Wayfinding Signs

A few weeks ago I raised the idea that we amend the Dennis Sign Code to implement the recommendations of the Dennisport Design Charrette. Since that post I have learned that the Federal Highway Administration has specifically recognized this type of signage.

On September 15th I will be discussing these signs with the Dennis Economic Development Committee. The following provides some of the guidelines from The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD):

• “Community wayfinding guide signs are part of a coordinated and continuous system of signs that direct tourists and other road users to key civic, cultural, visitor, and recreational attractions and other destinations within a city or a local urbanized or downtown area.”

• “Community wayfinding guide signs are a type of destination guide sign for conventional roads with a common color and/or identification enhancement marker for destinations within an overall wayfinding guide sign plan for an area.”

• “Community wayfinding guide signs should be limited to three destinations per sign.”

• “…on urban streets with speeds of 25 mph or less, the principal legend shall be in letters at least 4 inches in height for all upper-case letters, or a combination of 4 inches in height for upper-case letters and 3 inches in height for lower-case letters….”

• MUTCD minimum street signs heights of 8” will be our required heights for destination panels.

• MUTCD minimum street signs widths of 18” will be our required widths for destination panels.

• Business logos, commercial graphics, or other forms of advertising (see Section 1A.01) shall not be used on community wayfinding guide signs or sign assemblies.

In reviewing these mandated standards it is clear we need to establish our local provisions in a manner that is consistent with federal requirements. The framework for the proposed Town of Dennis standards are:

• Community wayfinding guide signs must be a part of a coordinated and continuous system of signs that direct tourists and others to destinations within one of the five distinct villages of Dennis.

• Community wayfinding guide signs shall be consistent with an overall wayfinding guide sign plan for a village approved by the Dennis Board of Selectmen.

• Community wayfinding guide signs shall be limited to three destinations panels per sign. (See exhibit)

• The legend on a panel shall be in letters 4 inches in height for all upper-case letters, or a combination of 4 inches in height for upper-case letters and 3 inches in height for lower-case letters.

• Street sign heights for destination panels shall be 8”.

• Street sign widths for destination panels shall be 18”.

• The common village graphic shall be 24” wide and 12” in height.

• No business logos, commercial graphics, or other forms of advertising shall be on wayfinding signs.

• The standards set in the MUTCD Section 2D.50 Community Wayfinding Signs shall be followed, except as specifically restricted in this proposal.

In order to implement this new set of signs, the Dennis Sign Code will need to be amended, by amending:

PART B DEFINITIONS AND ALLOWED AND PROHIBITED SIGNS

Section 151-12 Definitions

To add a new definition:

VILLAGE WAYFINDING SIGNS – Signs located within a particular village designed to direct travelers to particular recreational or commercial destinations within that village. Village Wayfinding Signs shall consist of signs that are a part of a town or village sponsored and coordinated program for the purpose of facilitating tourist travel, guiding them to specific paths or to local destinations as designated and recognized by the particular village’s wayfinding sign program.

And to add the following two illustrations to the definitions:

And also to modify

Section 151-12 Allowed Signs and conditions of use to add the following:

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