Current Situation for the Standardization of Signposts in the Suzuka Mountains, Central Japan

Abstract

We investigated the design and arrangement of signposts along 40 trails in 19 of the Suzuka Mountains in central Japan. We also clarified the present state and reasons for inconsistencies in the design of signposts using multivariate analyses with newly proposed indices for sequentiality. Although the degree of inconsistency varied-for example, some signposts were placed by various organizations or individuals among the dominant type of signpost, or the dominant type of signposts was changed in mid-course; newly standardized signposts were added among signposts with a previously unified design. Signposts varied widely in popular mountains. Signposts with the same design were dominant in the same mountain; however, in some cases, the dominant design markedly differed from that on the next mountain. In most cases, the boundaries were established by local governments or landowners. Furthermore, new and old signposts showing the same contents were present in the same site. We proposed some solutions for these issues by referring to the standardization of signposts in other mountains in Japan and Switzerland.