HomeMy WebLinkAboutPolicy for Placement of Guide Signs - DraftRECEIVED
JUN 2 2 996
Soahold Tow.
DRAFT
A POLICY FOR THE PLACEMENT OF GUIDE SIGNS ON ROADWAYS
IN THE TOWN OF SOUTHOLD
The following recommends a policy for the placement of signs serving as guides
along roadways. VVhile signs are basically helpful, an accumulation of too many
signs can be both confusing and ugly. It is therefore important that restraint and
care be used when placing signs. Because the North Fork boasts a rare
landscape of village, farmland and coastal beauty, the Town of Southold needs
to safeguard this scenery even when encouraging increased economic activity. If
not placed sensitively and sparingly, the signs celebrating this area's richness,
may detract from the natural beauty of the roadsides.
There are three basic types of roadway signs:
Ref:lulatory: Give notice of traffic laws or regulations
Warnin,q: Call attention to potentially hazardous traffic operations
Guide: Show route designations, destinations, services, points of
interest and other recreational information
The Manual on Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Hif:lhways (MUTCD)
published by the Federal Highway Administration advocates a very conservative
approach to the installation of regulatory and warning signs, as these lose their
effectiveness when used too frequently. By contrast, the MUTCD's
recommendations for the placement of guide signs is vague, even encouraging,
as it states," ... a frequent display of route markers and directional signs to keep
the driver informed of his location and his course will not lessen their value." (2A-
3) But when discussing Trail Markers, the MUTCD states that "... markers
satisfy an information need on the part of certain travelers but pdmary guidance
should be in the form of printed literature and strip maps rather than highway
signing." (2D-50)
Guide signs along roadways advise motorists of options, locations, transportation
hubs, business centers, destinations and preferred routes. They primarily serve
motorists unfamiliar with the immediate locale. The signs reassure travelers that
they remain on the correct or preferred path. By guiding visitors and clients to
businesses and destinations, signs also encourage local economic activity. The
signs capture people's interest, encouraging them to explore local attractions,
rather than pass through an anonymous landscape. Signs are useful political
tools, as they give evidence of a cadng, responsive government when quickly
introduced at voters' requests.
As to disadvantages, the proliferation of signs or the improper placement of a
single sign can obscure scenery. Individual appreciation and adventure may be
lessened. By stimulating additional traffic, the presence of the signs will possibly
change the character of rural lanes. Local consternation caused by the
additional traffic may aggravate a resentment of visitors.
With the recent introduction of a number of bicycle routes, both at the state and
local level, people have been encouraged to explore Southold Town using a non-
polluting, quieter, and healthier mode of transportation. All these routes are
signed. Soon, signs may indicate scenic by-ways for motorists, often on roads
already designated as bike routes. In order to control the proliferation of signs,
the following policy takes a conservative approach to the installation of signs, yet
advocates their placement as a service to the greater community.
I. GUIDE SIGNS
When guiding travelers along a route or scenic trail, the goal is to introduce the
number of signs needed to reassure the traveler, without creating visual
pollution. Time is the key factor. How long is a person willing to travel without
verification before consternation and stress set in? How much time will the
traveler be willing to lose if the path is lost and must be recovered? Time lost is
dependent upon the traveler's speed, and thus mode of transportation.
Distance in Feet Recommended for Sign Location*
TIME PEDESTRIAN3mph CYCLIST15mph MOTORIST30mphlMOTORIST45mph
1 minute 264 1320 26401 3960
2 minutes 528 2640 5280 7920
5 minutes 1320 6600 13200 19800
*Assuming two minutes is a reasonable investment time, bicycle routes would
need to be signed every half-mile and scenic routes every mile or mile and one-
half, depending upon the speed limit. Using the two-minute interval, the
pedestrian would need a sign every tenth of a mile. Where paths are unclear or
choices abound, additional signs may be considered, especially if safety were to
be jeopardized.
II. ROUTE CHARACTER
The nature of the trail itself will affect the need for trail signs. Routes that have
few major intersections will not need to be signed as frequently as roads with
many options.
Suggested directives:
SITUATION PEDESTRIAN CYCLIST MOTORIST
A Turn in route Near side of 1. 200-400 ft in 1. 400 ft in
(arrow) intersection, advance of the advance of the
within 50 ft intersection intersection
2. Again at 2. Again at
intersection intersection
B Straight through Far right-hand Far right of Far right of
intersection with corner corner, no corner, no more
similar road more than 200 than 200 ft
(arrow) ft beyond beyond
intersection intersection
C Straight through Use guidelines Use guidelines Use guidelines
intersection with for confirmatory for confirmatory for confirmatory
minor road signs at 1 min.signs at 1 min. signs at 1 min.
D Destination signs Near side of 200-400 ft in 1. 200 ft in
Maximum distance intersection, i advance of the advance of the
from destination iswithin 50 ft intersection intersection
5 miles 2. Coupled with
intersection sign
at 400 ft.
E Route crossing a Not applicable 200-400 ft in 750 ft in advance
major street advance of of intersection
(signs on major intersection
street)
E Route end Within 50 ft ofWithin 100 of Within 200-400 ft
end intersection of intersection
The topography of a road may affect the traveler's sense of time. Roads with
many curves or hills may seem psychologically longer, as well as require slower
speeds. Under these circumstances signs may be placed at closer intervals,
again estimating a two-minute lapse between signs.
Ill. AVOIDANCE
Signs should NOT be placed:
At scenic spots, such as bridges, open marshes, stands of old
trees.
Close to a regulatory sign.
Within ten feet of curb cuts or driveways
In front of building entrances
Consideration of the adjacent land use should dictate sign placements. In an
effort to lessen their intrusiveness, guide signs should be placed opposite
property boundaries in built-up areas.
IV. LIMIT
In order to avoid the introduction of too many signs, the total number of all guide
signs along a given corridor should be limited to six per mile in each direction.
V. PLACEMENT
Signs should be placed not closer than six feet from the edge of the road
shoulder or twelve feet from the edge of the traveled way. For cyclists the six
feet from the shoulder represents a maximum. When placed on sidewalks, a
twelve to eighteen inch setback from the curb or shoulder is allowed. Sidewalks
should maintain a minimum clear width of five feet for pedestrian safety and
ease.
Signs should ideally be placed at eye level for the user. The bottom of the sign
should not be less than four feet above the ground for cyclists and five feet for
motorists. When placed where pedestrians are expected to walk, a seven-foot
height clearance should be maintained.
Generally, the MUTCD recommends placing signs individually. However, since
the post can be more of a visible intrusion than the small signs used for route
identification, route signs could be ganged with warning signs where appropriate,
such as deer crossing signs. Guide signs should not be on the same drive rails
as regulatory signs.
VI. ILLUMINATION
Where possible, signs should be placed under existing streetlights.
VII. SIGN DESIGN
The MUTCD succinctly summarizes the purpose of signs when it states, "The
basic requirements of a highway sign are that it be legible to those for whom it is
intended and that it be understood in time to permit a proper response." (2A-8)
The following design goals for route identification signage support these
requirements:
Unique profile or logo that is immediately associated with
intended use.
Use of symbols preferred over words.
Short legend, if one is required.
Uniformity in design, position and application. These include
shape, orientation, color, dimensions, legends and
illumination or refiectorization.
Small signs preferred, while maintaining legibility.
EVALUATION OF THE STATE BICYCLE ROUTE BETWEEN THE
INTERSECTION OF ROUTES 48 AND 25 AND ORIENT POINT
The route currently has signs placed approximately every fifth of a mile. A
motorist traveling 45 mph sees a sign every 30 seconds, a cyclist traveling at 15
mph sees a sign every 48 seconds. From some vantage points one can see
three signs at once. In order to keep the integrity of the route, yet minimize the
impact of the signs on the landscape, the following recommends removing over
half the signs. This would place them at .5 to .6 miles apart, allowing a cyclist to
see a sign roughly every two minutes. On the causeway itself, only one sign in
each direction is recommended due to the scenic importance of the area (even
this one could conceivably be eliminated). The recommendations labeled with
(#) were eliminated purely for the distances desired, all others had a secondary
reason, such as scenic view or proximity to a number of signs. The following
recommends that the total number of signs be decreased from 77 to 31.
EAST
bound
# Site Distance from Recommendation
previous sign
in miles
1 Start Keep (or move start to
Manhasset)
2 After Manhasset .2 Keep
3 Gull Pond La .2 Eliminate (#)
4 Wiggins La .1 Eliminate
5 Golf Club .2 Keep
6 House .2 Eliminate (#)
7 Gillette Dr. .15 Eliminate (#)
8 Sep's .15 Keep
9 Fire Hse sign .1 Eliminate
10 Bay Ave .25 Eliminate (#)
11 Curve .2 Keep
12 Railing, trees .2 Eliminate, scenic
13 Curve before causeway .15 Keep
14 Causeway .25 Eliminate, scenic
15 Causeway .3 Eliminate, scenic
16 Causeway, opposite .4 Keep
beach entrance
17 Causeway, fish shack .4 Eliminate, scenic
18 Causeway, Oysterpond .1 Eliminate~ scenic
19 Causeway, after Latham .2 Eliminate, scenic
20 Far side of Village Lane .25 Keep
21 After fire house .2 Eliminate, too close
22 Far side of Platt Rd .15 Keep
23 Oysterponds Manor .2 Eliminate (#)
24 House .2 Eliminate (#)
25 Robin La .2 Keep
26 Fields .2 Eliminate (#)
27 Narrow River Road .2 Keep
28 Near cut off .2 Eliminate (#)
29 .15 Eliminate (#)
30 .15 Keep
31 Near airport .2 Eliminate (#)
32 .2 Eliminate (#)
33 .2 Keep
34 .15 Eliminate (#)
35 Deer crossing .35 Keep
36 Cedar .2 Eliminate
37 Far side of Park entrance .2 Keep
38 END .2 Keep
(16)
WEST
bound
# Site Distance Recommend
from
previous sign
1 Ferry Keep
2 Park entrance .2 Keep
3 Opposite cemetery .2 Eliminate, scenic and
close
4 .2 Eliminate (#)
5 Greenway Rd .2 Keep
6 School bus sign .2 Eliminate
7 Near fence .1 Eliminate, scenic
8 Airport .25 Keep
9 After airport .2 Eliminate
10 Before cut-off .05 Eliminate (#)
11 Before juncture, old hse .3 Keep
12 Stable .2 Eliminate (#)
13 Hill Crest .1 Eliminate
14 After Brown Hills .2 Keep
15 Field/tree .2 Eliminate (#)
16 Odent .2 Keep
17 Platt Rd .2 Eliminate
18 School .2 Eliminate
19 After Youngs Rd .25 Keep
20 Causeway, Opposite .1 Eliminate, scenic
Latham
21 Causeway, Stone wall .15 Eliminate, scemc
22 Causeway, E. Marion .2 Eliminate, scemc
23 Causeway, after beach .35 Keep
24 Causeway .2 Eliminate
25 Causeway .15 Eliminate
26 Causeway, bridge .4 Eliminate
27 E. Madon .2 Keep
28 Trees .2 Eliminate (#)
29 Church .2 Keep
30 Fire hse .2 Eliminate, too many
si(,]ns
31 White fence, victorian .2 Eliminate, scenery
32 Sep's .2 Keep
33 Pebble Beach .2 Eliminate
34 Helenic .1 Eliminate (#)
35 Golf Club .15 Keep
36 Oak Farm .2 Eliminate
37 Cemetery .2 Eliminate
38 Peconic landing .15 Keep
39 END .2 Keep, or end at
(15) Manhasset