Unique, Odd, or Interesting Signs aka The good, the bad, and the ugly

[Mapmikey]

Originally, when the older bridge over the river was in place (today's I-82 SB) and the road used to connect directly to Engineers Rd to Plymouth.

I-82 was built south to this location but there was no freeway interchange - it was an at-grade intersection because the newer bridge had not been built yet.  The freeway entrance sign is where the freeway left Engineers Rd.

See the 1987 topo map at Historic Aerials.  They had no pictures around this timeframe...

[csw]

Speaking of odd exit signs, here's one from the beginning of I-172 in Illinois:

[JJBers]

Nice change is quality between markers.

CC 2.0 JJBers (Me)

[jakeroot]

Originally, when the older bridge over the river was in place (today's I-82 SB) and the road used to connect directly to Engineers Rd to Plymouth.

I-82 was built south to this location but there was no freeway interchange - it was an at-grade intersection because the newer bridge had not been built yet.  The freeway entrance sign is where the freeway left Engineers Rd.

See the 1987 topo map at Historic Aerials.  They had no pictures around this timeframe...

Wow, thanks for the explanation Mikey! You really know your stuff.

Seems odd that they never bothered to rip out the old sign. Kind of glad they didn't, though. Cool bit of history.

[chays]

EDIT...related to above:

Here's a FREEWAY ENTRANCE sign in a middle of nowhere (sort of). After crossing into Washington on I-82 from Oregon, you get this sign. Nevermind that you've been on I-82 for about ten miles by this point. I cannot figure out, for the life of me, what the point of this sign is.

https://goo.gl/e4jJnV

What's also interesting about that location is that to the right of the "FREEWAY ENTRANCE" sign, there is a warning sign for a steep downhill grade for the bike path, with a bicycle depicted on it.  Never seen that before.  It's easier seen on GSV itself.

[jakeroot]

EDIT...related to above:

Here's a FREEWAY ENTRANCE sign in a middle of nowhere (sort of). After crossing into Washington on I-82 from Oregon, you get this sign. Nevermind that you've been on I-82 for about ten miles by this point. I cannot figure out, for the life of me, what the point of this sign is.

https://goo.gl/e4jJnV

http://i.imgur.com/54luIUT.png

What's also interesting about that location is that to the right of the "FREEWAY ENTRANCE" sign, there is a warning sign for a steep downhill grade for the bike path, with a bicycle depicted on it.  Never seen that before.  It's easier seen on GSV itself.

WSDOT has more than a one odd symbol sign that doesn't appear anywhere else. This one on 5, south of Bellingham, comes to mind: https://goo.gl/xJQcmy

[US 89]

EDIT...related to above:

Here's a FREEWAY ENTRANCE sign in a middle of nowhere (sort of). After crossing into Washington on I-82 from Oregon, you get this sign. Nevermind that you've been on I-82 for about ten miles by this point. I cannot figure out, for the life of me, what the point of this sign is.

https://goo.gl/e4jJnV

http://i.imgur.com/54luIUT.png

What's also interesting about that location is that to the right of the "FREEWAY ENTRANCE" sign, there is a warning sign for a steep downhill grade for the bike path, with a bicycle depicted on it.  Never seen that before.  It's easier seen on GSV itself.

WSDOT has more than a one odd symbol sign that doesn't appear anywhere else. This one on 5, south of Bellingham, comes to mind: https://goo.gl/xJQcmy

What does that even mean? you have to pull a trailer down the hill for the next 1.5 miles?

The bike sign reminds me of this sign in Salt Lake City which alerts bikers to the railroad crossing ahead. I haven't seen this sign anywhere else.

[jakeroot]

EDIT...related to above:

Here's a FREEWAY ENTRANCE sign in a middle of nowhere (sort of). After crossing into Washington on I-82 from Oregon, you get this sign. Nevermind that you've been on I-82 for about ten miles by this point. I cannot figure out, for the life of me, what the point of this sign is.

https://goo.gl/e4jJnV

http://i.imgur.com/54luIUT.png

What's also interesting about that location is that to the right of the "FREEWAY ENTRANCE" sign, there is a warning sign for a steep downhill grade for the bike path, with a bicycle depicted on it.  Never seen that before.  It's easier seen on GSV itself.

WSDOT has more than a one odd symbol sign that doesn't appear anywhere else. This one on 5, south of Bellingham, comes to mind: https://goo.gl/xJQcmy

What does that even mean? you have to pull a trailer down the hill for the next 1.5 miles?

Who knows. We've discussed the sign at least once before, and I don't recall any conclusion ever being reached. It doesn't appear in any MUTCD that we could find.

The bike sign reminds me of this sign in Salt Lake City which alerts bikers to the railroad crossing ahead. I haven't seen this sign anywhere else.

That's actually a really clever sign. I like it.

[Mapmikey]

I believe the mystery warning with a car and a trailer is to alert of downhill S curves that could cause your trailer to swing wide behind you...

Here is a bicycle hill warning sign in the Cades Cove area of Smoky Mtn Nat'l Park - https://goo.gl/maps/km4tby17uq12

[luokou]

The bike sign reminds me of this sign in Salt Lake City which alerts bikers to the railroad crossing ahead. I haven't seen this sign anywhere else.

Signs like this one (and a variant on the Morrison Bridge) are very common in Portland, especially along both the MAX and Streetcar lines downtown.

[tckma]

EDIT...related to above:

Here's a FREEWAY ENTRANCE sign in a middle of nowhere (sort of). After crossing into Washington on I-82 from Oregon, you get this sign. Nevermind that you've been on I-82 for about ten miles by this point. I cannot figure out, for the life of me, what the point of this sign is.

https://goo.gl/e4jJnV

(snip)

What I can make out is that there was once a entrance ramp (most likely) for some sort of ranch road. You can see some pavement behind the jersey barrier and a small road (about ¹/₂ lane wide) next to I-82 while it crosses the river, and then splits off at the "FREEWAY ENTRANCE" sign. If you were on that road for some reason, that would be a freeway entrance to I-82, and you would see that strange cloud sign if you continued on the road.

Backed out to Google Maps to see some context on this.

WHY is there a Port Of Entry in Oregon?  Presumably, at least if you were on I-82, you'd have had to have taken care of that upon crossing into Washington State from BC.  Am I missing something?

[jakeroot]

EDIT...related to above:

Here's a FREEWAY ENTRANCE sign in a middle of nowhere (sort of). After crossing into Washington on I-82 from Oregon, you get this sign. Nevermind that you've been on I-82 for about ten miles by this point. I cannot figure out, for the life of me, what the point of this sign is.

https://goo.gl/e4jJnV

(snip)

What I can make out is that there was once a entrance ramp (most likely) for some sort of ranch road. You can see some pavement behind the jersey barrier and a small road (about ¹/₂ lane wide) next to I-82 while it crosses the river, and then splits off at the "FREEWAY ENTRANCE" sign. If you were on that road for some reason, that would be a freeway entrance to I-82, and you would see that strange cloud sign if you continued on the road.

Backed out to Google Maps to see some context on this.

WHY is there a Port Of Entry in Oregon?  Presumably, at least if you were on I-82, you'd have had to have taken care of that upon crossing into Washington State from BC.  Am I missing something?

I don't know the exact details, but they're ODOT-run weight stations. Oregon has slightly different rules for trucks, if I recall correctly. Passenger vehicles don't need to stop.

[Mapmikey]

WHY is there a Port Of Entry in Oregon?  Presumably, at least if you were on I-82, you'd have had to have taken care of that upon crossing into Washington State from BC.  Am I missing something?

Strictly a terminology thing.  Wyoming has them too (here is I-80 near Evanston -https://goo.gl/maps/mTqcoLJzxUL2)

[thenetwork]

WHY is there a Port Of Entry in Oregon?  Presumably, at least if you were on I-82, you'd have had to have taken care of that upon crossing into Washington State from BC.  Am I missing something?

Strictly a terminology thing.  Wyoming has them too (here is I-80 near Evanston -https://goo.gl/maps/mTqcoLJzxUL2)

They have a pair of them out on I-70 in Mesa County, CO near the UT border at Exit 15/Loma.  Originally it was the Colorado AND Utah Point of Entry (with Utah running the westbound station???).  But about 3-4 years ago CDOT covered up all mention of Utah on all the BGSs in both directions.

[roadman65]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/54480415@N08/35372336571/

This one here has to be somewhat unique, but appears every so often in FL as well as a few other states using the exit number tab not only to denote its exit, but is the directional guide too as the main body of the sign lacks information of where to go such as "Next Right" or "Exit 22" or even "Next Exit" as Virginia used to do that.

Anyway I find it very interesting that this supplemental sign is made the way it is.

[MNHighwayMan]

The city of Fairbank, Iowa has its annual Fireworks Days around the Fourth of July, and the festival is held on Main St (IA-281) in town. So the city made up these detour signs posted on the next street over for those times.

[J N Winkler]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/54480415@N08/35372336571/

This one here has to be somewhat unique, but appears every so often in FL as well as a few other states using the exit number tab not only to denote its exit, but is the directional guide too as the main body of the sign lacks information of where to go such as "Next Right" or "Exit 22" or even "Next Exit" as Virginia used to do that.

Anyway I find it very interesting that this supplemental sign is made the way it is.

It is the default style for supplemental guide signs in Arizona, which have destinations and external exit tabs with no distance- or exit-related messages in the main sign panel.

[jakeroot]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/54480415@N08/35372336571/

This one here has to be somewhat unique, but appears every so often in FL as well as a few other states using the exit number tab not only to denote its exit, but is the directional guide too as the main body of the sign lacks information of where to go such as "Next Right" or "Exit 22" or even "Next Exit" as Virginia used to do that.

Anyway I find it very interesting that this supplemental sign is made the way it is.

It is the default style for supplemental guide signs in Arizona, which have destinations and external exit tabs with no distance- or exit-related messages in the main sign panel.

I've never been a fan of the normal, in-line exit number placement for supplemental guide signs. That Florida sign and the Arizona signs make much more sense. They are, after all, still guide signs, and people generally look to the top of a sign for the exit number, not the bottom.

If in-line exit numbers are to be used, they should make them a different color to stand out. Or even box them. Or both!...

[Scott5114]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/54480415@N08/35372336571/

This one here has to be somewhat unique, but appears every so often in FL as well as a few other states using the exit number tab not only to denote its exit, but is the directional guide too as the main body of the sign lacks information of where to go such as "Next Right" or "Exit 22" or even "Next Exit" as Virginia used to do that.

Anyway I find it very interesting that this supplemental sign is made the way it is.

It is the default style for supplemental guide signs in Arizona, which have destinations and external exit tabs with no distance- or exit-related messages in the main sign panel.

I've never been a fan of the normal, in-line exit number placement for supplemental guide signs. That Florida sign and the Arizona signs make much more sense. They are, after all, still guide signs, and people generally look to the top of a sign for the exit number, not the bottom.

I disagree. I think there's two different contexts here.

On the advance exit signs, the exit tab acts as kind of a header: "Exit 104: SH-74, Goldsby, Washington...1 mile." On the supplemental signs, it reads more as "Okla. Dept. of Agriculture...(use) Exit 104". In other words, the last line reads as providing information on where/how to access the destination. "Exit 104 is this..." as opposed to "This is a destination...this is how you reach it".

Of course, Oklahoma just uses "Next Right" for absolutely everything, so it's a moot point.

[jakeroot]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/54480415@N08/35372336571/

This one here has to be somewhat unique, but appears every so often in FL as well as a few other states using the exit number tab not only to denote its exit, but is the directional guide too as the main body of the sign lacks information of where to go such as "Next Right" or "Exit 22" or even "Next Exit" as Virginia used to do that.

Anyway I find it very interesting that this supplemental sign is made the way it is.

It is the default style for supplemental guide signs in Arizona, which have destinations and external exit tabs with no distance- or exit-related messages in the main sign panel.

I've never been a fan of the normal, in-line exit number placement for supplemental guide signs. That Florida sign and the Arizona signs make much more sense. They are, after all, still guide signs, and people generally look to the top of a sign for the exit number, not the bottom.

I disagree. I think there's two different contexts here.

On the advance exit signs, the exit tab acts as kind of a header: "Exit 104: SH-74, Goldsby, Washington...1 mile." On the supplemental signs, it reads more as "Okla. Dept. of Agriculture...(use) Exit 104". In other words, the last line reads as providing information on where/how to access the destination. "Exit 104 is this..." as opposed to "This is a destination...this is how you reach it".

Of course, Oklahoma just uses "Next Right" for absolutely everything, so it's a moot point.

Perhaps, yes. But realistically, do we find the Florida sign confusing, just because the exit number is on top? I still understand the sign just fine. It's just in the reverse order compared to what we might otherwise expect. IMO, it makes more sense to put the exit number on top, regardless of the context. Just for consistency. That's all.

Similar moot point: Washington barely numbers any of their non interstates, so I rarely ever utilise exit numbers on a day-to-day basis (if at all). I always tell people to exit at "Hwy XX" or "XX st", etc.

[jakeroot]

Bellevue Washington: https://goo.gl/nwBvbD

I think I've seen another example of this sign somewhere else (either on this forum, or in real life). Can't say I'm a fan, though.

[Scott5114]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/54480415@N08/35372336571/

This one here has to be somewhat unique, but appears every so often in FL as well as a few other states using the exit number tab not only to denote its exit, but is the directional guide too as the main body of the sign lacks information of where to go such as "Next Right" or "Exit 22" or even "Next Exit" as Virginia used to do that.

Anyway I find it very interesting that this supplemental sign is made the way it is.

It is the default style for supplemental guide signs in Arizona, which have destinations and external exit tabs with no distance- or exit-related messages in the main sign panel.

I've never been a fan of the normal, in-line exit number placement for supplemental guide signs. That Florida sign and the Arizona signs make much more sense. They are, after all, still guide signs, and people generally look to the top of a sign for the exit number, not the bottom.

I disagree. I think there's two different contexts here.

On the advance exit signs, the exit tab acts as kind of a header: "Exit 104: SH-74, Goldsby, Washington...1 mile." On the supplemental signs, it reads more as "Okla. Dept. of Agriculture...(use) Exit 104". In other words, the last line reads as providing information on where/how to access the destination. "Exit 104 is this..." as opposed to "This is a destination...this is how you reach it".

Of course, Oklahoma just uses "Next Right" for absolutely everything, so it's a moot point.

Perhaps, yes. But realistically, do we find the Florida sign confusing, just because the exit number is on top? I still understand the sign just fine. It's just in the reverse order compared to what we might otherwise expect. IMO, it makes more sense to put the exit number on top, regardless of the context. Just for consistency. That's all.

I wouldn't call it confusing, but as I'm used to the method described in my post (which I'll call the Kansas method, since that's the closest state that uses it), were I to come across a Florida-method sign, there would be a moment of double-take where I'm like "Okay, so Plant City Stadium...wait, what about it? Where am I supposed to–oh, okay, there's an exit tab at the top, so this is exit 22–hang on, I thought exit 22 was for Park Road, did I misinterpret that and 22 isn't the exit for Park Road, it's the exit for Plant City Stadium? Oh, wait, there's no mileage at the bottom, so this is a supplemental sign...it's both."

I feel the Kansas method is clearer. But it's definitely a personal preference thing. After I got used to driving in Florida, I'd probably adapt.

[jakeroot]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/54480415@N08/35372336571/

This one here has to be somewhat unique, but appears every so often in FL as well as a few other states using the exit number tab not only to denote its exit, but is the directional guide too as the main body of the sign lacks information of where to go such as "Next Right" or "Exit 22" or even "Next Exit" as Virginia used to do that.

Anyway I find it very interesting that this supplemental sign is made the way it is.

It is the default style for supplemental guide signs in Arizona, which have destinations and external exit tabs with no distance- or exit-related messages in the main sign panel.

I've never been a fan of the normal, in-line exit number placement for supplemental guide signs. That Florida sign and the Arizona signs make much more sense. They are, after all, still guide signs, and people generally look to the top of a sign for the exit number, not the bottom.

I disagree. I think there's two different contexts here.

On the advance exit signs, the exit tab acts as kind of a header: "Exit 104: SH-74, Goldsby, Washington...1 mile." On the supplemental signs, it reads more as "Okla. Dept. of Agriculture...(use) Exit 104". In other words, the last line reads as providing information on where/how to access the destination. "Exit 104 is this..." as opposed to "This is a destination...this is how you reach it".

Of course, Oklahoma just uses "Next Right" for absolutely everything, so it's a moot point.

Perhaps, yes. But realistically, do we find the Florida sign confusing, just because the exit number is on top? I still understand the sign just fine. It's just in the reverse order compared to what we might otherwise expect. IMO, it makes more sense to put the exit number on top, regardless of the context. Just for consistency. That's all.

I wouldn't call it confusing, but as I'm used to the method described in my post (which I'll call the Kansas method, since that's the closest state that uses it), were I to come across a Florida-method sign, there would be a moment of double-take where I'm like "Okay, so Plant City Stadium...wait, what about it? Where am I supposed to–oh, okay, there's an exit tab at the top, so this is exit 22–hang on, I thought exit 22 was for Park Road, did I misinterpret that and 22 isn't the exit for Park Road, it's the exit for Plant City Stadium? Oh, wait, there's no mileage at the bottom, so this is a supplemental sign...it's both."

I feel the Kansas method is clearer. But it's definitely a personal preference thing. After I got used to driving in Florida, I'd probably adapt.

Oh, I see where you're going. Your issue is that exits have, more or less, "official" destinations (Hwy XX, XX Blvd, city name), and supplemental guide signs should not be designed in a similar fashion, because it might confuse drivers who were looking for those official destinations. I'll give you that.

Here's an idea. Modify the exit tab so that it's clear what the destinations below are for. Replace "ATTRACTIONS" with "GAS" or "FOOD", as necessary:

[Scott5114]

Right, I think that's a valid way of designing it. So long as there's some sort of cue that it is a supplemental sign and not part of the main series of destination signs.

The last time I got "lost" was in 2007, because of a series of signs in DC that changed the "official" destination legend from panel to panel. DC-295 just spontaneously vanished and was replaced by "Pennsylvania Avenue" on later panels. So, lacking confidence in whether that was the exit I wanted, I ended up in Anacostia instead. Whoops. (Such destination legend rotation between panels is explicitly forbidden in the MUTCD, but DDOT is pretty weird in a lot of ways. "US Senate" and "US House" are apparently different destinations, despite being technically housed in the same building, etc.)

[kkt]

Right, I think that's a valid way of designing it. So long as there's some sort of cue that it is a supplemental sign and not part of the main series of destination signs.

The last time I got "lost" was in 2007, because of a series of signs in DC that changed the "official" destination legend from panel to panel. DC-295 just spontaneously vanished and was replaced by "Pennsylvania Avenue" on later panels. So, lacking confidence in whether that was the exit I wanted, I ended up in Anacostia instead. Whoops. (Such destination legend rotation between panels is explicitly forbidden in the MUTCD, but DDOT is pretty weird in a lot of ways. "US Senate" and "US House" are apparently different destinations, despite being technically housed in the same building, etc.)

But they're not the same building.  The Senate office buildings are NE of the Capitol, the House buildings are south of it.
Those are where the work gets done (such as it does).  The Capitol Building is for floor votes and tourists.