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United States

Department of

Agriculture

Forest Service

Technology &

Development

Program

7100–Engineering

March 2010

1071-2812P-MTDC

Sign Installation

Guide

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Notice

This document is disseminated under the sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Transportation in the interest of information exchange. The U.S. Government assumes no liability for the use of information contained in this document.

The U.S. Government does not endorse products or manufacturers. Trademarks or manufacturers’ names appear in this 

report only because they are considered essential to the objective of this document.

The contents of this report reflect the views of the authors, who are responsible for the facts and accuracy of the data presented herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official policy of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

This report does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation.
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Sign Installation

Guide

Donna Sheehy

Traffic Management Engineer

Ted J. Cote

Visual Information Specialist

USDA Forest Service

Technology and Development Program

Missoula, MT

6E62H99—Sign Installation Field Guide

March 2010

The Forest Service, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), has developed this information 

for the guidance of its employees, its contractors, and its cooperating Federal and State agencies, and 

is not responsible for the interpretation or use of this information by anyone except its own employees. 

The use of trade, firm, or corporation names in this document is for the information and convenience 

of the reader, and does not constitute an endorsement by the Department of any product or service 

to the exclusion of others that may be suitable. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities 

on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, 

familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, 

reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance 

program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require 

alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) 

should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of 

discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., 

Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is 

an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Thanks to:

Steve Coupal—R-2 Mike Tippie—R-6

Fred Ranck—FHWA Victoria Brinkly—FHWA

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This publication is a result of a partnership between the U.S. 

Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service, 

Technology and Development Program and the U.S. 

Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration 

(FHWA), Coordinated Technology Implementation Program 

(CTIP). CTIP is a cooperative technology deployment and 

sharing program between the FHWA Federal Lands Highway 

office and the Federal land management agencies.
Introduction. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1

Placement Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Breakaway Guidelines for Wood Sign Posts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Wood Sign Post Spacing and Size Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Sign Face Orientation Angle. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 6

Sign Decals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Regulatory Sign Installations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Warning Sign Installations. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 10

Object and Barricade Marker Installations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Guide Sign Installations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Delineator Installations. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 33

ii

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Contents
1

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It is very important to install standard traffic control signs consistently and 

correctly. The effectiveness of a sign can be compromised if it is used inappropriately or if it is installed incorrectly. A sign that is confusing, or one that 

cannot be seen in time, is useless. 

This guide contains information needed to install traffic control signs on 

National Forest System roads in accordance with the “Manual on Uniform 

Traffic Control Devices” (MUTCD) and EM 7100-15, “Sign and Poster 

Guidelines for the Forest Service.” The guide provides a visual reference for 

contractors, volunteers, and Forest Service field personnel who install and 

maintain signs. A quick check of the guide should ensure far fewer errors in 

installations. 

Before any signs are ordered and installed, this guide assumes that:

• A sign plan has been completed and approved. 

• An engineering study or engineering judgment has been used to determine sign needs. 

• All traffic control signs, messages, and sizes meet MUTCD and Forest 

Service standards. 

Introduction

Uniform installation of signs is highly desirable. However, because no two 

roads are exactly alike, unusual situations may be encountered relating to 

topography, man-made objects, intermediate intersections, or other circumstances that may require some modifications to typical sign placement 

guidelines and standards. The most suitable placement of each sign must 

be determined at the site—where all variables are visible. Any deviations or 

adjustments should be documented.

State and county sign requirements may vary. Check with local jurisdictions when installing signs on county, State, or Federal roads. The Forest 

Service has no authority to install signs of any nature within the right-of-way 

of county, State, or Federal roads without a signed agreement from the 

authorizing agency.

The guide is not intended to serve as a substitute for training nor does it 

include every type of sign. Refer to the “Manual on Uniform Traffic Control 

Devices” (MUTCD) and EM 7100-15, “Sign and Poster Guidelines for the 

Forest Service,” for complete information. 
2

2

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Placement Guidelines

Locate signs on the right side of the road unless specific 

standards require otherwise. 

Place signs where they are clearly visible and provide adequate 

time for proper viewer response. Consider factors such as vehicle 

speed, road conditions, intermediate intersections, sight distance, 

and alignment. Select locations that minimize viewing obstructions. 

Avoid locations such as:

• Dips in the road

• Just beyond the crest of a hill

• Where a sign could be obscured by other signs or objects

• Where the sign may interfere with the normal use of the road

• Where there is increased need for users to focus on the road

• Where vegetation could cover the sign

• Snow removal and disposal areas

Certain signs supplement each other and are mounted on the 

same post, such as:

• A warning sign with an advisory speed plate (page 14)

• Route markers and destination signs (pages 22 to 25)

Some signs should not be mounted together. Signs with different messages should be erected individually on separate 

posts, such as:

• A speed limit and a one-way sign 

• A curve warning sign and a junction-ahead sign

• A warning sign and a guide sign

Sign Spreading

Several signs at the same location can overload users with too much information, 

causing confusion and detracting from critical messages. Signs requiring different 

decisions should be spaced sufficiently far apart for the required decisions to be 

made independently and safely. To determine the minimum spread distance between 

signs, use table 1. 

In situations where two or more signs are needed at about the same location, use the 

following placement order:

1. Location-critical regulatory signs, such as STOP and YIELD

2. Location-critical warning signs, such as TURN and INTERSECTION

3. Other regulatory or warning signs, such as SPEED LIMIT or LIVESTOCK

4. Route markers and guide signs

5. Other informational signs

Speed Minimum Spread Distance

≤ 35 miles per hour 100 feet

> 40 miles per hour 5 x the speed = ______feet

Table 1—Minimum spread distance (distance between signs) for the speed posted. 

If the speed limit is not posted, an engineering traffic study should be conducted to 

determine the 85th percentile speed (normally considered the highest safe speed 

for a section of roadway). The sign spread is based on the 85th percentile speed. 
3

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Lateral Offset

Lateral offset is the distance from the edge of the traveled way to the nearest 

edge of the sign—not the distance to the sign post. 

1. On conventional roads, use:

a) A minimum of 12 feet from the edge of the traveled way

b) Where the shoulder is wider than 6 feet, a minimum of 6 feet from the 

edge of the shoulder

c) No less than 2 feet where it is impractical to follow a or b

2. On roads where signs are placed 

behind barriers such as curbs or 

guardrails, use:

a) A minimum of 2 feet from the 

roadside edge of the barrier 

3. On low-volume roads (fewer than 400 

vehicles per day) with no shoulders, 

use:

a) A minimum of 12 feet where terrain 

and vegetation permit

b) A minimum of 2 feet where terrain 

or vegetation make it impractical to 

follow a

If a sign is installed within the clear zone, a breakaway sign post shall be 

used (see page 4). The clear zone is the area that ideally would be clear of 

obstacles that might be a hazard to a vehicle that left the road. The width of 

the clear area depends on traffic volume, vehicle speed, and the terrain.

Placement Guidelines (cont.)

Mounting Height

Mounting height is measured from the road surface to the bottom of 

the sign.

Primary Sign

Use a minimum of 5 feet in:

• Rural areas 

Use a minimum of 7 feet in:

• Areas with parking or pedestrians 

• Urban, business, commercial, or residential areas

• Areas where the view of the sign may be obstructed

Supplemental plaque or 

sign

Supplemental plaques or signs 

may be 1 foot lower than the 

minimum mounting height for 

the primary sign.

Allow a 1-inch gap between 

stacked signs so they can 

expand and contract.

HEAVY

TRUCK

TRAFFIC

**

***

 ** Mounting height for primary signs

*** Mounting height for supplemental

 plaques or signs 

Primary

sign

Supplemental

plaque or sign

Road surface

N EXT 7 M ILES

NARROW

STEEP

ROAD

Lateral

offset*

Edge of

traveled way

* Follow lateral offset

 guidelines 1, 2, or 3.
4

4

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Direction of travel

Direction of travel

Typical Breakaway Support

Typical Hole Spacing Detail 18 in Breakaway

holes

Breakaway

distance

Breakaway

holes

D

D

4 in

Sign post

Ground line 4 in

18 in 

CL

T

B* T See chart for hole diameter.

For T dimensions not 

shown on chart, use T/3,

rounded up to the nearest 

1 ⁄ 2 in.

Breakaway Guidelines for Wood Sign Posts 

All wood posts 4 x 6 and larger 

must be modified to meet 

breakaway requirements if they 

are within the clear zone.

Breakaway holes must be 

perpendicular to the direction 

of vehicle travel. 

Dimension T is parallel to the 

direction of vehicle travel and is 

the larger of the dimensions.

After installing the sign post, 

drill the breakaway holes and 

treat holes with preservative.

4 by 4 — 3 —

4 by 6 1.5 4 —

6 by 6 2 4 7

6 by 8 3 4 7

Breakaway Design Requirements

Post size

(in)

Hole

diameter

(in)

D

minimum

burial depth

(ft)

B

minimum breakaway

distance 

(ft)

*All posts closer than 7 feet from each other act together. Install no 

more posts than allowed within 7 feet of each other so the combination of posts meets the breakaway guidelines.
5

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Wood Sign Post Spacing and Size Requirements

Max. width Max. width

Three-Post Spacing*

(Nonbreakaway installation)

1 ⁄ 8

Width

1 ⁄ 8

Width

3 ⁄ 8

Width

3 ⁄ 8

Width

Two-Post Spacing*

1 ⁄ 5

Width

1 ⁄ 5

Width

3 ⁄ 5

Width

Single-Post

Max. width

4 by 4 48*** 10 72 20 96 30

4 by 6 48 20 72 50 144 75

6 by 6 48 20 96 95 — —

One post Two posts Three posts

Nonbreakaway sign posts should be installed outside the 

clear zone, behind a guardrail, or behind a nontraversable ditch.

*Post spacing applies to both wood and steel posts.

**For sizes of steel posts, refer to EM 7100-15, chapter 3c.

***The maximum width is 36 inches for diamond-shaped signs.

Max. Max. sign Max. Max. sign Max. Max. sign

width area width area width area

(in) (sq. ft) (in) (sq. ft) (in) (sq. ft)

Post

Size**

(in)
6

6

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Sign Face Orientation Angle

Signs are mounted at approximately right 

angles to oncoming traffic. It may be necessary to rotate a sign slightly off 90 degrees 

to avoid glare reflecting off the sign face 

directly into the driver’s eyes. 

An angle of about 93 degrees to the line of 

approaching traffic is recommended. 

On curves, orient the sign to face the oncoming traffic—not the road edge. 

On steep grades, it may be necessary to 

tilt the sign forward (uphill grades) or back 

(downhill grades) to make it easier for 

motorists to read.

93°

Traffic direction

Traffic direction

93°
7

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Sign Decals

When they are first installed, all signs should have the installation date and vandal warning decals attached to the corner of the sign closest to the road.

The vandal warning decal goes on the back of STOP or YIELD signs, but on the front of all other signs. The installation date decal goes on the back of 

all signs.

Both decals may be obtained from Unicor. 

Installation Date Decal Vandal Warning Decal

MONTH

YEAR

2 0 0 1 2

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10 11 12

INSTALLATION

DATE

Sign installation

date decal

Typical placement of the decal 

on the back of the sign.

Guide signs Regulatory signs Warning signs

Warning sign—

decal has black 

legend on

transparent film

Regulatory sign—

decal has black 

legend on

transparent film

Guide sign—

decal has white legend on

transparent film

ONE

WAY

NATIONAL FOREST

ACCESS

ANTELOPE LAKE

Typical placement on the front of the sign.

Vandal warning

decal

NATIONA

A

NA

1 USC S. 1 1

$10,000 FINE AND/OR 10 YEARS

THE WILLFUL DEFACING OR

REMOVAL OF FOREST SERVICE

NOTICES SUBJECT TO CRIMINAL 

PROSECUTION WHICH MAY

RESULT IN A FINE AND/OR

IMPRISONMENT
8

8

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Regulatory Sign Installations

Regulatory signs:

• Inform users of traffic laws, regulations, and legal requirements 

• Are enforceable

• Are placed at the point where the regulation begins

**The 5-foot minimum mounting height

 applies only in rural areas. See page 3 for

 the mounting height guidelines that apply

 in other areas.

Yield and Stop Signs

Edge of traveled way or shoulder

*As close as practical, 

 following the lateral

 offset guidelines on

 page 3.

or

*

*

R1-2 R1-1

R6-1

R11-2

Other Regulatory Signs Used on 

National Forest System Roads

R2-1

R12-5

5-ft min.**

Road

surface

ONE

WAY
9

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Regulatory Signs for a Low-Volume Rural Road

*The 2-foot minimum distance for low-volume roads applies only 

where terrain or vegetation limit the distance. See page 3 for 

lateral offset guidelines on other types of roads or where terrain 

and vegetation are not factors.

**The 5-foot minimum mounting height applies only in rural areas.

 See page 3 for the mounting height guidelines that apply in other

 areas.
10

10

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Advance Warning Sign Placement Distances

Warning Sign Installations

Warning signs:

• Warn drivers of unexpected conditions or situations 

• Indicate need for caution

• May call for reduced speed or an unexpected vehicle maneuver

• Are placed in advance of the situation to allow adequate time for proper response considering approach speed,

road conditions, intermediate intersections, and other factors as shown in table 2 on page 11

Example

Using table 2: 85th-percentile

 speed = 35 mph 

Minimum distance from

 intersection = 225 ft

225 ft

225 ft

Traffic direction

Traffic direction
11

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Warning Sign Installations (cont.)

• These minimum distances may be exceeded when necessary.

• Distance for deceleration is the minimum distance a warning sign 

should be placed in advance of a condition. 

• Sign placement distances are based on sign legibility for 24-inch 

signs and 4-inch letters. 

• If larger signs are used, evaluate the placement distances as part 

of the engineering study or use engineering judgment to determine 

Minimum Advance Placement Distances

whether the placement distances may be reduced. Document calculations and rationale.

• Distances are for level roadways. Increase placement distance on 

downgrades of 3 percent or steeper. 

• Placement distances on upgrades may be reduced by one-half the 

distances listed for downgrades.

• On conventional roads and paved low-volume roads (fewer than 400 

vehicles per day), use the MUTCD.

Posted speed or Stopping Distance for deceleration (feet) Additional distance (feet)

85th-percentile sight to advisory speed listed (mph) on downgrade (percent)

speed distance 10 20 30 40 3 6 9 12

(mph) (ft) (ft) (ft)

20 115 125 — — — 5 10 20 30

25 155 150 — — — 8 15 30 45

30 200 200 150 — — 10 20 45 65

35 250 250 225 — — 15 35 60 90

40 305 325 300 275 — 20 45 75 120

45 360 400 350 300 — 25 55 95 150

50 425 475 450 375 275 30 70 120 185

55 495 550 525 450 350 35 85 145 225

Table 2—Advance warning sign placement distances for unpaved low-volume roads.
12

12

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Warning Sign Installations (cont.)

Lateral Offset and Mounting Height for Warning Signs

Low-Volume Rural Roads

Where Terrain or Vegetation All Rural Roads— Rural Low-Volume and

Limit the Lateral Offset Standard Placement Conventional Roads

Not less

than 

2 ft

 

NARROW

STEEP

ROAD

HEAVY

TRUCK

TRAFFIC

5 ft** 5 ft** 5 ft** 4 ft***

Not less than

2 ft from 

edge of 

traveled

way

Guardrail

or curb

Road 

surface

Not less

than 12 ft*

Edge of

traveled way

N EXT

7 M I LES

Road 

surface

*See page 3 for lateral offset guidelines that apply to roads with shoulders or where the 12-foot

 minimum is not practical.

**The 5-foot minimum mounting height applies only in rural areas. See page 3 for the mounting

 height guidelines that apply in other areas.

***See page 3 for the mounting height of supplemental plaques or signs and for the 

recommended gap between stacked signs.
13

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Warning Sign for Low-Volume Rural Roads

(no supplemental plaques)

*The 2-ft minimum distance for low-volume roads applies only 

where terrain or vegetation limit the distance. See page 3 for 

lateral offset guidelines on other types of roads or where terrain 

and vegetation are not factors.

**The 5-foot minimum mounting height applies only in rural areas.

 See page 3 for the mounting height guidelines that apply in other

 areas.
14

14

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Advisory speed plates supplement the warning sign and shall not 

be used alone.

*See page 3 for lateral offset guidelines on other types of roads or 

where terrain or vegetation limit the distance.

Warning Sign With Advisory Speed Plate for a Conventional or 

Low-Volume Rural Road

**The 5-foot minimum mounting height applies only in rural areas.

 See page 3 for the mounting height guidelines that apply in other

 areas.

***See page 3 for the mounting height of supplemental plaques or

 signs.
15

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Warning Sign With Advisory Speed Plate and Supplemental Plaque for

Conventional or Low-Volume Rural Roads

Advisory speed plates and supplemental plaques are not to be used 

alone. They shall be used only to supplement a warning sign.

*See page 3 for lateral offset guidelines on other types of roads or 

where terrain or vegetation limit the distance.

**See page 3 for the mounting height of supplemental plaques or

 signs.
16

16

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Object and Barricade Marker Installations

Placement of Type 3 Object Markers Single-Lane Road

With Narrow Bridge

Type 3 object markers are used to mark objects that intrude into or constrict the roadway.

Curb or 

hazardous

obstruction 

to be marked

Traffic side Traffic side

3-in min.

Inner edge of

marker in line

with inner

edge of the

obstruction

8 ft 

or less

Road surface Road surface

Edge of

traveled way

Bridge rail end

Ground

1. Stripes slope downward 

toward the side of the 

obstruction on which 

traffic is to pass.

2. For a bridge with a 

railing but no curb, mark 

the inner edge of the 

railing.

4 ft* 4 ft*

*Vertical mounting height may vary according to need. Mounting height is 

normally 4 feet, but shall be no less than 6 inches.

Notes:

Single-lane road

Type 3 

object 

marker
17

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Bridge Signing With Type 3 Object Markers

(to mark objects that intrude into or constrict the roadway)

Option: Type 1 object markers also may be used to mark objects that intrude into or constrict the roadway. For a bridge with a railing but no curb, mark the inner edge 

of the railing.
18

18

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Type 2 Object Marker Installations

Object Marker Locations on a Cattleguard

Type 2 Object Markers are used to mark objects that are outside the roadway, but close enough to present a hazard. For narrow 

objects, such as cattleguards, object markers may be mounted back to back on the same post.

Modified Type 2 

Object Marker

Alternate location

Road

Object markers mounted back to back
19

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Cattleguard Signing With Type 2 Object Markers

(roadway is not constricted)

*Vertical mounting height may vary when an object requires a lower or higher mounting. Mount at least 6 inches above the road surface.

Inner edge of 

marker in line 

with inner edge of 

the obstruction. 

Modified Type 2 object marker shown
20

20

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Gate Sign Installation

Barricade Markers (BM), Type 2 Object Markers (OM), 

and End-of-Roadway Markers (OM4-1, 2, or 3) Used on Gates

If motorized or nonmotorized use (such as bicycles) occurs behind a gate, the back side may require signing also. The size of barricade markers 

depends on approach speeds. 

Type 2 OM

One-lane road

OM4-1, 2, or 3

Traveled way

Min. 32 to 42 in

One-lane road

Plan view 

Locking device

Edge of road 

 

Type

2 OM Securing 

post 

Securing 

post 

Type 

2 OM

Locking device 

Type 2 

OM 

Min. 32 to 42 in

Type

2 OM

Type 2 OM

Type 2 OM

BM

BM 

Min. 32 to 42 in Min. 32 

to 42 in
21

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Gate Signing With Object Markers (OM) for One-Lane Roads
22

22

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Guide Sign Installations

Lateral Placement and Mounting Height for Guide Signs

Guide signs:

• Are placed ahead of the intersection

• Provide guidance

5-ft min.**

Not less than

12 ft*

Destination sign

Route

markers

4-ft

Edge of min.***

traveled

way

2 14

DUTCH JOHN 5

TRUCKEE 3

Not less than

12 ft*

Edge of 5-ft min.**

traveled

way

3 134

or

Road surface

Not less than

12 ft*

4-ft

min.

or

Edge of

traveled

way

2

3

2

1

2

Road surface

3-ft min.

to lowest

number

Mile

marker

*See page 3 for lateral offset guidelines that apply to roads with shoulders or where the 12-foot

 minimum is not practical.

**The 5-foot minimum mounting height applies only in rural areas. See page 3 for the mounting

 height guidelines that apply in other areas.

***See page 3 for the mounting height of supplemental plaques or signs and for the recommended gap between stacked signs.
23

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Guide Sign Installations (cont.)

Table 3—Advance placement of guide signs at intersections. Speeds are 

rounded off to the nearest 5-miles per hour.

Speed limit or Maintenance level 2 roads and 

85th-percentile Maintenance level roads within administrative

speed (mph) 3, 4, 5 roads (ft) or recreation sites

Under 15 At or near intersection At or near intersection

15 to 25 100 At or near intersection

30 to 40 100 to 200 —

45 and higher 200 minimum —

Placement of Guide, Destination, 

and National Forest Access Signs

FRD

SA

or

FRD

*Use 25 to 200 feet on

unpaved roads or

about 300 feet 

on paved roads.

**Use table 3 for distances.

*

**

NATIONAL FOREST

ACCESS

ANTELOPE LAKE

ANTELOPE

LAKE

ACCESS

FOREST BOUNDARY

ANTELOPE LAKE

9

13

Maintenance level 4 road

Example using table 3 for 

a maintenance level 4 road:

85th-percentile speed = 45 mph

Road maintenance level = 4

Min. distance = 200 ft
24

24

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Guide Sign Installations (cont.)

Placement for Destination Signs

NFSR 202

NFSR 210 *

*

or

*Obtain distance from table 3 

(page 23) based on the speed 

limit or anticipated speed of 

traffic on the road.

TRUCKEE

KEYSTONE 4

3

210 202

DUTCH JOHN

KEYSTONE

5

4

202

DUTCH JOHN

TRUCKEE 3

5

210

Allow a 1-inch gap between stacked 

signs so they can expand and 

contract.

Center the sign for the approaching 

lane of traffic.

210
25

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Destination Sign With Route Markers for Conventional and 

Low-Volume Rural Roads

*See page 3 for lateral offset guidelines on other types of roads or 

where terrain or vegetation limit the distance.

**The 5-foot minimum mounting height applies only in rural areas.

 See page 3 for the mounting height guidelines that apply in other

 areas.

***See page 3 for the mounting height of supplemental plaques or

 signs and for the recommended gap between stacked signs.
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Guide Sign Installations (cont.)

Installation of Route Markers

Locations for Distinctive and Horizontal Route Markers for 

Maintenance Level 3, 4, and 5 Roads

6 to 12 ft

25 to 100 

ft

25 to 100

ft

Horizontal

route marker

Distinctive

route marker

Minor intersection

Note: Route markers may be installed 

below applicable guide signs as shown

on page 24.

Major intersection

or

*

*Use table 3 to determine 

the distance based on the 

speed limit or anticipated 

speed of traffic on the 

road.

214 214

214

214

M1-7

M6-7

All FM1-7H
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Horizontal or Distinctive Route Marker on Low-Volume Rural Roads

*The 2-ft minimum distance for low-volume roads applies only 

where terrain or vegetation limit the distance. See page 3 for 

lateral offset guidelines on other types of roads or where terrain 

and vegetation are not factors.

**The 5-foot minimum mounting height applies only in rural areas.

 See page 3 for the mounting height guidelines that apply in other

 areas.
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Guide Sign Installations (cont.)

Installation of Vertical Route Markers

Locations for Vertical Route Markers on Maintenance Level 1 and 2 Roads

Option: Use a delineator 

post with a wood or 

aluminum sign panel.

2

1

2

25 to 100 ft *

*Distances may be greater when the 

entrance is intentionally disguised 

to discourage use.

Maintenance

Level 1 road

FM1-7V

Maintenance Level 2 road

Barrier or entrance

treatment

25 to 100 ft

Road surface

Edge of traveled way

2 to 12 ft

1

2

4

3

5

3 ft to

lowest

number

 
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Vertical Route Marker for Maintenance Level 1 and 2 Roads 
30

30

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Trailblazer Assembly for Conventional or Low-Volume Rural Roads 

*See page 3 for lateral offset guidelines on other types of roads or 

where terrain or vegetation limit the distance.

**The 5-foot minimum mounting height applies only in rural areas.

 See page 3 for the mounting height guidelines that apply in other

 areas.
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Milepost Marker for Conventional or Low-Volume Rural Roads 

*See page 3 for lateral offset guidelines on other types of roads or 

where terrain or vegetation limit the distance.
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Federal Recreation Symbol Assembly for Conventional or Low-Volume Rural Roads 

Generally, no more than four symbols should be mounted on a single 

sign assembly.

*See page 3 for lateral offset guidelines on other types of roads or 

where terrain or vegetation limit the distance.

**The 5-foot minimum mounting height applies only in rural areas.

 See page 3 for the mounting height guidelines that apply in other

 areas.
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Delineator Installations

Notes:

1. Colors (as viewed by driver) on two-way roads, including singlelane roads, are white on both sides of the road. 

On one-way roads, colors are white on the right and yellow on the 

left side of the road. (From MUTCD Section 3D.03)

2. Delineator posts may be galvanized steel U-posts, 1.12 pounds per 

linear foot, 6.5 feet long, or flexible fiberglass posts.

3. Reflectors may be fastened to posts using rivets or other suitable, 

nonremovable fasteners.

4. The delineators shall be 4- by 4-inch (silver) crystal on both sides, 

Type 3 retroreflective sheeting. The delineator housing shall be the 

bidirectional type.

Road surface

Top View

Bidirectional delineator

White

diamond

reflector

White

diamond

reflector

U-post Delineators

Travel direction

30 in

48 in

2 to 8 ft

from the

edge of

pavement

or shoulder
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Delineator Placement and Spacing on Curves

Delineator Installations (cont.)

Positioning and Spacing

 Approx. On-curve Spacing before

Operating curve spacing and after curve 

speed radius (ft) (ft)

(mph) (ft) S A B C

20 100 25 50 75 150

30 250 40 80 120 240

40 500 65 130 195 300

50 800 80 160 240 300

60 1,000 90 180 270 300

See note 2

Beginning of curve

See 

note 1 End of curve

Curve delineator placement

B A

A B

S S

S

S

S

S S S S X

Delineator 

Delineator

Top view bidirectional delineator

U-post

Travel

direction

Delineators

C

C

When engineering judgment indicates a need, the figure 

below shows the position and spacing of delineators for 

curves on low-volume roads.

Notes:

1. Prorate distance “x” among all spacings so the last delineator 

falls on the end of the curve.

2. Install delineators perpendicular to oncoming traffic.
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Library Card

Sheehy, Donna; Cote, Ted. 2010. Sign installation guide. Tech. Rep. 1071–2812P–MTDC. Missoula, MT: U.S. 

Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Missoula Technology and Development Center. 35 p.

This guide shows how regulatory, warning, and guide signs are properly mounted and installed on roads. It includes 

drawings and photographs showing the specifications for placing signs along Forest Service roads and is intended 

to help new employees or volunteers install road signs.

The guide is based on standards established by the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices and the Sign and 

Poster Guidelines for the Forest Service (EM-7100-15).

Keywords: road signs, specifications, standards, traffic control devices, traffic safety, volunteers
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ROAD

WORK

AHEAD

Scenic Byway