Additional Details
MUTCD Section 2C.12 Hill Signs (W7-1, W7-1a, W7-1b)
Guidance: The Hill (W7-1) sign (see Figure 2C-2) should be used in advance of a downgrade where the length, percent of grade, horizontal curvature, and/or other physical features require special precautions on the part of road users.
The Hill sign and supplemental grade (W7-3) plaque (see Section 2C.48) used in combination, or the W7-1b sign used alone, should be installed in advance of downgrades for the following conditions:
- 5% grade that is more than 900 m (3,000 ft) in length;
- 6% grade that is more than 600 m (2,000 ft) in length;
- 7% grade that is more than 300 m (1,000 ft) in length;
- 8% grade that is more than 230 m (750 ft) in length; or
- 9% grade that is more than 150 m (500 ft) in length.
These signs should also be installed for steeper grades or where crash experience and field observations indicate a need.
Supplemental plaques (see Section 2C.48) and larger signs should be used for emphasis or where special hill characteristics exist. On longer grades, the use of the Hill sign with a distance (W7-3a) plaque or the combination distance/grade (W7-3b) plaque at periodic intervals of approximately 1.6 km (1 mi) spacing should be considered.
Standard: When the percent grade is shown, the message X% plaque shall be placed below the inclined ramp/truck symbol (W7-1) or the word message HILL (W7-1a) sign.
Option: The word message HILL (W7-1a) sign may be used as an alternate to the symbol (W7-1) sign. The percent grade message may be included within these signs.
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