New Mexico Administrative Code
Title 18 - TRANSPORTATION AND HIGHWAYS
Chapter 21 - TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNAGE
Part 3 - REQUIREMENTS FOR SIGNS ON GAS, FOOD, LODGING, CAMPING AND ATTRACTION, TRAVELER INFORMATION SIGNS
Section 18.21.3.7 - DEFINITIONS

A. "As-built plans" means detailed plans showing the configuration and location of specific information "panels" and trailblazer signs after the initial construction is completed on an interchange by interchange basis.

B. "Business sign" means a separately affixed sign attached to a motorist informational "panel," showing the name, brand or trademark of a qualified motorist service business.

C. "Commission" means the New Mexico state transportation commission.

D. "Department" means the New Mexico department of transportation.

E. "Department secretary" means the secretary of the New Mexico department of transportation or his designated representative.

F. "District" means any one of six sub-districts of the NMDOT responsible for construction and maintenance activities in a defined geographical area.

G. "Eligible highway" means those sections of controlled access highways determined by the NMDOT to be eligible for the specific information "panel" program.

H. "Eligible interchange" means those interchanges within the eligible sections of highways where the specific information "panel" program may be provided.

I. "Exit gore" means the earliest point at which the exit roadway becomes fully separated from the mainline roadway.

J. "Interstate system" or "interstate highway" means every state highway that is a part of a national system of interstate and defense highways established pursuant to Section 103(b), Title 23, United States Code. This definition also includes fully controlled access freeways on the primary highway system.

K. "Logo" means a symbol or design used by a qualified traveler service business that may consist of an easily recognizable identification symbol, name brand, trademark, or combination thereof.

L. "Main traveled way" means the through traffic lanes of interstate systems or access controlled routes, exclusive of frontage roads, auxiliary lanes and ramps.

M. "Specific service sign" means a "specific informational panel" bearing separately affixed individual business signs, indicating the presence of one or more gas, food, lodging, camping or attraction, and erected in advance of exit ramps on interstate systems or access controlled roadways. In appropriate context only, it also means a supplemental direction panel.

N. "Separate traveler informational sign" means a traveler information panel which indicates the presence of only one type of tourist service, namely, gas, food, lodging, or camping. The phrase "traveler information sign" when not qualified means "separate traveler informational panel."

O. "Combination traveler informational sign" means a traveler informational panel which indicates the presence of more than one type of tourist service. No traveler informational panel may indicate the presence of more than three types of tourist services in any event.

P. "NMDOT program administrator" means that person assigned by the NMDOT to oversee and coordinate the LOGOS sign program and when applicable the program manager's activity.

Q. "Owner" means the holder of fee title, or holder of leasehold estates from the owner of the real property.

R. "Permit" means formal approval by the NMDOT or when applicable the program manager for work performed within the highway right-of-way and processed on forms provided by the NMDOT or when applicable the program manager for that purpose.

S. "Program manager" or "contractor" means, when applicable, that person, firm, or organization selected by the NMDOT for the purpose of administering, marketing, constructing, refurbishing, and maintaining the existing and future specific service sign program in New Mexico.

T. "Qualified motorist business" means a business furnishing gas, food, lodging, camping or attraction related tourist services.

U. "Responsible operator" means a person or entity other than an owner who operates an independent motorist service business, and who has authority to enter into agreements relevant to matters covered by these requirements.

V. "Mainline specific information panel" means a background sign-panel with border and copy upon which one (1) or more separate business signs may be attached and are located adjacent to the mainline and exit ramps of the eligible highway.

W. "Ramp supplemental directional sign" means a motorist informational panel located on, opposite or at the terminus of an exit ramp from the interstate system, bearing business signs and directional information for a qualified motorist service business.

X. "Trailblazer sign" means a business sign with an appropriate directional arrow sign mounted along the route leading from the interchange to the business for traffic direction purposes.

Y. "Visible" means the location of the business can be readily identified by traffic approaching the termini of the highway exit ramp serving the business or approaching an intersection along the route from the exit ramp to the business.