Section 23: Alternative Fuel Facilities
Anchor: #i1145020Introduction
The Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (TMUTCD) contains guidelines for businesses qualifying for general services signing. This section expands and elaborates on the use of these signs along conventional highways for alternative fuel facilities such as Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), Hydrogen (HYD) and Electric Charging (EV) stations.
NOTE: All new requests should be forwarded to the Traffic Safety Division (TRF) for processing at TRF_Signs@txdot.gov.
Anchor: #i1145127General Eligibility Requirements
The following requirements shall determine the decision to install general services signing on conventional state highways for alternative fuel facilities:
- Anchor: #MLAITRTQ
- The facility should be immediately adjacent to the signed conventional highway or lie on a roadway intersected by the signed highway. Anchor: #GXWBVYHB
- The facility must be open to the general public while continuously operating for at least 12 hours per day, seven days a week. Anchor: #ROAMAKDT
- The facility must have an on-premise sign, visible to motorists, that clearly identifies the specific fuel(s) available at the facility. Anchor: #LNBOFXCK
- The maximum distance of the facility from
the signed highway:
- Anchor: #HKNBRHHH
- cities with populations over 250,000 - 1/2 mile
-
Anchor: #TEVOBESR
- urban/suburban areas with populations between 15,000 and 250,000 - 1 mile
-
Anchor: #AFJYQMUK
- locations with populations less than 15,000 - 2 miles
Anchor: #SDOXEVME - Level 3 or higher electric charging stations must contain a cluster with two or more charging posts. Level 1 and Level 2 charging stations do not qualify for signing. Anchor: #YMQYSUWQ
- Electric charging stations must be illuminated and include regulatory signs that clearly identify the dedicated parking spaces for electric vehicle charging.
Sign Placement
General services signs for eligible alternative fuel facilities may be used on conventional roads only. One sign assembly per direction may be placed in advance of the cross street where the alternative fuel facility resides.
Signing for alternative fuel facilities along freeways is incorporated into the Specific Service (LOGO) Signs program as referenced in Chapter 2J of the TMUTCD.
Anchor: #i1148168Sign Design
The general services symbol signs (D9-11a), (D9-11b), (D9-11d), (D9-11e) and (D9-11f) with a directional arrow plaque (D9-1dp) should be used to sign for qualifying alternative fuel facilities. If a facility has more than one available alternative fuel, then the (D9-11gT) with the supplemental plaque (D9-11GP) or (D9-11GPT) and a directional arrow plaque (D9-1dpP) should be used.
NOTE: The name of the facility or a logo/emblem is not included on the sign in order to provide a fair and consistent treatment of all eligible facilities as well as providing uniform signing for alternative fuel facilities throughout the state.
Figure 7-17. Sign designs for alternative fuel facilities