ATV trails must be adequately marked so that people who aren't familiar with the area can easily follow them. Getting lost is no fun and could be quite hazardous even on a major trail if you should run out of fuel, have a breakdown, or needed medical help and not know where you are.

Our challenge to all of you is to make sure that no one gets lost or injured on your trails.

Specific land marks, highway crossings, town lines, mileage to certain points, location of support facilities, etc. should be identified. This will inform riders where they are and how to get to the services they need.

Installing Kiosks or smaller information boards with maps at parking areas and intersections showing people where they are in relation to the trail system is a great way to help keep people oriented.

Mapping and marking rescue locations is also a great idea that has been done in some areas. If people need help they can give the location to rescue personnel making it quicker and easier for them to be found. If you decide to do this you need to coordinate it with the local Search and Rescue Agencies so the correct locations are chosen and to make sure everyone has the same information so you have a workable plan.

The Bureau has developed these guidelines for marking trails and we urge everyone involved in ATV trail maintenance to follow these guidelines so all trails are adequately and uniformly marked throughout the State.

Generally, trails in Maine are two-way, which requires marking for travel in both directions. Generally signs should be installed on the right side of the trail. Signs need to be installed facing the direction people are coming from so they can be seen in a timely manner. When two or more signs are used in conjunction, the more important message to be conveyed should be in the higher position.

We recommend signs be installed on sign posts instead of trees because usually sign posts can allow signs to be posted closer to the trail so they are more visible. If signs are installed on trees they should be installed with staples or aluminum nails so they don't cause a sawing hazard. ATV signs should be placed only where the landowner or manager has authorized a trail. Remove all signs if the trail is discontinued rerouted or abandoned.

The ATV Program provides plastic signs that will last for a long time if properly installed. Signs should be mounted on a stiff backing to make them more resistant to wind and adverse weather. Backings can be made from plywood, tempered hardboard, rough lumber, or similar materials.

Many times those of us familiar with a trail know it so well that we fail to install enough signs or give enough information for people who may not be familiar with the trail system. We recommend that you have people who aren't familiar with the trail ride it and tell you if they think there needs to be more signs. This is a great way to get new club members involved!

Most of us at some time or another have gotten lost on some trail system because it wasn't marked well enough, the message had faded, or tree limbs etc blocking the signs hadn't been trimmed recently. Regular sign maintenance is important! You can't put signs up in the spring and then never check them again. Paint markers are ideal for written information since they resist fading.

It's very important that signs be regularly checked and maintained. This shouldn't be just the job of the trail master.

All of us need to play a part in helping keep the trails open and safe.

Trail crews should carry extra signs with them to replace ones that have been destroyed or to install new ones in areas where a potential hazard has developed.

Streetlights

These are necessary on our roads and streets due to the heavy volume of traffic combined with discourteous and uneducated drivers. Hopefully we will never get to the point where we need them installed on trails!

So you ask why do you have a street light in the sign guidelines? Well I'm glad you asked. The good thing about streetlights is they have created an easily recognized and accepted color standard. Green is Go, Yellow is Caution, and Red is Stop.

Because people generally understand this color standard we have adopted this color scheme for ATV trail signing. The green signs are all positive affirmation that you are on the trail. The yellow signs contain some kind of cautionary or warning message. The red and white signs tell you to stop, don't go, or don't do something. You should keep this color scheme in mind when installing signs.

Trail Signs

The following are standard issue ATV Signs in Maine. Most of these signs are available to ATV clubs or landowners from the ATV Program of the Division of Parks and Public Lands.

These should be installed using the guidelines that follow:

	Trail Blaze This sign should be used at regular intervals along the trail to reassure the rider they are still on the trail. A blaze immediately beyond an intersection or road crossing informs a rider where the trail continues on the other side. This is especially important when the crossing is not direct. If the trail is further away and hard to see you may need to use a Trail Identification sign since it's larger and easier to see.
	Trail Identification This sign should be used at the beginning of a trail, such as at a Clubhouse, parking lot, or place of business etc. It should be used to show the trail name, number, destination, and/or direction of travel (NSEW), etc. as well as the name of the club maintaining the trail. In some instances this sign can be used instead of the Trail Blazer, as it may be easier to see at the entrance from a field or other large clearing.
	Stay On Marked Trail This sign should be used when the trail travels through croplands, tree plantations, or anywhere a landowner has given permission to cross their lands only at a specific location. This is also a good sign to use anywhere riders may be tempted to access an unauthorized side trail. It may also be appropriate to install these at picnic areas or at Kiosks as a reminder to users.
	Trail Information This sign should be used together with other signs to provide additional information that would be helpful to the user. It can be used to mark town lines and geographic names as well as distance and direction to businesses or destinations etc., to help orient the rider. If a club has the trail mapped they may want to note reference points on the map. We recommend you use a paint marker when writing on these signs. Regular markers tend to fade quickly in the sun and may soon be unreadable.
	Caution This sign should be placed on the trail to notify the operator to proceed with caution due to a variation in the trail condition. The sign should be placed far enough in advance so that the operator has enough time to react accordingly. A blank space is provided on the sign for specific information to be written such as narrow bridge, steep grade, blind curve, intersection, ditch, and gate etc. If more information is necessary then a Trail Information sign should be used in conjunction with the Caution sign.
	Directional Arrow This sign is used to show right or left-hand turns. It is generally not used to mark the trail straight ahead; a trail blaze is used for that. The arrow should be placed far enough in advance of the corner to allow the ATV operator ample time to slowdown. The actual distance necessary will vary depending on the normal travel speed of the trail its' located on and how sharp the corner is.
	Object Marker This sign should only be used to mark bridge abutments, fence posts, gate openings or other similar hazards that the operator has to drive between or avoid. The diagonal stripes should point down and toward the trail opening. The sign should not be used to replace arrow, caution, blaze or any other sign.
	Sensitive Habitat This sign should be used at water crossings and anywhere else that erosion or misuse could negatively impact fish habitat. This is meant to be a reminder to be extra careful especially in very sensitive areas like salmon spawning areas.
	Stop Ahead This sign is to supplement the Stop sign. It should be placed in advance of the Stop Sign to give riders ample opportunity to slow down in order to safely stop. Terrain and visibility will determine the location but the sign should be placed at least 100 feet in advance of the Stop Sign. See chart on last page for ranges based on estimated speed of travel.
	STOP This Sign should be placed at each public and private road, or authorized railroad crossing. As an additional aid write on the bottom of every stop sign, in the space provided, the route number or name of the road that the trail is crossing. This will help people orientate themselves especially if they have a map. Don't write the trail name or direction on the Stop sign.
	NO SPIN This sign should be placed at the approach to steep hills, bridges, road crossings, or anywhere else where tire spin could break down the trail and lead to erosion causing sedimentation or a hazard.
	Mud Season Closure This sign should be used to temporally close approved ATV trails when the ground is wet especially in the spring of the year when the frost is coming out of the ground.
	NO ATVS This sign should be placed at locations along the trail where landowners have requested that ATV's NOT travel. It might also be beneficial to use a blank information sign to state why ATV's are not allowed. Example: An apple orchard, a tree farm, drinking water source protection area etc. The sign should also be used to post trails or roads where ATV use is prohibited even if it's not next to an approved trail. We recommend that the local club install these signs for landowners as a gesture of good will.
	Shared Use Roads This sign is generally not available to clubs. It is used to designate shared use roads on the Division of Parks and Public Lands that are open to ATVs as well as bicycles, horses, cars and trucks.
	Recreational Trail This sign is generally not available to clubs. It is only used on state owned multiple use trails like converted railroad beds. It is to be placed at all road crossings to prevent automobiles from traveling on the trails.
	Recreational Trail Crossing This is a Department of Transportation Sign that can be installed on state roads to warn motorists that there is a trail crossing ahead. It is generally not used everywhere, but should be considered in locations with high-speed travel. It is installed by D.O.T. and has to be paid for by the Club or Municipality who requested its installation. An alternative might be to try and locate the trail crossing in a better location if possible.
	ATV Access Route This is a Department of Transportation style sign that is available through a private sign company. This is the sign that is to be used if a public road is officially designated for use by ATVs. This has to be purchased by the club or Municipality and must be installed on authorized roads instead of the regular ATV trail signs. You may want to also post a speed limit sign under it to further regulate the use.

The following are examples of how signs should be placed in relation to the distance and direction from the hazard.

Because of the unique hazard with gates at road crossings it is very important that we have extra warning. For that reason we recommend a Caution sign in addition to the Stop Ahead sign. Each of these signs should be located a minimum of 100 feet in advance of the previous one. In the case of gates or other similar man made hazards we recommend caution signs be installed on both sides of the trail.

	Because of the unique hazard with gates at road crossings it is very important that we have extra warning. For that reason we recommend a Caution sign in addition to the Stop Ahead sign. Each of these signs should be located a minimum of 100 feet in advance of the previous one. In the case of gates or other similar man- made hazards we recommend caution signs be installed on both sides of the trail.
	Trail intersections should be marked so that people have ample time to slow down and depending on their direction of travel stop before the intersection. It should also be well marked with directions so they know which way to go to their destination. Again the anticipated speed of travel will dictate how far in advance of the intersection the signs need to be installed. Generally the Stop Ahead will need to be further from the intersection than Caution because the operators have to stop instead of just slowing down.
	Curves and Corners need to be marked so operators have warning in time to slow down enough to safely negotiate it. The anticipated speed on the section of trail and the sharpness of the corner will dictate how far in advance the signs have to be installed. In any case the signs must be before the corner not at or after it. If it's a real sharp or blind corner you should add a caution sign with or before the arrow to give extra warning to the operators.
	Bridges have to be marked with Object Markers and Caution signs. Generally operators don't have to stop at bridges but they might have to if it's only one lane wide. Considerations like width, visibility, approach, height of railing, and anticipated speed are all factors to be considered when placing signs. Object markers should be mounted on both sides of the bridge and on both ends of the bridge with the black lines pointing down and to the center.

We have included the information below to give you an idea of how different trail speeds impact the distance signs need to be installed in advance.

Speed equals distance traveled in time

At 20 mph you are traveling 30 feet per second
At 30 mph you are traveling 45 feet per second
At 40 mph you are traveling 60 feet per second
At 50 mph you are traveling 75 feet per second

Distance needed to slow down to 20 mph

At 20 mph it takes 0 feet to slow down to 20 mph
At 30 mph it takes 50 feet to slow down to 20 mph
At 40 mph it takes 100 feet to slow down to 20 mph
At 50 mph it takes 150 feet to slow down to 20 mph

Distance needed to stop

At 20 mph it takes approximately 100 feet to stop
At 30 mph it takes approximately 150 feet to stop
At 40 mph it takes approximately 200 feet to stop
At 50 mph it takes approximately 250 feet to stop

BUREAU FEATURES

Trail Guidelines

Planning Trails

Trail Signing Guidelines

Order Form for Trail Signs

Trail Maps

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