Weight Limit Sign Design Guidelines

City Guidelines Regarding the Installation of “Weight Limit” Signs
Traffic Services Division of the Department of Public Works

Governing Document Reference:

Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways (MUTCD), 2009 or latest edition and the Overland Park Municipal Code (OPMC) 12.04.196 and 13.48.010.

MUTCD Requirements:

Weight Limit signs may be used to indicate vehicle weight restrictions including load when crossing structures. Structures may include bridges, box culverts, or other related infrastructure.

The Weight Limit (R12-1) sign, carrying the legend WEIGHT LIMIT XX TONS, may be used to indicate vehicle weight restrictions including load.

Where the restriction applies to axle weight rather than gross load, the legend may be AXLE WEIGHT LIMIT XX TONS or AXLE WEIGHT LIMIT XX LBS (R12-2).

To restrict trucks of certain sizes by reference to empty weight in residential areas, the legend may be NO TRUCKS OVER XX TONS EMPTY WT or NO TRUCKS OVER XX LBS EMPTY WT (R12-3).

In areas where multiple regulations of the type described in Paragraphs 1 through 3 are applicable, a sign combining the necessary messages on a single sign may be used, such as WEIGHT LIMIT XX TONS PER AXLE, XX TONS GROSS (R12-4).

Posting of specific load limits may be accomplished by use of the Weight Limit symbol sign (R12-5). A sign containing the legend WEIGHT LIMIT on the top two lines, and showing three different truck symbols and their respective weight limits for which restrictions apply may be used, with the weight limits displayed to the right of each symbol as XX T. A bottom line of legend stating GROSS WT may be included if needed for enforcement purposes.

If used, the Weight Limit sign shall be located in advance of the applicable section of highway or structure.

If used, the Weight Limit sign with an advisory distance ahead legend should be placed at approach road intersections or other points where prohibited vehicles can detour or turn around.

City of Overland Park Guidelines for Installation:

The City Engineer may determine and declare upon the basis of an engineering investigation maximum gross weight limits for any roadway, bridge, box culvert, or other infrastructure within the City, and these limits shall be effective when posted upon appropriate signs adjacent to said bridges. This may occur in coordination with the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) or the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) guidelines and guidance.

At the Structure: Weight Limit Signs (R12-1 through R12-5) shall be installed adjacent to and slightly in advance of the structure with the weight limit restriction on each side of the structure.

In Advance of the Structure: Weight Limit signs with an Ahead plaque shall be installed in advance of the structure with the weight limit restriction at approach road intersections or other points where prohibited vehicles can detour or turn around. Preference is given to installing the advance warning assembly at the nearest, upstream, official signed truck route to allow truck drivers to detour onto official, parallel truck routes. The advance weight limit sign assembly shall consist of the appropriate Weight Limit sign (R12-1 through R12-5) on top, with an Ahead plaque underneath.

Sign Standards:

Size, Color, and Shape:

The size of the Weight Limit sign shall follow MUTCD guidance for the appropriate sign (R12-1 through R12-5). These signs are typically either 24”x30” or 24”x36”, but other size options are required by the MUTCD depending on the exact load restriction(s) for the structure.

The Ahead plaque, when used, shall be 12” x 24”, with an Overland Park-specific MUTCD designation of W16-9PW and be installed under the Weight Limit sign.

The Weight Limit sign and Ahead plaque shall be rectangular with a black legend and border on a retro-reflectorized white background.

Mounting on Mast Arms: Where the advance sign assembly with the Ahead plaque needs to be installed on a traffic signal mast arm, the two signs shall be combined into a single sign blank, each sign with their own border, to allow for mounting. In most cases, this will result in a sign blank that is either 24” x 36” or 24” x 42”.

Applicable Overland Park Traffic Ordinances – Chapter 12.04:

12.04.196.1 Vehicle Height, Weight, Length and Width.

a) No person, association, firm, partnership, or corporation shall operate a motor vehicle or combination of vehicles the height or length of which, including any load thereon, exceeds the limitations as to such prescribed by K.S.A. 8-1904 and any amendments thereto, which are incorporated by reference as if set out in full herein.

b) No person, association, firm, partnership, or corporation shall operate a motor vehicle or combination of vehicles the total outside width of which, or any load thereon, exceeds the limitations as to such prescribed by K.S.A. 8-1902 and amendments thereto, which are incorporated by reference as if set out in full herein.

c) No person, association, firm, partnership, or corporation shall operate a motor vehicle or combination of vehicles the gross weight of which, as to wheel and axle load, exceeds the limitations as to such prescribed by K.S.A. 8-1908 and amendments thereto, which are incorporated by reference as if set out in full herein.

d) No person, association, firm, partnership, or corporation shall operate a motor vehicle or combination of vehicles unless such motor vehicle is registered and licensed according to gross weight as prescribed in K.S.A.8-143 and amendments thereto, which are incorporated by reference as if set out in full herein.

e) No person, association, firm, partnership, or corporation shall operate a motor vehicle or combination of vehicles the gross weight of which exceeds the limitation as to such prescribed by K.S.A.8-1909 and amendments thereto, which are incorporated by reference as if set out in full herein.

f) It shall be unlawful to operate within this City a vehicle or combination of vehicles whose weight, with cargo, is in excess of the gross weight for which the vehicle, truck, or truck tractor propelling the same is licensed and registered except as provided by K.S.A.8-1911 and amendments thereto and K.S.A.8-143 and amendments thereto.

g) Whenever a police officer, upon weighing a vehicle or combination of vehicles, determines that the weight is unlawful, such officer may require the driver to stop the vehicle in a suitable place and remain standing until such portion of the load is removed as may be necessary to reduce the gross weight of such vehicle or combination of vehicles or remove or redistribute the gross weight on any axle or tandem axles to such limits as permitted in this Section. All material so unloaded shall be cared for by the owner, lessee, or operator of such vehicle at the risk of such owner, lessee or operator.

h) Every person who is convicted of a violation of this Section shall be fined according to the following schedule:

Weight --First 1000 lbs over limit - $50.00

            --Per lb. over 1000 lbs. - $ .10

Height, Length, Width over limit:

            $30.00 plus $1.00 per inch.

For a second violation of this Section within two years, such person shall, upon conviction, be fined 1 1/2 times the applicable amount based on the above fine schedule. For a third violation of this Section within two years, such person shall, upon conviction, be fined two times the applicable amount from the above fine schedule. For fourth and each succeeding violation of this subsection within two years, such person, upon conviction, shall be fined 2 1/2 times the applicable amount from the above fine schedule.

(History: Ord. TC-1260,TTT §7, 2012; TC-1260,C §1, 86; TC-1260 §211, 84)

12.04.196.2 Gross Weight Limits on Bridges.

a) The City Engineer may determine and declare upon the basis of an engineering investigation maximum gross weight limits for any roadway bridge within the City, and these limits shall be effective when posted upon appropriate signs adjacent to said bridges. No person, firm, association, partnership or corporation shall drive a vehicle in excess of the posted gross weight limits upon said bridges.

b) When the department of transportation shall determine upon the basis of an engineering investigation maximum gross weight limits on any bridge which is on a state highway connecting link, said maximum gross weight limits shall be effective at all times when appropriate signs giving notice thereof are erected adjacent to said bridges.

c) The maximum gross weight limit on any bridge not posted otherwise shall be the maximum gross weight limit as set forth in 12.04.196.1.

d) Any person, firm, association, partnership or corporation driving, operating or moving any vehicle, object, or contrivance upon the bridges in this City in violation of the weight restrictions as set forth herein shall be liable for all damages which said bridges or structures may sustain.

(History: Ord. TC-1260 §212, 84)

12.04.32 Duties of City Traffic Engineer

a) The City Traffic Engineer shall determine the installation and proper timing and maintenance of traffic control devices; conduct engineering analysis of traffic accidents and devise remedial measures; conduct engineering investigations of traffic conditions; plan the operation of traffic on the streets and highways of this City; cooperate with other City officials in the development of ways and means to improve traffic conditions; and carry out the additional powers and duties imposed by ordinances of this City.

b) The City Traffic Engineer, the Assistant City Traffic Engineer, or the Director of Public Works shall place, maintain, change, and remove traffic control signs, signals, and devices, when and as required under the traffic ordinances of this City to make effective and carry out the provisions of said ordinances, and may place, maintain, change and remove such additional traffic control devices as he may deem necessary to regulate traffic or to warn or guide traffic.

(History: Ord. TC-1260,C §1,86;TC-1260 §31,84)

Applicable Overland Park Traffic Ordinances – Chapter 13.48:

13.48.010 Gross Weight Limits on Bridges. The City Engineer may determine and declare maximum gross weight limits on roadway bridges in accordance with Section 12.04.196.2.

(History: Ord. STR-2849 §14, 2010; BWL-2286 §1, 2001; BWL-1305 §1, 85; Amended during codification in accordance with K.S.A. 12-3015; BWL-811 §1, 74; BWL-641)