FAQs - Destination Signs on Interstate and Freeway Highways
What criteria must be met to be eligible for Destination Signs?
The criteria depends on the type of destination, the criteria as established in the Iowa DOT policies is listed below.
At interchanges with marked primary interstate routes, the county seat community in each direction shall be shown on the Destination Sign unless there is an intermediate incorporated community of 1,000 or more population on the route between the interchange and the county seat. In this case, the intermediate community shall be shown. If a county seat or an incorporated community of 1,000 or more population does not exist on the route, other incorporated communities of lesser population may be shown. In all cases, the community must be on or within 1 mile of the intersected route. If two qualifying destinations do not exist, other supplemental destinations meeting the requirements may be shown.
At interchanges with county routes or unmarked primary routes, the first incorporated community or qualifying Supplemental Destination directly served by or within 1 mile of the route shall be shown for each direction.
Incorporated communities that would meet the criteria for the Advance Guide and Exit Destination Signs but were omitted because other communities had higher priorities or larger populations may be shown.
Recreational areas that are open to the public, generate significant traffic volumes, are located within 30 miles of the interchange, and have at least 15,000 visitors annually.
Historic sites or facilities or other tourist attractions that have a regional or national significance, are open to the public, generate significant traffic volumes, are located within 30 miles of the interchange, and have at least 15,000 visitors annually.
Colleges and universities that are accredited, have an enrollment of 500 or more students (at that location), and are located within 15 miles of the interchange.
Public non-profit cultural facilities such as auditoriums, coliseums, stadiums, arenas, fairgrounds, etc. that generate significant traffic volumes and are located within 10 miles of the interchange. The facility shall have a seating capacity of at least 5000, have regularly scheduled events 10 months per year, and have an annual attendance of 200,000 or more.
Regional airports, bus terminals and ground transportation centers that generate significant traffic volumes consisting of a substantial number of individuals residing more than 50 miles from the facility.
Medical facilities of a regional nature which are operated by state or federal organizations and which are used or visited by a substantial number of individuals residing more than 50 miles from the facility.
National Guard units that are staffed by 500 or more personnel and are located within 15 miles of the interchange.
To qualify for Supplemental Destination Signing under any of the above criteria, the community or facility must be on or within 1 mile of the intersected route. If more than 2 communities or facilities qualify under this section, the closest, regardless of size or significance, shall be shown.
To qualify for Destination Signing, historical sites, tourist attractions and public non-profit cultural facilities shall be in operation 8 hours per day between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., 6 days per week, year round. For those attractions that are seasonal by nature, operations may be suspended during certain parts of the year.
The criteria depends on the type of destination, the criteria as established in the Iowa DOT policies is listed below.
At interchanges with marked primary interstate routes, the county seat community in each direction shall be shown on the Destination Sign unless there is an intermediate incorporated community of 1,000 or more population on the route between the interchange and the county seat. In this case, the intermediate community shall be shown. If a county seat or an incorporated community of 1,000 or more population does not exist on the route, other incorporated communities of lesser population may be shown. In all cases, the community must be on or within 1 mile of the intersected route. If two qualifying destinations do not exist, other supplemental destinations meeting the requirements may be shown.
At interchanges with county routes or unmarked primary routes, the first incorporated community or qualifying Supplemental Destination directly served by or within 1 mile of the route shall be shown for each direction.
Incorporated communities that would meet the criteria for the Advance Guide and Exit Destination Signs but were omitted because other communities had higher priorities or larger populations may be shown.
Recreational areas that are open to the public, generate significant traffic volumes, are located within 30 miles of the interchange, and have at least 15,000 visitors annually.
Historic sites or facilities or other tourist attractions that have a regional or national significance, are open to the public, generate significant traffic volumes, are located within 30 miles of the interchange, and have at least 15,000 visitors annually.
Colleges and universities that are accredited, have an enrollment of 500 or more students (at that location), and are located within 15 miles of the interchange.
Public non-profit cultural facilities such as auditoriums, coliseums, stadiums, arenas, fairgrounds, etc. that generate significant traffic volumes and are located within 10 miles of the interchange. The facility shall have a seating capacity of at least 5000, have regularly scheduled events 10 months per year, and have an annual attendance of 200,000 or more.
Regional airports, bus terminals and ground transportation centers that generate significant traffic volumes consisting of a substantial number of individuals residing more than 50 miles from the facility.
Medical facilities of a regional nature which are operated by state or federal organizations and which are used or visited by a substantial number of individuals residing more than 50 miles from the facility.
National Guard units that are staffed by 500 or more personnel and are located within 15 miles of the interchange.
To qualify for Supplemental Destination Signing under any of the above criteria, the community or facility must be on or within 1 mile of the intersected route. If more than 2 communities or facilities qualify under this section, the closest, regardless of size or significance, shall be shown.
To qualify for Destination Signing, historical sites, tourist attractions and public non-profit cultural facilities shall be in operation 8 hours per day between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., 6 days per week, year round. For those attractions that are seasonal by nature, operations may be suspended during certain parts of the year.
