Your Favorite State Route Sheild?

[Quillz]

They probably stopped using them because gas tax revenue wouldn't pay for them, similar to why Florida stopped using the various colored US route shields.

[jwolfer]

They probably stopped using them because gas tax revenue wouldn't pay for them, similar to why Florida stopped using the various colored US route shields.

I miss the colored shields too.

LGMS428

[slorydn1]

They probably stopped using them because gas tax revenue wouldn't pay for them, similar to why Florida stopped using the various colored US route shields.

I miss the colored shields too.

LGMS428

Me three! Sadly the only decent pictures I have of any of them (mainly US-1) are old school film (110 at that) and are not easily shareable online.

[Revive 755]

I like the Minnesota design as well, but I think gold should be disallowed on shields because it is not a MUTCD color.  I feel the same about cream where it is used on California historic landmark signs, much as I like the appearance of these signs.

Perhaps the MUTCD should be revised to add these colors, particularly cream?  I certainly don't object to it's use on this non-compliant street name sign:  Streetview


As for favorite state route shield, I'm picking Missouri primary, with Minnesota, Tennessee primary, and Arkansas as runners up.

[Quillz]

For California, I should expand my answer. My favorite variant was the "bordered" bear shield, which existed from roughly 1934-1956. After that, it would be the white spade, which existed from 1957-1963. Then it would be the current green spade. (The very first design appeared to lack a black border, and I'm not sure if it was ever actually even used in practice, might have only been a prototype).

Another one I like is Utah's... But only because it has a pretty unique shape. In practice, I actually find it a bit hard to read the number within. The same would apply with Washington... Like the idea, but not the execution. (Frankly, I think Washington's old shields were better).

[kphoger]

(The very first design appeared to lack a black border, and I'm not sure if it was ever actually even used in practice, might have only been a prototype).

If only Jake were still an active participant on the forum...

[Quillz]

(The very first design appeared to lack a black border, and I'm not sure if it was ever actually even used in practice, might have only been a prototype).

If only Jake were still an active participant on the forum...

I've never seen a single photo outside of obvious publicity shots, so I suspect it was never used in the field. (And for good reason, it didn't look very good without the border).

[kphoger]

The answer should come shortly. 

[kphoger]

Nope, no such answer.  The definitive expert on all things California shield-related does not know the answer.  And I quote...

"not sure on the border question though I have seen a few with the border clearly fired on later.  how much later? I do not know."

[mapman1071]

I don't mind the TN secondary shield even though spacing can be tight.  It would be nice to place the "TN" back at the bottom of the triangle.  I don't care for TN primary shields -- besides the primary/secondary designation being completely useless in this state, the design isn't all that interesting, and the design isn't even done all that consistently around here.  I've seen the word "Tennessee" in Times New Roman, Clarendon, and I think Bookman Old Style?

My favorite isn't a primary route shield, but Montana's arrowhead secondary route shield:


Personally I wish they would adopt that as the primary shield and relegate the boring square primary shield to secondary routes.

Seconded!

MT Arrowhead is the same shield used by most Native American Nations/Reservations for there Roads & Trails (Ruts)

[ColossalBlocks]

I don't mind the TN secondary shield even though spacing can be tight.  It would be nice to place the "TN" back at the bottom of the triangle.  I don't care for TN primary shields -- besides the primary/secondary designation being completely useless in this state, the design isn't all that interesting, and the design isn't even done all that consistently around here.  I've seen the word "Tennessee" in Times New Roman, Clarendon, and I think Bookman Old Style?

My favorite isn't a primary route shield, but Montana's arrowhead secondary route shield:


Personally I wish they would adopt that as the primary shield and relegate the boring square primary shield to secondary routes.

Seconded!

MT Arrowhead is the same shield used by most Native American Nations/Reservations for there Roads & Trails (Ruts)

Well, i didn't know that, that's cool.

[FrCorySticha]

MT Arrowhead is the same shield used by most Native American Nations/Reservations for there Roads & Trails (Ruts)

The difference I've seen, at least on reservations here in Montana, is that the BIA shields are a white arrowhead on green background instead of black background.


iPad

[Max Rockatansky]

MT Arrowhead is the same shield used by most Native American Nations/Reservations for there Roads & Trails (Ruts)

The difference I've seen, at least on reservations here in Montana, is that the BIA shields are a white arrowhead on green background instead of black background.


iPad

In Arizona they are black backgrounds with white arrowheads just like Montana.  That threw me off when I first went to Montana since I thought they were BIA routes for a couple minutes until I figured out it was it was a secondary route signage type.

[J N Winkler]

In Arizona they are black backgrounds with white arrowheads just like Montana.  That threw me off when I first went to Montana since I thought they were BIA routes for a couple minutes until I figured out it was it was a secondary route signage type.

The Arizona BIA shield is a state standard that appears in Arizona DOT's Manual of Approved Signs.  It differs from the Montana secondary route shield in that the arrowhead has smoother curves, is more convex, and has the word "INDIAN" above the neck.  I suspect BIA uses it as its marker in Arizona through interagency agreement.

Aside from the green background, there is little consistency in how the generic BIA shield is fabricated--quite often the digits are in Helvetica rather than one of the FHWA series.

[Quillz]

Two other states that have shields I like are South Dakota and Vermont, but not due to shield shape, but rather color. I've really grown to like their usage of green-on-white, with matching directional banners. (Although South Dakota actually uses black legend). I would imagine its something less legible than black-on-white, but it does help the shields stand out.

By extension, I believe South Carolina has recently switched to blue-on-white shields.

[paulthemapguy]

Two other states that have shields I like are South Dakota and Vermont, but not due to shield shape, but rather color. I've really grown to like their usage of green-on-white, with matching directional banners. (Although South Dakota actually uses black legend). I would imagine its something less legible than black-on-white, but it does help the shields stand out.

By extension, I believe South Carolina has recently switched to blue-on-white shields.

I just wanted to say I really agree with your assessment.  I really like green and blue, and both colors are easily legible against white, regardless of which is used as foreground and which is used as background. 

[adventurernumber1]

I'm really, really sorry for bumping this thread, but I have come across something very interesting. I've been browsing the AARoads Shield Gallery a lot this week, and I found some things regarding state route shields (which many of you may already know about).


I was on the Delaware page, and I noticed some really fascinating circle shields, such as these:

https://www.aaroads.com/shields/show.php?image=DE19660041

https://www.aaroads.com/shields/show.php?image=DE19660091

https://www.aaroads.com/shields/show.php?image=DE19660021


I also saw some sweet sights on the Iowa page:

https://www.aaroads.com/shields/show.php?image=IA19260611

https://www.aaroads.com/shields/show.php?image=IA20140921 (why is this not the official state route shield?)

https://www.aaroads.com/shields/show.php?image=IA19480011

https://www.aaroads.com/shields/show.php?image=IA19290161


Now, what are these old, interesting shields on the Mississippi page?

https://www.aaroads.com/shields/show.php?image=MS19220121

https://www.aaroads.com/shields/show.php?image=MS19473011

https://www.aaroads.com/shields/show.php?image=MS19600261


These are all really good examples of what "circle shield states" could do to differentiate themselves from eachother, and have unique, very interesting shields, as well as some of the examples also mentioned upthread. 

[roadman65]

Florida and Kansas!  Louisiana before they went black and white used to be good in the green state outline.

[index]

If Oregon's old eagle shield was still around, that'd be my top pick for favorite.

[adventurernumber1]

Also, I apologize for having a rather strange question, but my severely mentally ill mind will not leave me alone about it.

I voted for the Florida state route shield. I highly like all of the usual favorites, such as California, Kansas, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania. However, when it comes to states I have actually been to and seen the shields in person, probably my very favorites are Florida and Colorado. I honestly don't see why states like Mississippi or Kentucky couldn't decide on something more inventive.

Does the bolded part of what I said come off as being harsh? I love all State Highway Shields, including all the circle and square ones, and all of them are aesthetically pleasing to me, but I do think that each state should make their own individual, unique state route shield to differentiate themselves from eachother (for example: one state could use the default MUTCD standard circle shield, and that would make that one state individual and unique, and the other circle shield states could create custom shield shapes and such - or, all circle shield states could keep their circle shield shapes, but each one would have their state name at the top of the circle, or an abbreviation of some sort for that). I am just surprised that five states chose to stay exactly the same, but I have nothing against any of those states. I am simply an advocate of innovation, especially with state route shields. But anyway, back to the original question, the reason I ask this is because my depressed, pessimistic, obsessive, psychotic mind - ever since I made the quoted post almost a year ago - has been trying to harass me and make me think that I am a terrible person, and that I came off as being such in this post, and that that post made all of you think that, and more. I've learned that my mind is not to be trusted so much when it harasses me like that, but it is still incredibly strong, and it has a rigorous hold on me. Another thing is that sometimes I have trouble saying or writing/typing things exactly the way that I think it in my mind, so sometimes what I say is not truly representative of my actual thoughts (though most of the time, I'd say that this isn't a problem). Once again, sorry for such a stupid question, but I guess I just need some reassurance on this because I cannot escape the wrath of my mind. So, do any of you think that I am a terrible person, and that I "highly dislike state route circle and square shields" (which is not true)?

     

[sparker]

The California state shields are easy to pick out from a crowded background; that's the advantage of medium-bright green.  The problem today is that only a few districts can churn out a decent-looking sign; apparently they're supplying blank shields (nominally 2-digit or the wider 3-digit) and the local shops are applying the numbers as needed.  The district in which I live (4) is particularly sloppy about applying the numbers; often they're the wrong size, they're crooked -- and if by chance they're reasonably straight, the kerning is way off (Just drive down CA 85 or 87 some time for multiple examples of this problem).  Ironically the route with the most consistent decent-looking reassurance shields has been CA 82 -- a boulevard (El Camino Real).  Other districts, like 6 & 10 over in the Central Valley, seem to be much better at producing nice signage.   

[cjk374]

Louisiana before they went black and white used to be good in the green state outline.

Louisiana's state shields also held up so much better when they were green & white. If you have looked in the Louisiana threads in the Midsouth & Southeast boards, you have seen jbnv's pics of the digits peeling off of the shields. I have also seen the black fading to white due to sun exposure (both state shields and the directional banners). The materials used now are not durable at all, and is a big waste of money. As a Louisiana taxpayer, I feel like spending a little more money on more durable signage is money well spent.

[csw]

I generally prefer any of the designs with the state outline superimposed, a la Arizona, Arkansas, Missouri, Ohio. I also like the look of the Kansas and Nebraska shields.

As far as least favorite, I think the Washington state and Hawai'i designs look kind of dopey.

[jakeroot]

As far as least favorite, I think the...Hawai'i [design] look kind of dopey.

Hawaii has always been one of my favorites. I love the guitar pick. It's quite similar to Oregon (just upside-down). It provides a large space for numbers, while still being (relatively) unique.

[Scott5114]

Also, I apologize for having a rather strange question, but my severely mentally ill mind will not leave me alone about it.

I voted for the Florida state route shield. I highly like all of the usual favorites, such as California, Kansas, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania. However, when it comes to states I have actually been to and seen the shields in person, probably my very favorites are Florida and Colorado. I honestly don't see why states like Mississippi or Kentucky couldn't decide on something more inventive.

Does the bolded part of what I said come off as being harsh?

Harsh to who, the state DOTs? It's fortunately exceedingly hard to hurt a government agency's feelings. The only one that's more or less guaranteed to see your post is Kentucky's, and the guy reading it, being a roadgeek, might even agree with you.