Photo Credit: Keith Kessler
Imagine traveling down a street or road that is completely void of signs. Difficult, isn’t it? Take a look at old photographs and postcards of cities and towns from the turn of the 20^(th) century and you will be amazed by the lack of signs. Compare that to traveling today where signs are like wallpaper, thanks to the automobile and greater mobility. As park and recreation professionals, we can give customers a break from being bombarded with signs at every turn.
In thinking ahead to next year’s budget, now might be a good time to evaluate signage throughout the parks. Is the sign readable? Is it effective? What is the sign’s condition? Is it really necessary? Whether you have an in-house sign production shop or you have to out-source signs, and regardless of whether signs are wood, aluminum, composite, or recycled plastic, the costs continue to escalate at an unpredictable rate. Combine these factors with issues such as budget cuts and upcoming changes in the requirement for sign retroreflectvity, and the need for effective signage is even more important.
Functional Roadway Signs
First, let’s examine the basic types of signs and the functions they serve. Roadway signs are covered in the federal Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Most--if not all--individual state manuals follow the federal manual closely.
