MUTCD R3-5: Intersection Lane Control Signs

The R3-5 sign is covered in Section 2B.27 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)
  Intersection Lane Control signs (see Figure 2B-4 ), if used, shall require road users in certain lanes to turn, shall permit turns from a lane where such turns would otherwise not be permitted, shall require a road user to stay in the same lane and proceed straight through an intersection, or shall indicate permitted movements from a lane.
• Option · Permitted (may)
  Intersection Lane Control signs may be omitted where:A. A turn bay has been provided by physical construction or pavement markings, and B. Only the road users using such turn bays are permitted to make a turn in that direction.

Placement and mounting

• Support · Information
  When Intersection Lane Control signs are mounted overhead, each sign used should be placed over the lane or a projection of the lane to which it applies.
• Support · Information
  On signalized approaches where through lanes that become mandatory turn lanes, multiple-lane turns that include shared lanes for through and turning movements, or other lane-use regulations are present that would be unexpected by unfamiliar road users, overhead Intersection Lane Control signs should be installed at the signalized location over the appropriate lanes or projections thereof and in advance of the…
• Support · Information
  Where overhead mounting on the approach is impracticable for the Advance and/or Intersection lane Control signs, one of the following alternatives should be employed: A. At locations where through lanes become mandatory turn lanes, a Mandatory Movement Lane Control (R3-7) sign should be post-mounted on the left-hand side of the roadway where a through lane is becoming a mandatory left-turn lane on a one-way street or…

Where to read the rest

• Full text: MUTCD Section 2B.27: Intersection Lane Control Signs
• Minimum sign sizes by roadway type are in the size section for this chapter: Section 2B.03
• Mounting height, lateral offset and retroreflectivity for any sign: MUTCD sign placement guide

Related signs in Section 2B.27