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Click here to order the full sign manual Manuel de Panneaux (Anglais) Policies Planning, Layout, Production and Installation
Revised March 2001 Index
It is the objective of New Brunswick Trails Council Inc.(NBTCI) to achieve a comprehensive and uniform level of trail signing for SentierNBTrails across the province. Uniform
trail signing will; A.2 The Purpose of Trail Signs The
purpose of trail signs is to; Setting
clear and achievable guidelines for the uniform signing of the Sentier
NB Trails is the responsibility of NBTCI. Adhering to a provincially recognized signing standard is likely to minimize the liability accompanying this responsibility. Sign policys and standards for Sentier NB Trails are detailed in this manual. An additional component is a Sign Installation Manual. These
components will provide the methods and procedures needed to prepare/design,
install and maintain signs along the Sentier NB Trail. What they
do not provide is the judgement each individual will have to use
to properly locate each sign in its unique location. A.4 Overview of Basic Sign System Considerations • Signs are to be placed to the right of the trail to conform with the users' familiarity with highway signs. • It must be remembered that the trail will be used in both directions. Separate and often different signing is required for each direction of travel. • Minimum distances for signs, before or after an intersection and between signs, is:
• Minimum sizes for Regulatory or Warning signs is 45 x 45 cm. Minimum x-height for Informational/Directional, Commercial, and Special event/promotional signs is 4 cm (suitable for biking). • A Sign Plan listing the location and message of all signs in each management area should be available with the maintenance equipment. • Someone familiar with the trail and who knows where they are and where they are going usually does signing. Imagine you have never been in this area before and determine the signs needed to get you safely to your destination. Have the signs reviewed by someone unfamiliar with the area to identify needed improvements. • Selection of appropriate sites for signs is based on various factors:
• If more than one sign is used at the same location, they should be placed one above the other (not overlapped) with the most important sign on top. Rarely would more than two signs be mounted on one post, rather install another post a minimum of 50 m away. • Overuse of signs creates clutter and confusion. Business signage on the NB Trail system should be carefully controlled (information usually presented as tabs for available services) and preferably advertising of business names should be located along side trails or at "sign plazas". • Extra posts and signs, especially the Regulatory and Warning signs, and mounting equipment should be carried on maintenance equipment to immediately replace those that have been vandalized. • Steel posts are preferable for all permanent installations. Pressure-treated 4 in X 4 in posts are a second choice. Mounting signs on trees is not permitted. •
Bolts or large wood screws should be used when mounting all signs
to reduce vandalism and theft. A.5 Safe signs depend upon correct sizing 1. The most important factor in planning a sign is the speed at which the reader will be travelling while attempting to read the sign. Often signs may seem large enough but when posted are unreadable at the normal speed of travelling. The X-Height Chart (8.6) provides the correct sizing of messages for each speed. Use of this X-height and the layout grid on a Sign Schedule (2.2) will allow the accurate layout of signs. The
Sign Schedule sheet uses a grid of uniform squares of x-height.
The x-height to be used on each sign relates to the speed of the
reader as they pass the sign. For example the X-Height Chart
specifies that the X-height on a sign being viewed at 15-30 km/h
will be 4 cm -thus lower case characters will be 4 cm in height.
2.
A second factor to consider in sign planning is the decreasing amount
of information that can be read from a sign as the speed increases.
Message Length chapter 8.3 indicates the maximum number
of items and number of lines readable at certain speeds. Click here to order the full sign manual
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