8528-R2_MSA_October2023

SOME BASIC SIGN EDUCATION CHRIS GAMACHE,TRAIL MANAGER, POLARIS RIDE COMMAND

A s riders we all, or at least most of us, look for signage while we are on the trails. This signage serves a variety of purposes; reassuring riders they are still on a legal trail, advising riders of upcom ing hazards or informing riders of specific information, such as the name of the trail they are on or where to find services. Snowmobile signage is generally uni versal. Many years ago, the snowmobile administrators from the snow-belt states and Canada put together a Guideline for Snowmobile Trail Signage. This was agreed to (or perhaps more accurate to say it was not opposed by) this group, which is known as the international Association of Snowmobile Administrators (IASA). This document was formalized in the 1990’s and the Trail Committee of this group included two individuals known in Maine; Scott Ramsey (former Maine OHV Division Director) and Paul Gray (former NH Trails Bureau Chief and now with Oxbox Snow mobile Club). The goal of this group and document was to create signage that rid ers would recognize regardless of where they were riding. Today this document still exists and is in use wherever snowmobiling occurs. The document was updated and simplified about 8 years ago. I was fortunate enough to have been on that Trails Committee for the IASA to help with this project. The reason the update was done was because the USFS was about to require that all snowmobile signs be based on what State DOT’s use for their signage, which is basi cally applying engineered highway design concepts to un-engineered recreational woods trails. AND signs would have to be the same size as highway signs. Now, I have ridden on many trails that are nar row enough that a 24” wide sign would just knock the rider off the sled instead of telling them something about the trail. We were able to get the USFS to understand that 12” trail signage is appropriate for the trails and our studies showed that what is on the ground today is effective. Riders recognize shape and color long before reading the message on the sign!!

This is important to realize for several rea sons: a STOP sign is universally recog nized by its red color and octagonal shape. Even without a word in the center riders still know it’s a STOP sign, and yellow signs mean caution and the words are not as important as the color and shape. Not saying the specific message isn’t import ant but the yellow sign does the job first. I am going to focus on the yellow cau tionary signage. As I already mentioned the color and shape give the first message; slow down. The sign is telling the rider that there is something ahead they need to be aware of. In the 1990’s and early 2000’s the snowmobile programs got the point of creating a specific cautionary sign for every scenario you could think of: right corner, left corner, rock, bridge, water bar, etc, etc. The updated Guidelines for Snow mobileTrail Signage decided to take a step back from that and just focus on a few of these items; namely corners and struc tures (bridges). Clubs have responsibility for identifying ‘significant’ hazards on their trail system. They do not need to put a sign on every tree! But this is a real responsibility for clubs. STOP signs must be up and main tained. Cautionary signs must be thought about and installed where needed. And then the informational signage must be put up also. Riders today travel long dis tances. They rely on their phones more today, but a lot of snowmobile trails don’t ride around a cell tower, so signage at junctions is key. Finally, this is for the riders. Local clubs know their trails better than you typically do so if a club puts up a yellow/cautionary sign, pay attention to it and change what you are doing (thumb off the throttle or apply the brake). We are riding in an envi ronment that can change by the hour and riders should not expect a sign that tells them about everything. Enjoy the ride, heed the signage you see and lets all make sure we are riding for years to come. And if you have a complaint about your local trail signage, talk to club about volunteer ing to help!

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