Tsunami Signs Policy

OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION

Local agencies in California may begin installing Tsunami Signs in tsunami inundation areas as defined by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA). Before installing signs local agencies should contact the following person at Caltrans for additional information about Federal Highway Administration requirements:

Don Howe Signs, Markings & External Support Senior Transportation Engineer (916) 654-2634 don.howe@dot.ca.gov

FHWA Approval Letter to Experiment and Conditions

Experimental Sign Locations

California Seismic Safety Commission (further Tsunami information)

Caltrans Slideshow (3.38 MB PowerPoint file)

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has developed signs for use in tsunami inundation areas. Caltrans asks local agencies to collect data and submit an interim report every six months and the a final report after two years of the initial sign installation. Data collected should indicate whether the signs are understandable to the public and motorists.

There are four (4) sign specifications as follows:

1) TSUNAMI EVACUATION ROUTE EM-1a – For use with Federal (MUTCD) auxiliary M5-1 Advance Turn Arrow & auxiliary M6-Series Directional Arrow
The EM-1A (CA) has been discontinued. Federal EM-1a was issued on 3/1/12, and is available in the SHS 2012 Supplement:
http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/shse/shs_2004_2012_sup.pdf (see page 363 of 390 of the .pdf file)

2) TSUNAMI HAZARD ZONE / IN CASE OF EARTHQUAKE GO TO HIGH GROUND OR INLAND EM-1B (CA)

3) ENTERING TSUNAMI HAZARD ZONE EM-1C (CA) – Alternate message LEAVING TSUNAMI HAZARD ZONE

     

4) EVACUATION SITE EM-1D (CA)

5) TSUNAMI HAZARD ZONE EM-1E (CA)

The specification and policy for each tsunami sign is shown below:

Tsunami Sign Specification Sheets (updated 3-16-12)


Experimental Sign Locations:

Dana Point
Half Moon Bay
Huntington Beach (Runup Area)
Huntington Beach (Evacuation Area)
Imperial Beach
Montera/Moss Beach/El Granada
Newport Beach
San Clemente
San Gregorio
Seal Beach