Q: Why are new sign standards needed?

A: New standards are necessary to respond to significant changes that have occurred in the quarter century since existing standards were developed:

Changing Audiences: Current NPS sign standards (NPS-SSS) were adopted in 1978, a year in which 294 parks were visited by 282 million people. Today, there are 385 parks which are visited by 429 million people each year. More important than growing in numbers, the character of park visitors is changing as well. Today's visitors are older and more international in origin. They also come to parks expecting facilities that are aesthetically and functionally equal to those they enjoy elsewhere. The new standards address these requirements by providing signs that reflect the latest in human factors engineering and a systematic approach to environmental graphic design.

New Technologies: Sign technology has also changed significantly since 1978. Rather than pencil and paper, the new standards rely on the electronic technologies made possible by the computer. Sign planning, design, fabrication, delivery, inventory, and maintenance are all easier and better integrated with standards developed for the digital world. Many new sign materials and fabrication procedures have also been developed since 1978, including advanced retro reflective surfaces, digitally imaged sign panels, and computerized sign-making equipment. By taking full advantage of these materials and methods, the new standards offer a much wider range of possibilities for park signs.

Expanded Needs: The 1978 standards focused primarily on vehicular traffic signs within or leading to parks. Limited guidance on metal entrance signs was also included. However, the 1978 standards did not begin to fully address the complex range of signs that are typically needed in a park. The new standards are far more comprehensive, offering complete design and fabrication specifications for a full range of sign types, from interstate highway guide signs to campsite number designations, and everything in between. The new standards are also consistent with NPS graphic design standards, recently introduced in response to the agency's effort to strengthen its public identity.

A: Nothing in this policy will affect the continued use of entrance and other signs that have historic significance. Determination of which signs are historic will be a function of the NPS Sign Program National Advisory Board. Use of the standards in cultural landscapes, historic districts, and backcountry and wilderness areas will be moderated by the special nature of these areas and in accordance with established policies and practices.   These standards are not generally intended to be applied to signs installed in parks by other government agencies, concessioners, and lessees of historic properties; exceptions may be granted by Park Superintendents.

Q: Will the new signs all look alike?

A: In order to maximize their authority, all park signs must be recognized as official National Park Service messages. Just as the credibility of park rangers is enhanced by the consistency of their uniforms, signs gain authority by repetition of style. They also gain clarity. As visitors travel from park to park, they are greeted by a graphic language that they come to know and understand. Communication is more assured, more rapid, and more effective. Redundancy of appearance also helps strengthen the agency's identity by ensuring that the public is fully aware of the NPS and the breath of its mission.

The goal of the standards is to find the appropriate point between the extremes of absolute uniformity on the one hand, and exhaustive custom design on the other. Too much of the former results in signs that are overly "corporate" in appearance; too much of the latter increases costs and fails to adequately reflect a parks connection to the agency. The new standards attempt to achieve a reasonable balance by prescribing some features, while offering enough flexibility to ensure that signs reflect the visual character of individual parks. This is especially true of entry signs. Consistency is achieved by the conformity of the sign panel; appropriateness is assured by providing variety in the form and the material of the sign's structure.  

Q: Will the signs take longer to make?

A: The lead time is dependent upon type of sign you order and the stage of the drawing approval process when your order is initiated with Bunting. Lead times range between 2 weeks to 12 weeks depending upon order content and size.  Bunting can provide you with an estimated ship date at time of order.  Now that there is no longer a requirement to have all drawings initiated at HFC, Bunting can work directly with park personnel right at the beginning of the process.  This helps to eliminate confusion since there is one contact from layout through production.

Q: Have the new UniGuide sign standards been tested?

A: Yes, the standards have been the subject of considerable laboratory analysis and field observations.

Human Factors Studies: In March, 2001, a study of prototypical sign panels developed for Yosemite National Park was conducted by the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. The Virginia Tech study was conducted jointly by the school's Department of Resource Recreation and Tourism, and the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering. Preliminary lab studies were conducted at the University, followed by field evaluations of signs in the North Pines Campground and Yosemite Falls trailhead at Yosemite. The results of both studies were helpful in understanding the importance of sign placement, the proper amount of narrative and illustrative content, and the value of maps. The findings of this study have been incorporated into these standards.

Analysis of Sign Typography: In 2001, tests were conducted to determine the relative effectiveness of the new NPS standard Rawlinson Roadway typeface. The tests were conducted by the Pennsylvania Transportation Institute (PTI) at The Pennsylvania State University.   Researchers evaluated NPS Roadway against the current NPS standard typeface (Clarendon) and against two federal highway alphabets. The Penn State tests were conducted on a track using human subjects to determine the readability of these fonts against retroreflective sign sheeting during the day and at night. The tests concluded that NPS Roadway "results in 10.5% greater legibility distances and equal recognition distances compared with NPS Clarendon." The study also found that words created with Roadway "are 11.5% shorter than the same words created with NPS Clarendon" thus enabling signs that are considerably smaller in overall size.

Q: How will signs be planned?

A: Having standards for the design and fabrication of signs is pointless unless their application is based on solid sign planning. At its most basic, planning a sign is simply determining its purpose, placement, and content. Signs are often planned in the context of larger undertakings: the construction of a visitor center, for example, or the development of a campground or roadway.   Sometimes, as in the case of Yosemite, Grand Canyon, and Zion, signs are an integral and essential part of a transportation system.

Director's Order #52C requires each park to develop a sign plan to guide the acquisition, installation, and maintenance of their signs. The Director's Order also requires the appointment of Regional Sign Coordinators to provide assistance to parks, including help in developing sign plans. In addition to establishing contracts for the manufacture and delivery of signs, various tools (forms, templates, samples, software programs, etc.) will be developed to assist parks in creating comprehensive sign plans, and in applying the standards to individual signs. Training will also be offered as funding allows. In the short run, and for those parks who might always need or prefer outside assistance, contracts will be established with a number of private-sector sign planning firms that are versed in the new NPS standards.      

Q: What exactly is a sign plan?

A: A sign plan is a list of all signs in or relating to a specific park that are installed and maintained under the authority of that park's management. The plan is an inventory of all existing signs and a proposal for any additional signs. A sign plan documents all attributes of a sign including location, type, purpose, content, physical characteristics (of structure, sign panel, and mounting assembly), and physical condition. A comprehensive sign plan will include a sign location map (in AutoCad or other software) of an entire park indicating the location of each sign by unique reference code number, and a database of digital files containing the production artwork for each sign panel in the system.

The purpose of a sign plan is to ensure that all signs work in concert and in support of approved park communication goals, and that they are compliant with NPS design standards. A sign plan will also help ensure that signs are routinely maintained and promptly replaced as required.

The development of a park sign plan is the responsibility of the Park Sign Coordinator with assistance from the Regional Sign Coordinator. The actual planning may be done by agency personnel or by environmental graphic design firms working through contracts established by the NPS Sign Program Manager.

Q: Are the new standards compliant with the FHWA and MUTCD?

A: Yes, Bunting recognizes all MUTCD standard part numbers.  Our current product offering for MUTCD signs is TYPE III reflective, which will soon be the national standard.  Our road guide signs are fabricated using NPS standard Type II sheeting, but we also supply Types IV, VII and VIII.  Please contact us for the specifications required by your state.

Q: Will UniGuide signs help meet NPS sustainability goals?

A: Yes. The Uniguide Standards recognize the opportunity that the National Park Service has to model environmentally responsible behavior. Development of the standards was guided by a number of principles:

Durability: The UniGuide Standards specify materials that are rugged and are used in stout dimensions and forms. This means that fewer materials are used over time because the signs resist damage and last longer.

Limited Energy Consumption: Signs that last longer also mean less energy is consumed because they do not need to be inspected, repaired, or replaced as often. This saves fuel and money. Signs that are well planned and communicate effectively also mean that visitors' vehicles consume less fuel by getting to their destinations directly and quickly.  

Recyclability: Most materials specified by the UniGuide standards -- including wood, steel, and aluminum -- are recyclable.

Reusability: In addition to being made of recyclable materials, much of the UniGuide hardware is designed as a kit of parts which can be assembled and then reassembled for a different use rather than being discarded.

Efficient Manufacturing: Because most of the UniGuide hardware components and sign panels are produced in volume, efficient fabrication procedures can be employed saving both energy and materials.  

Q: Who is Bunting Graphics?

A: Bunting Graphics is a nationally recognized sign manufacturer located in Verona, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh. 

Q: Bunting is not located in my region – will they be able to provide good service?

Q: What about recycling?