CHAPTER 60 Signs and Posters

fsM 7100 – engineering operations

CHAPTER 60 – signs and posters

Supplement No.: 7160-2009-2

Effective Date: February 2, 2009

Duration: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.

Posting Instructions: Supplements are numbered consecutively by Handbook number and calendar year. Post by document; remove the entire document and replace it with this supplement. Retain this transmittal as the first page(s) of this document. The last supplement to this Manual was 7130-2009-1 to Chapter 30.

Digest: In order by code, summarize the main additions, revisions, or removal of direction incorporated in this supplement.

7160 – Supplement reviewed and reissued in accordance with five-year review as set forth in Directive System Guidelines. This supplement updates names of ranger districts.

7160.4 – Responsibility

7160.42 – Field Units

7160.42c – Forest Supervisor

7160.42d – Forest Sign Coordinator

It is the responsibility of the Forest Sign Coordinator to:

1. Provide Training as necessary on the Forest Sign Plan.

2. Conduct or assist with studies for the placement of signs.

7160.42e – District Ranger

The District Ranger is responsible for:

1. The Sign Inventory and Action Program for the following signs/posters within their unit.

a. Traffic Control Signs (EM 7100-15 Chapter 5 & 11, and the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.

(1) Regulatory Signs

(2) Warning Signs

(3) Construction and Maintenance Signs

b. Guide Signs (EM 7100-15 Chapter 5)

(1) Directional Road and Firewood Area Signs, and Milepost Markers

(2) Forest Entrance, Administrative Site, Job Corps, Recreation Area and National Recreation Area Signs, and Recreation Site Bulletin

(3) Standard Recreation Regulatory Signs and Symbol

(4) Road Limitation Information, Fire Prevention, Information station, and National Recreation Trail System Sign

(5) Wilderness and Primitive Area Entrance Sign

(6) Wilderness Trail directional Signs

(7) Nonwilderness Trail Directional signs, Trail Blazer and Pace Marker

(8) Wild and Scenic River Signs

c. Posters and Small Metal Signs (EM 7100-15 Chapter 13 & 14)

2. Designating a Unit Sign Coordinator.

a. The Unit Sign Coordinator is responsible for:

(1) Implementing the Forest Sign Plan on the Unit.

(2) Coordinate studies for the placement of signs with the Forest Sign Coordinator.

(3) Prepare and process Sign and Poster Requisitions.

7161 – Master Plan – The Shawnee National Forest Master Sign Plan shall be

composed of separate Unit Plans, These Unit Sign Plans [Master Sign Plan]

shall be maintained at the District Offices and Golconda CCC. The system for

the Sign Inventory and Action Program will be titled “SIGN INVENTORY

SYSTEM – SIS”. The Sign Inventory Program shall be computer written in

INFRA System. A sign inventory shall be conducted in the field and the

collected data shall be inputted into the computer to form a data base. The sign

inventory shall include erected signs, signs proposed to be erected, and signs

existing in stock. The sign inventory data base will be updated each time field inspections or sign maintenance are performed. The sign information in the data

base will be used to generate reports for the accomplishment of a Sign Action

Program.

1. Guide signing Plan. This plan for recreation sites/areas is based upon

four levels of signing, each level more comprehensive in geographic area

signed. Each level of signing has its own objectives as noted below. The

plan supports the objectives described in FSM 7160.2

All four levels include information on respective objectives, function, type

of signing and maintenance needs/costs.

Use Symbol signs on all levels of signing.

Signage excluded – Interpretive signing, and general recreation area

information inside sites.

LEVEL I – Interior Recreation Site/Area Signing

Objective

a. Sign the entrance to each recreation site.

b. Sign the interior road intersections at each recreation site.

c. Sign each subpart of each recreation area as designated by

EM 7100-15 Chapt. 5.

Function

This signing will direct visitors to specific recreation sites to specific

Recreation Sites and facilities such as campgrounds, picnic grounds and

swimming beaches. Traffic flow will be enhanced.

Type of Signing – FRD series signs, 4 inch letters, 6 inch letters – RA series.

Sign Plan

The use of enlarged aerial photographs may be used very effectively for this

plan. Refer to EXHIBIT D for a sample Level 1 sign plan.

LEVEL II – Immediate Area Signing

Objective – Guide Visitors to Recreation Sites/Areas from adjacent

highways.

Function – This signing is meant for the type of visitor who is already on his

way to see the Shawnee National Forest and /or one of the component areas.

These signs help those visitors find the recreation areas.

Type of Signing – The FRD series Signs, 4 or 6 inch letters would be used at

State highway intersections and individual roads off the access road to the

individual areas.

Sign Plan

Quadrangle maps (7 ½ minute) shall be used for this sign plan.

LEVEL III – Forest-Wide Signing

Objective – To sign the major highway intersections within the Forest

boundaries, at entrance locations to the State of Illinois (bordering the

Shawnee N.F.), and short distance approach locations to the District offices

and Supervisor’s office. Level III signing also includes installation of

“Information Displays” at the Supervisor’s office and all District office.

Function – This signing is meant for those visitors not familiar with the attractions on the Shawnee N.F.. The signs will direct the public to the District offices and Supervisor’s office. The visitor is then informed of Shawnee N.F. attractions at these office locations.

Types of Signing – Two types of signs are involved here, namely, directional and informative. The FRD series signs would be used at major intersections and short distance approach locations to the S.O. and District offices.

Directional signs would announce the Forest, District office or S.O., mileage, and directional arrow.

Information Displays may be simple or elaborate depending on appropriations but should contain the following information: General Information of the Shawnee N.F., major unique attractions of particular District where the sign is located, major attraction of the other Districts, and how to get to these attractions. The Information Displays will be located at the District Offices and Supervisor’s Office.

Sign plan

Quadrangle maps (7 ½ minute) shall be used for this type of sigh plan.

LEVEL IV – Comprehensive Signing and Advertising

Objective – In addition to meeting the objectives described in Level I, II, and III, this level is designed to advertise the Shawnee National Forest and its major recreation areas to travelers on major highways and interstates, who may have not known about the Forest and its attractions.

Function – The format could be similar to that used in Level III at the Ranger Stations and Supervisors Office. Part of the display could give information on Shawnee National Forest its mission and general information, including orientation.

The other part of the display could focus on specific trips and major attraction. Orientation information would be needed, including information on type of camping and commercial lodging available.

Types of Signing – FRD series with 6 inch letters on highways, and SA-14 Forest Service Information Signs at rest stops, plus interpretive/informative signing exhibits.

Sign Plan

State Highway maps and 7 ½ minute quadrangle maps may be used for this sign plan.

7161.11 – Action Program – The Forest Sign and Poster Action Program will utilize, at a minimum, yearly inspection and maintenance schedules, an annual schedule of proposed sign installations and a breakdown of types of signs for maintenance accomplishments can be made available at the end of each Fiscal Year.

The Unit sign Coordinator will maintain the following information from the Sign Inventory System:

1) Sign Inventory Listing

2) Year’s Inspection Schedule

3) Year’s Maintenance Schedule

4) New Sign Installation Schedule

5) Year’s Maintenance Accomplishments

The Units will be responsible for performing the inspection, maintenance, and sign installations listed in the schedules. The information listed on the schedules will be updated as the work is performed, and the new data will be input into the computer. The Unit sign Coordinator should have his/her inspection responsibilities accomplished in conjunction with functional inspection ( ie. Road condition inspections ).

7161.12 – Sign Inventory – A sign inventory will be kept by utilizing the Sign Inventory system in INFRA. The Unit Sign Coordinator will be responsible for maintaining complete and current data in the computer file on existing and proposed sign installations under their jurisdiction. An initial sign inventory will be performed by completing the Sign Inventory Form, ( Exhibit A ) for each sign, whether existing or proposed; and inputting the information from the form in to the computer. The instructions for completing the Sign Inventory Form are listed in Exhibit B. This form will e used to record the initial inventory, inspection, and maintenance of each sign. The first recorded inspection and maintenance of a sign may be completed during the field inventory and should be recorded at that time.

The sign inventory shall be kept current by recording all changes during the inspections or when maintenance is performed, and inputting the new data into the Sign Inventory System. Also, when new signs which are not on the inventory are installed, a complete sign Inventory Form will be completed and the data input in the system.

Maintenance level definitions will determine the extent of the inventory on each road. Signs furnished, installed and/or maintained by a Contractor during the period on an active construction or maintenance contract shall not be included in the inventory.

EXHIBIT A

(Available paper copy only)

EXHIBIT B

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SIGN INVENTORY FORM

UNIT00 – Supervisor’s Office

02 –Hidden Springs Ranger District

04 – Mississippi Bluff Ranger District

10 – Job Corp Center

ROUTE TYPEFR – Forest Service Road

FT – Forest Service Trail

CR – County Road

TR – Township Road

SH – State Highway

US – U.S. Highway

PO – Private Other

SI – Site

ROAD/TRAIL NUMBERThe road or trail number as

Designated in the Transportation

Inventory System, including

section numbers.

MILEPOSTThe distance in miles (nearest 0.1 or 0.01)

From the beginning of the route

section to the location of the sign.

MAP INDEXThe code identifying the quadrangle

map that the sign is located on. The

Map Index Codes are listed in

EXHIBIT C.

EXHIBIT B – Continued

PHOTO INDEXThe code identifying the aerial

Photograph that the sign is

Located on. The code are assigned

as follows:

S000 – S199 Hidden Springs Ranger District

S200 – S399 Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District

SIGN MESSAGEThe wording on the sign

CATALOG NUMBERThe standard catalog number of

The sign from EM 7100-15 or

“N – STD” if the sign does not

have a catalog number.

SIGN COSTThe initial cost of the sign, if known,

or the replacement cost.

SIGN / MANAGEMENT TYPECode identifying the type of sign

Followed by the type of management.

The codes are assigned as follows:

Sign Type

ROA – Road

TRL – Trail

HDQ – Headquarters

SPL – Special-Use Permit

SFY – Safety

PST – Posters

BLT – Bulletin Board

SML – Small Metal

REC – Recreation

ENT – Entrance & Identification

OUT – Outdoor Interpretive

RSH – Research

RSS – Research Stations

OTH – Other

Management Type

DEV – Developed Recreation

DSP – Dispersed Recreation

WLD – Wilderness

FIR – Fire

ORV – Off-Road Vehicle

OTH – Other

SIGN SIZEThe width and height of the

sign to the nearest inch

SIGN MATERIALHDO – Reflective/HDO Plywood

ALM – Reflective/Aluminum

ABS – Reflective/ABS Thermo-

plastic

PLY – Non-Reflective Sheeting

Plywood

NRA – Non-Reflective/Aluminum

NAB – Non-Reflective/ABS Ther-

moplastic

RWD – Routed Wood

SSE – Silk Screen Enamel

OTH – Other

SIGN MOUNTINGMP – Metal Post

WP – Wood Post

TW – Two Wood Post

MS – Multiple Sign

SB – Stone Base

GM – Gate Mounted

OT – Other

DATE ERECTEDMonth and year that the existing

sign was erected. Update when

the sign is replaced.

LIFE EXPECTANCYThe assumed life expectancy of the

sign in years.

INSPECTION INTERVALThe number of years between

planned inspections.

SIGN STATUSCode identifying the status of

the sign.

S – Stock

O – Ordered

P – Proposed

E – Erected

U – Unnecessary

SIGN RATINGThe code identifying the rating

of the sign when inspected.

Update the rating when the in-

dicated action is accomplished.

SAT – Satisfactory

UNS – Unsatisfactory

MAINTENANCE ACTIONThe code identifying the main-

tenance action required as a

result of inspection. Update

only after an inspection, not

when maintenance is performed.

Two codes may be identified,

separated by a slash.

WRP – Repair sign due to wear

WRL – Replace sign due to wear

VRP – Repair sign due to van-

dalism

VRL – Replace sign due to van-

dalism

SRP – Repair Support

SRL – Replace Support

MIS – Replace missing sign

OST – Replace w/other sign type

MAINTENANCE COSTThe estimated maintenance cost

as of last inspection date

MAINTENANCE DATEThe month and year that the

Maintenance action is accom-

plished.

REMARKSAny special remark regarding

the sign, limited to 25 spaces.

MAINTENANCE BYThe signature and date of the

person who performed the last

on the ground sign maintenance

action.

INSPECTION BYThe signature and date of the

Person who performed the

inspection.

EXHIBIT C

MAP INDEX CODES

01) Rockwood26) Cobden

02) Raddle27) Wolflake

03) Oraville28) Ware

04) Altenburg29) Jonesboro

05) Gorham30) Vienna

06) Pomona31) Bloomfield

07) Carbondale32) Glendale

08) Crab Orchard Lake33) Waltersburg

09) Marion34) Shetlerville

10) Crab Orchard35) Rosiclare

11) Carrier Mills36) Cave-In-Rock

12) Harrisburg37) Repton

13) Rudement38) Golconda

14) Equality39) Brownfield

15) Shawneetown40) Reevesville

16) Dekoven41) Dongola

17) Saline Mines42) Mill Creek

18) Karbers Ridge43) McClure

19) Herod44) Thebes

20) Eddyville45) Tamms

21) Stonefort46) Metropolis

22) Creal Springs47) Paducah

23) Goreville48) Smithland

24) Lick Creek49) Cairo

25) Makanda50) Cache

EXHIBIT D

(Available paper copy only)

EXHIBIT E

(Available paper copy only)