Amtrak. Graphic Signage Standards Manual (2010)

Contents

Introduction

Nomenclature and Glossary of Terms

1.0

Amtrak Usage and Style

1.1

Glossary of Terms

1.2

Recommended Abbreviations

1.6

Nomenclature for Platform and Interior Signs

1.7

Nomenclature for Interior Signs

1.8

Nomenclature for Exterior Signs

1.9

Nomenclature for Regulatory Signs

1.10

Graphic Components

2.0

The Module

2.1

Arrow Module

2.2

Symbol Module

2.3

Frutiger 55 Roman Text

2.4

Frutiger 65 Bold Text

2.5

Text Module, Visual Characters

2.6

Permanent Room Identification

and Station Identification

2.8

Use of Dividers

2.9

Signage System Colors

2.10

Use of Arrows

2.11

Corporate Identity

2.12

Amtrak Specific Symbols

2.13

Passenger Services Symbols

2.14

Public Services Symbols

2.15

Regulatory Symbols

2.16

Symbols of Accessibility

2.17

Preview Bar Symbols

2.18

Other Carriers

2.19

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

3.0

History of the Act

3.1

ADA Highlights

3.2

Graphic Overview of the ADA

3.6

Platform Signage (A Sign Types)

4.0

Interior Signage (B Sign Types)

5.0

Exterior Signage (C Sign Types)

6.0

Regulatory Signage (D Sign Types)

7.0

Electronic Signage (E Sign Types)

8.0

■

Contents

(continued)

9. Typical Sign Location Plans

9.0

Message Hierarchy

9.1

Historical Buildings

9.2

Typical Platform Plans

9.3

Typical Station Plans

9.7

10. Recommended Maintenance of Signs

10.0

Maintenance and Parts Replacement

10.1

Cleaning

10.2

Why Coating Systems Fail

10.3

11. Sign Fabrication and Installation

11.0

The Amtrak Paint System

11.1

Graphics Application

11.2

Sign Construction Drawings

11.3

12. Sign Ordering Forms

12.0

The Ordering Process

12.1

Master List of Sign Types

12.2

Three Steps for Ordering Signs

12.5

Sample Ordering Form

12.7

Master Ordering Form

12.8

Ordering Electronic Signs

12.9

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Introduction

The 2009 revision of the Amtrak Graphic Signage

Standards Manual has many updates and additions that

bring the Amtrak signage system into the 21st Century.

The original manual, issued in 1995, was revised in 2001

to incorporate many of the changes associated with the

introduction of Amtrak's new brand that was unveiled

in 2000.

This 2010 revision incorporates new Amtrak branded

Sign Types, Acela Express Sign Types, vehicular trail-

blazer signs and completely updated electronic Sign

Types. This revision also contains an overview of the

new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) design

guidelines, as published in 2004 and amended in 2005,

regarding signage. To contribute to a greener planet,

the paint specifications in this revision have been

changed to VOC compliant formulations with reduced

organic volatile compounds (VOCs).

The original manual was developed with multi-depart-

mental coordination within Amtrak and was designed

by McCulley Design Group, LLC (environmental graphic

design services). The McCulley Group, LLC subsequently

revised the original manual in 2001 to include new

Sign Types and graphic content developed by Calori &

Vanden-Eynden, Ltd., who prepared this revision of the

manual.

In order to reinforce Amtrak’s brand image it is impor-

tant that the guidelines outlined in this manual be

followed to maintain signage consistency. When it is

necessary to replace an existing sign or install a new

sign it is important that the personnel responsible

consult the Amtrak Graphic Signage Standards Manual

and refer to the ordering procedures outlined in

Chapter 12.0.

■

Introduction

(continued)

Adherence to the

Every day employees, passengers, and the general

Amtrak Graphic Signage

public form impressions about Amtrak. How Amtrak

Standards Manual not

communicates is a vital expression of its marketplace

only maximizes the visi-

identity and must support the unique quality of

bility of Amtrak stations,

its people, service and environment. Advertising,

but also greatly increases

sales promotion collateral, architecture, interiors,

the recognition of the

displays, corporate identity, facility and transportation

Amtrak brand image

identification all contribute significantly to Amtrak's

and enhances Amtrak's

perceived image.

market presence.

All interior/exterior identification components and

The policies in this

interior space must support and reinforce the brand

manual are required

image established for Amtrak and its passengers.

to detail the use of

Of major importance is to give the impression that

the Amtrak brand signa-

the entire station is unified with understandable

ture as applied to all

sequences of information.

Amtrak stations.

Signage for Amtrak stations establishes a permanent

display of the Amtrak corporate identification that

extends beyond the simple and generic graphic

communicative requirements of a train station.

Signage design and the degree of consistency with

which signs are fabricated and installed in our

stations makes a collective statement to the public

about the character of Amtrak and the level of service

experienced.

The choice of signage materials is largely determined

by the environmental conditions they are expected

to resist and the performance requirements desired.

Materials in this manual have been selected according

to their ability to withstand extreme exposure to sun,

cold, snow and high levels of humidity or rain.

The goal of the Amtrak Graphic Signage Standards

Manual is to convey a consistent corporate image of

strength and reliability, reflecting a brand that puts

the safety, comfort and enjoyment of every passenger

first. Applied consistently, the signage will stand for

Amtrak and its role in the travel marketplace. The use

of a consistent graphic system enhances the passenger

experience, providing both real and perceived reassur-

ances at all phases of the station experience.

This manual is a corporate identity program created

to establish an Amtrak system for national sign instal-

lation and placement guidelines. This system as of

■

Introduction

(continued)

date of publication will assist in the long-term strategy

required to address conformance with the Americans

with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA mandates that all

public accommodations and public facilities be acces-

sible to people with disabilities.

This manual is intended to be used as a whole so it is

important for users to familiarize themselves with its

organization and with its entire contents. For example,

the Sign Type information provided in Chapters 4.0

through 8.0 is complemented and supported by infor-

mation in the other chapters.

This manual is organized as follows:

• Chapters 1.0 through 3.0 of this manual contain

important information on the building blocks of

Amtrak's sign system.

• Chapters 4.0 through 8.0 provide information about

each Amtrak Sign Type, typically presented in four

subject areas: Sign Overview, Mounting Options,

Sign Size and Layout, and Design Intent Drawing.

• Chapter 9.0 describes where the various Amtrak

Sign Types should be located at various types of

platforms and stations.

• Chapter 10.0 contains sign maintenance procedures.

• Chapter 11.0 contains information on sign fabrica-

tion and installation.

• Chapter 12.0 outlines the sign ordering process.

In order to control the product and brand qual-

ity of Amtrak signage, signs must be ordered

through Amtrak Brand Management, contact:

SignageBrandManagement@amtrak.com.

For information on non-signage applications of the

Amtrak brand, contact: BrandManagement@amtrak.

com.

Also see Station Design Guidelines, available at

www.GreatAmericanStations.com

■

Nomenclature and

1.1

Glossary of Terms

Amtrak Usage

and Style

Grammar

To avoid confusion and

ambiguity, all mes-

• Messages should be brief. Avoid unnecessary words

sages in the Amtrak

and punctuation.

Graphic Signage

• Sentences should be constructed clearly and deci-

System must be com-

sively. Redundancy must be avoided.

municated with clar-

• A positive tone must accompany all messages.

ity and consistency in

The use of “only” should be avoided in messages.

terminology, grammar,

and style.

Style

The guidelines listed

• A titling style, where all words begin with a

in this chapter are to

capital letter except for articles, prepositions

be followed closely

and conjunctions is to be used consistently

when developing

throughout the system.

messages for Amtrak

• All sign messages are to be displayed in non-italic

signs.

characters.

• Letters and words shall be spaced horizontally

according to guidelines established by the ADA.

Text shall not be tightly spaced to fit on an

improperly sized sign.

Punctuation

• Punctuation should be avoided where possible.

• Hyphens are not to be used in unconventional

ways; they should not be used in place of a

comma, in place of the word “to” or in place

of a dash. Coined words such as “Drop-off“ and

“Smoke-free” must appear hyphenated on all

signs.

• The ampersand (&) is to be used in place of the

word “and” only when connecting two words that

belong together because of their function.

Abbreviations

• Abbreviations are generally to be avoided.

Exceptions will be made in cases of common and

widely understood words displayed with insuffi-

cient space. For a list of acceptable abbreviations

refer to page 1.6.

• Abbreviations are to be used without punctuation.

Nomenclature and

Glossary of Terms

1.2

Glossary of Terms

The following defini-

Accent Bar: An essential part of most Amtrak signs,

tions have been

it consists of a narrow horizontal stripe of color

compiled to assist in

placed at the lower end of signs where applicable.

the process of under-

The Accent Bar is always painted to match AMT Silver.

standing and applying

Accessibility: The combination of elements within a

the Amtrak Graphic

facility which allows access, circulation and full use of

Signage System.

the area by persons with disabilities.

ADA: The Americans with Disabilities Act. Signed into

law on July 26, 1990.

AMT: Prefix used to identify Amtrak colors specified

throughout the Graphic Signage Standards Manual.

Arrow Field: An essential part of all directional signs,

it consists of a square area determined by the length

of the arrow from base to point. The Arrow Field

determines the placement of an arrow within the

Module and is not reproduced on the actual sign.

Assistive Listening Systems: Products designed to

improve the quality of sound delivered to a listener

with hearing loss, but who can understand speech.

Brandmark: Amtrak’s corporate signature or

logotype.

Custom Message: Messages not included in the

Amtrak nomenclature that provide specific informa-

tion about or direct passengers to areas unique

to Amtrak facilities are referred to as “Custom

Messages.” Consistency in the use of grammar, style

and punctuation must be used when compiling such

messages.

Direction Bar: Used on City Identifiers (A2 Sign

Type), this horizontal message module is used to

display a train’s general path of travel. This module

includes names of major origin/destination cities and

reinforces the train’s direction through the use of

arrows.

Electronic Signage: Computer or manually con-

trolled variable message signs that dynamically display

messages on electronic display devices such as LEDs or

Flat Screen Monitors.

Flat Screen Monitor: Typically Liquid Crystal Display

(LCD) screens; used in electronic display systems.

Grade 1 Braille: A letter-by-letter conversion of text

into Braille cells. Also referred to as “simple Braille.”

■

Nomenclature and

1.3

Glossary of Terms

(continued)

Grade 2 Braille: Specified by the ADA, this type

of shorthand was developed in 1932 for books and

contains approximately 200 abbreviations, making it

quicker to read than Grade 1 Braille. Contractions are

based on phonetics requiring expertise to translate

and convert messages onto signs. This manual only

specifies Grade 2 Braille.

Grid: A framework of intersecting, equally-spaced

parallel and perpendicular lines applied to the

Module, used as a guide for the placement of graphic

components.

Large Stations: Stations that handle moderate to

heavy passenger loads of 150-300 passengers per peak

hour.

LCD: Liquid crystal display; used in electronic display

systems, typically for Flat Screen Monitors.

LED: Light emitting diode; used in electronic display

systems, typically in matrices.

Logo Curve: The combination of the white Amtrak

logo and a curved Amtrak Blue field that creates a

distinctive brand statement on certain Amtrak Sign

Types.

Medium Stations: Stations that handle moderate

passenger loads of 50-175 passengers per peak hour.

Module: Based on the grid, the Module is the back-

ground structure applied to all Amtrak sign layouts.

Permanent Rooms: Rooms and spaces whose desig-

nation will not change. Signage for Permanent Rooms

must comply with ADA sections 703.1, 703.2, 703.5,

and with 703.6 where Pictograms identify Permanent

Rooms.

Pictogram: See Symbols.

Preview Bar: Message module used in directional

signs to display, in pictorial form only, upcoming ser-

vices and facilities explained later on additional signs

that include text messages. The Preview Bar (painted

white) incorporates the use of ten (10) Amtrak desig-

nated Preview Bar Symbols.

Preview Bar Symbols: Commonly recognized

Symbols (painted to match AMT Blue) used to com-

municate the locations of upcoming services without

accompanying text.

Nomenclature and

Glossary of Terms

1.4

Glossary of Terms

(continued)

Raised Character Messages: Messages displayed

in capital letters of at least 5/8 inches in height—not

to exceed 2 inches—and raised 1/32 inch minimum

from the sign surface that can be read using the sense

of touch. Raised Characters are used in combination

with Grade 2 Braille to comply with ADA regulations

for Tactile lettering, and can also serve as Visual

Characters in some situations.

Shelters: Structures located where minimal passenger

loads of up to 25 passengers are anticipated per peak

hour.

Signage: An organized system of signs.

Small Stations: Stations that handle light passenger

loads of 25-75 passengers per peak hour.

Static Signage: Signs that are manufactured with

solid and stable materials, intended to be mounted

and remain stationary throughout their life expec-

tancy. Messages on static signs do not vary and are not

displayed electronically.

Symbol Module: Circular field in which symbols are

contained. Used to support text messages in signs.

Symbols: A pictorial representation of an object or

activity. Also referred to as pictograms or icons.

Tactile Characters: Characters intended to be read

by the sense of touch, including Raised Characters and

Braille.

Text Telephone: Equipment used to serve people

with hearing and/or speech impairments. Text tele-

phones employ interactive graphic communications by

transmitting coded signals across a standard telephone

network. Also referred to as TTY.

Travelscape: Large format wall mural located behind

ticket counters, in conjunction with the Amtrak

Brandmark.

PIDS: Passenger Information Display System. These

electronic display systems provide passengers with

variable information relevant to train departure,

arrival, station services and special notices. PIDS also

serve the purpose of a visual paging system through

free text entries.

■

Nomenclature and

1.5

Glossary of Terms

(continued)

Visual Messaging Systems: These PIDS signs are

used on platforms and in stations to display station

announcements with equivalent public address

announcements so those with hearing impairments

can be kept informed. Amtrak’s Visual Messaging

Systems display messages through the use of LEDs and

flat screen monitors.

Visual Characters: Characters intended to be read by

the sense of sight. Visual Characters can also serve as

Raised Characters if they comply with ADA 703.2.

VOC: Volatile Organic Compound. This manual speci-

fies low VOC paint coatings to reduce environmental

impact and/or to comply with governing environmen-

tal regulations.

Nomenclature and

1.7

Glossary of Terms

Nomenclature

for Platform and

Interior Signs

Proper Amtrak Nomenclature

Example

Platform Signs

Caution

“City Name, State Abbreviation”

Oakland, CA

+ “Direction/Direction”

Los Angeles/Seattle

Elevator

Escalator

Location “Alpha Designator”

Location C

Luggage Carts

Track “#”

Track 4

To Station

No Standing

Notice

Warning

Interior Signs

Amtrak Express

Amtrak Police

Amtrak’s Metropolitan Lounge

Arrivals/Departures

ATM

Authorized Personnel

Baggage Check-in

Baggage Claim

Baggage Storage

Buses

Other transportation systems

Metra, Long Island Rail Road, etc.

within facility

Children’s Play Area

ClubAcela

Customer Services

Elevator

Escalator

Exit

Gate “Alpha Designator”

Gate B

Information

Janitor’s Closet

Lockers

Lost and Found

Nomenclature and

Glossary of Terms

1.8

Nomenclature

for Interior Signs

(continued)

Proper Amtrak Nomenclature

Example

Interior Signs

Luggage Carts

Mail Drop

Mechanical Room

Men

“Numerical Designator”

1, 2, 3, 4, etc.

Parcel Check

Parking

Parking Garage

Please Wait for Next Available Agent

Private

Quik-Trak

Rental Car

Avis, Hertz, etc.

Restaurant

Restroom(s)

Room “#”

222

Shops

Station Manager

Taxis

Telephones

Text Telephones

The Nearest “Service”

The Nearest Text Telephone Is

Is Located “Location”

Located across from Amtrak’s

Metropolitan Lounge

Ticket Window Hours:

“00:00am - 00:00pm”

6:00am - 11:00pm

Ticketed Passengers Only Beyond This Point

Tickets

Tickets & Baggage Claim

Timetables

To Trains

Trains

Vending

Water Fountain

Women

■

Nomenclature and

1.9

Glossary of Terms

Nomenclature

for Exterior Signs

(continued)

Proper Amtrak Nomenclature

Example

Exterior Signs

Amtrak Thruway Bus

Amtrak Welcomes You to

“Station Name”

Chicago Union Station

Station Hours:

“00:00am - 00:00pm Days of Week”

4:00am - 11:30pm Mon - Fri

“00:00am - 00:00pm Alternate

6:00am - 10:30pm Sat - Sun

Days of Week”

Bicycle Parking

Emergency Parking Zone

Employee Parking

Loading Zone

Long-term Parking

Luggage Carts

No Parking

No Parking Between Signs

No Standing

Parking

Parking by Permit

Passenger Drop-off

Passenger Drop-off & Pick-up

Passenger Parking

Passenger Pick-up

Redcap Phone

Rental Car

Avis, Hertz, etc.

Reserved Parking

Short-term Parking

Standing

“#” minutes max.

10 minutes max.

“Station Name”

Chicago Union Station,

Orlando Station

Taxis

Line Begins Here

The Nearest “Service”

The Nearest Accessible

is Located “Location”

Entrance is Located

on 7th Avenue

Graphic

Components

2.2

Arrow Module

To establish a relation-

ship between arrow,

symbol and text,

the arrow is always

contained within the

arrow field. The arrow

1-1/2x

field is determined by

the arrow’s length from

base to point. The height

and width of the arrow

module are five (5) units*

of the module.

5x arrow field

The diagram on this page

Point

Base

illustrates the placement

of the arrow field within

the module. The arrow

field is for arrow place-

ment only and is not

reproduced on the actual

sign.

The directional arrow

used in this manual was

designed for maximum

legibility under various

5x arrow field

1-1/2x

viewing conditions.

This arrow style has

been adopted by the

International Civil

Aviation Organization

(ICAO). It is recom-

mended for use in inter-

national applications.

For Amtrak arrows see

page 2.11.

*x=length of one unit

*x=width of one unit

8x=length of one module

8x=width of one module

■

Graphic

2.3

Components

Symbol Module

Symbols have been incor-

porated into the system as

a supplementary

communication tool.

Symbols used in this

manual are based on the

“System of Passenger/

Pedestrian Orientation

Symbols” developed for

the U.S. Department of

Transportation by the

American Institute of

Graphic Arts and the

placement

symbol

Society of Environmental

margin

field

Graphic Design’s symbols

of accessibility.

In some cases, symbols

have been modified to

meet particular Amtrak

needs. These new symbols

are the exclusive property

of Amtrak and the

services they represent.

To continue the relation-

ship between arrow,

symbol and text, the

symbol is always conŧained

within a symbol field. The

symbol field consists of

a circle with a diameter

equivalent to six (6) units*

of the module.

The diagram on this page

illustrates the placement

of the symbol field within

the module. The symbol

is centered within the

margin illustrated by the

dotted line and is equiva-

lent to five (5) units* of

the module. For Amtrak

symbols see pages 2.13-

2.18.

*x=length of one unit

*x=width of one unit

8x=length of one module

8x=width of one module

Graphic

Components

2.4

Frutiger 55 Roman

Text

The Frutiger 55 Roman

typeface is the standard

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N

typeface for Amtrak

sign text. It is easy to

O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

read and understand.

Clear and recognizable,

Frutiger 55 Roman meets

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n

ADA guidelines for

both Raised and Visual

Characters.

o p q r s t u v w x y z

Frutiger is a sans serif

type family designed

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

in the humanistic style,

making it compatible

with both historical and

Frutiger 55 Roman (Frutiger 55) style

contemporary station

designs.

Frutiger 55 Roman is

used on permanent and

temporary signage for

Character Spacing (Tracking)

Amtrak facilities.

Frutiger 55 Roman should never be letterspaced more tightly

Frutiger 55 Roman is to

(negative) than “Track 0” or “Normal”, and may require more

be used on sign faces

open (positive) tracking to meet ADA character spacing guide-

only when specified in

lines for Visual Characters and for Raised Characters.

the design intent draw-

ings provided in this

manual for each Sign

Type.

The alphabet shown here

is for reference only; it

should not be used for

reproduction or as final

“artwork”. No other

Frutiger font (light,

condensed, italic, etc.)

should be substituted for

Frutiger 55 Roman.

■

Graphic

2.5

Components

Frutiger 65 Bold Text

The Frutiger 65 Bold

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O

typeface is used on

permanent and tempo-

rary signage for Amtrak

P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

facilities. Frutiger 65 Bold

meets ADA guidelines

for Visual Characters only

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o

and should not be used

for Raised Characters.

p q r s t u v w x y z

Frutiger 65 Bold is to be

used on sign faces only

when specified in the

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0

design intent drawings

provided in this manual

for each Sign Type.

Frutiger 65 Bold (Frutiger 65) style

The alphabet shown here

is for reference only; it

should not be used for

reproduction or as final

Character Spacing (Tracking)

“artwork”. No other

Frutiger font (light,

Frutiger 65 Bold should never be letterspaced more tightly

condensed, italic, etc.)

(negative) than “Track 0” or “Normal”, and may require more

should be substituted for

open (positive) tracking to meet ADA character spacing guide-

Frutiger 65 Bold.

lines for Visual Characters and for Raised Characters.

Graphic

Components

2.6

Text Module,

Visual Characters

To continue the relation-

ship between arrow,

symbol and text, all text

messages are placed

on the module. Several

factors must be consid-

ered in establishing the

placement and size of

text:

Line hangs from

a. The size of the module

this point

b. The length of the

message

c. The specific Sign Type

One-line Message

Signs

Text size refers to the

size of capital letters

(cap height) and is deter-

mined by the measure of

four (4) units* within the

module.

Text Module: One Line Message

The text message hangs a

distance of two (2) units*

from the top of the

module and is flushed

left from a margin of one

(1) unit* as illustrated

here.

*x=length of one unit

*x=width of one unit

8x=length of one module

8x=width of one module

Comment

Use square capital letters

such as E or I for cap

height measurement, not

round letters like C or

O because round letters

are designed to be larger

than square letters for

optical balance.

■

Graphic

2.7

Components

Text Module,

Visual Characters

(continued)

Two-line Message

Signs

Text size refers to the

size of capital letters

Line hangs from

(cap height) and is deter-

this point

mined by the measure of

two (2) units* within the

module.

The text messages hang

a distance of one (1)

unit* from the top of the

Line hangs from

module and are flushed

this point

left from a margin of one

(1) unit* as illustrated.

*x=length of one unit

*x=width of one unit

8x=length of one module

8x=width of one module

Three-line Message

Signs

Text size refers to the size

Text Module: Two Line Message

of lower case letters

(x-height) and is deter-

mined by the measure of

one (1) unit* within the

module.

The messages hang a

distance of one (1) unit*

Line hangs from

this point

from the top of the

module and are flushed

left from a margin of one

(1) unit* as illustrated.

Line

Line hangs from

this point

*x=length of one unit

*x=width of one unit

8x=length of one module

Line

8x=width of one module

Line hangs from

this point

1x = x-height

Line

Text Module: Three Line Message

Graphic

Components

2.8

Permanent Room

Identification

and Station

Identification

Signage for Permanent

Length of sign is variable

Rooms and spaces, whose

designation will not

change, including station

3/8” min.

entrances, must comply

with the ADA.

RAISED 1

Permanent Room

Frutiger 55 Roman

8x**

Identifiers must use all

Raised Characters

upper case letters with a

All Caps

RAISED 2

capital letter height of at

3/8” min.

least 5/8”, but not exceed-

Grade 2 Braille

ing 2” and must be raised

3/8” min.

a minimum of 1/32” from

Raised Characters and Grade 2 Braille

the sign surface. The

Frutiger 55 Roman type-

face is used for all Raised

Character messages within

** 3” module height must be increased to 3 3/8” (9x) to

the Amtrak Graphic

conform to Section 703.3.2 of the current ADA. Other

Signage System.

module sizes do not require this height adjustment.

All Raised Character

messages must be accom-

panied by their Grade 2

Braille equivalent. Braille

words are to be capital-

ized per ADA 703.3.1.

Considerable care must

be taken to translate

messages appropriately,

and differentiate them

from Grade 1 Braille.

It is recommended that a

Braille proofreader verify

final artwork before sign

fabrication.

Braille dots shall have a

domed or rounded shape

and shall comply with

ADA Table and Figure

703.3.1 (see www.access-

board.gov/ada-aba/final.

cfm#a703).

Raised Character spacing

shall be open per ADA

703.2.7.

*x=length of one unit

*x=width of one unit

8x=length of one module

8x=width of one module

■

Graphic

2.9

Components

Use of Dividers

Divider Square

The divider square is a

graphic component of A2

Sign Types (City Identifier

with Direction Bar). It is

City Name

used to separate opposing

directions (indicated by

the name of origin/desti-

nation cities) of the train

Direction

at a given station stop.

The size of the divider

square is determined by

the value of 2 units* (2x)

of the given sign module.

Sign Module

Divider Line

Divider lines are horizon-

Message

Line 1

tal guides used on most

Amtrak signs to indicate

changes in sign modules.

The Sign Module Divider

Message

Line 2

Line is always painted to

contrast with the back-

ground color of the sign

module it is positioned

Message

Line 3

on, and is always 1/8”

in thickness.

Preview Bar

Divider Line

Divider lines used in

Preview Bars are verti-

cal guides used to sepa-

Message Line 1

rate Preview Symbols

grouped by a common

directional arrow. Preview

Bar Divider lines are 1/4”

thick, and are painted to

match AMT Blue.

*x=length of one unit

*x=width of one unit

8x=length of one module

8x=width of one module

Graphic

Components

2.10

Signage System

Colors

The following paint

Satin AMT Blue

Satin Silver

Satin Scarlet Red

specifications have been

provided to ensure

Matthews Paint

consistency in color

VOC#

throughout the Amtrak

SVOC1142SP

MP18073

SVOC1340SP

Graphic Signage System.

Colors used for Amtrak

signs have been speci-

Avery® Ultimate Cast

3M^TM Scotchcal^TM

fied to match Matthews

Opaque Film

Controltac^TM Film

Electrocut^TM Film

Paint, which is specially

Majestic Blue

Light Silver Metallic

Geranium 7725-63

formulated for the sign

UC 900-625-O

180C-220 (Opaque Vinyl)

(Opaque Vinyl)

industry. For additional

information on the

Amtrak Paint System

Arlon Calon® Series

3M^TM Scotchlite^TM

refer to page 11.1.

2500 Translucent

Reflective Vinyl

Vinyl Film

Ruby Red 680-82

Vinyl materials have

been included as cost

2051 Blue

alternatives, however,

vinyl usage is discour-

aged unless specified on

the design intent draw-

ing for each Sign Type.

Reference numbers for

Satin White

Satin Black

Satin Clear Coat

vinyl materials from vari-

ous manufacturers have

been included for closest

Matthews Paint

color matching to paint

VOC#

colors.

SV202SP

SV923SP

Satin Clear

281228

The environmental

regulations of some

3M^TM Scotchcal^TM

states require the

Electrocut^TM Film

use of Low Volatile

Organic Compound

White 7725-10

Black 7725-12

(VOC) paints. To

(Opaque Vinyl)

promote better air

quality nationwide,

Amtrak has adopted

3M^TM Scotchlite^TM

the use of low VOC

Reflective Vinyl

paints for all its

White 680-10

Black 680-85

signage.

Comment

Reflective vinyl films with

prismatic or diamond-

shaped patterns should

not be used on Amtrak

signs.

■

Graphic

Components

2.12

Corporate Identity

The Amtrak corporate

1a) Amtrak® Brandmark

brand is symbolic of the

(Horizontal Format)

promise that Amtrak

makes as an organization

to its passengers, stake-

holders, opinion leaders

and employees. It is a

manifestation of all of

the different aspects that

come together to create

the "Amtrak Experience".

Signs that incorporate

the use of the Amtrak

brandmark are to be

displayed according to

1b) Amtrak® Brandmark

these standards. For

(Vertical Format)

authorized artwork

and guidelines for the

corporate brand contact

BrandManagment@

amtrak.com.

The brand identity signa-

ture features a travel

mark whose shape,

convergent lines, and

suggestion of movement

capture the excitement

of the travel experi-

ence, also reflecting

the company's growing

strength and reliability.

The custom designed

Amtrak lettering repre-

sents a corporation that

puts safety, comfort

and enjoyment of every

passenger first. Applied

consistently, the Amtrak

brand signature will

stand for Amtrak's role in

the travel marketplace.

Amtrak is a registered

mark of the National

Railroad Passenger

Corporation.

■

Graphic

2.13

Components

Amtrak Specific

Symbols

2) Acela Express®

The Corporation owns

other registered marks

including Amtrak’s

Metropolitan Lounge®,

Auto Train^SM, Amtrak®

Express, Superliner®,

Amfleet®, Acela

3) Self Serve

Express^SM, etc. While

Ticketing

these marks are accom-

panied with the ®

designation in print

applications, the ® is

not included on signage,

unless the signage is

co-branded (see 2.19).

4) Amtrak’s

Metropolitan

These symbols refer to

Lounge

unique services provided

by Amtrak. In some cases

they incorporate the

corporate name, logo-

type, symbol or corporate

colors.

Symbols have been

numbered to assist in

the ordering process.

5) Amtrak®

Express

Shipping

6) Amtrak®

7) Amtrak®

Club Acela

Thruway

Bus

Graphic

Components

2.14

Passenger Services

Symbols

These symbols refer to

services provided within

stations available to

Amtrak customers. They

identify services such as

the purchase of tickets

and assist in passenger

8) Tickets

9) Baggage

10) Tickets and

11) Waiting Area

and baggage processing.

Check-in

Baggage

Check-in

Symbols have been

numbered to assist in

the ordering process.

12) Customer

13) Information

14) Baggage Claim

15) Unclaimed

Services

Baggage

16) Baggage

17) Lockers

18) Parcel Check

19) Luggage Carts

Storage

20) Buses

21) Taxis

22) Buses

23) Trains

and Taxis

24) Car Rental

25) Passenger

26) Passenger

27) Passenger

Drop-off

Pick-up

Drop-off and

Pick-up

■

Graphic

2.15

Components

Public Services

Symbols

These symbols identify

services available for the

comfort of the general

public. They appear on

signs within station envi-

ronments and refer to

28) Telephone(s)

29) Restaurant

30) Water

31) Lost &

station services generally

Fountain

Found

not specific to train travel.

*Public Services symbols

displayed without accom-

panying text.

Symbols have been

numbered to assist in

the ordering process.

32) Shops

33) ATM*

34) Vending

35) Mail Drop

36) Women

37) Men

38) Restroom(s)

39) Diaper

Changing

Facility*

40) Escalator(s)

41) Escalator

42) Escalator

43) Elevator

(Up)

(Down)

44) Stairs

45) Stairs (Up)

46) Stairs (Down)

Graphic

Components

2.16

Regulatory Symbols

These symbols appear on

signs that are mandatory

in station environments.

Regulatory symbols

display rules-of-order for

conduct or prohibited

activity as stated by local

47) Parking

48) No Parking

49) Bicycle Parking

50) Caution

regulations, building

Notice

owners or other authori-

ties. They exist mainly

to warn and protect

people against danger.

They are also used on

signs informing people

of procedures such as

traffic control and exits.

51) Do Not Enter

52) Exit

53) Smoking Area

54) Smoke-free

Regulatory symbols also

Area

provide information

about procedures in the

event of emergencies

such as fire.

Symbols have been

numbered to assist in

the ordering process.

55) Fire

56) In the Event

57) No

58) No

Extinguisher

of Fire

Skateboarding

Rollerblading

Use Stairs

59) No

Bicycling

■

Graphic

Components

2.18

Preview Bar Symbols

The Preview Bar is a

communication device

used in directional signs

to display in pictorial form

only, the general direc-

tion of the services most

frequently asked about.

7) Amtrak

13) Information*

20) Buses*

21) Taxis*

Preview symbols are

Thruway Bus*

easily-recognized symbols

(painted to match AMT

Blue) used to direct

towards upcoming

services without accom-

panying text.

The Amtrak-selected

Preview Bar symbols

22) Buses

23) Trains*

28) Telephone(s)*

36) Women*

(easily-recognized

and Taxis*

symbols) to be used

within the Preview

Bar are shown here. It

is recommended that

Preview Bar symbols

be kept to a maximum

of three (3) within the

Preview Bar.

37) Men*

38) Restroom(s)*

*Symbols displayed with-

out accompanying text

when placed within the

Preview Bar.

Symbols have been

numbered to assist in

the ordering process.

■

Graphic

2.19

Components

Other Carriers

Co-branding

Opportunities

In instances where other

carriers share facilities

and services with Amtrak,

co-branding opportu-

nities for intermodal

connections are created.

In Amtrak owned or

operated facilities the

Amtrak brand should be

more prominent than

other carriers and should

be at the top and/or the

left of the sign layout.

Co-branding at Amtrak Facility

In facilities owned or

operated by others, the

Amtrak logo should be in

proportion to the logos

of the other carriers and

should be at the bottom

TRANSIT

or the right of the sign

layout.

Co-branding at Another Carrier’s Facility

The Amtrak logo is to

be accompanied by the

® designation on co-

branded signs.

The Americans

3.1

with Disabilities

Act (ADA)

History of the Act

The Americans with Disabilities Act

The ADA mandates

that places of work

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed

and play be inclusive

into law on July 26, 1990. This civil rights legislation

to all and that spaces

provides equal access and opportunities to all

be made accessible

Americans with disabilities.

to all Americans with

The major component of the ADA with design ramifica-

disabilities.

tions is Title III of the Act. Under Title III, people with

A graphic overview of

disabilities are entitled to the full enjoyment of the

the ADA requirements

goods, services and access offered by most places of

has been included in

public accommodation and commercial facilities to the

this chapter to illus-

general public. The final rules and design guidelines

trate the application

implementing Title III were published in the Federal

of these requirements.

It is important to

remember that design

In 2004 the U.S. Access Board published new design

and construction

guidelines that cover access for people with disabilities

requirements are only

under the ADA. These guidelines were adopted by the

a small part of the

US Department of Transportation, effective November 29,

ADA.

2006.

Technical assistance

The new guidelines update access requirements for a

concerning the

wide range of facilities in the public and private sectors

ADA Accessibility

covered by the law. Revisions have been made so that the

Guidelines (ADA) is

guidelines continue to meet the needs of people with

available from the

disabilities and keep pace with technological innovations.

U.S. Architectural and

The guidelines also feature a new format and organiza-

Transportation Barriers

tion and have been extensively edited for greater clarity.

Compliance Board at:

800-872-2253 (Voice),

Sections of the new guidelines applicable to signage

202-272-5447 (Fax),

include:

202-272-5499 or

•

216 (Signs-Scoping)

800-993-2822 (TTY),

• F216 (Signs-Scoping)

td@access-board.gov

•

307 (Protruding Objects)

www.access-board.gov

•

407.2.3 (Hoistway Signs)

Information on

•

502.6 (Parking Spaces-Identification)

subjects such as

•

703 (Signs)

economic feasibility

•

810.6 (Rail Station Signs)

and technical assis-

The new guidelines include substantive changes to these

tance concerning

sections, particularly 703.

Title III of the ADA

Local Building Codes and ADA

regulations is avail-

able from the

Many state and local building codes, including Title 24—

Department of

the California State Building Code—contain requirements

Justice Office on

pertaining to accessibility. In some cases, the accessibility

the Americans with

requirements of these state and local codes may exceed

Disabilities Act at:

those of the ADA. It is recommended that all state and

800-514-0301 (Voice)

local codes be consulted to conform with such codes as

or 800-514-0383 (TTY).

well as with the ADA.

The Americans

with Disabilities

3.2

Act (ADA)

ADA Highlights

General Requirements

The following pages

The following requirements conform with the

highlight important

current ADA Accessibility Guidelines published

points addressed

in the Federal Register July 23, 2004 amended

by the new ADA

August 5, 2005 and adopted by the Federal DOT

guidelines regarding

on November 26, 2006. In a key revision, the

signage. The new

new guidelines make a distinction between

guidelines are

Tactile (Raised Characters and Braille) and Visual

available at www.

Characters, as explained in ADA 703.1.

access-board.gov/ada-

Raised Character Requirements (ADA 703.2)

aba/final.cfm.

•

Raised Character messages are required for Permanent

These highlights

Room Identifiers. These messages shall appear exclu-

serve as a reference

sively in upper case letters in Frutiger 55 Roman.

and explain how

Raised Characters shall be 1/32“ minimum above their

the Amtrak Graphic

background.

Signage System

•

Frutiger 55 Roman complies with the character

conforms with the

and stroke width parameters required for Raised

new regulations. The

Characters by the ADA: The characters are sans serif,

actual ADA guidelines

the character width of the uppercase “O” is within 55

should always be

percent minimum and 110 percent maximum of the

consulted in addition

height of the uppercase “I”, and the stroke thickness

to these highlights.

of the uppercase “I” is within 15 percent maximum of

To provide an effective

the character height.

wayfinding system, it

•

Characters shall not be italic, oblique, script, highly

will often be advisable

decorative, or of other unusual forms. Character

to go beyond the mini-

height measured vertically from the baseline of the

mum requirements of

character shall be 5/8“ minimum and 2“ maximum

the ADA guidelines,

based on the height of the uppercase letter “I”.

particularly when

required by state and

•

Character spacing shall be measured according to

local codes.

guidelines established in ADA 703.2.7.

•

Spacing between the baselines of separate lines of

Raised Characters within a message shall be 135

percent minimum and 170 percent maximum of the

Raised Character height.

•

Raised Characters should not have sharp or abrasive

edges.

Braille Requirements (ADA 703.3)

• Raised Character messages shall be accompanied by

Grade 2 Braille message equivalents. Braille dots shall

have a domed or rounded shape and shall comply

with ADA Table 703.3.1.

• For Braille dimensions and capitalization, refer to

text of ADA section 703.3.1, and to Table 703.3.1 and

Figure 703.3.1.

■

The Americans

3.3

with Disabilities

Act (ADA)

ADA Highlights

(continued)

• Braille shall be positioned below the corresponding

text. If text is multi-lined, Braille shall be placed below

the entire text. Braille shall be separated 3/8“ mini-

mum from any other Tactile Characters and 3/8“ mini-

mum from raised borders and decorative elements.

Visual Character Requirements (ADA 703.5)

•

Frutiger 55 Roman and Frutiger 65 Bold typefaces shall

be used on all Amtrak signs with Visual Characters.

The selected typefaces conform with the character

and stroke width parameters required for Visual

Characters by the ADA: The character width of the

uppercase “O”s are within 55 percent minimum and

110 maximum of the height of the uppercase “I”s, and

the stroke thickness of the uppercase “I”s are within

10 percent minimum and 30 percent maximum of the

character height.

•

Characters shall be uppercase or lowercase or a combi-

nation of both. Characters shall be conventional in

form. Characters shall not be italic, oblique, script,

highly decorative, or of other unusual forms.

•

Minimum required character height of primary desti-

nation and identification messages varies, based on

mounting height and viewing distance, and shall

conform with minimum character heights indicated

in Table 703.5.5 of the ADA. According to the Society

for Environmental Graphic Design’s ADA/Accessibility

Committee, descriptive or explanatory messages that

support primary destination and identification are

exempt from this guideline.

•

Character spacing between individual characters shall

be 10 percent minimum and 35 percent maximum of

character height.

•

Spacing between the baselines of separate lines of

characters within a message shall be 135 percent

minimum and 170 percent maximum of the character

height.

Pictograms or Symbols (ADA 703.6)

• Where Pictograms are provided as designations of

permanent interior rooms and spaces (Permanent

Room Identifiers), the Pictogram shall have a mini-

mum field height of 6” and shall be accompanied by

a Tactile (Raised Characters and Braille) text descriptor

directly below the Pictogram field, but not within the

Pictogram field.

The Americans

with Disabilities

3.4

Act (ADA)

ADA Highlights

(continued)

• Pictograms that are used to provide information

about or direction to a facility’s spaces and services,

including the international symbol of accessibility,

are not required to have text descriptors.

• Per California Title 24, men’s restrooms shall be

identified by an equilateral triangle 1/4” thick with

edges 12” long and a vertex pointing upward.

Women’s restrooms shall be identified by a circle

1/4” thick and 12” in diameter. Unisex restrooms

shall be identified by a 1/4” thick equilateral trian-

gle superimposed over a 1/4” thick 12” diameter

circle.

Finish and Contrast

• Characters, Pictograms, and backgrounds shall have

a non-glare finish.

• Characters and Pictograms shall contrast with their

field, with either a light figure on a dark field or a

dark figure on a light field.

Sign Mounting

•

Signs mounted within 27” from the floor to 80”

from the floor shall not protrude more than 4”

from the wall surface or 12” from posts or pylons.

•

Large interior and exterior signs projected or

suspended overhead shall be mounted at a mini-

mum of 80” from floor to bottom of sign.

•

For wall mounted Permanent Room Identifiers,

Raised Characters shall be located 48“ minimum

above the finish floor or ground surface, measured

from the baseline of the lowest Raised Character

and 60“ maximum above finish floor or ground

surface measured from the baseline of the highest

Raised Character.

•

Visual Characters shall be 40“ minimum above

finish floor or ground surface. Refer to Table

703.5.5 in the ADA for guidelines on Visual

Character mounting and character heights.

•

Where a Permanent Room Identifier is provided

at a door, the sign shall be located alongside the

door at the latch side. Where a Permanent Room

Identifier is provided at double doors with one

active leaf, the sign shall be located on the

inactive leaf.

■

The Americans

3.5

with Disabilities

Act (ADA)

ADA Highlights

(continued)

• Where a Permanent Room Identifier is provided at

double doors with two active leafs, the sign shall

be located to the right of the right-hand door.

Where there is no wall space at the latch side of

a single door or at the right side of double doors,

Permanent Room Identifiers shall be located on the

nearest adjacent wall.

• Permanent Room Identifiers shall be located so

that a clear floor space of 18” minimum by 18”,

centered on the tactile characters, is provided

beyond the arc of any door swing between the

closed position and 45 degree open position.

Public Services

•

Text Telephones (TTY), Volume Control Telephones

and Assistive Listening Systems shall be desig-

nated with a sign and shall be identified by the

corresponding symbol. Directional signage indi-

cating the location of available Text Telephones

is required at banks of telephones where these

services are not provided.

•

If all entrances to a facility are not accessible,

accessible entrances shall be identified with the

International Symbol of Accessibility. Directional

signs that indicate the nearest accessible entrance

shall be provided at all non-accessible entrances.

Similar guidelines apply to restroom facilities.

•

Signs identifying accessible parking shall include

the International Symbol of Accessibility and shall

not be obscured by parked vehicles. Signs identify-

ing van accessible spaces shall contain the designa-

tion “Van Accessible”. A mounting height of 80”

from the bottom of the sign to the curb is recom-

mended.

•

Permanent signs providing information about or

direction to services and areas within a facility

shall comply with ADA 703.5. Building directories,

occupant names, company names and logos, build-

ing addresses, and signs considered temporary are

exempt.

Amtrak. Graphic Signage Standards Manual (2010) - page 1