Figure 3. Examples of Wayfinding Signs
The main reference for standard forms of wayfinding is the system of signs and other devices used to control vehicular traffic. The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) is a federally-legislated standard that covers all traffic control devices installed on any street, highway, bikeway, or private road open to the public. In Maryland, the MDOT SHA has opted to write an approved variation of the MUTCD, known as the Maryland Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MDMUTCD) to better suit the needs within the State of Maryland.
The MDMUTCD provides directions to maintain safety, uniformity, consistency, and efficiency, including: • Size, shape, color, and overall design of the sign for recognition. • Simplicity of message and number of destinations. • Text size, typeface, spacing, and capitalization for legibility. • Placement, height, retroreflectivity, and angle of sign face to oncoming traffic. • Details of face designs for certain signs as described in the Standard Highway Signs and Markings book, which supplements the MUTCD Some sign types, like directional signs and mile markers, are included in both standard and enhanced wayfinding systems, but their appearance may vary.
IMAGE CREDITS: MDMUTCD
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2021 WAYFINDING PROCESS MANUAL
