I work in a Civil Engineer firm and one of our new projects is a multi-use trail system. I am currently searching for design criteria, especially signage and paving marking. TxDOT has signs and street marking details, but I need to know where to put them (distance from curve etc.) and which to use for the situations.

Any help is appreciated

Well if the avg. speed is about 20 mph, then 40 to 50 feet away, if the avg. speed is 10 mph then 20 - 30 feet away. Just if the path is flat or down hill then more feet. If the path is up hill then less feet.

Good Luck,

GEEK

How would you sign a road with a speed limit of 20 or 25 mph? Do it the same way.

My biggest peeve about MUT's is that the guys who design them don't seem to realize that bikes go more than 5 mph. A MUT shouldn't have anything on it that a road with a 20 mph speed limit wouldn't have, because bikes will be going at least that fast.

Depends on what's on the sign/marking.

For road markings pictograms with a directional arrows is better then just pictograms that imply direction from the chirality of the pictogram. I find MUTs work best when everyone on them knows: where to be, who yields to who, how to yield and how to pass. Clear marking on the trail makes it easier for everyone.

Visibility of the sign is more important that how far it is from a curve. Ones that are too far off to the side or mixed in with the landscaping are harder to see. (i.e. make sure the sign can be reasonably seen my someone looking forward on the path without needing to move their head.)