.

Click here for a larger view.

Click here for a larger view.

Application/Permit Process for an RCIA Sign

The operator of the RCIA must include an $100 nonrefundable application fee with the application. We will review the application, and if we approve it, we will notify the applicant and a $400 nonrefundable issuance fee will be due ($300 if application is for permit renewal). See the Motorist Services Fee Summary and Application Data for more information. The initial permit expires on December 31 of the fourth year; subsequent renewals will be for five years. There are a number of considerations in the review of the application.

1. Is the applicant the operator of the RCIA and does the RCIA comply with all applicable laws?
2. Is it physically possible to place the RCIA sign at the proposed location in the prescribed manner?
3. Is the RCIA or a sign advertising the RCIA already visible to motorists within 1,250 feet of the driveway or intersection leading to the RCIA?

Sign Installation and Maintenance

The manufacture, installation, maintenance, seasonal closings, and removal of the RCIA signs are the responsibility of the permittee, but must be performed by a sign contractor (see definitions in the regulations).

Description

When an intersection or populated area is inundated with TODS, RCIAs, and LOGOS, or it appears that it will soon be inundated, DOT&PF may issue a moratorium on further sign permits and require that all existing and future signs be incorporated into a tourist information kiosk. The kiosk would consist of a covered shelter located in a turnout or other suitable location convenient to the intersection or area. The purpose of the kiosk is to contain all the information formerly depicted by signs in the right-of-way, as well as other travel-related information. Typical information at the kiosk would be area maps, directory of local business and their products and services, racks of travel brochures, and possibly interpretive signs. We intend that the information would be read from the turnout and not the traveled way. We will remove items that do not meet that intent. At the time of the moratorium, existing sign permit holders will be able to keep their sign until the permit expires. Any required advance signing for the turnout will be installed and maintained by DOT&PF.

Typical Location

The kiosk requires a turnout and can be located in the right-of-way. The site should be visible from the highway, and in proximity to the attractions and businesses listed, which should have good ingress/egress and ample parking.

Qualifications

An individual, local government, business group, or Chamber of Commerce may apply for a permit to construct, operate, and maintain a tourist information kiosk. Generally we'll issue one permit for any geographic area, though more than one kiosk may be allowed. We'll give preference to that entity which, in DOT&PF's opinion, will provide the most appropriate facility and be most likely to maintain it in accordance with the terms of the permit. In return for operating and maintaining the kiosk, the permittee may charge a reasonable operations fee to those using it.

Fees

Consult the Motorist Services Fee Summary for current costs. Application: $100 Permit: $400 Renewal: $300

Design

DOT&PF has designs for kiosks to be used in this program. Click on the following for further design information:

• Interpretive Sign, Type D
• Log Milepost
• Orientation Kiosk, Example 1
• Orientation Kiosk, Example 2
• Standard Specifications, Section 650, Park Facilities

Maintenance Responsibility

The permittee is responsible for the maintenance and operation of the kiosk. DOT&PF will provide site maintenance such as minor grading, snow plowing, and approach repairs.

Description

Every year, more than 50 people lose their lives on Alaska roads and highways. Frequently, loved ones and friends choose to honor the memory of these individuals by requesting a memorial sign be placed near the site of the crash. The memorial sign may remain for a period of ten years. An application for a memorial sign is usually made within two years of the time of the crash. DOT&PF will manufacture and erect these signs at no charge to you.

We hope this program will help combat drunken driving and increase the public's awareness of the need to drive safely and responsibly.

Information needed

For a sign in the memory of a victim of an accident caused by a drunk driver, the following attachment is required: an affidavit from you that the individual to be memorialized was fatally injured in a highway accident, that the other driver is alleged to be at fault, and that alcohol is allegedly involved; the date and location of the highway accident; and the name of the person who was killed as it should appear on the memorial sign.

For a sign sponsored by the family or friends of a fatally injured drunk driver, the following attachment is required: an affidavit from you that the individual who was fatally injured is alleged to be the driver at fault and alcohol is alleged to be involved; the date and location of the highway accident; the name of the individual who was fatally injured; and the name of each sponsor as it should appear on the memorial sign.

For a sign in the memory of a victim of a traffic accident where alcohol is not involved, the following is required: an affidavit from you detailing the date and location of the highway accident and the name of the person who was killed as it should appear on the memorial sign.

Additional Information

• Anchorage area (800) 770-5263
• Fairbanks area (800) 475-2464
• Southeast Alaska area (800) 575-4540

Description

A specific service sign provides travelers with business identification and directional information for essential motorist services. The signs may be used on expressways or freeways.

Unprotected sign supports located within the clear zone must be of breakaway design.

Sign Layout

Specific service signs carry word legends for one (or two, in remote rural areas) of the following services: GAS, FOOD, LODGING, or CAMPING. The signs include an appropriate directional legend such as NEXT RIGHT, SECOND RIGHT, or directional arrows, the exit number where applicable, and one or more separately attached logos.

The signs have white reflecting uppercase letters, numbers, arrows, and borders on a blue reflecting background. The logo, which may consist of the business identification symbol, name, brand, trademark, or combination, is shown on a separate panel that is attached to the logo sign (see definitions in the regulations). Logos should have a blue background with white legend and border. Where business identification symbols of trademarks are used alone for a logo, the border may be omitted. The symbol or trademark must be reproduced in the colors and general shape consistent with customary use, and any integral legend must be in proportionate size. Do not use messages, symbols, and trademarks that resemble any official traffic control device.

The logos range from 60 X 36 inches for freeways and expressways at interchanges to 36 X 24 inches for expressway intersections and 24 X 18 inches for conventional highway intersections and offramps. The logo panels vary in size depending on the type of facility on which they are located (freeway, expressway, conventional highway, or offramps) and on the number of logos.

Typical Locations

Signs must be located where they do not interfere with other regulatory, warning, or directional signs. A logo sign may be placed along the following segments of freeway or expressway:

• Glenn Highway from Muldoon interchange to Parks Highway intersection
• Richardson Highway from Mitchell Expressway to Eielson Air Force Base Gate
• Mitchell Expressway from Richardson Highway interchange to Geist/Parks Highway interchange
• Steese Expressway from Johansen Expressway to Haglebarger intersection
• Egan Drive from Mendenhall Loop to Glacier Highway intersection at 2.5  mile Egan Drive

In addition to the segments of freeway or expressway listed above, you may place a logo sign along a freeway or expressway within an organized borough if the borough has more than 2,500 permanent residents but no more than 10,000 permanent residents; and location is not within the urban portion of an organized borough.

A logo sign may not be placed at a location where the majority of the traffic exits the highway at the driveway or intersecting road.

Qualifications

Neither the activity nor a sign advertising the activity may be visible from the highway until the motorist is within 1,250 feet of the intersecting road/driveway. The GAS, FOOD, LODGING, and CAMPING activities must meet the other qualifications in the regulations.

Application/Permit Process

The applicant must submit a nonrefundable $100 application fee with the application. We will review it and, if it is approved, we will notify the applicant and a $400 or $4,500 nonrefundable issuance fee will be due ($300 and $1,000 if application is a renewal). The initial permit is for a period of four to five years. This is because all permits are set up to expire on December 31 of the fourth year after the issue date. Subsequent renewals will last five years.

Maintenance Responsibility for a Logo (Specific Service) Sign

On freeways and expressways at grade separated locations, DOT&PF will furnish and maintain the sign panel. The permittee is responsible for furnishing and maintenance of the logo panel.

The permittee will furnish and maintain supplemental signs on the ramps and signs at intersections through a sign contractor.

Additional Information

Alaska Traffic Manual
Title 17, Transportation and Public Facilities