Attachment_1_-_Excerpts_from_FS_Sign_Installation_Guide.pdf

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United States Department of Agriculture

Forest Service

Technology & Development Program

7100–Engineering March 2010

1071-2812P-MTDC

Sign Installation Guide

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jconners Typewritten Text Excerpts from:

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Notice

This document is disseminated under the sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Transportation in the interest of infor-mation exchange. The U.S. Government assumes no liability for the use of information contained in this document.

The U.S. Government does not endorse products or manufacturers. Trademarks or manufacturers’ names appear in this report only because they are considered essential to the objective of this document.

The contents of this report reflect the views of the authors, who are responsible for the facts and accuracy of the data pre-sented herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official policy of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

This report does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation.

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Sign Installation Guide

Donna Sheehy Traffic Management Engineer

Ted J. Cote Visual Information Specialist

USDA Forest Service Technology and Development Program Missoula, MT

6E62H99—Sign Installation Field Guide

March 2010

The Forest Service, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), has developed this information for the guidance of its employees, its contractors, and its cooperating Federal and State agencies, and is not responsible for the interpretation or use of this information by anyone except its own employees.

The use of trade, firm, or corporation names in this document is for the information and convenience of the reader, and does not constitute an endorsement by the Department of any product or service to the exclusion of others that may be suitable.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.)

should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Thanks to:

Steve Coupal—R-2 Mike Tippie—R-6

Fred Ranck—FHWA Victoria Brinkly—FHWA

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This publication is a result of a partnership between the U.S.

Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service, Technology and Development Program and the U.S.

Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Coordinated Technology Implementation Program (CTIP). CTIP is a cooperative technology deployment and sharing program between the FHWA Federal Lands Highway office and the Federal land management agencies.

Introduction

Placement Guidelines

Breakaway Guidelines for Wood Sign Posts

Wood Sign Post Spacing and Size Requirements

Sign Face Orientation Angle

Sign Decals

Regulatory Sign Installations

Warning Sign Installations

Object and Barricade Marker Installations

Guide Sign Installations

Delineator Installations ii

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Contents

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It is very important to install standard traffic control signs consistently and correctly. The effectiveness of a sign can be compromised if it is used inap-propriately or if it is installed incorrectly. A sign that is confusing, or one that cannot be seen in time, is useless.

This guide contains information needed to install traffic control signs on National Forest System roads in accordance with the “Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices” (MUTCD) and EM 7100-15, “Sign and Poster Guidelines for the Forest Service.” The guide provides a visual reference for contractors, volunteers, and Forest Service field personnel who install and maintain signs. A quick check of the guide should ensure far fewer errors in installations.

Before any signs are ordered and installed, this guide assumes that:

• A sign plan has been completed and approved.

• An engineering study or engineering judgment has been used to deter-mine sign needs.

• All traffic control signs, messages, and sizes meet MUTCD and Forest

Service standards.

Introduction Uniform installation of signs is highly desirable. However, because no two roads are exactly alike, unusual situations may be encountered relating to topography, man-made objects, intermediate intersections, or other cir-cumstances that may require some modifications to typical sign placement guidelines and standards. The most suitable placement of each sign must be determined at the site—where all variables are visible. Any deviations or adjustments should be documented.

State and county sign requirements may vary. Check with local jurisdic-tions when installing signs on county, State, or Federal roads. The Forest Service has no authority to install signs of any nature within the right-of-way of county, State, or Federal roads without a signed agreement from the authorizing agency.

The guide is not intended to serve as a substitute for training nor does it include every type of sign. Refer to the “Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices” (MUTCD) and EM 7100-15, “Sign and Poster Guidelines for the Forest Service,” for complete information.

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Placement Guidelines Locate signs on the right side of the road unless specific standards require otherwise.

Place signs where they are clearly visible and provide adequate time for proper viewer response. Consider factors such as vehicle speed, road conditions, intermediate intersections, sight distance, and alignment. Select locations that minimize viewing obstructions.

Avoid locations such as:

• Dips in the road

• Just beyond the crest of a hill

• Where a sign could be obscured by other signs or objects

• Where the sign may interfere with the normal use of the road

• Where there is increased need for users to focus on the road

• Where vegetation could cover the sign

• Snow removal and disposal areas

Certain signs supplement each other and are mounted on the same post, such as:

• A warning sign with an advisory speed plate (page 14)

• Route markers and destination signs (pages 22 to 25)

Some signs should not be mounted together. Signs with dif-ferent messages should be erected individually on separate posts, such as:

• A speed limit and a one-way sign

• A curve warning sign and a junction-ahead sign

• A warning sign and a guide sign

Sign Spreading

Several signs at the same location can overload users with too much information, causing confusion and detracting from critical messages. Signs requiring different decisions should be spaced sufficiently far apart for the required decisions to be made independently and safely. To determine the minimum spread distance between signs, use table 1.

In situations where two or more signs are needed at about the same location, use the following placement order:

1. Location-critical regulatory signs, such as STOP and YIELD

2. Location-critical warning signs, such as TURN and INTERSECTION

3. Other regulatory or warning signs, such as SPEED LIMIT or LIVESTOCK

4. Route markers and guide signs

5. Other informational signs

Speed Minimum Spread Distance

≤ 35 miles per hour 100 feet

> 40 miles per hour 5 x the speed = ______feet

Table 1—Minimum spread distance (distance between signs) for the speed posted.

If the speed limit is not posted, an engineering traffic study should be conducted to determine the 85th percentile speed (normally considered the highest safe speed for a section of roadway). The sign spread is based on the 85th percentile speed.

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Lateral Offset

Lateral offset is the distance from the edge of the traveled way to the nearest edge of the sign—not the distance to the sign post.

1. On conventional roads, use:

a) A minimum of 12 feet from the edge of the traveled way

b) Where the shoulder is wider than 6 feet, a minimum of 6 feet from the edge of the shoulder

c) No less than 2 feet where it is impractical to follow a or b

2. On roads where signs are placed behind barriers such as curbs or guardrails, use:

a) A minimum of 2 feet from the roadside edge of the barrier

3. On low-volume roads (fewer than 400 vehicles per day) with no shoulders, use:

a) A minimum of 12 feet where terrain and vegetation permit

b) A minimum of 2 feet where terrain or vegetation make it impractical to follow a)

If a sign is installed within the clear zone, a breakaway sign post shall be used (see page 4). The clear zone is the area that ideally would be clear of obstacles that might be a hazard to a vehicle that left the road. The width of the clear area depends on traffic volume, vehicle speed, and the terrain.

Placement Guidelines (cont.)

Mounting Height

Mounting height is measured from the road surface to the bottom of the sign.

Primary Sign Use a minimum of 5 feet in:

• Rural areas

Use a minimum of 7 feet in:

• Areas with parking or pedestrians

• Urban, business, commercial, or residential areas

• Areas where the view of the sign may be obstructed

Supplemental plaque or sign Supplemental plaques or signs may be 1 foot lower than the minimum mounting height for the primary sign.

Allow a 1-inch gap between stacked signs so they can expand and contract.

HEAVY

TRUCK

TRAFFIC

** Mounting height for primary signs *** Mounting height for supplemental plaques or signs

Primary sign

Supplemental plaque or sign

Road surface

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STEEP

ROAD

Lateral offset*

Edge of traveled way

* Follow lateral offset guidelines 1, 2, or 3.

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Direction of travel

Direction of travel

Typical Breakaway Support

Typical Hole Spacing Detail18 in Breakaway holes

Breakaway distance

Breakaway holes

D

D

4 in

Sign post

4 inGround line

18 in

CL

T

TB* See chart for hole diameter.

For T dimensions not shown on chart, use T/3, rounded up to the nearest 1 ⁄ 2 in.

Breakaway Guidelines for Wood Sign Posts All wood posts 4 x 6 and larger must be modified to meet breakaway requirements if they are within the clear zone.

Breakaway holes must be perpendicular to the direction of vehicle travel.

Dimension T is parallel to the direction of vehicle travel and is the larger of the dimensions.

After installing the sign post, drill the breakaway holes and treat holes with preservative.

4 by 4 — 3 — 4 by 6 1.5 4 — 6 by 6 2 4 7 6 by 8 3 4 7

Breakaway Design Requirements

Post size (in)

Hole diameter

(in)

D minimum burial depth (ft)

B minimum breakaway distance (ft)

*All posts closer than 7 feet from each other act together. Install no more posts than allowed within 7 feet of each other so the combina-tion of posts meets the breakaway guidelines.

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Sign Face Orientation Angle

Signs are mounted at approximately right angles to oncoming traffic. It may be neces-sary to rotate a sign slightly off 90 degrees to avoid glare reflecting off the sign face directly into the driver’s eyes.

An angle of about 93 degrees to the line of approaching traffic is recommended.

On curves, orient the sign to face the on-coming traffic—not the road edge.

On steep grades, it may be necessary to tilt the sign forward (uphill grades) or back (downhill grades) to make it easier for motorists to read.

93°

Traffic direction

Traffic direction 93°

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Advance Warning Sign Placement Distances

Warning Sign Installations

Warning signs:

• Warn drivers of unexpected conditions or situations

• Indicate need for caution

• May call for reduced speed or an unexpected vehicle maneuver

• Are placed in advance of the situation to allow adequate time for proper response considering approach speed, road conditions, intermediate intersections, and other factors as shown in table 2 on page 11

Example Using table 2: 85th-percentile speed = 35 mph Minimum distance from intersection = 225 ft

225 ft

225 ft

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Warning Sign Installations (cont.)

• These minimum distances may be exceeded when necessary.

• Distance for deceleration is the minimum distance a warning sign should be placed in advance of a condition.

• Sign placement distances are based on sign legibility for 24-inch signs and 4-inch letters.

• If larger signs are used, evaluate the placement distances as part of the engineering study or use engineering judgment to determine

Minimum Advance Placement Distances whether the placement distances may be reduced. Document calcula-tions and rationale.

• Distances are for level roadways. Increase placement distance on downgrades of 3 percent or steeper.

• Placement distances on upgrades may be reduced by one-half the distances listed for downgrades.

• On conventional roads and paved low-volume roads (fewer than 400 vehicles per day), use the MUTCD.

Posted speed or Stopping Distance for deceleration (feet) Additional distance (feet) 85th-percentile sight to advisory speed listed (mph) on downgrade (percent) speed distance 10 20 30 40 3 6 9 12 (mph) (ft) (ft) (ft)

20 115 125 — — — 5 10 20 30 25 155 150 — — — 8 15 30 45 30 200 200 150 — — 10 20 45 65 35 250 250 225 — — 15 35 60 90 40 305 325 300 275 — 20 45 75 120 45 360 400 350 300 — 25 55 95 150 50 425 475 450 375 275 30 70 120 185 55 495 550 525 450 350 35 85 145 225

Table 2—Advance warning sign placement distances for unpaved low-volume roads.

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Warning Sign Installations (cont.)

Lateral Offset and Mounting Height for Warning Signs

Low-Volume Rural Roads Where Terrain or Vegetation All Rural Roads— Rural Low-Volume and Limit the Lateral Offset Standard Placement Conventional Roads

Not less than 2 ft

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5 ft** 5 ft** 5 ft**4 ft***

Not less than 2 ft from edge of traveled way

Guardrail or curb

Road surface

Not less than 12 ft*

Edge of traveled way

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Road surface

*See page 3 for lateral offset guidelines that apply to roads with shoulders or where the 12-foot minimum is not practical.

**The 5-foot minimum mounting height applies only in rural areas. See page 3 for the mounting height guidelines that apply in other areas.

***See page 3 for the mounting height of supplemental plaques or signs and for the recommended gap between stacked signs.

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Warning Sign for Low-Volume Rural Roads (no supplemental plaques)

*The 2-ft minimum distance for low-volume roads applies only where terrain or vegetation limit the distance. See page 3 for lateral offset guidelines on other types of roads or where terrain and vegetation are not factors.

**The 5-foot minimum mounting height applies only in rural areas.

See page 3 for the mounting height guidelines that apply in other areas.

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Advisory speed plates supplement the warning sign and shall not be used alone.

*See page 3 for lateral offset guidelines on other types of roads or where terrain or vegetation limit the distance.

Warning Sign With Advisory Speed Plate for a Conventional or Low-Volume Rural Road

**The 5-foot minimum mounting height applies only in rural areas.

See page 3 for the mounting height guidelines that apply in other areas.

***See page 3 for the mounting height of supplemental plaques or signs.

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Warning Sign With Advisory Speed Plate and Supplemental Plaque for Conventional or Low-Volume Rural Roads

Advisory speed plates and supplemental plaques are not to be used alone. They shall be used only to supplement a warning sign.

*See page 3 for lateral offset guidelines on other types of roads or where terrain or vegetation limit the distance.

**See page 3 for the mounting height of supplemental plaques or signs.

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Object and Barricade Marker Installations

Placement of Type 3 Object Markers Single-Lane Road With Narrow Bridge

Type 3 object markers are used to mark objects that intrude into or constrict the roadway.

Curb or hazardous obstruction to be marked

Traffic side Traffic side

3-in min.

Inner edge of marker in line with inner edge of the obstruction

8 ft or less

Road surfaceRoad surface

Edge of traveled way

Bridge rail end

Ground

1. Stripes slope downward toward the side of the obstruction on which traffic is to pass.

2. For a bridge with a railing but no curb, mark the inner edge of the railing.

4 ft* 4 ft*

*Vertical mounting height may vary according to need. Mounting height is normally 4 feet, but shall be no less than 6 inches.

Notes:

Single-lane road

Type 3 object marker

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Bridge Signing With Type 3 Object Markers (to mark objects that intrude into or constrict the roadway)

Option: Type 1 object markers also may be used to mark objects that intrude into or constrict the roadway. For a bridge with a railing but no curb, mark the inner edge of the railing.

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Library Card

Sheehy, Donna; Cote, Ted. 2010. Sign installation guide. Tech. Rep. 1071–2812P–MTDC. Missoula, MT: U.S.

Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Missoula Technology and Development Center. 35 p.

This guide shows how regulatory, warning, and guide signs are properly mounted and installed on roads. It includes drawings and photographs showing the specifications for placing signs along Forest Service roads and is intended to help new employees or volunteers install road signs.

The guide is based on standards established by the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices and the Sign and

Poster Guidelines for the Forest Service (EM-7100-15).

Keywords: road signs, specifications, standards, traffic control devices, traffic safety, volunteers

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