Page 54 - High Knob Master Plan

WAYFINDING SIGNAGE
This wayfinding assessment done as part of the High Knob Master Plan has laid the foundation for a larger, focused collaborative wayfinding program for the region. Details for next steps in this program are summarized on this page.
The complexities, due to the size of the region, multiple jurisdictions, independent destinations, post-implementation management, and etc., will make a regional wayfinding program a challenge. It is therefore critical that the HKRI take the lead in a top-down collaborative process and implementation strategy. The High Knob Master Plan creates a foundation for a region-wide wayfinding strategy, and the report lays out the steps to take moving forward to create a collaborative system.
While this could be led by the HKRI Wayfinding Technical Committee, it is highly recommended that the HKRI conduct a Signage Master Plan (steps 3-11 at right) led by a wayfinding consultant. Similar plans have cost in the range of $30,000 or more and generally take around six months to complete. Wayfinding plans are highly technical studies that ultimately result in the potential for significant capital expenditures, so proper planning will be required.
NEXT STEPS
1. Form a HKRI Wayfinding Technical Committee to lead the regional collaboration between communities, destinations and partners, as well as managing the implementation of the system.
2. Complete the inventory of signs. Working with the consulting team during the High Knob Master Plan, the wayfinding subcommittee began an inventory of existing signage. That inventory was used for the assessment in the wayfinding section of this report. It currently logs around 138 signs, primarily in the Eastern portionofthestudyarea. AreasaroundBigStoneGap,Duffield,PenningtonGap,Appalachia,andothers should be added to the inventory. Once complete, it can be evaluated next to the new wayfinding signs to be detailed in the regional plan to be completed. This can help determine signs that need to be replaced, removed, or redesigned.
3. Complete the inventory of destinations to lead the regional collaboration between communities, destinations and partners, as well as managing the implementation of the system.
4. Establish Travel Routes on the planning map identifying Primary, Circulator, and Destination routes to the qualifying destinations.
5. Identify Locations for New Signage on the planning map based on the guidance of this wayfinding assessment, in addition to Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) standards.
6. Create a Sign Schedule in spreadsheet format that provides location, content, arrows, etc. of each new sign, including signs that could potentially be removed or consolidated based on new signage.
7. Share Final Proposed Signage with municipalities and destination partners to determine partnership opportunities, management, and cost sharing.
8. Establish Cost Estimates and Phasing Strategy for the implementation of the sign system.
9. Determine and Secure Funding sources for manufacturing and implementation of this capital project.
10. Create an Implementation Work Plan for fabrication and implementation of the signage system.
11. Create a Sign Schedule in spreadsheet format that provides location, content, arrows, etc. of each new sign, including signs that could potentially be removed or consolidated based on new signage.
12. Manufacture and Install Signage based on MUTCD and VDOT standards, including required permitting.
HIGH KNOB REGIONAL INITIATIVE
54 CHAPTER 8: CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
COORDINATED WAYFINDING PROGRAM