OFFICE of TRAFFIC SAFETY & MOBILITY INSTRUCTION

Number: TSMI 20-01

Code

TOB 

Date

01/30/20 

Page

2

SUBJECT: LOW CLEARANCE COUNTERMEASURES

Page 2 of 4

4. Install Regulatory/Warning combination “NO TRUCKS BUSES RVS ON PARKWAYS/LOW BRIDGES” (NYR5-8) sign in advance of interchanges between freeways and restricted facilities.

NOTE: The sign legend of the NYR5-8 may be modified as appropriate to match the established regulations, subject to Main Office Traffic Safety & Mobility approval.

Example:

5. Regions 8, 10, and 11 only Install Regulatory/Warning combination “NO TRUCKS BUSES RVS ON PARKWAYS/LOW BRIDGES” (NYR5-8) sign on all controlled-access mainlines at State borders.

Additional Countermeasures: If bridge strikes continue, or engineering judgment indicates a need, additional

countermeasures should be considered. Please note that the use of “Additional Countermeasures” does not preclude the opportunity

to experiment with a noncompliant device. Such experimentation shall only be conducted with MO Traffic approval.

6. Clear and Grub vegetation to improve target visibility of both the structure and signs.

7. Add additional Low Clearance (W12-2) signs supplemented with a Distance (W16-2P or

W16-3P) plaque on the immediate approach to the low clearance structure.

8. Add retroreflective strips to warning sign assemblies. The color of the strip must match the background color of the sign being supplemented.

9. Install pavement markings with approved word messages on the immediate approach to the

structure Example:

i. “LOW/BRIDGE/AHEAD” ii. On Ramps to Restricted Facility: “NO/TRUCKS/LOW/BRIDGE”

10. Additional enhanced conspicuity methods (MUTCD Section 2A.15). Refer to Figure 4 for

examples. Such measures include, but are not limited to: Double-posting the Low Clearance (W12-2) sign on the left-hand side of the roadway. Adding Sign Markers (NYW7-15) or flags above advance warning signs. Increasing the size of the signs Adding beacons to advance signs

NYR5-8

OFFICE of TRAFFIC SAFETY & MOBILITY INSTRUCTION

Number: TSMI 20-01

Code

TOB 

Date

01/30/20 

Page

3

SUBJECT: LOW CLEARANCE COUNTERMEASURES

Page 3 of 4

11. Install “PASSENGER CARS ONLY/LOW BRIDGES” (NYR5-10) sign on Junction assemblies and/or Advance Turn Route assemblies in advance of entry locations to restricted facilities (Refer to Figure 5).

NOTE: The sign legend of the NYR5-10 may be modified as appropriate to match the established regulations, subject to Main Office Traffic Safety & Mobility approval.

12. Install additional “positive guidance” signs to inform motorists of an encouraged movement, such as TRUCKS USE RIGHT LANE (R4-5) sign.

13. For known incorrect entry locations and/or crash history, install the “ALL TRUCKS BUSES RVS/MUST EXIT” (NYR5-9) sign on the mainline, approaching the exit closest to the low clearance structure.

NOTE: The sign legend of the NYR5-9 may be modified as appropriate to match the established regulations, subject to Main Office Traffic Safety & Mobility approval.

14. Utilize ITS solutions including Overheight Vehicle Detection (OHVD) Systems that are triggered by vehicles that exceed the measured clearance below elevated structures. Such systems may:

Alert the driver by activating VMS Warning messages (include positive guidance) Notify emergency responders Improve surveillance with new cameras Enhance incident prevention and management

15. On ramps with OHVD Systems, formalize pull-off areas beyond system and install positive

guidance service signs to assist vehicles that triggered the OHVD system to the pull-off areas.

NYR5-10

NYR5-9

OFFICE of TRAFFIC SAFETY & MOBILITY INSTRUCTION

Number: TSMI 20-01

Code

TOB 

Date

01/30/20 

Page

4

SUBJECT: LOW CLEARANCE COUNTERMEASURES

Page 4 of 4

16. Install architectural lighting to illuminate bridge.

Most overhead structures on the parkway system are difficult to see at night.

17. Install PVMS boards placed in strategic locations to prevent unauthorized vehicles from entering the highway facility with limited clearance. Deviations from standard messages will need to be reviewed and approved by Main Office Traffic Safety & Mobility.

TRANSMITTED MATERIALS: Standard details for low clearance conspicuity enhancements are attached. BACKGROUND: The ongoing issue of bridge strikes has a significant safety and economic impact on the State of New York, with a particularly high level of occurrence on the State’s parkway system. The vast majority of bridge hit incidents are caused by vehicle operators who are: English-speaking; out-of-state; following GPS; and are unfamiliar with NYS regulations. Section 1621(c) of the NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law requires bridges and elevated structures with less than 14’ of overhead clearance to be posted with signs indicating a legal clearance of one foot less than the actual clearance, as measured vertically from the traveled portion of the roadway to the bottom of the structure. This is significantly different from the clearance the MUTCD recommends for use on the Low Clearance sign. Additionally, the MUTCD does not provide a regulatory sign for low clearances. The NYS Supplement closes the gap between the MUTCD and State law by superseding Section 2C.27 (Low Clearance Signs) and adding Section 2B.108 (Regulatory Clearance Signs). The guidance included in this document builds upon the required and recommended treatments in Section 2B.108 and Section 2C.27 of the NYS Supplement to the MUTCD. REFERENCES: - Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) – 2009 Edition - NYS Supplement to the MUTCD – Effective March 16, 2011 CONTACT: Direct questions regarding this TSMI to the Office of Traffic Safety and Mobility at (518) 457-0271.

FILE NAME : DGNISPEC DATE/TIME = DGNISYTIME0123456

USER = DGNIUSERNAME

SIGN DETAIL II 60

b I

10'-611

NO TRUCKS

BUSES RVs

ON PARKWAYS

LOW BRIDGES

BORDER 12.3 11

R=611

101.4 11 12.311

1011

1011 0 _5 11

1011 0

7.5 11

1011 0

�

��

II

• II

1011E l l 11

6611

3011

TH=l .25 11

Panel Sty1eaTrucKs onNP1Wys.ssi Dimensions are in inches. tenths Letter locations are panel edge to lower left corner

LETTER POSITIONS CX)

N 0 T R u C K s

25.5 34.5 4 I. 6 5 I. 6 59.3 67.8 76.8 85.8 93.8

B u s E s R V s

28 36. 5 45 53.5 60. 7 67. 5 77. 5 85. I 93.4

0 N p A R K w A y s

15. 7 25 3 I. 8 4 I. 8 49. 2 59. 2 67. 7 75. 5 85 94. I 03.5

L 0 w B R I D G E s

12. 3 2 I. 2 31 4 I. 6 5 I. 6 61. 7 7 I. 8 76.2 86. 3 36. 7 I 05.6

4�0yc>RK I Department of

PORTIJNITY. Transportation MO TRAFFIC

LOCATION NUMBER<S>: MUTCD NUMBER: WIDTH X HEIGHT: 10' -6" X 8' -0"

SIGN AREA: 84. 0 Sq.Ft.

MOUNTING: Ground

BACKGROUND COLOR: White/Yellow LEGEND/BORDER COLOR: BlacK/BlacK

SYMBOL ROT X y WID HT

LENGTH SERIES/SIZE

D 2000

75. I 10

D 2000

70. I I 0/7. 5

D 2000

94.6 10

E 2000

IO I. 4 10

FILE NAME : DGNISPEC

DATE/TIME = DGNISYTIME0123456

USER = DGNIUSERNAME

SIGN DETAIL 1150

Co I

<..o

BORDER R=6" TH=l .25"

9'-0"

ALL TRUCKS

BUSES RVs

MUST EXIT

12.6" 82.9" 12.6"

1 O" 1 O"D 7.5" 47.4"

1 O"D 10.5''

a:�:: 30" 1 O"E

11"

Pane I sty I es Trucks oW1'k1t,s. ss i Dimensions are in inches. tenths Letter locations are panel edge to lower left corner

LETTER POSITIONS CX)

A L L T R u C K s

12. 6 22.6 30. 3 36. 5 46. 5 54.2 62. 7 7 I. 7 80. 7 88. 7

B u s E s R V s

17. 7 26.2 34. 7 43. 2 50.4 57. 2 67. 2 74. 8 83. I

M u s T E X I T

14. 3 26.3 36. 4 45.6 53. I 63. I 72 82. 7 86.2

4�0yc>RK I Department of

PORTIJNITY. Transportation MO TRAFFIC

LOCATION NUMBER<S>:

MUTCD NUMBER:

WIDTH X HEIGHT:9' -0" X 6' -6"

SIGN AREA: 58. 5 Sq.Ft.

MOUNTING: Ground

BACKGROUND COLOR: Yellow/White

LEGEND/BORDER COLOR: Black/Black

SYMBOL ROT X y WID HT

LENGTH SERIES/SIZE

D 2000

82. 9 10

D 2000

70. I 10/7.5

E 2000

79.4 10