Sign and Poster Guidelines for the Forest Service
Chapter 2 Plans and Documentation
2.1 Introduction
Planning is essential for accomplishing FS signing objectives in an orderly, consistent, and cost-effective manner. Sign plans should be developed to meet the requirements of FSM 7160, this chapter, and the specific needs of the individual unit. Each unit needs to determine what its sign planning requirements are while considering staffing, budgets, and other factors.
A sign plan provides the framework for managing an effective and consistent sign program. It helps to identify the signs needed so unnecessary signs are not installed or can be removed if installed prior to the plan. It also provides information for and commitment to a specific course of action. A good sign plan must be verified in the field. The initial sign plan may be done from a map, but there is no substitute for on-the-ground information.
A sign plan is the database for decisions involving the following:
- New installations
- Replacements
- Sign removals
- Maintenance activities
- Budget preparation
It contains all signs and posters that pertain to Forest Service facilities, activities, and access, such as the following:
- Administrative sites
- Boundaries
- Recreation sites and opportunities
- Interpretive programs and other points of interest
- Roads and trails
- Access routes to National Forests and other administrative units
- Construction, maintenance, and incident management activities
2.1.1 Plan Contents
Plans should contain relevant physical, technical, and management information needed to effectively administer the sign and poster program, such as the following:
- Inventories
- Historical records
- Action plans
- Accomplishment documentation
- Inspection and maintenance records
2.1.2 Planning Unit
The minimum planning unit for the National Forest System should be the Ranger District. Ranger District plans may be kept separately or combined with adjoining units to form plans for a zone, National Forest, or region.
Experimental forest, research, and other regional facilities should have sign plans developed and maintained at the appropriate organizational level.
2.2 Inventory
The inventory should be all inclusive with a description of existing and planned signs, posters, and other traffic control devices; their supports, locations, and conditions; any relevant vandalism history; maintenance and inspection dates and results; and documented engineering studies. The description should contain sufficient detail to allow reordering of a sign if it is damaged or missing. Bulletin board assemblies, groups of delineators, boundary line markings, and other similar groupings can be inventoried as a unit. The inventory information may be recorded in Infra Travel Routes.
The following specific information should be documented in the inventory:
- ID Number: a unique identification number assigned to each sign.
- Catalog Number: the MUTCD or USFS number of the sign plate.
- Panel Size: the overall size and thickness of the sign panel.
- Panel Substrate: the type of substrate such as HDO, MDO, polyplate, or
aluminum.
- Sign Legend: the sign message exactly as it appears on the sign, line by
line.
- Legend Technique: the type of legend such as routed, silk screened, or
pressure sensitive.
- Legend Size: the letter heights of all legends.
- Surface Type: the type of the sign surface, such as retroreflective sheeting,
painted, stained, or natural.
- Surface Material: the type of material the sign surface is constructed from, such as Engineering-grade or high-intensity retroreflective sheeting or baked enamel.
Consider including the following information for more complete documentation:
- Post or Base Type: the type of post or base such as wood, u-channel, flexible
fiberglass, stone, or log.
- Post or Base Size: the nominal dimensions of the existing post or base
size; note if breakaway is required.
- Viewing Distance: the approach distance at which the sign is to be read.
- Mounting Locations: the distance from the road grade to the bottom of the
sign panel and the distance from the edge of the traveled way to the nearest
edge of the sign panel.
- Photographic Record: a photographic record of each sign with the date it
was taken.
- Notes: information on environmental or site conditions that may be useful
during development of the sign plan, including unusual road conditions, speed
of approach, impaired lines of sight, and topographical and geologic constraints
such as surface bedrock, high water table, or other conditions that may affect
sign location.
- Permit Requirements: a copy of the permit from the public road authority where applicable.
2.3 Evaluation
An annual evaluation is suggested to compare existing and planned signs against applicable standards and guidelines to develop an action plan. Evaluate the following:
- Are signs visible?
- Are signs missing?
- Are the existing signs in good condition?
- Are the signs in compliance with the current standards?
- Are any signs no longer necessary or appropriate?
- Are messages appropriate or accurate?
- Are all of the signs in their proper locations?
- Have signs been installed correctly?
- Are new signs compatible with existing installations?
- Are there too many signs resulting in confusing or conflicting messages?
- Based on accident reports or "near misses, "are engineering studies
or engineering judgment required to determine additional signage to alleviate
a safety concern?
- Have signs been evaluated at night to determine their overall effectiveness including retroreflectivity?
2.4 Action Plan
Based on the inventory and the evaluation described above, an annual action plan should be developed for ordering and installing new or replacement signs, removing obsolete signs, and maintaining existing signs. Clearly describe planned actions, schedule, responsibility, and estimated cost. The plan should be commensurate with available funding and workforce availability.
Interdisciplinary involvement is often needed in this process. For example, considerations for recreation site signing may include the following:
- Safety
- User information needs
- Resource protection
- Liability considerations
- Law enforcement
2.4.1 Planning Period
It is suggested that a detailed plan be developed only for the current fiscal year. Planning for out years may be less detailed. Update sign and poster plans annually or as physical or administrative changes occur.
2.5 Documentation
All inspections, installations, removals, and maintenance work should be documented as they are completed. Problems such as vandalism should be recorded when they are reported. Thorough and accurate records showing type and frequency of maintenance performed will aid in determining service life of the sign, future budget needs, and in resolving litigation involving signage and traffic control devices.
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