MUTCD E5-1: Exit Gore Signs and Plaque

The E5-1 sign is covered in Section 2E.26 of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, 11th Edition. Below are the provisions from that section that describe when the sign is used and how it is placed.

What it means and when it is used

• Standard · Required (shall)
  The gore shall be defined as the area located between the main roadway and the ramp just beyond where the ramp branches from the main roadway. An Exit Gore sign shall be located in the gore for each ramp that departs from the main roadway of a freeway or expressway, or departs from a collector-distributor roadway, and shall display the word EXIT (E5-1) if interchange exit numbering is not used or EXIT XX (E5-1a or…
• Guidance · Recommended (should)
  The arrow should be aligned to approximate the angle of departure. Each gore should be treated similarly, whether the interchange has one exit roadway or multiple exits.

Placement and mounting

• Option · Permitted (may)
  The Narrow Exit Gore (E5-1c) sign (see Figure 2E-15) may be used in gore areas of limited width where the width of the Exit Gore (E5-1a) sign would not permit sufficient lateral offset (see Section 2A.16), such as for ramp departures that are nearly parallel to the main roadway where the Exit Gore sign would be mounted on a narrow island or barrier. Where the E5-1c sign is mounted at a height of 14 feet or more from…
• Guidance · Recommended (should)
  The E5-1c sign should not be used in gore areas where an E5-1a sign could be installed with sufficient lateral offset. Figure 2E-15. Exit Gore Signs and Plaques W13-1aPE5-1a E5-1bPE5-1 E5-1cExit Gore Sign Assemblies with Optional Plaques W13-1aPE5-1bP E5-1 E5-1 or E5-1a
• Option · Permitted (may)
  Where extra emphasis of an especially low advisory ramp speed is needed, the Confirmation Advisory Speed (W13-1aP) plaque (see Section 2C.59) indicating the advisory speed may be mounted below the Exit Gore sign (see Figure 2E-15) to supplement, but not to replace, the exit or ramp advisory speed warning signs.

Where to read the rest

• Full text: MUTCD Section 2E.26: Exit Gore Signs and Plaque
• Minimum sign sizes by roadway type are in the size section for this chapter: Section 2E.12
• Mounting height, lateral offset and retroreflectivity for any sign: MUTCD sign placement guide