Cycle Route Directional Signage Resource Manual May 2013 Version 2.1 1 Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources Contents Introduction 3 Scope 3 Definitions 3 Purpose of Directional Signage 3 Signing Principles 3 Signing Cycle Networks 5 Key Design Considerations 5 Directional Guidance Signs 7 Cycle Route Signing Process 10 Appendix 1 - Focal Point Mapping Example Using the Inter-City Cycleway 17 Appendix 2 - Examples of Service Symbols and Tourist Shields 20 Appendix 3 - Signage Dimensions and Signage Clearances 21 2 | P a g e Quiet streets that form part of cycle networks: As Introduction cycle networks develop, it is likely that some ‘quiet streets’, generally those exhibiting low traffic As part of the implementation of the Walking and volumes and speeds, can be signed as part of the Cycling for Active Transport Strategy 2010, this cycle network. document aims to provide a resource for cycle infrastructure owners to utilise when developing and implementing directional signage for cycle routes. Purpose of Directional Signage The purpose of cycle network directional signage is Scope to help cyclists to find and use cycle routes, which The focus of this Manual is to provide guidance in may be made up of a combination of dedicated relation to directional signage principles, and to cycleways, together with shared pathways and provide a suite of directional signage. A set of roads. service symbols and tourist shields is also provided. Cycle network directional signage is an important element in encouraging people to use cycle facilities, and in providing cohesion and Definitions connectivity across cycle networks. Cycle Network: Connected network of paths, cycleways, cycle lanes and streets that together provide a route for cyclists to move between Signing Principles destinations. Signs are compact pieces of information placed in a road or cycleway environment which have to Cycleway and Cyclepath: For the purpose of this transmit their messages very quickly to the people Manual a cycleway and cyclepath is defined as a who are using the transport facility. They are most purpose built and maintained facility for cyclists effective due to the briefness of their messages. that is completely separate from a roadway. Cycleways and cyclepaths may be shared by both Human beings are limited by their physiology. The cyclists and pedestrians. Examples include: way the brain operates, human beings cannot process large amounts of new information quickly. Intercity Cycleway in Hobart There is growing evidence that too many signs Turners Beach Off Road Path competing for a person’s attention can either University Trail in Launceston distract them from the act of riding or driving or cause them to miss vital messages entirely. On-Road Cycle Lane: For the purpose of this Manual this refers to a space on the road marked Signs primarily communicate through graphics and for use by cyclists. Existing examples include: symbolism. Though much of the content of road signs contain words, the letters which make up Cycle lanes in Argyle, Campbell and these words are in themselves complex graphical Molle Streets in Hobart symbols. Unless the content of the lettering is Cycle lanes in Elphin Road, Charles immediately recognised and understood, it takes Street, and George Town Road in more time for the human brain to process a Launceston combination of letters than to recognise and react Cycle lanes in Cooee to shapes of whole words as the human eye usually sees words as graphical shapes, rather than combinations of separate letters. The most effective way signs communicate information is through their shape and colour. 3 | P a g e Every signage location or intersection is subtly different with its own set of problems to resolve. It is essential when implementing any signing project to have a clear understanding of the key principles of good signage as most retro-fitting work will involve a wide range of challenges and unique signing situations. A driver travelling at 50km/h sees in excess of 1200 pieces of information every minute. A slower travelling cyclist can take in more but, as discussed above, humans are limited by their capacity to filter and process new information. If a sign cannot be easily read, its message will go unheeded. The clarity and brevity of sign messages are essential components of legibility. Photo 1: Intersection, Ghent, Belgium Signage guidelines are formulated to ensure good legibility. Consequently, important factors such as Communication without Clutter typeface (font), size, sign and lettering colours and In all aspects of sign layout, design, placement, sign layout are specified to ensure a consistently mounting and maintenance it is important to consider high legibility of signage. Good signage brings human factors. The tendency to ‘solve’ a traffic cohesion to a cycle network. Even if the provision management or road safety problem by placing a new of facilities is in its early development phase, a well sign in the road / street environment can often be signed network of routes can provide people with counterproductive. the ability to more easily find their way around their city or town by bike. The human brain operates in two ways – conscious information processing and automatic information Consistent signage helps to build user-confidence processing. in the cycle network and cycling as a practical Conscious processing is: flexible, slow, easy to change, mode of transport. suited to new situations, requires energy, attention and conscious thought, and is error prone. Automatic information processing is: rigid, fast, needs less attention, unsuited for new situations, dominated by expectations, hard to change, not consciously thought about, and is less error prone. In learning to ride or drive we consciously learn many skills that with time become automatic. We don’t need to consider the Stop sign in the distance. We automatically respond to it and begin to slow down on approach and look for other vehicles or pedestrians in or near the intersection. Sign clutter, poor placement, insufficient colour contrast (particularly in low light situations) and complicated or wordy messages are all factors which can decrease the effectiveness of signage. Badly designed signage can add complexity to the road environment and can increase the possibility of operating errors by drivers and riders. 4 | P a g e Signing Cycle Networks secondary destinations and decision points that will be signed. A cycle network is a system of interconnected bicycle routes which enable people to satisfy their The Focal Point Signage Map provides the travel needs within their city or town and the framework for directional signage on the cycle surrounding region by bicycle. route and is an important tool in its ongoing development. Unlike the urban road network, which is predominately defined by its infrastructure (the 3. Maintain rigid consistency in naming main roads, regional roads and local roads which locations. have been developed over time and interconnect Absolute consistency in naming locations must be our communities), a cycle network may use a maintained throughout the system. Once a combination of dedicated cycleways, pathways destination has been signed it must appear on all shared with pedestrians, and roads that are shared subsequent destination signs until that destination with cars. has been reached. It is the special system of signage, markings and 4. In the event of alternate routes, sign engineering improvements applied to our urban the most direct route. paths, streets and roads which make cycle routes If more than one route to a destination is possible and enable them to function collectively as part of from a departure point, the most direct route a transport network. should normally be the only one indicated on the signs. This may be varied if the alternative Key Design Considerations provides major advantages over the shorter route. Consistent, accurate and unambiguous cycle 5. Signage should list all primary network signage uses a methodology based on the destinations on the route. established practice of highway network signage Primary destinations should appear on all signage which embodies the following key signage on the relevant route. Primary destinations objectives: should be listed in order with the closest destination at the top. Once the destination is 1. Ensure consistency of signage layout reached, it no longer appears on the signage. Once and quality across the network. secondary destinations are listed on signage, they A consistent standard, location and quality of should appear on all signs until the destination is signage across cycle networks will assist people to reached. identify cycle routes, minimise the risk of confusion and build community confidence in the 6. Major centres such as Hobart, system. Launceston, Burnie or Devonport are primary destinations and should always 2. Identify primary and secondary be identified. destinations, and key decision points. Major centres should be signed right into the CBD. Primary and secondary destinations are the only places which are to be named on signage for a 7. Up to four primary and secondary particular cycle route. Primary destinations destinations may be listed on each sign. include city centres and other high profile In addition to primary destinations, secondary attractors. Secondary destinations may include destinations may be shown, but no more than 4 major activity centres, starts of or intersections destinations should normally be included on any with other cycle routes, and major services. one sign. As part of the process of planning cycle route signage, a Focal Point Signage Map should be prepared that identifies the primary destinations, 5 | P a g e 8. Nearest destinations must be listed first. The nearest destination in a given direction should be listed first, and the most distant destination should be listed last. In the case of Advance Direction Signs, ‘straight ahead’ destinations are listed at the top of the board in order of proximity, and side destinations are listed at the bottom (in order of proximity) with an arrow indicating the direction of the turn required.