Cycle route signs help route users find their way, they advertise the presence of route and make people aware that routes are part of wider networks. Poor signage is a (the) major cause of frustration with cycle routes and has even been cited in coroners' reports* - when lost cyclists have ended up on trunk roads. Despite this, signage is often an afterthought. This workshop will give participants a good understanding on what effective signage can look like, and how it can be achieved. As well as presentations, participants will cycle on parts of the National Cycle Network to see examples of signage in different (Urban and Rural) environments.

1. A tailor made local
authority training
package
WELCOME
1

2. Glasgow Cycle Route
Signage – Training Day
Providing training to
deliver solutions
2

3.  September 2012
 Glasgow – CS Office
 Simon Philips, Campbell
McCall, Tom Bishop
Providing training to deliver solutions
3

4. www.satinonline.org
Sharing Information
Promoting Good
Practice
4

5. Aims on Website
 SATIN will add value to the work of membership organisations delivering outdoor
access and active travel infrastructure management through the following aims:
 to encourage, identify, co-ordinate and promote the sharing and dissemination of
technical information/knowledge
 to promote and encourage the adoption of good practice standards in design,
procurement, construction, contract management, construction safety [CDM 2007] and
maintenance
 to develop and share an improved evidence base of good practice through research,
experience and collaboration
 to provide an opportunity to develop and demonstrate new, and modify existing, ideas,
for innovative approaches and techniques, and, where required, produce good practice
guidance
 to provide networking opportunities to view and discuss practical infrastructure issues
and exchange tried and tested solutions via conferences, workshops and outdoor site
visits
 to provide details of specific training opportunities to increase capacity building and
skills development in industry areas
 to link with relevant advisory groups
5

6. WHAT WILL YOU LEARN TODAY?
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7. LEARNING OUTCOMES
Be aware of and be able to:
 Learn to understand the role of directional signs – not just as
basic way finding tools for existing route users, but to advertise
the presence of a route to new users and to enhance the
experience and utility of routes.
 Understand appropriate sign types for a variety of scenarios. By
considering the needs of route users you will ensure that the
correct signs are used.
 Learn aspects of best practice – and how to avoid common
mistakes.
 Learn different methods for scheduling signs for correct
manufacture and installation.
7

8. Questions?
Name
Job Description
Achievement in the last month
Question on Learning Point
8

9.  National Cycle Network
2000+ miles in Scotland
 75% on road
 5% owned-managed by
Sustrans
 7000 signs
9

10. KILLIN
10
CALLANDER

11. 11

12. KILLIN
CRIANLARICH
12

13. 13

14. Airdrie – Bathgate Cycle Path
14

15. Airdrie – Bathgate Signage
 15 mile route
 3 – 4 years planning
 £7 million – the most costly single cycle route
construction project in Scotland
 Funded by government agencies
 International consultants and contractors
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16. 16

17. 17

18. Regulations
Traffic Signs Regulations and
General Directions 2002
Amendment in February 2012
http://assets.dft.gov.uk/publications/tal-1-12/tal-1-
18

19. Regulations
Advice within known guidelines
Cycling by Design 2010
http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/strategy-and-research/publicatio
Local Transport Note 2/08
http://assets.dft.gov.uk/publications/local-transport-notes/ltn-2-08.pdf
Paths Signage Guidance
http://www.pathsforall.org.uk/component/option,com_docman/Itemid,1
TFL London Design Standards
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/businessandpartners/lcds_cha
19

20. TSRGD Compliance?
20

21. The Uses of Directional Signage
5 min Group Exercise
What are the direct and indirect uses of
directional signage?
21

22. Direct and Indirect Uses of Directional Signage
For Existing Users
For Potential Route Users
 Way-finding. Navigating from A to B
 Helps us prepare for manoeuvres – letting us  Route advertising.
assume good positioning on roads. For example  Encouragement
signs in advance of a junction where we must  Good signage suggests that routes are well
cross oncoming traffic allow us to take the maintained.
appropriate position on the road.  Good signage suggests that the route is current.
 Informs us of places of interest and facilities off the
Not some relic.
route.
 Speeds up journey. No need to stop to check
map. No getting lost. For Motorised Traffic
 Creates awareness of a wider network. Even if  Awareness of an on road cycle route to motorised
you’re only using a short section of the route – you vehicles
will see signs displaying destinations of perhaps 20
miles in either direction.
 Mileages (or time) help with planning before or
during a journey. May encourage people to make
journeys.
22

23. Poor signage leaves route users…
Frustrated and angry No one likes to be lost. Users have
appointments, transport connections and
hotel bookings
Facing greater risk Users may end up on busy roads due to
getting lost
Busy roads used in an attempt to make up
lost time
Signs are seen at the last minute – and users
may be tempted to take risks to conduct a
manoeuvre
Wary of using cycle routes A poor experience on one route may put a
user off forever
Dissatisfied with your If the route on the ground doesn’t tally with
your maps, websites and press releases, then
organisation users will be unhappy
23

24. Building Blocks of Signage
24

25. Legislation – The TSRGD
Peter Leslie – Cycling Scotland
25

26. Direction
Destinations
Distances
Symbols
26

27. Basic are two sign shapes
There Sign Anatomy
 chevron
 rectangular
There are three basic sign types
 Junction
 Junction ahead
 Confirmation (repeater)
27

28. Signs used at junctions
These sign types require
immediate action
28

29. Signs indicating
junction ahead.
These sign prompt greater
awareness and adoption of
different road space.
29

30. Signs confirming the
route.
Used after junctions to confirm
the correct route was chosen
Used at intervals between
junctions where route stays on
the same road.
30

31. 31

32. 32

33. 33

34. Direction
Destinations
Distances
Symbols
34

35.  Selecting appropriate destinations requires an
understanding of route and the route user
 Four destinations per sign maximum
 Nearest destination first
 Hierarchy of destinations
 Confirm direction with ‘North’ / ‘South’
35

36. 36

37. Destination Hierarchy
Primary Tertiary
 Glasgow City Centre  SECC
 Loch Lomond  Partick
 Scotstoun
Secondary  Renfrew Ferry
 Clydebank  Bowling
 Dumbarton  Alexandria
37

38. 38

39. Direction
Destinations
Distances
Symbols
39

40.  Very close destinations don’t need distances
 Units are Yards and Miles
 Fractions up to 3 miles
 Measure to a centre OR to a buffer around an area
 Measuring distances can be time consuming – GIS can
help
 Time (Mins and Hours) can be used on signs but the
extra details can compromise sign design.
40

41. GIS can be used to determine distance from
point to point OR between sign locations and
destinations.
SITE 1 SITE 2 SITE 3
SCOTSTOUN 2 1 0
CLYDEBANK 6 5 4
BOWLING 9 8 7
DUMBARTON 13 12 11
ALEXANDRIA 16 15 14
BALLOCH 19 18 17
41

42. Direction
Destinations
Distances
Symbols
42

43.  NCN routes use cycle and route number patch
 Links to the NCN use route number patch in
brackets
 Various symbols are available in TSRGD to
convey messages to assist route users
 Patches can be used to help merge signs and
reduce clutter
 Route names can be added
43

44.  The cycle tows the route
number
 Pedestrian follows the
route number on traffic-
free routes
 Symbols have left – right
orientations
44

45. 45

46. 46

47. 47

48. Sign face design is based on
 ‘x height’
 Layout of text and symbols
 Use of multiple panels for separate destinations
Sign Face Design directly affects
 Legibility
 Aesthetics
 Cost (surface area and post requirement)
 Durability
48

49. Sign Design Software
 Traffic-type signs are often
designed using programs
such as SignPlot or Key
Signs
 TSRGD rules are in-built
 These compile a list of
signs for manufacture.
(schedule)
 Calculate requirements for
posts and foundations
based on wind-loading
49

50.  Major factor governing overall size of sign.
 Minimum x height of 30 on road or adjacent to road
 Off road there is no legal requirement
 x height should vary as the route varies. A single x-
height for all signs on a route may not be appropriate
 Always check overall height and width of signs before
manufacture
50

51.  Avoid long thin signs that require more than one
post
 Spread text across more than one line
 Arrange symbols under text
51

52.  Create a single sign instead of two separate
signs
 Cheaper
 Less clutter
52

53. 53

54. 54

55. Fixings are used to control
 Sign visibility
 Protrusion of sign into
road space
 Turning due to wind
 Aesthetics
 Costs
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66. 66

67. Choice and Frequency of Signs.
 Busy urban areas. Advanced, Junction and
confirmation signs should be used.
 Quieter urban areas. Junction and confirmation
signs.
 Rural areas. Junction signs alone may be
sufficient. Confirmation signs used at intervals.
67

68. 68

69. 69

70. 70

71. Sign Structures.
 Signs should be erected so they are clearly
visible at all times.
 A sign mounted at right angles to the route user
is most visible.
 In slow-moving environments, such as a 3-way
junction on a traffic-free path, this is not
essential.
 Sign structures are liable to damage and to
being obscured by foliage.
71

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81. 81

82. Sign Audits
 Signage is not a desktop
exercise – cycle the route
 GOOD Photos for you and for
installer
 Better to visit site twice
during the design stage, than
have to reinstall signs
82

83. C olours:
white on blue
white on red
S cale 1:30 white on brown
Sign Scheduling
Dimensions (mm):
Width: 781, Height: 416
Width: 781, Height: 416
Date printed: 05-09-12
x-Heights: 30, 24
Drawn By: simon.phillips
Area: 0.65 sq m
C antilever Double S ided
Material: RA1
to BS E N 12899-1:2007
ALL S IG NS TO BE MADE W ITH
S ign R eference:R E F_040D
PR OTE C TIVE OVE RLAY FILM
QUE R IE S TO S IMON PHILLIPS
Purposes
07824863028
0131 539 8122
s imon.phillips@ sustrans.org.uk
S cale 1:30
Dimensions (mm):
Width: 742, Height: 349
Width: 742, Height: 349
x-Heights: 30, 24
S ustrans S cotland
 Sign manufacture
Area: 0.52 sq m G lenorchy House
 Sign installation
C antilever Double S ided 20 Union S t.
E dinburgh
E H1 3LR
0131 539 8122
S ign R eference:R E F_041D
S cale 1:30
Dimensions (mm):
Width: 883, Height: 444
Width: 883, Height: 444
x-Heights: 30, 20, 24
Area: 0.78 sq m
C antilever Double S ided
S ign R eference:R E F_042D
S ignPlot v2.81
Drg. no.
83

84. Manufacturing schedules
Spreadsheets
 No expensive
software required
BUT
 Room for error in
design and
manufacture
 More time
consuming
84

85. Manufacturing schedules
Sign software files and print outs
 More clarity for
manufacturer
 Built in TSRGD rules
 Quicker to design
 No proofing of
designs required
85

86.  What sign goes where
Sign Installation Schedule
86

87. Sign Installation Schedule
87

88. Post installation specification
88

89. x height 25 x height 30
76mm post 89mm post
89

90. Working with contractors
 Visit signage sites with contractor before
installation
 Use temporary paint or crayon to confirm sites
 Visit site after installation. Snagging should be
done as soon as possible
 If your instructions can be misinterpreted – they
probably will be!!
90

91. 91

92. Sign Management
 Many signage problems could have been
avoided at the design stage…. So good design
and placement is key to long sign life
 Checking (volunteers)
 Asset Register
 Stock of generic replacements
 Replacement budget. (10% per year)
92

93. Physical factors affecting signs
following installation
Loss Obscure Damage
Theft for scrap Foliage UV bleaching / ageing
Replacement of lighting Other signs and street Traffic accidents
columns furniture Vandalism
Construction projects Vehicles Hedge cutters
Traffic accidents Wind turning
Malicious turning
Fading
Lichen / Slime
Grafffiti
Change of road layout
93

94. LEARNING OUTCOMES
Be aware of and be able to:
 Learn to understand the role of directional
signs – not just as basic way finding tools for
existing route users, but to advertise the
presence of a route to new users and to
enhance the experience and utility of routes.
 Understand appropriate sign types for a
variety of scenarios. By considering the needs
of route users you will ensure that the correct
signs are used.
 Learn aspects of best practice – and how to
avoid common mistakes.
 Learn different methods for scheduling signs
for correct manufacture and installation.
94

95. QUESTIONS?
Providing training to deliver solutions

96. THANK YOU