Purpose And Scope Of The Tods Program.

(1) Purpose of Chapter. The purpose of this Chapter is to supplement the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), which the Department has adopted and incorporated by reference in Chapter 1680-3-1, by establishing criteria for participation in and administration of a Tourist-Oriented Directional Signs (TODS) program within the rights-of-way of state highways in the State of Tennessee. (2) Purpose of TODS Program. In accordance with the MUTCD, TODS signs are guide signs to be used on conventional highways in rural areas to display business identification and directional information for tourist-oriented businesses that attract highway users from outside the immediate area of the business. Under the MUTCD and this Chapter, TODS signs are a type of traffic control device and are not considered advertising. (3) Scope of TODS Program. (a) The TODS program in the State of Tennessee shall be available to lawful cultural, historical, recreational, agricultural, educational, or entertainment activities, state and national parks, and commercial activities which are unique and local in nature, where the major portion of income from or visitors to such activity are derived during its normal business season from highway users not residing in the immediate area of the business. (b) The scope of the TODS program in the State of Tennessee shall be limited to tourist-oriented businesses that are not located on a state highway.