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Mall of America Wayfinding Signage

Background

Wayfinding helps drivers determine how to get where they want to go. A sign at a fast food restaurant directing you to the drive-thru lane is a simple example of wayfinding. Wayfinding can also be part of an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS), which is what is contemplated for the area around the Mall of America (MOA) in Bloomington’s South Loop District. Dynamic, electronic, changeable, signs are being designed to replace the existing signs leading drivers to MOA. Because they are dynamic and electronic, the message indicating which exit to use to get to MOA can be changed based on congestion levels or road construction. This will allow for a more efficient use of existing roadway infrastructure and reduce travel time and fuel use.

The intelligent wayfinding signage envisioned for MOA and South Loop can be broken into three components or categories:

Freeway (TH77, TH5 and I494),
Local Roadway (24th Ave, 34th Ave, Lindau Lane, etc), and
MOA On-site (within MOA ramps and other on-site areas - can be integrated with an electronic parking management system).

Freeway Wayfinding Project (#1 above)

The freeway component will replace six static (non-electronic) MOA signs with dynamic hybrid signs (1.24MB PDF). In addition to the 'normal' busy weekends at MOA, the freeway signs will be beneficial in managing traffic while future phases of MOA are constructed, including the associated roadway and infrastructure improvements. The City, with the assistance of MOA traffic management staff, will request MnDOT to change the sign message from a predetermined and preapproved set of messages.

Freeway Component - Project Funding: The MOA has agreed to be specially assessed for 50% of the project cost. City funds will pay for the remaining 50% of the cost.
Freeway Component - Project Cost: Estimated at $1,700,000.
Freeway Component - Schedule: Construction will begin in May 2011 and be complete in November 2011.
- Mall of America Wayfinding Signage updates

Local Roadway Component (#2 above)

The City received a federal grant to help fund $1,000,000 of an estimated $2,200,000 total project. Construction is scheduled for 2013.

MOA On-Site Component (#3 above)

On-site ITS improvements at MOA will be implemented as the next phases of MOA are designed and constructed.

For more information contact:

Schane Rudlang, Senior Civil Engineer
1700 W. 98th Street
PH: 952-563-4870, FAX: 952-563-4868
E-mail: engineering@ci.bloomington.mn.us

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