or mottled finish are available. It has interior or exterior applications, especially in high visitation areas. It is very weather resistant and vandal proof, except it is easily shattered by bullets and excessive impact. One of the most attractive sign materials on the market. Cost is competitive with the rising costs of embedded fiberglass or metal signs. There is little or no maintenance.

11. Rigid Vinyl.-Material comes in 10-, 20-, and 30-mil thicknesses. Durable, but best used inside because exposure to the elements and ultraviolet rays tends to crack and warp it. Costs are low. Multiple colors can be used.

12. Screened Sign Board.-Direct screen printing on medium density overlay (MDO) sign board. Sheet size is 1⁄2 inch by 4 feet by 8 feet, which will make six 22-inch by 32-inch signs per sheet at a very moderate cost. Signs need to be primed and finishcoated with exterior enamel, then sent to a screen printer along with camera-ready artwork. Sign is ready to mount on uprights without having to attach it to a board.

F.

Location and Placement: Location and placement of interpretive signs are critical to their effectiveness. Signs should be installed at locations with sufficient visitor traffic to warrant a sign, should be placed in view of the feature being interpreted, and should be accessible to persons with disabilities.

1. Consider the following when selecting sign sites.

a. Suitability of the view and environment and how it may be retained during
construction, installation, and thereafter.

b.

C.

Relationship of the sign to the point of interest. The point of interest should be obvious.

Locate sign to enhance photographic value of the setting.

3.

C.

Recreation facilities.

f.

Cultural sites (archeological sites, historic areas, and facilities).

g.

h.

i.

Visitor safety, including barrier-free access.

Mounting height and angle will vary, depending on a number of factors. Trail signs should be placed low, about hand level. This is convenient for both wheelchair users and visually impaired visitors. Tilt sign at about a 45-degree angle for ease in reading and rain runoff. Other signs, those designed to be read from a car, for example, may be more easily read at a 90-degree angle.

Adverse effects of wind, insects, cold, heat, dust, bright sunlight, and other distracting elements to the visitor.

Avoid danger or discomfort to the visitors as they approach or stand at the sign. For example, overhanging or dead limbs, dangerous walks, rolling rock, cactus near the trail edge, or rough stones in the trail.

G. Special Considerations: Design interpretive signs to provide for the needs of visitors with disabilities and foreign visitors who may have special needs. Consider the use of "curbside" information booths, cassette recordings, map brochure dispensers, two-way communications systems (vehicle to information counters), or other information devices, as feasible. Consult with the area specialist on how best to provide these services. If interpretive signs are provided, they must comply with accessibility standards such as ADAAG 4.30.

1.

Visitors with Disabilities.-Most people who have vision impairments have some vision, even if they are legally blind. It is important to remember that fewer than 10 percent of the people with visual impairments read Braille. Many people choose to receive information by audio cassettes, large or raised print, or through oral presentations.

Do not set up signs or trails just for one certain group of people, such as "Braille trails" or "handicapped trails." This assumes that people with disabilities need the protection of the special features, that there is nothing else in the site they would find interesting, and that nothing in the selected area is of value to the general public. Another problem with this type of developed site is that it requires visitors to identify themselves as being different from the rest of the visitor population.

Do not make assumptions about what visitors would like or are capable of doing. Many people with vision impairments are denied opportunities for experiences, such as scenic overlooks, merely because someone assumed they would not get much from the experience. With appropriate description, visually impaired people could enjoy a scenic overlook just as much as a sighted person.

Finally, it is most likely that a disabled person, like other visitors, will be traveling as part of a group. Like any visiting group, couple, family unit, or tour party, some of the visitors' experience will be illuminated and enhanced by the discussion that goes on among the group members about what they are observing. The interpretive task, therefore, may not be to simply translate the common interpretive message for the disabled member of the party, but to provide a unique message, keyed to the disabled member's abilities and to senses other than sight, that will allow the disabled member to bring his/her own insights to that dialogue.

a. For visually impaired people, essential interpretive or orientation information that is provided in print should also be available through the spoken word, audiotapes, large or raised print (at least 1/4 inch), and, perhaps, Braille.

b.

C.

d.

e.

Important text and graphics should be visible to all visitors.

For greatest readability, characters and symbols should contrast with their
backgrounds, either light characters on a dark background or vice versa.

Self-guided trails should include such information as trail length, accessibility level, trail conditions, possible hazards, and cues for proper orientation. Interpretation should be as sensory as possible (e.g., "Feel the soil in a shady area and compare it to soil in a sunny area.”)

Where appropriate, nonvisual cues should be used to inform and direct vision impaired people to signs. Tactile guide strips may be located to assist in travel.

f.

All pathways, ramps, aisles, and clearances should be accessible.

3.

g.

Railings and other barriers should be positioned to provide an unobstructed view to persons in wheelchairs.

Bilingual Signing.-Areas often visited by people whose predominant language is not English may need to include bilingual signing. If duplicate interpretive signs, one in English and one in non-English, are too costly and visually impacting, consider other alternatives, such as developing an interpretive brochure in the second or third languages. Text and graphics from the interpretive signs should be translated in the brochure.

H. Evaluating/Monitoring Effectiveness: Once a sign project is completed and installed, it must be monitored and evaluated as to its success in conveying the message to the intended audience and satisfying their needs. Whether the project involves one sign for a historic lookout, or a series of signs for an interpretive trail, the total effectiveness of the signs(s) must be evaluated (e.g., text, graphics, total communication presentation).

To evaluate interpretive signs, some marketing research techniques include in-house review, review by visitors, or review by experts. Area managers/specialists can consult with a marketer if they are unfamiliar with these techniques.

It is preferable to do test evaluations with signs prior to the fabrication stage. Time for the preinstallation evaluation should be built into the project development. Serious flaws discovered after fabrication and installation can require substantial funds, as well as time to repair. Preinstallation corrections will still take time, but are usually less costly.

To evaluate an interpretive sign's effectiveness, consider the following five criteria:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Intrigue.-Does it excite interest and curiosity? Does it capture the visitor's
attention?

Imagination.-Does it communicate in innovative ways, and does it stimulate new and different ideas and concepts about the resource? Does it encourage the visitor to look at familiar things in different ways?

Involvement.-Does it invite or encourage visitor participation? Does it draw the visitor into intimate personal contact with things, so that he or she is more than a spectator?

Information.-Does it convey meaningful information or new knowledge about resources, their management, and the interplay of natural and cultural processes? Is it information the visitor needs if he or she is to feel satisfied about the visit?

Influence.-Will it effect significant changes in visitor attitudes or generate new

ones?

Accessibility.-Is the information being communicated to the public available to
persons with disabilities?

Chapter V

GENERAL DESIGN GUIDELINES

Design should be completed before the procurement process begins unless design preparation is to be completed under a scope of work as part of the procurement process. After selecting the general sign message, use the following guidance to determine the size and layout of all signs. Several sign components are similar and will be discussed together as they apply to all sign classifications outlined in chapter III. Some flexibility exists for regional diversity when designing signs that are compatible with the surrounding landscape and area themes. Use of native materials is encouraged when specifying particular design types. When deviating from these discretionary Guidelines, coordination with the regional sign coordinator is recommended.

Though the materials specified in these Guidelines are adequate for sign construction, there may be other materials and technologies which are superior and could be used. As funding permits, superior materials are recommended.

A. Purpose: This chapter provides a general overview of basic principles, standards, and guidelines that govern design and installation of signs. It also includes information on estimating sign sizes.

B.

Principles: This chapter contains standards for sign design, shape, color, size, placement, and reflectivity. Specialists developing or using signs should follow these standards to portray a neat, organized appearance; to provide uniformity; to project a professional agency image; and to comply with laws and requirements of memoranda of understanding with Federal, State, and local agencies.

Specialists should consider use of symbols and/or non-English word messages to supplement English word messages on signs in areas that are frequented by non-English speaking visitors.

C. Sign Objectives: Design, locate, and maintain signs to:

Fulfill an important need.

Command attention.

Convey a clear, positive, friendly, simple message.

Generate respect.

Give adequate time for viewer response.

Identify Reclamation lands.