BILL REQ. #:  H-4658.3 

READ FIRST TIME 02/06/04.   

     AN ACT Relating to transportation system signage using icons and pictograms; adding a new section to chapter 47.36 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 35.95A RCW; adding a new section to chapter 81.112 RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   It is the intent of the legislature to promote the use of icons and pictograms that incorporate the use of commonly accepted symbols that can be understood and interpreted by a variety of people from all walks of life and different nations in order to assist them in the navigation of this state. These signs can be used on roadways and for other transportation-related facilities such as transit stations, airports, bus and train stations, and ferry terminals. Pictograms are signs that depict services, facilities, or destinations in picture form and are used throughout the world. Pictograms are useful for traveling within a transit system as well as for locating transit system stations and stops.
     The legislature finds that many signing methods such as icons, already in use by the Washington state department of transportation and other agencies, facilitate use of the transportation systems in the state and connections between modes. The legislature also finds that the development of pictograms for use within transit systems will assist system users, complement other signing methods, and increase transit system ridership through easier way-finding. The pictograms may reflect the unique characteristics of the facility, and those characteristics should be considered and are acceptable in icon and pictogram design. It is the intent of the legislature to have icons and pictograms in use as new systems are put into service to promote tourism and be in place by 2010 to assist international visitors coming to Washington during the Olympic Games in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 47.36 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The department shall develop a program to implement a statewide program to use icons to locate transportation facilities and pictograms on signs that identify tourist attractions and transportation systems' facilities and services for transit system users. The new standards are to supplement existing signs. The program must include guidelines for implementing state, regional, and local sign programs.
     (2) The program must use existing logos and signs to the extent possible for this program and set standards, consistent with federal and state requirements and convenience for the traveling public. As much as possible, the department shall use approaches to signing adopted by the city transportation authorities under section 3 of this act and regional transit authorities under section 4 of this act. The program signing is to be easily understood by the traveling public, including but not limited to persons with disabilities, non-English speaking persons, and visitors from other nations. The program for signage must employ graphics consistent with international symbols for transportation facilities and signage that are consistent with department of transportation guidelines and programs. The signage must also use distinguishing symbols or pictograms, including the use of color, as a means to identify stations and points of interest within transportation systems. The program must include criteria for designating facilities, services, and destinations for signage and include guidelines for the design, placement, and use of symbols or pictograms. It must also address an approach to implement these signs in an efficient manner.
     (3) The department shall develop the program in cooperation with representatives from regional transportation planning organizations, operators of public transportation services, common carriers, port districts with marine passenger terminals and airports on their property, appropriate local governments, and state and federal agencies.
     (4) The department shall provide a preliminary report to the legislature by December 1, 2004, on the implementation program, including its benefits and costs and on progress made by city transportation authorities in implementing section 3 of this act and regional transit authorities in implementing section 4 of this act. The department shall complete program development by September 1, 2005.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 35.95A RCW to read as follows:
     Each authority shall incorporate in plans for stations along any monorail project signing that is easily understood by the traveling public, including, but not limited to, persons with disabilities, non-English speaking persons, and visitors from other nations. The signage must employ graphics consistent with international symbols for transportation facilities and signage that are consistent with department of transportation guidelines and programs. The signage must also use distinguishing pictograms as a means to identify stations and points of interest along the monorail corridor for persons who use languages that are not Roman-alphabet based. These requirements are intended to apply to new sign installation and not to existing signs. The authority may replace existing signs as it chooses; however, it shall use the new signing designs when existing signs are replaced. All signage must comply with requirements of applicable federal law and may include recommendations contained in federal publications providing directions on way-finding for persons with disabilities.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   A new section is added to chapter 81.112 RCW to read as follows:
     Each authority shall incorporate in plans for stations along any light-rail or commuter rail facility signing that is easily understood by the traveling public, including, but not limited to, persons with disabilities, non-English speaking persons, and visitors from other nations. The signage must employ graphics consistent with international symbols for transportation facilities and signage that are consistent with department of transportation guidelines and programs. The signage must also use distinguishing symbols or pictograms as a means to identify stations and points of interest along the corridor for persons who use languages that are not Roman-alphabet based. These requirements are intended to apply to new sign installation and not to existing signs. The authority may replace existing signs as it chooses; however, it shall use the new signing designs when existing signs are replaced. All signage must comply with requirements of applicable federal law and may include recommendations contained in federal publications providing directions on way-finding for persons with disabilities.