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: All parks are expected to follow the standards. Director's Order #52C: Park Signs states: "Superintendents are expected to expeditiously convert park signage to the new standards to the extent permitted by available funding." However, in accordance with Director's Order #52A, existing stocks will be used until exhausted. Also, 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 new signs be more expensive?

A: Because of large-volume purchasing and delivery, the initial cost of many signs will actually be cheaper. Other signs may be more expensive initially, but because the UniGuide standards specify the use of higher quality, durable, and reusable materials, total life-cycle costs associated with these signs will be less than the current costs of similar signs.

Sign designs developed for one park can be used by other parks that have the same need through a shared digital library of signs, thus reducing the cost of repetitive sign planning and design.

Q: Will the signs take longer to make?

A: The new system includes three sign categories: 1. road guide and traffic regulatory signs; 2. entrance and place identification signs; and 3. an extensive set of small panel signs for orientation, interpretation, safety, resource protection, and pedestrian wayfinding.  

Manufacture or construction of the first and second types of signs will require about the same time it currently does. (Planning these types of signs should take considerably less time however.) Manufacture of the third category of signs (the Visitor Information System) should take dramatically less time, because the hardware is mass produced and shipped to parks for assembly. Wayside exhibit bases, for example, which currently take months to produce in quantity, could be delivered in a matter of days. Other small sign hardware could also be shipped very quickly, or parks could keep a small inventory of the hardware on hand for immediate use.

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 MUTCD?

A: In most respects, the UniGuide Standards conform to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices published by the Federal Highway Administration. Those few areas where the standards do not are being identified in conversations with FHWA. Further discussions will determine whether the UniGuide Standards will be revised to comply with the MUTCD or whether the FHWA will permit the National Park Service certain exceptions, as it has in the past.

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 is a sign manufacturer located in Verona, PA, a suburb of Pittsburgh. We have provided signs for many projects across the nation, with the National Indian Museum in DC being one of our most recent projects. We are proud to have competed favorably for this opportunity and honored to be a part of the NPS mission to improve visual communications with the use of signs.

Q: What is covered under the contract?

A: The Servicewide Sign Management Program includes the manufacture of all signs for the NPS. The signs will be manufactured to UniGuide standards in accordance with NPS Director's Order #52C. Additional services included in the contract include the manufacture of Wayside Exhibits, the planning and design of replacement signs, the creation of sign plans for entire parks or areas within parks, and the development of sign content and related technical disciplines.

Q: Do we still buy traffic signs from UNICOR?

A: No, you are no longer required to buy anything from UNICOR. Because of our exclusive contract with the National Park Service, these signs are now to be purchased from Bunting Graphics.

Q: Are Wayside Exhibits covered under the contract?

A: The manufacture of all Wayside Exhibits is to be completed by Bunting. There is also the option for Bunting providing one price for the design and build for Wayside Exhibits so that funds the the project may be allocated at one time.

Q: What is the procedure for ordering signs?

A: There is a 6 month phase-in for many components of the contract. On this site you will currently find traffic signs and an order form for starters. The web content will be expanded to include information regarding sign plans, hardware, how to get the process started with a sign plan and more.

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

Q: What about recycling?

Q:  I received my quote from Bunting and the freight amount exceeds $250.00.  Do I need to issue a Transportation Service Order (TSO, formerly Gov’t Bill of Lading)?

A:  The Bunting Graphics contract is set up as FOB destination.  It is recommended that the order is placed for “the job” with a lot price rather than showing each unit price.  The quotes from Bunting will contain the supporting individual unit prices, crating and shipping costs to support the “for the job price.”