Roadgeeks who changed the world?

[Ken Jennings]

Hey, as I mentioned in this earlier post, I'm an author working on a book chapter about road buffs.  Right now, I'm interested in the idea that roadgeeks might actually perform a useful public service by, essentially, being the only nonprofessionals who really know or care about decisions made regarding public roads.

Can anybody suggest any real-world "good deeds" done by knowledgeable roadgeeks?  This could be something as small as having a state DoT fix an incorrect road sign, or--who knows?--as big as watchdogging some wrong-headed construction project so that it gets done right.

Any ideas?  Thanks in advance.

[Alex]

There was some discussion along these lines at this topic that may be of interest.

[Roadgeek Adam]

Am I the only one who think Jeff Kitsko and Scott Oglesby deserve good mention here? I mean the Pennsylvania Department of Inept Transportation kind of relies on Jeff for a lot of things on his website.

[agentsteel53]

Danny Castro is single-handedly responsible for a great amount of historic 66 signage in California.

[Scott5114]

You might want to talk to Richard Ankrom–he's an artist who got frustrated by the lack of I-5 signage on the Pasadena Freeway in California, so he looked up the exact specifications, made the signage, forged a Caltrans uniform, and got up on a gantry and installed the signage himself. His work was so good that Caltrans assumed they installed it until the local media reported otherwise! The signage has since been replaced, with the new signs mirroring the changes that Richard made.

He probably wouldn't admit to "changing the world", but our own J.N. Winkler managed to influence the 2009 MUTCD in a significant way. FHWA wanted to remove the section allowing diagrammatic signs (the large splitting-arrow signs that often precede large interchanges). They felt that the diagrammatics were obsoleted by a new signing method that was introduced in the new manual. Mr. Winkler was able to convince FHWA (through the public comment process) that there was still some situations that the old method could handle that the new couldn't, so the option to use diagrammatic signs was left in the manual.

[Bickendan]

I know that the Oregon Department of Transportation will use Mike Wiley's defunct website on Oregon's highways as reference.

[US71]

I have contacted AHTD several times, but usually get BS answers. I've had (slightly) better luck harassing Gridlock Guru.

[agentsteel53]

oh, and Jeff Royston's bringing back state-named interstate shields in Louisiana.

[Scott5114]

ctsignguy is working on getting a new state highway shields in Connecticut... don't know if he'll be ultimately successful or not, but he's certainly talking to the right people!

[Alps]

He probably wouldn't admit to "changing the world", but our own J.N. Winkler managed to influence the 2009 MUTCD in a significant way. FHWA wanted to remove the section allowing diagrammatic signs (the large splitting-arrow signs that often precede large interchanges). They felt that the diagrammatics were obsoleted by a new signing method that was introduced in the new manual. Mr. Winkler was able to convince FHWA (through the public comment process) that there was still some situations that the old method could handle that the new couldn't, so the option to use diagrammatic signs was left in the manual.

So did I.  Just because Mr. Winkler toots his own horn all the time doesn't mean he's the only one contributing.  I personally made the comment that saved 8" signals in community settings, for example.

I would also submit Trent Legg, who has volunteered to replace and upgrade county signage in Georgia to meet MUTCD standards.  I don't know where he gets the money, but he does get the signs made and installed on new posts.

[ctsignguy]

And I am headed back up in a couple of weeks...so i will be doing some follow-up with ConnDOT...and see if maybe i can meet with some people who can help us (Jeff is still in our corner as far as i know)

[Troubleshooter]

I got the language fixed in the MUTCD so someone can't misinterpret it to mean that a green arrow can allow a turn across a crosswalk with a WALK light on. The original language was ambiguous, and our city engineer insisted on misreading it.

[Hot Rod Hootenanny]

Because of me, the highway trust fund is still totally American owned.

[Rover_0]

While trying not to brag, I was responsible for bringing (and then) clearing up the US-89A/UT-11 issue in Kanab, UT.  Hopefully (though not exactly likely), I'll be able to extend US-160 or US-64 to I-15 near Hurricane, UT, or restore US-60 in California.

[corco]

I cured world hunger and singlehandedly prevented a federal mandate that all snowy roads be plowed with rubber bladed plows

[agentsteel53]

I invented the cutout highway marker.  And the lane stripe.

[Scott5114]

And I singlehandedly invented Kansas.

[agentsteel53]

I fashioned the entire interstate highway system out of two thumbtacks and a roll of electrical tape.

[US71]

I fashioned the entire interstate highway system out of two thumbtacks and a roll of electrical tape.

I invented US 71 with a kettle and some string 

[US71]

And I singlehandedly invented Kansas.

I thought Richie did that? 

[Scott5114]

And I singlehandedly invented Kansas.

I thought Richie did that? 

I was first

[TheStranger]

I advocate equal overhead sign heights and sizes.

[Ian]

And I am headed back up in a couple of weeks...so i will be doing some follow-up with ConnDOT...and see if maybe i can meet with some people who can help us (Jeff is still in our corner as far as i know)

Snag a few extra signs while you're there! 

[bugo]

I didn't intend to, but I got an error OK 82 cleaver removed from US 59.

[KEK Inc.]

From this thread, you can probably honestly say that Roadgeeks are one of the most self-engrossed egotistical pricks on the web. 

I'm not sure of anyone who made a true difference off-hand.  I believe there's a US-99 restoration project in the PacNW, but I don't know who's heading that program.