Caltrans "EXIT ONLY" signing

[joshI5]

Of course, Caltrans has always done their 'exit only' signage a bit differently than the other states, but I was driving south along CA-57 in Orange County when I noticed this:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/raymondyue/4829373657
https://www.google.com/maps/@33.8417756,-117.8762896,3a,38.8y,188.28h,91.24t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s93L3tdBsOXo4IdbRCUzqxw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1

Typically Caltrans never uses the black exit arrows within the yellow space (although downward pointing black arrows before the exit are quite common), let alone 'exit only' "tabs" that cover the complete bottom portion of the sign, but seeing this sign was a pleasant anomaly. Perhaps Caltrans is beginning to catch up with the rest of the nation after all... I noticed some more of the black exit only arrows on other freeways around Orange County, notably south on I-605 when it ends at I-405 and CA-22, but OC is the only county that seems to have adopted this change. On newer signs installed in District 7 they seem to continue resorting to an 'exit' and 'only' tab with a white arrow for exits.

[myosh_tino]

Of course, Caltrans has always done their 'exit only' signage a bit differently than the other states, but I was driving south along CA-57 in Orange County when I noticed this:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/raymondyue/4829373657
https://www.google.com/maps/@33.8417756,-117.8762896,3a,38.8y,188.28h,91.24t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s93L3tdBsOXo4IdbRCUzqxw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1

Typically Caltrans never uses the black exit arrows within the yellow space (although downward pointing black arrows before the exit are quite common), let alone 'exit only' "tabs" that cover the complete bottom portion of the sign, but seeing this sign was a pleasant anomaly. Perhaps Caltrans is beginning to catch up with the rest of the nation after all... I noticed some more of the black exit only arrows on other freeways around Orange County, notably south on I-605 when it ends at I-405 and CA-22, but OC is the only county that seems to have adopted this change. On newer signs installed in District 7 they seem to continue resorting to an 'exit' and 'only' tab with a white arrow for exits.

Yeah, the full-width lane-drop panels are primarily limited to Caltrans District 12 which covers only Orange County.  I saw a few of them when I was down in Fullerton last month.  There have been a bunch of signs replaced in District 4/San Francisco Bay Area and none feature the full-width EXIT ONLY panels.

As for the angled up arrows on lane drop panels, those may become more common in the future because Caltrans revised their lane-drop plaque specs to include a 26" version in addition to the existing 20" version.  The extra 6 inches in height makes it possible to include a black angled short-shaft arrow on the lane-drop plaque.

[roadfro]

I like that Caltrans has changed specs to use a taller lane drop plaque that can accommodate the short shaft arrow. Some of the existing exit only signing practices sometimes don't always make it readily apparent or abundantly clear what lanes drop (at least, not to those unfamiliar with California signing). However, I find it interesting that the "exit only" panel height increased when there is still the 120" total sign height restriction...

[i-215]

Yeah, some of Caltrans lane drop signage really suck.

I mean, what the heck?

https://www.google.com/maps/@34.062142,-117.192704,3a,15y,283.86h,87.74t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1skuYPwwf5dp8OWUnOv8CfAw!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo1.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DkuYPwwf5dp8OWUnOv8CfAw%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D304.34692%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656

Two lanes go, but there is no signange (even upstream) to indicate that two lanes exit (one trap).

[SeriesE]

Yeah, some of Caltrans lane drop signage really suck.

I mean, what the heck?

https://www.google.com/maps/@34.062142,-117.192704,3a,15y,283.86h,87.74t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1skuYPwwf5dp8OWUnOv8CfAw!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo1.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DkuYPwwf5dp8OWUnOv8CfAw%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D304.34692%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656

Two lanes go, but there is no signange (even upstream) to indicate that two lanes exit (one trap).

See also: I-5 N and I-10 E split: the option lane is not signed until the sign at the split!

[jeffandnicole]

Yeah, some of Caltrans lane drop signage really suck.

I mean, what the heck?

https://www.google.com/maps/@34.062142,-117.192704,3a,15y,283.86h,87.74t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1skuYPwwf5dp8OWUnOv8CfAw!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo1.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DkuYPwwf5dp8OWUnOv8CfAw%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D304.34692%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656

Two lanes go, but there is no signange (even upstream) to indicate that two lanes exit (one trap).

I'd argue the one isn't a trap - upstream from the previous sign (and close up, the arrow is slightly obscured by the light), but it is signed per CA standards, has different line paint patterns, and has a diamond sign as well.

NJ doesn't sign dual lane exits completely either.  If you're not familiar with here: https://goo.gl/maps/5KQoxKfMPvL2  you would think you must be in the right lane to exit.  In reality, both the right and right-center lane exits.  But even if you merged into the one lane, it'll take you any place you need to go so not really a huge deal.  At the Exit gore, the signs do indicate the 2 lane exit.