Case Studies
10,000 Steps Walkway Signage Guidelines
Design Feature
Type of project
Placemaking
State
Queensland
Location
Regional
Local councils have a role to play in creating environments that are conducive to walking. This can be achieved through the provision of infrastructure and development of walking networks. The 10,000 Steps Walkway Signage Guidelines aim to provide councils and community organisations with the print-ready design files to develop signage tailored specifically for their community.
These resources encourage and support residents to increase their physical activity levels. All resources are available for free through the 10,000 Steps website. By creating local walking networks and value adding to them with the 10,000 Steps directional and distance signage, councils and community organisations can transition to offering an environment and culture that encourages active living.
These resources encourage and support residents to increase their physical activity levels. All resources are available for free through the 10,000 Steps website. By creating local walking networks and value adding to them with the 10,000 Steps directional and distance signage, councils and community organisations can transition to offering an environment and culture that encourages active living.
How many steps?
The 10,000 Steps Walkway Signage website provides the design files for a series of signs which can be used to promote a sense of place and walkable environments in the community. With these resources, local governments are able to feature active movement networks that link to destination and services, creating economic and social benefits for the community.
The Guidelines aim to be delivered as flexible resources that can be tailored to showcase each community’s distinct geography and sense of place, while maintaining the aims and goals of the 10,000 Steps initiative.
The Guidelines aim to be delivered as flexible resources that can be tailored to showcase each community’s distinct geography and sense of place, while maintaining the aims and goals of the 10,000 Steps initiative.
The following signage guides and design files are included in this resource and have been developed to assist with the production and installation of the 10,000 Steps Walkway Signage:
- Direction and Distance Signs – used to indicate the direction of a walking route and distance in steps, minutes and metres.
- Destination Signs – used to indicate distances in steps, minutes to walk and metres to key locations/destinations such as shopping centres, hospitals, schools, parks, playgrounds, community centres and libraries.
- Square Distance Markers – used at the start to indicate the route’s distance in steps, minutes to walk and metres.
The expected outcome of local councils and walking coordinators being able to access the walkway signage resources, is an encouragement and support for people of all ages to engage in physical activity for health, leisure and active transport.
Project costs will vary depending on the type, quantity and installation of the desired signs.
An example of a large project was from Blackall-Tambo Regional Council who signed a walking route from their river camp area to the Blackall Hospital, a total of 8km. Distance signs were placed every 250 steps and a stencil was created and used to mark the asphalt pathway at each sign to emphasise the 10,000 Steps message. The total project cost was $2,500 which included the development of 18 signs, a stencil, installation supplies and labour.
Project costs will vary depending on the type, quantity and installation of the desired signs.
An example of a large project was from Blackall-Tambo Regional Council who signed a walking route from their river camp area to the Blackall Hospital, a total of 8km. Distance signs were placed every 250 steps and a stencil was created and used to mark the asphalt pathway at each sign to emphasise the 10,000 Steps message. The total project cost was $2,500 which included the development of 18 signs, a stencil, installation supplies and labour.
Project team
- 10,000 Steps Program
- CQ University
- Queensland Government
- Local councils/community organisations
Project Cost
- Production of the street blade/sign - approximately $200 each
- Price of sign installation varies on if a new sign post needs to be installed
- Specific walkway information added to the design file artwork - $100-$200
Health value
- By advocating for improved walkway infrastructure, the Guidelines strongly encourage active lifestyles and increased pedestrian activity in the community.
- Furthermore, interventions that promote an environment that is more conducive to walking and physical activity hold great potential due to their ability to affect large numbers of people.
Economic value
- Primary prevention has an inherent economic value as it saves on health care costs and loss of productivity.
- Sufficient physical activity reduces costs associated with chronic non-communicable disease management.
- The Guidelines support increased use of existing community facilities increasing their value.
Environmental value
Substituting walking trips for short car trips is a major potential source of benefit to the environment. Walking is highly efficient in its use of urban space and energy; therefore, this substitution generates a range of environmental benefits such as improved air quality, reduced noise pollution and consumption of non-renewable energy sources.
Social value
Walking increases opportunities for face-to-face social contact and helps people to map their neighbourhood in social terms.
Use value
- The use of these walkway signage designs by local councils and community organisations will help create an accessible environment that works as both a route of local attractions and a sustainable network of active travel.
- Implementing 10,000 Steps directional signage can also help individuals quantify walking to a local destination, which may assist in encouraging them to make active choices.
- The steps clearly identify an easy way to add to their daily goal and the minutes may highlight just how short the trip would take to walk.
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