The design of truss type sign support structures is based on the guidelines provided by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Standard Specifications for Highway Signs, Luminaries and Traffic Signals and the American Institute of Steel Construction Design Specifications. Using these specifications, the column design strength is normally determined using the effective length approach. This approach does not always accurately address all issues associated with frame stability, including the actual end conditions of the individual members, variations of the loads in the members, and the resulting sidesway buckling for truss type sign support structures. This paper provides insight into the problems with the simplified design approach for determining the effective lengths and discusses different approaches for overcoming these simplifications. A system buckling approach, also known as a rational buckling analysis, is used in this study to determine improved predictions for design strength of truss type sign support structures.