Following is a discussion about placement requirements of the California SR56 (PHOTO ENFORCED) sign apparently necessary for compliance with CVC 21455.5(a)(1), which reads as follows:

"(a)The limit line, the intersection, or a place designated in Section 21455, where a driver is required to stop, may be equipped with an automated enforcement system if the governmental agency utilizing the system meets all of the following requirements:

"(1) Identifies the system by signs that clearly indicate the system's presence and are visible to traffic approaching from all directions, or posts signs at all major entrances to the city, including, at a minimum, freeways, bridges, and state highway routes."

21455.5(a)(1)'s "visible to traffic approaching" language is used as a focus point for this discussion.

It's noted that use of the connective word "and," between the phrases "clearly indicate the system's presence" and the term "visible," means that said phrase and term each have the same grammatical function in regards to the verbiage "to traffic approaching from all directions." That is to say, an SR56 sign must "clearly indicate the system's presence" to traffic approaching from all directions, and must also be "visible" to traffic approaching from all directions. If an SR56 sign only fulfills one stated condition, then the intersection may not legally be considered to be an intersection "equipped with an automated enforcement system."

The term "visible" has a number of meanings. The words "clearly indicate" appear ahead of "visible." Consequently "visible," as it is used in CVC 21455.5(a)(1) has to mean more than simply perceptible or discernable, and must mean at least, obvious and conspicuous.

When considering what "clearly indicate" might mean, being as the said SR56 sign in and of itself must necessarily comply with signage rules as to construction, and even if a sign and its text are each of a proper size and color, if it is not properly placed, it will not be capable of "clearly" indicating anything. The controlling authority on sign placement is the Manual On Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). Therefore, if the placement of a properly constructed sign complies with all requirements of the MUTCD, it can be said to "clearly indicate" its information, and if it violates any MUTCD requirement, it cannot be said to "clearly indicate."

The MUTCD California Supplement is available online at http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/traffops/signtech/mutcdsupp/.

Pages referenced immediately following are found at http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/traffops/signtech/mutcdsupp/pdf/CA-Chap2A.pdf.

At the time this is being written, the MUTCD 2003 California Supplement, issued May 20, 2004, was the version posted. The term MUTCD03CS is used here to refer to that document.

MUTCD03CS Page 2A-3, Section 2A.16 Standardization of Location, provides as follows:

"The installation of signs, including route shields, on signal standards should be avoided unless they directly affect traffic movements in the intersection."

MUTCD03CS Page 2A-5, Figure 2A-1(CA). Heights and Lateral Locations of Signs for Typical Installations, provides as follows:

"NOTES. These sign positions are typical and should be considered a standard. When physical conditions require deviation from these typicals, they should be documented."

Said figure shows that a sign should be on the right hand side of a road and its bottom should be at a minimum, 7' above the roadway.  [Editor's note:  The MUTCD contains an "option" that might allow signs to be 1 foot lower, or 6' above the pavement level.]

MUTCD03CS Page 2A-6, Figure 2A-2(CA). Typical Locations for Signs at Intersections, shows that a sign providing information about an intersection should be placed ahead of or in front of the intersection.

The web page http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/traffops/signtech/mutcdsupp/pdf/CA-Chap2B.pdf contains a picture of the SR56 sign on Page 2B-16 therein, but does not contain any placement specifications which relate particularly to that sign.