TIABC Releases Highway Signage Policy
The Tourism Industry Association BC (TIABC) Policy Committee has been working to address the ongoing concerns regarding the province-wide maintenance and replacement of service and attraction highway signage, an important component of wayfinding for visitors to B.C.
After a thorough review of the current provincial signs policy and input from industry stakeholders and members, TIABC developed a comprehensive list of the core issues regarding the current signage policy and subsequently developed the TIABC Policy on Province-wide Maintenance & Replacement of Service & Attraction Highway Signage.
The following are highlights of the nine policy recommendations:
1. The Ministry of Transportation must conduct an annual audit of all existing signs in each region to A) understand relevance of current signage and update as necessary (e.g. delete references to businesses that are closed), and B) to identify wayfinding gaps such as failure to list turn-offs for services or amenities.
2. All blue and white service and attraction signs should be maintained to the standard that befits the province’s Super, Natural British Columbia tourism brand.
3. Existing signs should be upgraded, or new signs introduced to include Indigenous communities and tourism businesses in the spirit of reconciliation.
4. To avoid lengthy waits to replace or repair signage, the province should offer an expedited process that allows private operators to pay all or part of the cost if they so choose.