EFFECTIVE DATE: February 2, 2009
DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed / 7160
Page 1 of 13
FSM 7100 – ENGINEERING OPERATIONS
Chapter 60 – SIGNS AND POSTERS
/ Forest Service MANUAL
Shawnee nf (Region 9)
Harrisburg, il
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Duration: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
Approved: Hurston A. NicholasForest Supervisor / Date Approved: 2/02/2009
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.
New Document / 7160-2009-2 / 13 PagesSuperseded Document(s) (Supplement Number and Effective Date) / FSM7100-2003-4 / 13 Pages
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)