Service symbol signs

Blue stand-alone service symbol (BSA) signs contain service symbols which inform motorist of services available at a highway exit. Service panels are near the end of an exit ramp and contain service symbols with appropriate directional arrow(s).

To have a service symbol on a BSA sign and a service panel, the business must meet criteria including, but not limited to, licensing, inspection, registration, operational hours and length of season, location, capacity, facilities, and any other criterion offered by the service provider that is considered appropriate.

The location of the business is also considered. Essential services of food, fuel and accommodation must be within 5 km of the highway exit. Other approved businesses must be located within 20 km of the highway exit.

Essential service businesses located within 5 km of the highway exit are given priority on the BSA sign. If an essential service business opens after the BSA sign is full, the municipality or the Interdepartmental Sign Committee will be consulted about the steps needed to make space for the essential service.

• Food – A specific interest that retails meals to the travelling public. Canteens and mobile canteens do not qualify unless all other criteria for the food symbol are met.
• Fuel – A specific interest that retails gasoline or diesel fuels for highway vehicles.
• Accommodation – A specific interest that retails lodging to the travelling public and is “NB Approved” (“NB Eligible” by the Department of Tourism, Heritage and Culture or “Canada Select” by New Brunswick Tourism Grading).

The supply, installation and maintenance of BSA signs, service symbols and service Panels are coordinated by the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure.

BSA signs are typically installed 500 m before the advance or directional highway guide sign and are placed only when space is available. Service symbol panels are typically installed below the guide sign near the end of the highway exit ramp.

Blue stand-alone service symbol sign information and samples (publication)

Logo signs are in addition to the current blue stand-alone (BSA) signs. They contain business logo symbols which inform the motorist a specific essential service business (food, fuel or accommodation) is available at a highway exit.

Logo signs are permitted on level I and level II controlled access four-lane and two-lane highways.

Logo signs include the service symbol for all essential services (food, fuel, accommodation) and a maximum of two logo symbols per essential service. If there is more demand for the program and appropriate space is available, logo signs (single service each sign) will be installed - one for each essential service, with a maximum of six logo symbols per sign.

Ramp logo signs will follow the same format as the main lane logo sign(s), with an appropriate directional arrow and the distance to the business added. They will be along or near the end of an exit ramp as spacing allows.

Eligibility for logo signs depends – among other things - the business’s licensing, inspection, registration, operational hours and length of season, location, capacity, and facilities available. Essential services of food, fuel and accommodation must be within 5 km of the highway exit. Eligibility is determined by the Department of Tourism, Heritage and Culture and the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure.

Approval will be granted on a first-come first-served basis.

A participating business must enter into a Logo Program Agreement. All Logo Program Agreements will be on a three year term. At the end of the three year term, as long as all annual fees have been paid and eligibility criteria is still being met, the agreement may be renewed for an additional three years. A common review date will be determined for all agreements at each individual interchange location.

Logo signs are manufactured, installed, and maintained by the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure at a cost to the business operator.

Logo signs vary in cost, depending on the type of sign. Cost for participation in the Logo Sign Program is based on the following in each direction:

• logo sign manufacture and installation
• ramp logo sign manufacture and installation
• annual maintenance fee (covers the cost of sign inspections, repair and replacement as necessary)

*Applicable taxes (HST) will be added

Logo signs are typically installed within the highway right-of-way in accordance with Regulation 97-143. They will usually be placed no less than 500 m from the directional guide signs associated with the ramps. Logo signs will only be installed where appropriate space is available.

Ramp logo signs will be installed either along the exit ramp or opposite the end of the exit ramp as spacing and roadway configuration allows. Appropriate location and the availability of appropriate space will be determined by the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure.

In the event that a business provides more than one essential service, the business will be required to choose under which essential service they wish to display their logo.

A business logo which resembles an official traffic control device, or is deemed inappropriate, will not be permitted.

Logo signs information and samples (publication)

• To provide tourism businesses and communities with recognized symbols that may be used in the design of their private signs, tourist oriented directional signs and “welcome to” signs. 
• To give the motorist information on options.

Supplementary service symbol signs are blue in colour for all commercial signs.

Which supplementary service symbol signs are used is at the discretion of the business and community, however, they must use the list of recommended and recognized supplementary service symbol signs.

Supplementary service symbol signs are manufactured, installed, and maintained by the respective sign owner. Supplementary service symbol signs are financed by the respective sign owner based on sign guidelines.

Supplementary service symbol signs may only be used in conjunction with private signs, tourist oriented directional signs and “welcome to” signs. No follow up signing is permitted for supplementary service symbol signs.

• One to two supplementary service symbol signs to be installed on sign posts.
• Greater than two, up to a maximum of five, must be installed on a more information bar.
• These supplementary service symbol signs may not be used within the design of the sign face.

• One to two supplementary service symbol signs to be installed on sign posts.
• Greater than two, up to a maximum of five, must be installed on a more information bar.
• These supplementary service symbol signs may not be used within the design of the sign face.

Size depending on message but the sign may include up to five Supplementary Service Symbol signs, which must be included within the sign face design. 12X8 sign – May include up to two Supplementary Service Symbol signs, which must be installed on the sign posts and may NOT be used within the design of the sign face.

8X4 sign – May include up to two supplementary service symbol signs, which must be installed on the sign posts and may not be used within the design of the sign face. It is in the best interest of the business and/ or community to choose Supplementary Service Symbols that best represent their business and the services offered by the businesses within the community. The Supplementary Service Symbol signs may also include the major and secondary service symbol signs (for which there are criteria, however are not listed below).

Service symbol directory (publication)

Details and list of supplementary service symbols (publication)