The Planning Division is presenting to the Planning Board the Wayfinding Signage Plan with the intent to have the Planning Board make a recommendation to the Policy Coordinating Committee (PCC).  The Planning Board will receive information regarding this plan at its January 14 meeting.  At the January 28 meeting, the Planning Board will conduct a Public Hearing to collect any public comment on the plan and then take action on the plan to forward a recommendation to PCC.

Wayfinding can be defined as an information system that helps people orient themselves in a physical space and navigate from place to place.  In the built environment, it typically takes the form of signage, maps, or environmental graphics – such as pavement markings – and is all around us, whether we consciously recognize it or not. The wayfinding program should provide consistent and attractive information to assist the non-motorized traveling public to navigate efficiently to key destinations within the area.  To achieve this, the plan should:

1. Connect Places – Facilitate travel between destinations and provide guidance to new destinations.
2. Keep Information Simple – Present information simply, using clear fonts and simple designs, so that it can be understood quickly.
3. Maintain Motion – Be legible and visible for people moving so that they can read the signage without stopping.
4. Be Predictable – Standardize the placement and design of signs so that patterns are established and the signage system becomes predictable.
5. Promote Active Travel – Encourage increased rates of active transportation by helping people to realize they can use the bikeway and trail network to access the places they want to go by incorporating a time/distance application, approach or recommendations to the signage design.

The wayfinding program should include, but not be limited to:

• General information for pedestrians and bicyclists;
• Arts and culture destinations;
• Transit facilities;
• Memorial and historical venues and landmarks;
• Entertainment venues;
• Visitor information and amenities;
• Popular destinations; and
• Significant municipal buildings or properties.

Alta Planning + Design, Inc. was the successful consultant selected to complete the plan.  The development of the plan was managed by a project steering committee comprised of representatives from Planning, Engineering, Parks, MET Transit, Downtown Billings Alliance, Billings TrailNet, Chamber of Commerce, Healthy by Design Coalition, Bike/Pedestrian Advisory Committee, and the Montana Department of Transportation.  The project steering committee held several deep dive meetings to discuss design, routes, destinations and safety related to wayfinding.  The benefits of a good wayfinding sign program is:

• Orients and guides locals and visitors from place to place with minimal stress;
• Identifies best routes to destinations;
• Creates a recognizable brand and identity for the jurisdiction and/or active transportation network;
• Overcomes barriers to entry, such as negative perceptions of connectivity, safety, the time it takes to travel by bicycle, and overall convenience;
• Improves safety by increasing the visibility of pedestrians and bicyclists and heightening the awareness of motor vehicle drivers;
• Normalizes walking and bicycling as legitimate modes of transportation.

There should be no direct financial impact from the adoption of this plan.  There will be costs associated with the implementation of the wayfinding plan as existing routes are designated and signed, and as new pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure is completed.  Alta is contracted to locate up to 200 signs throughout the study area and develop a sign schedule for up to 100 signs along high priority corridors that are candidates for early implementation.  These locations could include routes along proposed bike boulevards and existing multi-use trail corridors.

No action is necessary on this item at this time.  Formal action on the Wayfinding Signage Plan is scheduled for the January 28 Planning Board meeting following a public hearing.