OTE Staff Install Tourist Oriented Directional Signs
Posted on: August 31st, 2015 in News & Press |
And what exactly you might ask, is a “TOD?” In the highway sign industry, TOD is an acronym for Tourist Oriented Directional—a secondary roadway sign directing travelers to attractions such as wineries or other businesses of interest to leisure travelers. TODs often direct traffic to businesses within a cluster—breweries or cheese tasting rooms, farm restaurants and art galleries—all within a short distance of one another. The business name, number of miles, and an arrow designating direction, and blue and white color are the hallmarks of TODs. Oregon Travel Experience manages TODs across the state from start to finish (permit to installation) and any required maintenance.
The OTE Sign Program crew is responsible for transporting many different types of business signs (including TODs) to their new homes by the highway. Sometimes an existing TOD is knocked down by a passing vehicle, farmer’s tractor, or high wind during a storm. Whatever the reason, OTE’s sign staff are on the road five days a week, unloading materials, ladders, and other tools of the trade.
Highway business sign image gallery
Recently OTE Executive Director Nancy DeSouza accompanied OTE’s Mike Bryant and Cam Sulak on one of their work trips. A TOD’s wood posts had been snapped off and a new installation was required. In the image gallery below, DeSouza chronicled the process from start to finish.
Enter the image gallery by clicking on the first image, then use the mouse to click through to the next image. You can stop and enlarge by clicking on the “view the full size” button on bottom right hand corner of the gallery. Exit the gallery at any time by hitting your keyboard’s “esc” key.
- Step 1) Locate the broken post
- Step 2) Start digging!
- Step 3) Pull out the broken pieces.
- Step 4) Locate the new site
- Step 5) Start digging!
- Step 6) Keep on digging.
- Step 7) Measure and cut the new post.
- Step 8) Make sure post is long enough.
- Step 9) Insert new post into new hole.
- Step 10) Affix a strong bracket.
- 11) Test out the bracket by standing on it!
- Step 13) Pull it up into place.
- Step 14) Affix the new sign to the new post.
- Step 15) Clean the new sign with a squeegee.
- Step 16) The boss Mike Bryant, makes sure Cam Sulak got it straight.
- Step 17) Drill holes in the post to allow greater flexibility in case the post is hit.
- Step 18) Tamp down the ground around the new post.
- Step 19) Pose for an “all done” shot!