Things that irk you about roads the most

[Max Rockatansky]

A big one: lack of traffic enforcement by officers.

Drivers on their phones, drivers using bike lanes and sidewalks, drivers using bus lanes during rush hour and holding up thousands of commuters, drivers ignoring pedestrian right-of-way, etc etc.

It would be nice to have a crackdown on bad driver behaviors for even a month or two just to see how different it would make the city.

I'll throw out some additional people generated road hazards:

1.  People who don't turn off their damn sprinklers when the temperature dips below freezing and ice up neighborhood streets with black ice.

2.  People who slow way down in tunnels or whenever a source of light changes, even if there isn't any traffic around.

3.  People who are going to turn but slow way down in advance.  The worst is on high capacity ramps where someone blows by you at 15 MPH over on the freeway just to cut you off and go 10 MPH under the limit to slog in front of you for half a mile.

4.  People who tailgate in the rain or after a storm has cleared up.

Some winter stuff that can be frustrating:

1.  DOTs that use sand instead of salt, always seemed to me the salt worked better.

2.  Park Service roads in general in areas prone to snow.  Really at best they are just a scraping attempt with a plow that often just leads to a compacted snow driving surface.

[SignGeek101]

drivers using bus lanes during rush hour

This one gets me too, since I take the bus almost daily. Don't see it often though where I am.

1.  DOTs that use sand instead of salt, always seemed to me the salt worked better.

Except when the temperature outside is almost constantly below the point where salt is effective, such is the case in my frigid climate 

http://www.clickondetroit.com/weather/thermoscope/when-does-salt-work-and-when-does-it-not

http://globalnews.ca/news/1060218/temperatures-too-cold-for-salt-making-roads-slick/

[Max Rockatansky]

drivers using bus lanes during rush hour

This one gets me too, since I take the bus almost daily. Don't see it often though where I am.

1.  DOTs that use sand instead of salt, always seemed to me the salt worked better.

Except when the temperature outside is almost constantly below the point where salt is effective, such is the case in my frigid climate 

http://www.clickondetroit.com/weather/thermoscope/when-does-salt-work-and-when-does-it-not

http://globalnews.ca/news/1060218/temperatures-too-cold-for-salt-making-roads-slick/

Which definitely wasn't that cold on the Rim Country in Arizona or least it wouldn't stay that way once the sun came up.  People usually find that strange when I tell them how much snow some of the cities up there could get, Flagstaff got 100 inches every year.  Show Low was about 30 from what I remember and even Payson got about two feet.  Just imagine drivers coming from Phoenix into those environments and you can get the gist of how things could get at times. 

[Ned Weasel]

For today, I hate signage in New Jersey.  Small signs, small fonts, incomplete information, inadequate advance signage (e.g., for the GSP coming southbound on NJ 17)...

I don't want to take this too far off-topic, but I've honestly found New Jersey's signage to be much better overall than signage in many other states, especially some western and midwestern states.  Sure, it's not always perfect, but I've usually found it to be quite legible and informative, especially when it comes to signing jughandles.  It looks like the MUTCD basically adopted New Jersey's style of jughandle signage, and, frankly, I'm glad, because I've often found jughandles in other states (even though they're rare outside of the northeast) to have disappointing signage.

...and they got rid of the squiggly exit arrows on the NJT.

This does make me sad.  There were some inconsistencies in the application of the older style of New Jersey Turnpike signage, but I would have rather seen the New Jersey Turnpike apply its own signage style guide and use it consistently, and maybe even influence some other freeways/toll roads to adopt that style.  It would have been nice to see the MUTCD adopt New Jersey Turnpike-style signage someday, instead of the New Jersey Turnpike discontinuing its own style in favor of what was already in the MUTCD.

[Rothman]

For today, I hate signage in New Jersey.  Small signs, small fonts, incomplete information, inadequate advance signage (e.g., for the GSP coming southbound on NJ 17)...

I don't want to take this too far off-topic, but I've honestly found New Jersey's signage to be much better overall than signage in many other states, especially some western and midwestern states.  Sure, it's not always perfect, but I've usually found it to be quite legible and informative, especially when it comes to signing jughandles.  It looks like the MUTCD basically adopted New Jersey's style of jughandle signage, and, frankly, I'm glad, because I've often found jughandles in other states (even though they're rare outside of the northeast) to have disappointing signage.

https://goo.gl/maps/fxWMophAuoD2 :  No advance warning that right lane is exit only.

https://goo.gl/maps/A4vs7Q6WGJQ2 :  It's this small BGS stuff that bugs me in NJ.

https://goo.gl/maps/vgjkuhvGQ6M2 : Smaller sign and no advance sign that this is coming up.

I know these are all along NJ 17, but this crap is pretty darned typical.

[jeffandnicole]

For today, I hate signage in New Jersey.  Small signs, small fonts, incomplete information, inadequate advance signage (e.g., for the GSP coming southbound on NJ 17)...

I don't want to take this too far off-topic, but I've honestly found New Jersey's signage to be much better overall than signage in many other states, especially some western and midwestern states.  Sure, it's not always perfect, but I've usually found it to be quite legible and informative, especially when it comes to signing jughandles.  It looks like the MUTCD basically adopted New Jersey's style of jughandle signage, and, frankly, I'm glad, because I've often found jughandles in other states (even though they're rare outside of the northeast) to have disappointing signage.

https://goo.gl/maps/fxWMophAuoD2 :  No advance warning that right lane is exit only.

https://goo.gl/maps/A4vs7Q6WGJQ2 :  It's this small BGS stuff that bugs me in NJ.

https://goo.gl/maps/vgjkuhvGQ6M2 : Smaller sign and no advance sign that this is coming up.

I know these are all along NJ 17, but this crap is pretty darned typical.

Now that you point those examples out, I do tend to agree with you.  In some instances, they went overboard with signage, such as this overhead coming from a local county road with a low traffic count: https://goo.gl/maps/v6u45dEnZMk , but yet whenever I've brought up that they need much better signage on 73 between 295 and the NJ Turnpike where the ADT approaches 60,000 vehicles a day to know what lane to be in, they've fought and argued with me on it that small green signs on the shoulder are more than adequate for that section of roadway.

[ukfan758]

When INDOT does crap like this: https://www.google.com/maps/@38.317831,-85.7529605,3a,51.7y,169.87h,73.92t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sizzHyY83VHnD55ODuKXLRA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
Instead of creating a smooth surface between the overpass and the roadway and maintaining it, they either pour too much asphalt in the gap or purposely raise the asphalt into a hump. Traveling over this feels like you've hit a pothole or speed bump.

[hbelkins]

When INDOT does crap like this: https://www.google.com/maps/@38.317831,-85.7529605,3a,51.7y,169.87h,73.92t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sizzHyY83VHnD55ODuKXLRA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
Instead of creating a smooth surface between the overpass and the roadway and maintaining it, they either pour too much asphalt in the gap or purposely raise the asphalt into a hump. Traveling over this feels like you've hit a pothole or speed bump.

That just looks like a bridge end settling. Those are hard to fix if the fill at the end of the bridge keeps settling.

[ukfan758]

It's just odd that I've only seen it occur in that area of 65, on the Kentucky side I don't see the raised humps from settling. Different bridge designs, geography, patching methods?

[paulthemapguy]

When INDOT does crap like this: https://www.google.com/maps/@38.317831,-85.7529605,3a,51.7y,169.87h,73.92t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sizzHyY83VHnD55ODuKXLRA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
Instead of creating a smooth surface between the overpass and the roadway and maintaining it, they either pour too much asphalt in the gap or purposely raise the asphalt into a hump. Traveling over this feels like you've hit a pothole or speed bump.

I think this was done to temper a problem that was even worse to begin with--a huge gap opened between the deck and the approach, and they tried to temper it with some makeshift patchwork.

[jeffandnicole]

It's just odd that I've only seen it occur in that area of 65, on the Kentucky side I don't see the raised humps from settling. Different bridge designs, geography, patching methods?

It probably was caused based on what is under the ground at that point.  Just a few feet can make a big difference.  If they didn't test exactly at the same point as the bridge foundation or footers, they may not have designed the sub-base of the bridge properly.

[hbelkins]

It's just odd that I've only seen it occur in that area of 65, on the Kentucky side I don't see the raised humps from settling. Different bridge designs, geography, patching methods?

New bridges around here are terrible for settling. It's not uncommon for our crews to have to go in and wedge them with cold mix several times. It can take years for them to quit settling.

[Plutonic Panda]

Traffic signals with a weak presence, so you hardly notice them.  If one person fails to notice a red light, that's a recipe for a crash.  This includes:

-A lack of overhead signal heads (i.e. all are post-mounted)
-A lack of signal backplates
-Any 8-inch sections.  The old-timey feel of 12-8-8s is nice, but practicality is more important.
-Signals strung up on wires instead of mast arms.  That's right.  That's basically every signal in the eastern time zone.  Mast arms have a stronger presence and are easier to foresee from an earlier distance imo.
-Any signal with fewer than two indications for a particular movement.

In short, I have a disdain for any signal that fails to meet Illinois DOT's basic standards (except doghouses are ok).

One time, I was driving on US35 in western Ohio and nearly blew right through a red light, because I didn't notice that the signal WAS THERE.  It was a bunch of cable-mounted 8-inch signals, go figure.  (it may have been this signal https://goo.gl/maps/FEFRXZFtHwT2 )

downtown Tulsa is the worst with that. I blew threw a red light one time and nearly t boned someone and slammed on my brakes got out to confront the person who hit theirs and was screaming at me and then noticed how stupid I was for not noticing the light. Well, it was pretty hard to spot anyways.

[Plutonic Panda]

Left turn exits on freeways with the exception of HOV or hot lane  entrances and exits.

Gantries that have no signage on them.

Abandoned rest stops or no rest stops in general.

Expressways that have too many at grade crossings and traffic lights like NW "Expressway"

Roads that are designed for high speeds with low speed limits then always have police hidden along them

[AsphaltPlanet]

When INDOT does crap like this: https://www.google.com/maps/@38.317831,-85.7529605,3a,51.7y,169.87h,73.92t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sizzHyY83VHnD55ODuKXLRA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
Instead of creating a smooth surface between the overpass and the roadway and maintaining it, they either pour too much asphalt in the gap or purposely raise the asphalt into a hump. Traveling over this feels like you've hit a pothole or speed bump.

That looks like a pavement control joint at the end of a bridge approach slab.  Many DOTs are getting away from using expansion joints at the end of bridge decks and instead using an integral or semi-integral abutment design.  Such designs have the benefit of not requiring expansion joints (which can leak, causing premature bridge deterioration) but require this type of control joint which is designed to allow pavement to deflect some of the stresses on the abutment from expansion and contraction.

[roadman]

Ossining -> G*ville

I cross-posted this from another thread because it illustrates three of my pet sign design peeves.  First is the practice of 'squeezing' lane assignment arrows into a narrow panel width, instead of designing the panel to have the arrows properly align over the lanes they apply to.  Second is the practice of requiring all panels on a sign gantry to be the same height, even if one or more panels have excessive green area (like the I-85 panel).  Third is exit tabs that extend the full width of the sign panel, instead of being left or right justified per MUTCD standard.  In this case, the second and third points likely resulted in a more complex sign gantry than would otherwise be required.

[Max Rockatansky]

Tree cutting operations in mountain roads.  I'm in one presently and basically they are almost always a complete disaster in terms of organization and wait times with flag men.

[OracleUsr]

I think GA DOT is going to make an OAPL at the I-985 interchange and the design plan I seem to recall had the directonal tabbing scheme that Georgia's neighboring states use, including a yellow LEFT Banner.

[CapeCodder]

As another poster said about the distinctive signage of the NJTP. I do miss it, even though the NJTP is not in my top 10 road list.

From Mass:

-Constant "studies" regarding new road construction.
-There are few signs telling motorists where state maintenance ends and town maintenance begins (I'm sure some places in MA are great about putting these signs up.)
- Sequential exits. Just go with the rest of the country: mileage based.
-The Cape Cod Commission getting their fingers in projects here on the cape.

[Sykotyk]

This is US 422 east of Youngstown.

Notice anything about this intersection?

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.0909004,-80.6107281,78m/data=!3m1!1e3

[frankenroad]

Two things I notice:

422 becomes McCartney Road just west of the intersection.

The road narrows from 2 travel lanes in each direction to one travel lane in each direction as you go east.  In looking at street view, it confirmed my suspicion that the left east-bound lane becomes a left-turn only lane at the intersection.  Is that what irks you?

Was either of those what you wanted us to notice?

[Sykotyk]

Two things I notice:

422 becomes McCartney Road just west of the intersection.

The road narrows from 2 travel lanes in each direction to one travel lane in each direction as you go east.  In looking at street view, it confirmed my suspicion that the left east-bound lane becomes a left-turn only lane at the intersection.  Is that what irks you?

Was either of those what you wanted us to notice?

No.

It's not as apparent on the satellite view, but notice the alignment of the white and yellow lines for the eastbound turn lane. And, slightly, the westbound approach to the intersection doesn't line up with  the west side of the intersection.

GSV hasn't been through to update what it looks from the driver's perspective. But, if you follow the lines, they don't go straight. At all. The EB left turn lane should have yellow hashmarks, since the right lane suddenly gets wider and then narrows right at what would be the stop line.

The city repaved it recently (it was pothole nirvana before that), but the line painters didn't seem to know what they were doing.


A similar thing happens here:

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.2206241,-80.5190136,140m/data=!3m1!1e3

But, at least the excuse is that it's right near a state line. WB US 62 is two narrow lanes in PA. When you cross the interection, note that the center yellow curls to the east, instead of straight. And the lanes in Ohio are a bit wider. So, if you're in the left lane heading WB on US62, you have to job over a bit for your lane, and avoid the fact that you can't use the yellow endi a a reference since it immediately angles you back toward the right. But, the white dashed lines don't line up with the lane you were just in.

To tell better, remove labels, and follow the black tar line between the WB left lane and the WB left turn lane. See where it ends up across the state line.

[J Route Z]

Something that I have seen more and more of, missing overhead street name signs attached to traffic signals. A couple of examples:  https://goo.gl/maps/UgNSvMqf2xq

https://goo.gl/maps/yzZ3VAnTkYK2

along with dozens more here in NJ. I realize at some intersections may have signage on each signal arm, I find it better to be posted on both for drivers in both directions to see clearly what street they are intersecting.

What could be the cause for these missing? I doubt it's theft but you never know in this crazy world.

[jakeroot]

Something that I have seen more and more of, missing overhead street name signs attached to traffic signals.

In Tacoma (WA), where I spend much of my time, it's not particularly uncommon for one or more approaches to lack a street blade. Not sure if the setup was intentional (no way theft could be an issue -- the street blades are mounted on mast arms), but it's not my favorite. I too prefer one street blade per mast arm (as I'm sure most roadgeeks do).

[jeffandnicole]

Something that I have seen more and more of, missing overhead street name signs attached to traffic signals. A couple of examples:  https://goo.gl/maps/UgNSvMqf2xq

https://goo.gl/maps/yzZ3VAnTkYK2

along with dozens more here in NJ. I realize at some intersections may have signage on each signal arm, I find it better to be posted on both for drivers in both directions to see clearly what street they are intersecting.

What could be the cause for these missing? I doubt it's theft but you never know in this crazy world.

NJDOT generally did one blade per direction; some counties did two blades per direction.

It's highly unlikely someone bypassed a whole bunch of easy-to-get-to signs to get an overhead sign.  Those overhead signs generally have simply fallen off over the years, sometimes wind, rusty brackets, etc.