Sign and Poster Guidelines for the Forest Service

Chapter 5 Trail Signing

• 5.1 Introduction
  • 5.1.1 ROS Guidelines
  • 5.1.2 Accessibility
  • 5.1.3 Access and Travel Management
  • 5.1.4 Sign Planning
    • 5.1.4a Recreational Studies, Engineering Studies and Judgment
  • 5.1.5 Coincident Routes
  • 5.1.6 Requirements for Retroreflection
  • 5.1.7 Sign Sizes
  • 5.1.8 Adopt-a-Trail Signs
    
    
• 5.2 Regulatory and Warning Signs
  • 5.2.1 Regulatory Signs
  • 5.2.2 Warning Signs and Markers
    
    
• 5.3 Guide Signs
  • 5.3.1 Signing Rules for Guide Signs
    • 5.3.1a Nonwilderness Trails
    • 5.3.1b Wilderness Trails
  • 5.3.2 Guide Sign Layout
    • 5.3.2a Arrows
    • 5.3.2b Arrow and Mileage Sequence
    • 5.3.2c Message Sequence
    • 5.3.2d Special Cases
    • 5.3.2e Mileage Layout
      
      
• 5.4 Sign Specifications
  
  
• 5.5 Junction Identity Signs
  
  
• 5.6 Locator Map Signs
  
  
• 5.7 Trail and Road Crossings
  • 5.7.1 Regulatory and Warning Signs
  • 5.7.2 Guide Signs
    
    
• 5.8 Reassurance Markers
  
  
• 5.9 Congressionally Designated Trails
  • 5.9.1 National Trail Systems
    • 5.9.1a National Recreation Trails
    • 5.9.1b National Scenic Trails
    • 5.9.1c National Historic Trails
  • 5.9.2 National Trail System Signing
    • 5.9.2a Trailheads
    • 5.9.2b Road Crossings
    • 5.9.2c Guide Signs
    • 5.9.2d Reassurance Markers
      
      
• 5.10 Summary of Standards and Guidelines by Trail Type

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5.1 Introduction

This chapter provides standards and guidelines for the use of signs and posters on National Forest System trails (NFSTs).

Chapter 5A contains typical sign placement and installation information for common trail situations.

Chapter 5B contains standard drawings for common trail signs.

Use trail signage to provide opportunities for experiencing nature while engaging in outdoor recreation . . . .

Use trail signage to provide opportunities for experiencing nature while engaging in outdoor recreation in an improved, aesthetic atmosphere that is consistent with policy (FSH 2309.18) and forest plan direction.

Select and use trail signs, posters, and markers to consistently provide the following:

• Route identification (number, name, or both)
  
  
• Guidance and distance to trail destinations and key points of interest
  
  
• Safety features, such as snow shelters and resorts
  
  
• Route reassurance and confirmation
  
  
• User safety: warnings of known hazards
  
  
• Notice of restrictions where use control is necessary
  
  
• Protection of resources

Additional locations and conditions for which signing may be needed include the following:

• Trail termini
  
  
• Junctions with other trails and roads
  
  
• Administrative boundaries
  
  
• Special management areas
  
  
• Lakes, streams, and other features identified on maps, trail guides, or at the trailhead
  
  
• Interpretive opportunities

Additional information on trail signage is located at: Trail Matrix - http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/measures/Inventory/Trails.htm

5.1.1 ROS Guidelines

A key element for developing and managing a trail sign program is the Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS). ROS classes or similar management guidelines have been adopted for each forest plan management area.

ROS offers a framework for understanding the relationships of signing and other management actions in various settings to the kinds of experiences visitors have. For example, hiking in a large, undeveloped area with difficult access and few signs that provide limited information enhances the hiker's feelings of self-reliance with respect to orienteering skills, self-discovery, challenge, and solitude. In contrast, walking easy interpretive trails outside a visitor center with numerous signs and information offers the visitor more comfort, security, opportunities for learning, and social opportunities.

ROS guidelines may be found at http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/programs/beig/beig6c.htm

Table 5-1 contains specific ROS information for trail signs.

In addition to the ROS, consider the following in determining the proper sign, size, material, placement, and mounting requirements for trail signage:

• Managed uses for the trail
  
  
• Scenic integrity objectives
  
  
• Travel speed
  
  
• Viewing distance
  
  
• Clear-zone requirements (Chapter 3A)
  
  
• Nighttime visibility needs

5.1.2 Accessibility

Where trails managed for hikers have been evaluated for accessibility, post the following in addition to the standard message with the trail identity and destinations at the beginning of the trail:

• Typical and maximum trail grade
  
  
• Typical and maximum tread cross slope
  
  
• Minimum clear tread width
  
  
• Tread surface type and firmness
  
  
• Any major height obstacles (as appropriate)

Forest Service accessibility guidelines, including the Forest Service Trails Accessibility Guidelines and the Forest Service Outdoor Recreation Accessibility Guidelines, can be viewed at:

http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/programs/accessibility/

5.1.3 Access and Travel Management

Consider the travel management direction for the trail system. Travel management is crucial to help guide and manage visitors from the time they first enter the forest, to the time they reach their destinations and then return to the point of entry. Use appropriate guide signs for the traffic that is encouraged (that is, the actively managed uses of the trail). To the extent possible, accomplish travel management regulation through trail atlas use maps and/or travel management signs at trail termini and junctions. Refer to Chapter 6 for information on access and travel management signage.

5.1.4 Sign Planning

Follow the direction in Chapter 2 for developing, monitoring, and maintaining a comprehensive sign plan for each trail or trail complex. Include all signing in trail design and/or rehabilitation planning. Monitor signing effectiveness through visitor contacts and observation of compliance. Provide the minimum signs necessary to adequately and properly guide the user.

5.1.4a Recreational Studies, Engineering Studies, and Engineering Judgment

Recreation plans or studies should be used to determine appropriate signing for nonmotorized and nonmechanized trail systems and for guide signs on all trails.

Recreation studies or reviews should be used to determine appropriate warning and regulatory signs and traffic control devices for motorized trails and bicycle/mountain bike trails when use is entirely on NFSTs.

Engineering studies or judgment should be used to determine appropriate warning and regulatory signs and traffic control devices for motorized trails and bicycle/mountain bike trails when use is on National Forest System Roads (NFSRs).

Coincident routes that involve NFSRs and NFSTs shall follow the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and Forest Service standards for roads.

Refer to Section 3.8 for information on engineering judgments and engineering studies.

5.1.5 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 a NFSR that is also a NFST. There are two types of coincident routes:

1. Concurrent coincident route: A coincident route on which the uses are simultaneous and must be managed for mixed traffic.
   
   
2. 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 involving NFSRs must be based on engineering judgment or an engineering study. Routes shall be signed before concurrent use occurs. Refer to Section 3A.7.3 for information on proper signing of coincident routes involving NFSRs.

Coordinate the signing of coincident routes (road and trail or trail and trail) to avoid confusion between types of users.

Where nonconcurrent seasonal or specific time use is allowed or designated on system roads closed to standard highway vehicles, follow the appropriate trail standards. Remove, fold up, or cover any road signs that are inappropriate or distracting to the trail user. When the roads are open to highway vehicular traffic and closed to the trail traffic, signing shall meet MUTCD and Forest Service standards for roads. Remove, fold up, or cover any trail signs that are inappropriate or distracting to the general driving public. Generally, trail reassurance markers may be left in place.

When use is concurrent (that is, the road is open to highway vehicular and trail traffic at the same time), signing shall meet MUTCD and Forest Service standards for roads. Signs should be appropriate for both user groups. If signed, destinations should be reachable by the road and trail traffic.

Where bicycle use occurs in conjunction with a road or where the bicycle trail is paved, follow the guidelines in the MUTCD, Chapter 9.

For coincident nonmotorized terra trails and snow trails with nonconcurrent seasonal or specific time use, do not seasonally change the snow trail reassurance blazers to the gray/white summer blazers unless necessary for added visual contrast with dark summer backgrounds.

5.1.6 Requirements for Retroreflection

Signs for roads, motorized trails, urban cross-country ski trails, paved bicycle trails, and mountain bike trails as well as other signs intended to be seen at night shall be retroreflective to show the same shape, color, and message both day and night.

5.1.7 Sign Sizes

Signs should be sized according to the viewing distance and the normal rate of travel or the desired speed of the trail vehicle.

For nonmotorized hiker/pedestrian and pack and saddle trails, 1-inch letters are adequate for most viewing situations.

For motorized and other trail systems such as bicycle trails, determine adequate sign sizes through appropriate studies or reviews. (See Section 5.1.4a.)

For motorized, bicycle, and cross-country ski trails, see Table 5-2 for recommended minimum sizes for signs.

Letter size for interpretative, safety, and other informational signs or posters is dependent upon the distance from which the message is to be viewed. See Chapter 10A for additional information.

5.1.8 Adopt-a-Trail Signs

Adopt-a-Trail signs may be used as needed to recognize cooperators' help with trails.

5.2 Regulatory and Warning Signs

For on-trail signing needs, use standard regulatory and warning sign messages, shapes, and colors as found in the MUTCD and Chapter 3A. Nonstandard message signs shall be approved by the Washington Office Director of Engineering. Table 5-3 gives specific trail regulatory and warning sign information for the different types of trails.

5.2.1 Regulatory Signs

Provide regulatory information at the trailhead if possible. Stress education approaches over restrictions. Compose regulatory sign messages that minimize prohibitory language. Use a courteous tone and explain restrictions in terms of easily understood resource or user benefits with which the public can relate.

Limit use of on-trail regulatory signs and posters to the minimum needed in order to:

• Ensure consistent protection of the trail and adjacent resources.
  
  
• Provide for the safety and enjoyment of the user.
  
  
• Provide for enforcement of regulations.

The traffic management strategies of "discourage" and "eliminate" may be preferable to the use of regulations in some cases.

Place regulatory signs at the point of regulation.

Larger signs may be used for increased visibility or strong emphasis when need has been determined.

5.2.2 Warning Signs and Markers

Consistent with the management plan for the trail or area, use warning signs to alert users of known hazards that, relative to the ROS setting, are unusual, unexpected, or not readily apparent to the typical visitor under conditions when use normally occurs. Consider changing trail grade, alignment, or location or taking other measures to mitigate the hazard before using a warning sign. Do not use warning signs and markers in wilderness.

Use adequate advance placement distances for warning signs to allow time for safe user response.

When a need has been determined, use standard object markers according to the following direction and guidance in Chapter 3 to identify obstructions within or adjacent to the trail:

• Type II object markers are used to mark collision hazards adjacent to the trail, such as dropoffs or culvert ends that coincide with abrupt alignment changes or that are obscured by vegetation.
  
  
• Type III object markers are used to mark collision hazards within the trailway, such as bridge railings or abutments narrower than the travel way.

5.3 Guide Signs

Use guide signs to identify the trail and its directions and for guidance to destinations.

Signs shall be located either at the junction or in advance of the junction such that trail junctions are evident.

Three types of guide signs are used on NFSTs (see Figure 5-1).

Figure 5-1-Trail directional signs.

5.3.1 Signing Rules for Guide Signs

5.3.1a Nonwilderness Trails

1. Route identification (required)
   • Route identification (trail name, number, or both) and the trail direction(s) are required for all system trail legs at all NFST junctions.
   • Example: Great Ridge Tr. No. 458#.
     
     
   • Exception: Do not identify trail legs on which traffic is discouraged, prohibited, or against one-way traffic flow.

• Use only names and numbers that appear on the most current Forest Service trail maps.
  
  
• Include national trail designations as appropriate.
  
  
• The trail route identification and its direction(s) should always be signed first and then followed by the destinations associated with that trail.

2. Destinations
   
   
   • Required trail destinations
   • Exit signing: At a minimum, show the direction and distance to the trailhead or trail access point at the first junction from the trailhead or access point.
     
     
   • Optional trail destinations
     • Facilities such as trailheads, campgrounds, picnic areas, winter shelters, rental cabins, and other key points of interest
       
       
     • Major geographic or natural features such as lakes, major rivers and streams, passes, falls, and meadows
       
       
     • Administrative structures such as guard stations
   • Sign only those destinations that can be readily accessed by the intended trail user.
     
     
   • If a destination has been identified on a guide sign, identify it on all subsequent guide signs along the trail until the destination is reached.
     
     
   • Identify destinations that previously appeared on guide signs so visitors will know they have reached their destinations. The name of the destination or feature, when reached, should be either (1) a single sign panel or (2) a top-centered line when included on a sign containing route and destination information, as shown in Figure 5-2.

Figure 5-2-Feature identification.

• Listing a trail or road as a destination is not desirable. A junction with another trail or road can be a destination and, if signed, should be signed with its appropriate directional arrow and distance (for example: JCT. WORMWOOD TR. NO. 222 5.)
  
  
• Where clearer meaning will result on nonwilderness trails, use standard Federal Recreation Symbols in lieu of words.
  
  
• When words are used, complete words are preferable. Abbreviate where message length causes excessive sign length and where the abbreviation cannot be misunderstood. For standard abbreviations, refer to Chapter 1.

3. Distances

• Distances shall be used when showing destinations.
  
  
• Show destination mileages for each destination as fractions to the nearest ¼ or ½ mile for destinations up to 3 miles; after 3 miles, show to the nearest mile.
  
  
• Only cross-country ski trails are measured in kilometers. Use decimal kilometers up to 1 kilometer (0.1 to 0.9). Distances shall be rounded to the nearest kilometer with no decimal after 1 kilometer.

Distances shall be used when showing destinations.

5.3.1b Wilderness Trails

Use signs within wilderness and primitive areas only when necessary to protect the resource or to provide for visitor safety.

1. Route Identification

• Identify trail legs at all system trail intersections where necessary. Route identification may include trail name, number, or both, or locally identifiable destination. Include appropriate directional arrow(s).
  
  
• When consistent with other trail markings, blazes or cairns may be used in lieu of guide signs to indicate trail direction
  
  

2. Destinations

• Show direction arrows only.
  
  
• Required trail destinations

• Exit signing: show the direction to the trailhead or trail access at the first junction from the trailhead or access point.
  
  
• Prohibited destination signing
  
  
  • Do not sign major destinations at the destination location.
    
    
  • Do not sign geographic or natural features.
    
    
• Optional trail destinations
  
  
  • Guide signs may be used to identify appropriate trail destinations.
    
    
  • Administrative structures may have an identification sign.
    
    

3. Distances
   
   
• Do not provide mileages.
  
  
4. Prohibited signs

• Do not use standard Federal Recreation Symbol signs.
  
  
• Do not use interpretive information or locator signs.

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