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Consideration on making river signage systematic

Haruka Sogabe*, Yoshitsugu Morita**, Eiko Ishikawa***

* Kyushu University, sogabe@design.kyushu-u.ac.jp ** Kyushu University,morita@design.kyushu-u.ac.jp

***EPI Designnetwork, EPIDESIGN.NETWORK@verizon.net

Abstract: This research investigates, discusses, and analyzes methods to develop provisions for

systematic river signage. Actions and the current status on existing river signage in Japan are

investigated, and issues are extracted and categorized. Design principles for basic river signage are

set, and design rules based on the principles are also determined. There are already many actions

regarding river signage; however there is no consideration regarding systematic installation. River

signage has been installed as a case study based on the design principles. Results of investigations

on current river signage and a guideline summarizing the design principles is issued and revised.

How river signage is installed in various regions is investigated and issues of the guideline and

problems regarding operation are summarized. The difficulty in making the contents of the

guideline well known and the practical issues in doing so are discussed.

Key words: River Sign, Sign System, Pictograph

1. Introduction

Most rivers in Japan have higher gradients compared to rivers in other countries, and there are many rivers that

flow at higher elevation than urban areas. About 50% of the population and approximately 70% of assets in Japan

are said to be in flood-prone areas. Therefore, flood control measures have been taken for a long time on rivers in

Japan. Recent measures include not only flood protection but also focus on creation of an attractive riverfront

together with community planning considering water friendliness, natural environment, and scenery.

Installation of water friendly facilities make rivers closer to our lives as nearby places for walking, playing with

water, or studying the environment. However, global abnormal weather is causing frequent torrential downpours,

which are accompanied by rapid changes in the weather in recent Japan. There are cases where rapid increase in

the water level of rivers from torrential downpours has caused damage to people at the riverfront space installed at

rivers. Swollen rivers from torrential downpours have the potential to threaten our lives and assets, and needless to

say, the natural nature of rivers contains the intrinsic dangers of naturally formed space.

In consequence, we need to use rivers while recognizing that rivers are a place for daily recreation and

relaxation while also containing dangers. Therefore, measures are necessary to make well known the possibility

that accidents can happen with wrong actions at riverfronts.

2. Objective of research

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This research covers signs that display, for example, rules of use, river name, river equipment and facilities,

and nearby information of the river (signage), aims to design a systematic set of signage for riverfronts, proposes a

new viewpoint regarding river signage, and discusses practical dissemination of new rules.

The design of the signage, which are tools to convey information, should be able to convey information quickly

while also being considerate of the nearby environment. The same requirements apply to signage in riverfronts.

Signage in riverfronts should also have an educational role where people can enjoy learning in daily life about

rivers, rules in using riverfronts, and signs for changes in rivers such as rapid swelling. A system of appealing

signage is designed, and the practical process of dissemination of the designed signage system is discussed.

3. Method of research

The current status of signage in riverfronts is investigated. Investigation 1 finds measures and examples of

cases of signage in riverfronts that already exist in Japan on the web, and conducts fieldwork on advanced cases.

Investigation 2 is fieldwork on rivers with river administrators and conducts hearings on what river administrators

think are problematic about the current status of river signage. These two investigations are used to understand the

current status of signage in riverfronts. Next, the problems found in the investigations are categorized and

analyzed, issues that should be improved are summarized, and the key issues for systematic improvement are

clarified.

General design principles are set regarding the clarified issues for improvement, and actual design rules are set

through discussion with river administrators, that is the River Management Division, River Department, Kyushu

Regional Development Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT). Ideas regarding

the actual signage and expressions on the surface are developed based on the design rules that are set, and a

general signage system is established that could be used in various cases. The entire process is summarized as a

guideline and distributed to river offices within the Kyushu Regional Development Bureau. Cases of signage

installation by river administrators based on the guideline are investigated to extract problems regarding design

rules and to analyze how the guideline should be.

4. Investigation

4.1 Investigation 1. Case studies on river signage

4.1-1 Web-based case study

Web-based investigations on measures regarding river signage have been carried out. The objective of this

investigation was to confirm whether “measures regarding river signage” had been taken in various places, and if

there were such activity, to understand what the measures actually were.

Web-based investigations showed that there were many informal discussions and public meetings on diverse

topics regarding rivers involving river administrators, government administrators in the river basin, and local

residents in many places in Japan. There was a tendency for river signage to be included as a topic. The following

two cases, among cases found in the web-based investigations, are relatively large-scale measures on signage at

riverfronts.

(1) Measures on common signage in the Tsurumigawa river basin

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Tsurumigawa is a class A river flowing through three cities, that is Machida, Tokyo and two government-

designated municipalities of Kawasaki and Yokohama in Kanagawa Prefecture. The river administrator is the

Keihin River Office, Kanto Regional Development Bureau, MLIT. The population density of the river basin is the

highest among the 109 class A river systems, the river is actively used by river basin residents, and walking and

cycling routes are maintained. The lower Tsurumigawa basin flows through five wards of Yokohama City

(Tsurumi, Kohoku, Midori, Aoba, and Tsuzuki wards), and previously each ward individually requested projects

on Tsurumigawa to relevant city administrators and river administrators. However, coordination between

administrators were determined to be necessary for projects on the Tsurumigawa basin that crosses administration

boundaries, and installation of common signage across the basin was one of the projects. The installed signage are

called “Tsurumigawa basin common signage”, and signage of the distance from the river mouth, animals and

plants in the basin, and guides to local facilities were installed (Fig. 1). River administrators and resident groups

discussed and summarized the contents and designs prior to installation. Measures that consider the whole

Tsurumigawa basin was not limited to installation of common signage, and the “water master plan of the

Tsurumigawa basin” is in progress that aims to solve various comprehensive issues regarding Tsurumigawa

through cooperation and coordination of citizens, citizen groups, companies, and government administrators in the

entire basin.

Figure.1 Tsurumigawa Sign Figure.2 Arakawa Sign

(2) Actions by Edogawa Ward - Arakawa Citizens Council (5th phase)

Arakawa Citizens Council is a place for citizens to act together to make Arakawa as it should be, and there is

activity in various cities and wards in the basin. This case is part of Arakawa Citizens Council activities held in

Edogawa Ward since fiscal year 1997, and was carried out in fiscal years 2005 and 2006. Measures in this fifth

phase were linked to signage installation along Arakawa that the Arakawa-Karyu River Office was conducting.

The river administrators, relevant government administrators, and local residents held site tours, discussed where

to install signage and what to display at each location, and installed guidance and introduction signage.

Proceedings for every meeting show that residents actively gave opinions on the locations and contents of signage,

which means that local residents were highly interested in river signage. Therefore, installation of signage is

expected to be a topic that induces cooperation and coordination of various stakeholders related to the rivers (Fig.

2).

Coordination exceeding administrative boundaries within the river basin held an important role in the

Tsurumigawa basin common signage in web-based investigation case (1). Holding periodic meetings over a long

period of time to obtain opinions of local residents played an important role in installation of signage in the case

of Arakawa Citizens Council in web-based investigation case (2). Web-based investigations found similar

activities, although at a smaller scale, and opinions about signage installation in public meetings on river

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maintenance by administrators and basin residents.The above shows that installation of signage in river basins

should be done by the entire basin exceeding administrative boundaries from the viewpoint of river landscape and

increasing awareness in local residents, and that local residents are relatively interested in signage.

4.1-2 Fieldwork

We carried out fieldwork to confirm how characteristic river signage is installed. Investigation during fieldwork

was focused on the relation between the river and signage, relation between signage in the river basin, and how

signage were installed and used.

(1) Example of characteristic signage installation – Examples in various rivers in Hokkaido

Web-based investigations revealed that there were many examples in Hokkaido where characteristic signage of

river names are used. Fig.3 show actual examples. These characteristic examples were all on signage displaying

the river name, and were aimed to individualize river names and make them well known. On the other hand,

signage other than river name signs that were installed in the river basins were not characteristic signage similar to

those shown in Fig.3. Not all river name signs in the river basins have characteristic expressions, and

characteristic examples were randomly installed in each river. Some of the characteristic signage was installed in

water friendly spaces frequently used by people while others were placed in locations rarely used - therefore there

does not appear to be rules regarding installation.

Figure.3 Sign examples in Hokkaido Figure.4 Sign examples in Shinmachigawa

(2) Examples of signage installation in water friendly space (i) – Case in Shinmachigawa

Shinmachigawa is a class A river of the Yoshinogawa system that flows through the center of Tokushima City.

Many events by local residents are actively held in water friendly space such as the Shinmachigawa-Mizugiwa

Park in the city center. The river is utilized as an indispensable part of the region, and the community is built

around the river. The city center in the Shinmachigawa river basin was investigated as an example of river usage

in a city center. Examples are shown in Fig. 4. The water friendly space is maintained for people to enjoy while

considering the neighboring environment, which is the city center, and is helping to form the uniqueness of

Tokushima City as a city with a river where the river and city landscape match well. However, there is no

systematic installation or design in the installed signage, and the relation between the various signage, the match

with the installed environment, and the installment locations are not designed in advance. Here, installment and

planning does not take the spatial properties of the water friendly space into account.

(3) Examples of signage installation in the riverbed (ii) – Case in Arakawa and Sumidagawa

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A case study of Arakawa and Sumidagawa was carried out, including confirmation of signage installed by the

Arakawa Citizens Council, as mentioned as a case from the web-based investigation. Fieldwork was carried out

between Senjyu-sinbashi and Horikiribashi of Arakawa and between Asakusa water bus stop and Sakurabashi and

between Ryogokubashi and Eitaibashi of Sumidagawa. Installation of various signage, including signs discussed

in the Arakawa Citizens Council, guidance signs, river name signs, signs of warnings to visitors, was confirmed

(Fig. 5).

Figure.5 Sign examples in Arakawa&Sumidagawa

The environment is relatively well maintained in all regions investigated, and people actively pass through and

use these areas. Guidance signs discussed in the Arakawa Citizens Council have been installed not only on the

Arakawa riverbed but also at Sumidagawa. We could not check whether these signs have been installed at the

same time, but must have been installed with intent to use the same signs considering the relation between

Arakawa and Sumidagawa. Very diverse river name signs, signs of warnings to visitors, and guidance signs exist

in each investigation area extending about 2 to 3 km. People actively use all investigation areas. However, there

are cases of signs added because of necessity in operation after initial installation or signs installed by different

entities. Thus, there is some lack of uniformity when looking at the entire signage that is installed. There is also

non-uniformity from the difference in installation timing and cost.

The three case studies described above show that there were many types of signs installed at rivers, but there

was not much consideration on the relation between signs, and there was no in-depth thinking on where to install

signage. The reasons behind these issues in most cases are that there were multiple entities that install signs, the

timing and budget of installation was different, and signs were found to be necessary and added after operation

was started.

4.2 Fieldwork with river administrators

Fieldwork with river administrators was carried out to observe the current state of river signage in detail. We

focused on Chikugogawa in Kyushu, walked in the Chikugogawa river basin in Hita, Oita, Kurume, Fukuoka, and

Ukiha, Fukuoka with river administrators while asking questions. Our observation aimed to understand the types,

locations, methods of installation, contents, and reasons for installing signage as well as to check the nearby

environment of river space where signage were installed.

Environments were completely different in different river basins of the same river. For instance, the river basin in

Hita City, which is located near the source of Chikugogawa, has a spa town and residences around the river. The

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river space is strongly attached to resident life, and people regularly walk around the river area (Fig.6). The river

basin in Ukiha City, which is located middle stream, is a settled landscape where the river is wide, roads with

vehicle traffic are maintained along the river, and houses and farms lie behind the roads (Fig. 7). The river basin in

Kurume City is a river space for recreation and events near a city; the river is very wide and there are cycling

routes and athletic fields for sports on the riverbed (Fig. 8). Completely different landscapes were formed

depending on the river basin even for the same river; therefore the nearby surroundings must be inspected

carefully before installing signage.

Figure.6, 7, 8 Change in scenery of river

River signage is categorized according to the information displayed on signage as in Table 1. The information on

signage was diverse. Some indicate restrictions on visitors such as forbidden actions or warnings, others

encourage improvement of manners, display the river name or facility name, or describe the nature, animals and

plants, or history. These signages are categorized into restrictions, awareness, names, and guidance, and problems

are extracted for each category.

Table 1. Classification of river signs

Category Type Sub-type Content and aim

No entry Notif ication that it is prohibited to enter a certain river area or facility

Restrictions inuse

Restrictions in user behavior, notif ication that bringing cars into theriver area or parking is prohibited etc.

Prevention Notif ication about prohibition of illegal dumping of w aste etc.

Warnings intended to prevent accidents such as those caused byrising w aters or falls

EducationNotif ication of manners regarding use, such as restrictions ondisposal of garbage and dealing w ith pet w aste

Notif ication of role and function of pump tow ers, f loodgates etc.

Notif ication of the name of the river etc.

Notif ication of the role and function of river facilities such as pumptow ers and w ater gates, notif ication of role of user centers etc.managed by the river off ice

Notif ication of history of f loods, introduction to historical ruins andinformation about the surrounding natural environment etc.

History/nature

Prohibitions

Rules

Names

Guidance/explanation

Warnings

Behavior recommendations

Name of facility

Name of river

Guide to facility

Restriction signage is installed in areas where actions must be restricted. In some cases, the signage themselves

does not state the reasons why restrictions are necessary, although the river administrators know the reasons, or

the importance of the contents of the signage cannot be determined (Fig. 9). Many entities install awareness

signage due to their nature, for instance by citizen groups, river administrators, and relevant government

administrators. Similar information is provided at very short intervals (Fig. 10). Graffiti and nearby plants covered

some signs, making the signs non-functional (Fig. 11). River name signage is typically doorplate-shaped, and

therefore the various spatial properties of rivers are not considered (Fig. 12). Explanation of river facilities and

other contents are often written using technical terms in guidance signage, and in such cases the general public

cannot understand the contents and the signage could not fulfill their role to provide guidance (Fig. 13).

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Figure.9, 10, 11, 12, 13 Standard river signs in Japan

River administrators, citizen groups, and relevant government administrators who installed signage must have

installed various signage to provide information about the river to the general public so that they could have a

deeper understanding of the river. However, fieldwork with river administrators showed that these acts result in

installment of too much signage, and that the contents were not conveyed to visitors as intended by the installing

entity.

5. Summary of investigations

Web-based investigations, case studies, and fieldwork with river administrators derived the following five issues

that need to be addressed in development of river signage.

(1) River signage installation should be done after holding discussions with local residents and relevant

government administrators and collecting a wide range of opinions, and should not be bound by

administrative boundaries.

(2) Systematic plans must be set regarding signage for installation in each river because signs are often

inconsistent in the same river due to deficiencies in installation timing, cost, and installing entity.

(3) The landscape of the river can be different in different river basins of the same river; therefore installment

must take into consideration the landscape of each installment location.

(4) Rules regarding the contents and design of signage to maintain certain order to prevent installation of too

much signage and to be considerate of the river landscape.

Careful design is necessary such that the reason of installation, such as importance of the contents, must be

precisely and readily understandable to the reader

6. Designing of signage body

Drafts of actual designs were made while considering issues extracted in investigations, and final designs were

decided through discussions in the “working group to discuss river signage in Kyushu” (hereafter denoted as

working group) that was newly established with River Department, Kyushu Regional Development Bureau, MLIT

and representative staff from various river offices in northern Kyushu.

6.1 Designing of the signage body

The design of the signage body must be easy to maintain and manage while durable to endure harsh weather

conditions. This recommendation takes issues from investigations into consideration. Restrictions and awareness

signage are used in all rivers and convey similar information, therefore generic and simple signs are preferable.

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River name signs are typically similar to road signs. However, river name signage are aimed to make the river

name well known to people and to make the river a part of life, thus we agreed that the signage themselves should

be designed that the signage has familiarity and expresses the uniqueness of the region where the river flows. The

signage can then be valued by people as a new landscape asset of the region.

The design of the signage body was refined through a few case studies after deciding basic principles on design,

as mentioned above, because the relation with the installation location must be considered, as well as cost of

installation.

6.2 Consideration on restriction signage

Currently, actions are mostly displayed using illustrations that children can easily understand. However, the same

information is conveyed using various illustrations, therefore the displayed information is ineffectively displayed.

For instance, many signs that include the single information “do not leave dog waste behind” are installed using

various illustrations in the same river basin, as shown in Fig. 14Although this does not seem at first sight that the

same information is conveyed, the issues from the viewpoint of conveying information are that the same

information is conveyed using different expressions and that the information described above is provided with

very short intervals. As a result, we decided to change the current expressions using illustrations and instead use

pictograms that can have certain order in expression.

Text information is added to pictograms to increase accuracy in conveyed information. A number of restriction

signs are installed at one location in many cases, therefore the signage must be easy to understand and match the

nearby landscape when many restriction signs are installed. We decided to use two squares placed vertically,

where the top square displays pictograms of actions and the bottom square shown text information that describes,

in simple language, why the restrictions are imposed. Information can be provided easily with certain order when

multiple restriction signs are installed together, and rules on displaying information are summarized in Fig.15.

Figure.14 illustrations Signs

Figure.15 Design rule

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7. Guideline compilation

The Kyushu Regional Development Bureau issued a guideline that categorizes and analyzes problems of river

signage as of 2009and outlines the design rules mentioned above. The guideline was distributed to various river

offices, prefectures and cities in Kyushu. River offices inspected river signage of rivers, which the offices manage,

based on the guideline and sequentially replaced river signage that needs replacement as judged by the situation of

management. The replaced signage is based on the design rules in the guideline, and river signage based on the

designed rules are now installed at various rivers in Kyushu.

8. Case study

Case studies were carried out by participating in analysis of river signage while replacement and new installation

of river signage based on developed design rules were conducted. Case studies were done at Mikumagawa

flowing through Hita, Oita managed by Hita Branch Office of Chikugogawa River Office, Kikuchigawa flowing

through Yamaga, Kumamoto managed by Kikuchigawa River Office, and Shirakawa flowing through Kumamoto,

Kumamoto managed by Kumamoto River and National Highway Office.

Names, guidance, and restriction signs at Mikumagawa were installed through discussion at councils with Hita

City and local residents. For Kikuchigawa, the riverbed was maintained around the region where Kikuchigawa

crosses the Buzen-Kaido road, which retains the old townscape. Names and restrictions signage were installed

through discussion with the river office because people will more actively use the riverbed. Shirakawa was

maintained because the renewal of Kumamoto Station with the opening of the Kyushu Shinkansen was expected

to increase traffic of people at Shirakawa that flows by Kumamoto Station. River name signage was installed

through discussions with the river office and Kumamoto Prefecture (Fig. 16)

Figure.16 Kikuchigawa&Shirakawa Signs

The installation organization was different depending on the period of installation, signs to be installed, and

location of installation of each case. Installation was conducted with residents in Mikumagawa, where the “Suigo-

Hita River Sign Discussion Committee” (hereafter denoted as “committee”) was set up. The Hita Branch Office of

Chikugogawa River Office, Kyushu Regional Development Bureau, MLIT acted as the administrative office, and

committee members include administrators of dams located upstream of Mikumagawa, Hita City employees, and

representatives of local residents such as staff of local hot spring hotels, and faculty of universities. The committee

was held about once a month from December 2008 to August 2009, and discussed the design, contents, and

location of signage to be installed. The design rules in the guideline were introduced, maintenance according to

the rules was agreed, and the contents and size of river name and guidance signs were discussed to reflect the

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characteristics of the region. The size of signs were difficult for ordinary residents to imagine, hence full-scale

models were made for use in discussions. The contents on signage were the target of free discussion, and the

contents to be conveyed to visitors to the river were scrutinized. Kikuchigawa and Shirakawa were both

maintained based on discussion with river offices that wanted to express the uniqueness of the region in river

name signage, therefore design of signage were based on motifs that reflected the history of the region.

9. Investigation of installed signage and revision of the guideline

Signage was installed at various places after the guideline was issued. Some signs according to the guideline could

now be seen, but some signs were deviating from the design rules of the guideline. In consequence, the installed

river signs were investigated to revise the guideline.

Signage that was investigated is shown in Table 2 and Fig. 17hows signage that was confirmed in fieldwork.

Fieldwork was conducted for selected cases from reports of installation of improved signage from river offices

that were accumulated at the River Management Division, River Department, Kyushu Regional Development

Bureau. Criteria for choosing as target of fieldwork were installed signage that deviated from rules in the guideline

and where unique measures were taken in the installation.

Table 2 Signage at rivers compliant with guidelines (reported as of October 2011) River Type of signage signage for present stat River Type of signage Place of signage for present state survey

Kimotsukigaw a Manners improvement Kanoya, Kagoshima Do not enter -

Yashirogaw a e careful not to fall into riv - No illegal w aste dumping -

Ooyodogaw a Do not enter Miyazaki, Miyazaki areful of increased w ater -

Do not enter Manners improvement -

en parking during increas Be careful of alarm -

Manners improvement No golf

Name of river Kumamoto, Kumamoto o not leave dog poop behi

Do not enter - No sw imming

No golf Do not enter

e careful not to fall into riv o not leave dog poop behi

Name of river Explanation of danger leve

Hanegigaw a careful not to fall f rom ste Tamana, Kumamoto Do not enter

Chikugogaw a Name of river - Rokkakugaw a Do not enter Shiroishi, Saga

Morodomigaw a Do not enter - Jobarugaw a Explanation of danger leve Kanzaki, Saga

Kushiragaw a Do not enter - No vehicles allow ed -

Do not enter - e careful not to fall into riv -

No illegal w aste dumping - No illegal w aste dumping -

Kaminodagaw a Do not enter - No motorcycle entry -

Iw aigaw a No illegal w aste dumping - e careful of w ater scoote -

Sendaigaw a Do not enter - Nishikaw a No illegal w aste dumping -

Hayatsuegaw a Do not throw aw ay trash - Kurokaw a No illegal w aste dumping -

Oonogaw a Do not enter -

Isahaya, Nagasaki

Gokasegaw a Nobeoka, Miyazaki

Kikuchigaw a Yamaga, Kumamoto

Banjogaw a Saiki, Oita

Shirakaw a

Oita, Oita

Tsuegaw a

Yamakunigaw a

Yamautsurigaw a

Ongagaw a

Nanasegaw a

Honmyogaw a

Figure.17 Signs made by guideline

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Three issues regarding installation of signage according to the guideline were extracted from a number of

fieldwork investigations. The first was some intentional changes on the display of the signage. The second was

non-conformance with the guideline due to lack of verification when installing signage. The third was non-

uniformity of signage in terms of materials and specifications of the display and support post of the signage.

One example of the first issue was surrounding the pictogram for “do not enter” with a red frame, and then using a

cross instead of a slash to indicate a “forbidden act”, and another was intentional change in color. The rule

regarding displays, where a pictogram and text should be placed above and below, was completely ignored in

some cases. Regarding the second issue, the pictograms were completely changed, or the color was slightly

different form the specifications in the guideline, or there was extra blank space around the sign in some cases.

The third problem arose because representatives in each river office decided on the budget for the installation,

contractors, and the materials and specifications of the signage. As a result, the quality of signage was varied, and

became non-uniform when viewed from an overall perspective.

Representatives of river offices were asked the reasons for intentional changes in the signage, to which “to make

the signs stand out more” and “discussions with residents about signage installation decided that signage should

represent the uniqueness of the region, and this decision has been reflected” were the replies. The reason for

deformation and slight change in color in pictograms were found to arise from verification mistakes when

ordering or not using color samples. Non-uniformity of materials and specifications were mostly influenced by the

lack of explicit details of materials and specifications in the guideline.

Therefore, the following items were added in a revised guideline.

○Explicitly state whether changes are allowed or not

River signage is categorized into restrictions, guidance, river name, and construction work signs. Restriction

signage is further categorized into forbidding, warning, and awareness subcategories. Restriction signage is the

most frequently installed category, and design rules were set with a high level of uniformity because installation of

excess restriction signage was thought to be harming the river landscape when initially compiling the guideline.

Restriction and construction work signage convey strong messages to visitors to the river, therefore we thought

that allowing no changes, without exceptions, was important for signage to fulfill the primary role of conveying

information. Therefore, the guideline explicitly specified that restriction signage could not be altered, and other

guidance and river name signage could be modified based on creative ideas of the region (Table 2).

○Specify flowchart of ordering signage

There were relatively large numbers of inappropriate signage that appear to be caused by verification mistakes of

river office staff or contractors, according to investigation of signage that was installed according to the guideline.

As a result, work that staff should carry out in installing signage is added to the guideline for restriction signage,

where uniformity is important and many signs are installed. The work procedure for river office staff from

decision to completion of installation of signage is outlined as a workflow, and making this flow easy to see

should reduce verification mistakes and smoothen transfer of work in case for change in staff .

○Show standard design drawings

The standard design of the signage body should be decided for restriction signage that needs to be uniform based

on the current situation of installation. Installation of restriction signage are considered based on continuous

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requests from local residents and the situation of the budget, and is often ordered at the end of the fiscal year under

time and cost restrictions. Installation of signage that is designed from scratch and is of adequate quality under

these circumstances would be very difficult, therefore standard designs of the entire signage is determined for

restriction signage. This will allow smooth ordering to installation of uniform signage under time and cost

constraints. Standard drawings when stainless steel or aluminum is used as material are drawn and are attached to

the end of the guideline.

10. Summary

Design rules were set and guideline issued and revised to allow systematic river signage installation in this

research. Investigation of measures on river signage and currently installed signage in Japan led to categorization

of problems regarding river signage. The extracted problems were used to summarize issues on design and

installation of signage in riverfronts, and points that should be systematic and those that could include the

uniqueness of each region were clarified. Rules were set for systematically used signage: colors with meanings

were used for the reader to determine the importance of the sign, and information was easily conveyed using a

pictogram and text.

Various organizations and people are usually involved in installation of river signage. A guideline is issued and

revised that takes into account various operational factors in installation, such as budget or physical location

constraints. However, just issuing and revising a guideline that considers operation is difficult for systematic

installation of river signage that maintains a certain degree of order. The contents of the guideline are carefully

chosen to consider various aspects of operations and to be applicable in diverse cases. In reality, there are some

irregular individual cases, and the actions of on-site staff become very important. Further extraction of issues and

analysis is necessary in setting design rules and issuing and revising the guideline through observing the state of

installation. In addition, exploration of methods to make the objectives and effects of river signage installation

well known in on-site staff is found to be a crucial point.

Setting design rules and guidelines is often conducted in considering designs in public space. We found it

necessary to understand how design rules are operated after initially using it to see whether precise operation is

carried out. Knowing the problems in practice and whether the rules and guideline assist smooth operation is

indispensable, and not relying just on an issued guideline but also measures to change understanding of relevant

people may also become an important task. We will continue periodic investigations of how the guidelines are

used in practice, will be flexible on changes that would be necessary, and compile a guideline that would be truly

useful.

Acknowledgments

We thank the River Department, Kyushu Regional Development Bureau, MLIT and various river offices in

Kyushu for their cooperation. This work was supported by JSPS KAKENHI (grant number 22615030). The

pictograms developed in this research are registered designs.