Sign and Poster Guidelines for the Forest Service
Chapter 3A Traffic Control Devices
All Roads Continued
3A.7.2h CATTLEGUARD XX FT or CATTLEGUARD AHEAD Signs
Based on engineering judgment, a CATTLEGUARD XX FT or CATTLEGUARD AHEAD sign may be used in advance of a cattleguard that is not visible for a sufficient distance for a road user to react appropriately. Cattleguard steel grates may present problems for motorcycles and bicycles, especially if located on a curve. Evaluate the cattleguard approach from both directions. Depending on sight distance, the signs may be needed on one or both approach legs.
FW3-6a
FW3-6b
3A.7.2i NO TRAFFIC SIGNS Signs
Use the NO TRAFFIC SIGNS sign (MUTCD, Part 5C) only on low-volume unpaved roads where engineering judgment indicates a need to notify users that warning signs are not installed on the road ahead. There should be no traffic warning signs beyond this sign. A road is considered unpaved if the surface has dust palliative or when only portions of the road, such as steep grades, are paved. This sign is not normally used on ML 2 roads.
W18-1
3A.7.3 Coincident Routes
A coincident route is defined as a single route that is managed as part of two different inventoried routes in the Forest Transportation Atlas. An example is an NFSR that is also a National Forest System trail. There are two types of coincident routes:
- Concurrent coincident route: a coincident route on which the uses are simultaneous
and must be managed for mixed traffic.
- Separate coincident route: a coincident route on which the uses are not simultaneous but separate so the route is not managed for mixed traffic. Separate use periods may occur by:
- Specific times such as weekday and weekend
- Seasons such as a summer road and a winter snow trail.
Decisions to manage and sign coincident routes must be based on engineering judgment or an engineering study. Routes shall be signed before concurrent use occurs.
3A.7.3a Concurrent Coincident Route Signing
The FW8-7 sign may be used on concurrent coincident routes where both types of traffic are actively managed. Use symbols that best represent the primary method of traffic on each individual route. Limit the sign to two symbols—one for each route system. Use of the NEXT XX MILES message is optional.
The SHARE THE ROAD plaque (W16-1) also may be used to warn highway traffic that concurrent use is allowed on the road. The plaque is installed beneath a standard nonvehicular or vehicular traffic sign that depicts the traffic which is allowed to use the road or the side of the road, such as bicycles, equestrian, snowmobiles, ATVs, and motorcycles. See Figure 3A-2.
A supplemental plaque stating XX MILES also may be used in these situations in lieu of or in conjunction with the SHARE THE ROAD supplemental plaque. These combinations may result in the need for taller posts in order to accommodate the signs.
| Figures 3A-2—Supplemental plaques for concurrent use. | |||
 FW8-7 |
 Top—RL-170 Bottom—W16-1 |
 Top—RS-070 Middle—W16-1 Bottom—W7-3a |
 Top—RS-070 Bottom—W7-3a |
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