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National Sign Standards Program Program Summary Banner

Program Summary

    1972 ER 1130-2-400 established the original requirement for a sign manual by requiring each division have its own manual.
    By 1980 Almost all divisions had established their own sign standards and accompanying manual. These contained a wide range of different design concepts and applications with very little consistency. Because of this diversity in approach, it was very difficult for the public to identify the Corps as a nationwide agency, e.g., there were at least 13 different versions of the original Corps Castle in use across the country.
    1980 The Corps published the Graphic Standards Manual with the "new" stylized Corps Castle. This manual included a Chapter 4 that was supposed to address all sign requirements. However, it was just an introduction into a very complex graphic design and agency identification issue.
    1981 HQ provided a formal designation of a Corps Sign Committee when Ohio River Division (ORD) volunteered to put one together. This committee would consolidate the best from each of the individual division sign manuals and establish design standards for the use of the new Corps castle logo. Participants included Bill Carter, Nashville; Ron Waller, Louisville; Paul Straight, Huntington; Greg Bellich, Pittsburgh; and Jack Ardner representing the division office.
    June 1982 A draft replacement for Chapter 4 of the Graphic Standards Manual was formally transmitted to Corps HQ
    Later in 1982 HQ initiated a contract with Meeker & Associates, Inc. to complete the sign manual.
    1983 A national committee was established to continue the work of the ORD team. Original participants included Randy Waters - SAD, Bill McCauley - SWD, Bob Heald - NED, Jack Ardner - ORD and Karlissa Krombein representing HQ Office of the Chief Counsel.
    April 1985 ER and EP drafted. Program's purpose to develop a uniform system was twofold: to establish a consistent look for signs at all projects and to reduce costs.
    November 1987 Implementation of National Sign Program. The Sign Standards Manual is published as EP 310-1-6a and 6b.
    1988 HQ held Corps-wide training sessions for all divisions and districts to review the manual and to kick off the implementation.
    February 1989 Guidance for management of the national sign program is established with the publication of ER and EP 1130-2-421, Sign Standards Program for Civil Works Projects.
    1989 It was determined that computer software was needed to assist in the management of sign inventories, specifications, and orders.
    November 1990 Sign Manager software program is distributed to the field projects. Debra Stokes is designated the national liaison for the software.
    September 1991 Sign Manager is revised and distributed as version 2.00.
    August 1992 - May 1993 Sign Manager software is revised to include Section 14 and other updates.
    August 1992 - May 1993 Section 14 - Lock, Dam and Waterways Signs is distributed.
    October 1993 Sign Standards Manual is revised, twice.
    September 1994 EP 310-1-6, the Graphics Standards Manual is revised. The Sign Standards Program is mentioned in Chapter 6.
    October 1994 Sign Manager is revised and distributed as version 2.2.2.
    November 1994 Technical Center of Expertise (TCX) for Engineering Waterway Signs is established in the St. Paul District.
    June 1995 TCX is converted into a Mandatory Center of Expertise (MCX).
    1996 Sign Advisory Work Group formally established to provide necessary expertise to the field. It is comprised of interdisciplinary support from field and HQ staff in Operations, Safety and Office of the Chief Counsel.
    1996 Customer Care Group created to help improve the working relationship between the Corps and UNICOR.
    May 1996 MOA between the Corps and Federal Prison Industries is signed.
    October 1996 Management of the national Sign Standards Program is transferred to a Mandatory Center of Expertise (MCX) in the St. Paul District.
    October 1996 ORD Waterways Sign Team meeting conducted concerning the expense of waterway signs and the search for an alternate marking system.
    April 1997 MFR Subject: Engineering of Waterway Signs distributed.
    June 1998 Updated training for district/division sign program managers in Huntsville.
    May 2001 The Sign Standards Program MCX and the Engineering of Waterway Signs MCX are combined and will reside in the St. Paul District.
    March 2005 Second updated training for district & division sign managers in Huntsville
    July 2005 Henrik Strandskov, 1st National Sign Program Manager, retires
    2006 Sign Standards Manual, Volume 1, is extensively revised and digitized. It is available on the NRM Gateway for the first time.
    2006 Sign Pro software launched for field testing.
    2006 Rick Magee selected as the 2nd National Sign Program Manager.
    2007 The Sign Post publication was launched to promote the sign program and educate employees.
    2008 Federal Highway Administration released new reflectivity requirements for traffic control signs.
    2008 Corps logo added to Approach Roadway Directional Signs to promote agency recognition.
    2011 Rick Magee, 2nd National Sign Program Manager, retired.
    2014 The MCX relocated from St. Paul District to Kansas City District to be co-located with the Sign Shop at Truman Lake.
    2014 AJ Jensen selected as the 3rd National Sign Program Manager.
    2016 Unicor Sign Factory relocated from Lompoc, CA to Cumberland, MD.
    2020 Kansas City District Sign Shop at Truman Lake was closed.
    2020 Army Star Logo added to Standard Identification Signs to promote parent agency recognition.
    2021 SignPro shut down due to DoD cybersecurity requirements.
 
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