New York State Snowmobile Trail Signing Handbook - 3

General Guidelines for
Snowmobile Trail Signing
This document provides guidelines for the
effective placement of signs on recreational snowmobile
trails. It should be seen as a process to
improve snowmobile trail development in as safe
and cost effective manner as opposed to a rigid
policy statement. It is anticipated that as a result
of ongoing communication and development,
these guidelines will continue to evolve through
time.
NYS Parks has developed this manual to provide
the minimum guidelines for regulatory signs,
cautionary signs, and trail markers. These guidelines
should be applied to all officially designated
snowmobile trails.
Proper signage will reinforce safety and other
information for the snowmobiler familiar with local
trails. Moreover, proper signage will allow touring
snowmobilers who are not familiar with the area to
navigate more easily and with more confidence,
thus enhancing safety and enjoyment of the snowmobiler.
To
test your success in achieving this goal you
may want to invite someone who is not familiar
with the trail to join you on a trip. Their comments
can be invaluable.
The methods used to mount trail signs vary
depending on the intended permanence of the installation
and landowner considerations, including
trails on state lands. The following points provide
guidance in selecting an appropriate mounting
method to suit your circumstance.
* Compliance with signing guidelines for trails
on any state lands is subject to provisions of
permits issued by each respective state landmanager.
This includes the Canal Corporation,
DOT, DEC, and Parks. Contact the respective
land managers to obtain proper sign installation
requirements.
* Except for informational and trail identification
or junction signs, as set forth in this handbook,
trail signs must be reflective.
* When installing signs and grooming trails there
needs to be consistency so that the groomed
trail matches the signed trail. TME members
installing signs and club members grooming
the trails need to be in communication with
3
each other so that the groomed trail matches
the signed trail. If a trail is groomed differently
than it is signed, the club must change the
signing for that part of the trail.
* Use durable materials for permanent installations
i.e. flexible plastic, fiberglass, steel, or pressure
treated lumber. Use adequately sized wood or
metal signposts to provide stability and deter
vandalism.
* It must be remembered that the trail will be used
for travel in both directions. Separate, and often
different, signing is required for each direction of
travel.
* Signing is often done by persons who are
familiar with the trail and who know where they
are and where they are going. When putting up
signs, imagine that you have never been in this
area or on this trail before. Try to picture what
signs would be necessary to get you safely to
your destination.
* Have your signage reviewed by someone less
familiar with the area to identify locations that
need improvements. The trail inspection program
would provide trail maintenance organizations
with valid feedback on signage operations.
* Place signs as late in the fall as possible and
remove promptly at the end of the season.
This reduces vandalism, potential trespass, and
conserves sign life by reducing exposure to the
elements.
* Overuse of signs should be avoided; this
practice can potentially impact safety. To avoid
clutter and confusion, every effort should be
made to sign the trails using only the regulatory
and cautionary signs suggested in this handbook.
Only trail signs meeting standards for
shape, color, size, and reflectorization as mentioned
in this handbook shoud be allowed on trails.
* Extra regulatory and warning signs should be
carried on grooming equipment and by trail
patrollers to replace those which have been
removed or vandalize.
New York State Snowmobile Trail Signing Handbook

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of New York State Snowmobile Trail Signing Handbook
