Brand New WayFinding Signs in Arlington for Bikes & Peds!

[Tim Kelley]

Great news! Arlington County is installing more than 250 wayfinding signs.

Check out the details here: http://www.arlingtonva.us/departments/EnvironmentalServices/dot/page83327.aspx

Topic

[KLizotte]

Whoohooo! I hope they put in signs to help cyclists find their way from the Bluemont Trail to the Custis; I find it rather confusing.

It’s probably too late now, but the County should have also looked into the mushroom style signs that either Denmark or the Netherlands uses. They convey lots of information without being obtrusive.

[PotomacCyclist]

Great idea. I got lost during a group run on the Custis Trail last year. So many side turns and branches off the trail. Four Mile Run Trail can be confusing too, with all of the connections with W&OD and local park trails.

[CCrew]

To save taxpayer dollars they’ll all look like this:

[Steve O]

I noted some of the new signs today near the intersection of George Mason and the Custis.

[KLizotte]

Thru?! Are you kidding me?

Seriously, I really don’t know what “thru” is supposed to mean here. If you mean “straight ahead” then an up arrow would be better. I also object to the spelling.

Great signs but I really don’t like “thru” on them. Unconventional and confusing.

I’ve got my armor on, so let the flames begin!

[CCrew]

@KLizotte 17284 wrote:

I’ve got my armor on, so let the flames begin!

I’d respond, but I heard they thru you out for causing trouble

[Arlingtonrider]

Maybe they would be clearer if we threw in a little Latin lingo and said “via” instead of “thru.”

I appreciate what they are trying to do, in letting you know which trail exit to use to get to particular places.

My other suggestion for the future would be to use the metro logo styled M with a square around it.

[JimF22003]

The directions to the Metro should say, this is where you alight.

[Tim Kelley]

@KLizotte 17284 wrote:

Thru?! Are you kidding me?

Seriously, I really don’t know what “thru” is supposed to mean here. If you mean “straight ahead” then an up arrow would be better. I also object to the spelling.

Great signs but I really don’t like “thru” on them. Unconventional and confusing.

I’ve got my armor on, so let the flames begin!

From what I’m hearing, the “thru” was a mistake and should be an arrow. It sounds like the signs will be modified as a temporary fix and may be replaced in the long term. These are the first of many, many signs to be installed so it would be best to wait until the project is further along before passing final judgment.

[CCrew]

@Tim Kelley 17297 wrote:

best to wait until the project is further along before passing final judgment.

Awwww, we want to pass it NOW! Besides, it’s “constructive criticism” in todays PC world!

[KLizotte]

@Tim Kelley 17297 wrote:

From what I’m hearing, the “thru” was a mistake and should be an arrow. It sounds like the signs will be modified as a temporary fix and may be replaced in the long term. These are the first of many, many signs to be installed so it would be best to wait until the project is further along before passing final judgment.

Yes, it should all be taken as constructive criticism. You really don’t need arrows or “thru” if straight ahead is meant. Just the destination and miles are usually sufficient. This is the convention used on road signs. There may be instances when an up arrow may be required though.

I also really like ArlingtonRider’s suggestion that the metro symbol be used. I had to do a double take when I saw the big M on the sign. The word metro underneath is really small.

Other than that they are great!

[KLizotte]

There’s an article on Greater Greater Washington today on this issue:

http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/14257/arlington-trail-signs-improve-wayfinding-mostly/

[aflapr]

FYI – one of the new signs on the Custis Trail that was affixed to the I-66 sound barrier just prior to the bridge under North George Mason Drive has fallen off.

[Author]

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