WisDMV Bureau of Field Services Deputy Director Aileen Switzer, (608) 266-2743.
Transportation
This statement of scope was approved by the governor on May 25, 2012.
Rule No.
Relating to
The erection of signs on public highways.
Rule Type
Permanent.
Finding/Nature of Emergency (Emergency Rule Only)
N/A
Detailed Description of the Objective of the Proposed Rule
The objective of this proposed rule making is to amend section
Trans 200.06 (7), relating to the number of business logo panels allowed on specific information signs, and to the number of specific information signs allowed for each type of motorist service at an interchange where greater or fewer than 6 qualified facilities are available in one or more of the categories of gas, food, lodging, camping, and attractions.
Also included are proposed amendments to sections
Trans 200.06 (1) and
200.06 (3), which allow additional methods of approval or denial of permits for business logo panels if more business logo panels are requested than the number that is legally permitted. With certain limitations, business logo panels for 2 categories of motorist services may be displayed on the same specific information sign. A revision to the rule would increase flexibility, allowing more businesses to participate, while making optimal use of existing sign structures.
Description of the Existing Policies Relevant to the Rule, New Policies Proposed to be Included in the Rule and an Analysis of Policy Alternatives
With some exceptions, the existing administrative rule requires that a separate specific information sign shall be provided for each type of motorist service for which business signs are displayed. At interchanges with double exits, or where not more than 3 qualified facilities are available for each of 2 or more types of motorist services, the existing administrative rule allows dividing a specific information sign into two sections to display business panels separately for each exit, or for 2 categories of motorist services. A maximum of three business panels may be displayed in each section of the sign. Another provision of the existing administrative rule specifies the process for approval and denial of permit applications when there are more applicants than can legally be granted permits.
The 2009
Federal Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) allows more flexibility than Wisconsin's current Administrative Rule, Ch.
Trans 200. According to the MUTCD, the proposed amendment to this rule would allow other combinations of the number of each type of business panel, and would allow for additional methods to be used to approve or deny permits at locations where there are high numbers of requests for signs. The alternative is to retain the existing administrative rule, which would require the placement of additional sign structures at some interchanges.
Detailed Explanation of Statutory Authority for the Rule (Including the Statutory Citation and Language)
Specific information signs are authorized by s.
86.195, Stats. Section
86.195 (2) (a), Stats., refers to rules promulgated by the department in order to erect specific information signs in any city, village, or town.
Estimate of Amount of Time that State Employees will Spend Developing the Rule and of Other Resources Necessary to Develop the Rule
40 Hours.
List with Description of all Entities that may be Affected by the Proposed Rule
WisDOT; motorist service businesses under the categories for GAS, FOOD, LODGING, CAMPING, and ATTRACTIONS; and Derse-Wisconsin Highway Business Signs, who checks completed applications for sign and space availability and forwards the completed applications to the WisDOT “Attractions" Advisory Council for approval. Derse-Wisconsin Highway Business Signs provides all of the approved Specific Information Signs for Wisconsin's roadways.
Summary and Preliminary Comparison with any Existing or Proposed Federal Regulation that is Intended to Address the Activities to be Regulated by the Proposed Rule
By aligning Wisconsin's administrative rule more closely with the 2009 MUTCD, more motorist service businesses could participate in the Specific Information Sign Program. This proposed administrative rule change is consistent with the MUTCD adopted by WisDOT.
Anticipated Economic Impact of Implementing the Rule (Note if the Rule is Likely to have a Significant Economic Impact on Small Businesses)
Implementation of these proposed rule changes would have very little economic impact on WisDOT. The number of statutory permit fees payable to WisDOT would increase, as well as the number of additional customers for Derse-Wisconsin Highway Business Signs.
This rule making will establish policies and procedures for designating special groups eligible for distinctive license plates and procedures for plate issuance. These policies and procedures will be new, but the department will be guided by current special plate issuance policies and procedures so that it can be as consistent as possible in this new program.
Contact Person
John Noll 608-266-0318
