What is the Integrated Directional Signing Program (IDSP)?

It's a way to give Virginia’s motorist-service businesses, attractions, tourist destinations and other points of interest a single contact for placing their site on a sign along a state-maintained highway.

What types of road signs are included in the IDSP?

There are four main types:

• Travel-Services (Logo) Signs
• Tourist-Oriented Directional Signs (TODS)
• Supplemental Guide Signs
• General Motorist Service Signs

What public involvement took place?

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) established the Statewide Directional Signing Advisory Committee to participate in the program development process. Committee members represent petroleum, food, lodging, camping, tourism, truck stops, trucking and agribusiness industries, local governments, the AAA and the AARP. The committee’s role is to ensure the interests of all stakeholders are represented. Committee members help convey information about the program to the groups they represent.

The Statewide Directional Signing Advisory Committee reviewed the draft revised fees, participation criteria and bumping policy recommendations on July 13, 2004. The recommendations were presented to the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) on July 15, 2004.

Final comments about them were received July 20 through Aug.18, 2004. The CTB voted on the programs’ fees, criteria and bumping policy on Sept.16, 2004.

Chapter 491 of the Virginia Acts of Assembly – 2005 Session (Senate Bill 813) – directs VDOT to review its Logo Sign Program’s fee structure to ensure the program is not used to generate excess revenue beyond a 10 percent margin to operate the IDSP. VDOT proposed reduced fees.

It also considered options in the gas facilities’ categories to give priority to those facilities providing gas 24 hours a day, seven days a week. VDOT received 830 comments about the proposed changes and options during the comment period that ended June 6, 2005. The CTB approved VDOT's recommendations on June 16, 2005.

Are the criteria for participating in the IDSP the same for each program?

Each program has specific criteria.

Can one business bump another off a sign?

There is a bumping policy for gas, food and lodging businesses in the Logo and TODS programs.

How much does it cost to be on a sign?

There are different fee structures for the Logo, TODS and Supplemental Signs programs. There is no fee for the General Motorist Services signs.

What will happen since the CTB approved the recommended reduced fees?

Logo Program participants that were on the program between Sept. 16, 2004, and June 16, 2005, and who remain on the program as of Oct. 1, 2005, will get a credit. Participants that are bumped or otherwise leave the program, or who join the program after June 16, 2005, or that come back onto the program after Oct. 1, 2005, do not get a credit.

How were the fees determined?

Fee structures in other states were researched. Market value was considered, as was traffic volume. VDOT also analyzed the total funds needed to operate the IDSP yet not exceed the 10 percent cap required by Chapter 491 of the Virginia Acts of Assembly – 2005 Session (Senate Bill 813). The reduced Logo fee structure approved by the CTB stays under the 10 percent cap.

How have the revisions benefited businesses?

The new TODS Program increases the visibility and access for Virginia’s tourist-oriented businesses.

Within the Logo Program, a new attractions sign category creates new opportunities for sites to participate. The creation of sub-categories for certain types of businesses in the Logo Program allows additional businesses to participate.

Will annual fees be charged on existing supplemental guide signs?

The revised proposed fee structure exempts nonprofit and governmental entities from paying annual fees. These entities would be required to pay the cost to fabricate, install, maintain and replace the signs.

Is regular maintenance required on all signs?

Yes. Signs must be checked for their reflectivity, bolt torque and general condition.

Will existing supplemental guide signs be removed?

All Supplemental Guide Signs in place as of Sept. 15, 2004, will be grandfathered into the program and may be repaired or replaced as necessary. However, if the facility closes, relocates, or fails to comply with the criteria under which it originally qualified, the signs will be removed.

Are agribusinesses such as wineries and farmers markets included? If so, what will their logos look like?

Wineries and farmers' markets are included in the criteria for participation in the Attractions category of the Logo Program and in the TODS Program. VDOT will work with those industries to establish simple standardized symbols for each.

Are bed and breakfast facilities included in any of these programs?

The criteria for Logo Signs add a Category II lodging level that includes facilities with four or more rooms to rent. Bed and breakfasts are listed as acceptable retail tourism sites for TODS Category I.

Who handles the IDSP?

Virginia Logos is the contractor. They can be contacted at 804-754-0970 or 800-229-2809 or through virginialogos.com.

How will current participants be informed if the CTB approves changes to the Logo Sign Program’s fees and the gas facilities’ criteria?

VDOT will notify Logo Sign Program participants.

What determines the size, number, color and placement of the signs?

Federal requirements for signs are in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).  VDOT’s directional signing programs were developed in accordance with the MUTCD.