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

Started by mass_citizen, December 04, 2013, 10:46:35 PM

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JoePCool14


:) Needs more... :sombrero: Not quite... :bigass: Perfect.
JDOT: We make the world a better place to drive.
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Max Rockatansky

Quote from: JoePCool14 on April 10, 2021, 07:42:52 PM
How does one even pronounce Zzyzx? Ziz-iks?

Apparently there are several songs that have it as a lyric. 

Rothman

Quote from: jakeroot on April 10, 2021, 12:18:02 PM
There's only one thing more infuriating than seeing someone parked half a car length from the end of the curb, or half a car length from the car in front of or behind them: watching them do it and walk away like they haven't just committed a heinous crime against their community.

2 to 3 ft seems generous, personally. I might say 2 ft max; ideally maybe 1.5 ft. It's okay to tap a bumper. Or at least it is along my block.
Someone "tapped" my bumper a couple of years ago.  Their license plate dug deep scratches into it.  Turned out they were driving with an expired registration.  That was fun, given the repair costs and insurance...
Please note: All comments here represent my own personal opinion and do not reflect the official position(s) of NYSDOT.

J3ebrules

Quote from: JoePCool14 on April 10, 2021, 07:42:52 PM
How does one even pronounce Zzyzx? Ziz-iks?
Reminds me of "xyzzy" . Wonder if Will Crowther, though an East Coast guy, was influenced by knowledge of Zzyzx road when he came up with "xyzzy" . A maze of twisty passages, all different.
Counting the cars on the New Jersey Turnpike - they’ve all come to look for America! (Simon & Garfunkel)

hbelkins

When you use demountable copy, need a "y" but don't have any, what do you do? You cut the top off of a "g" and use it instead.

There are a couple of these along the Hal Rogers Parkway between London and Manchester; here's one example. This is from the KYTC Photolog, as I didn't have my camera with me yesterday.





Government would be tolerable if not for politicians and bureaucrats.

jakeroot

Quote from: Rothman on April 10, 2021, 07:51:14 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on April 10, 2021, 12:18:02 PM
There's only one thing more infuriating than seeing someone parked half a car length from the end of the curb, or half a car length from the car in front of or behind them: watching them do it and walk away like they haven't just committed a heinous crime against their community.

2 to 3 ft seems generous, personally. I might say 2 ft max; ideally maybe 1.5 ft. It's okay to tap a bumper. Or at least it is along my block.
Someone "tapped" my bumper a couple of years ago.  Their license plate dug deep scratches into it.  Turned out they were driving with an expired registration.  That was fun, given the repair costs and insurance...

They clearly weren't in-tune with the nuances of "the tap"!

Not to sound like Larry David or anything, but there is a science to it. It helps to drive a manual for very precise low-speed movements, but you can tap without damaging a car. I don't meant to imply that it's how you should always parallel park, but it's not the end of the world if you do it correctly. In fact, done correctly, there's no way anyone can tell.

rellis97

Quote from: D-Dey65 on April 10, 2021, 02:08:26 PM
Which means now I want to grab a picture of one of them someday. I'm also curious about this one.
https://www.google.com/maps/@27.9595475,-82.7969059,3a,15y,176.02h,92.08t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sU1RhFgNyve1jijGlzG1mCg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en
I was a bit puzzled about this one, but now I'm starting to think it meant "No Whistles" and it was directed at the parallel train tracks.

You are correct. That sign indicates to the train crew that the next grade crossing is a "quiet zone" meaning they cannot blow their horn for the crossing, unless it's an emergency.
Adding on to that, this sign at the next grade crossing south, but facing northward has an "X" beneath the "quiet zone" sign, indicating to the crew that there are MULTIPLE "quiet" grade crossings ahead.

Flint1979


kenarmy

https://www.google.com/maps/@32.3519355,-90.2274197,3a,90y,334.67h,86.23t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sXsQycng9CTgHE2pJRSRcqw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

I hate that I have to pass by this sign so often. I mean technically the signage is right, but why not just put "JCT 220 49"? Why is 49 NORTH not mentioned when it's literally on the same roadway in 1/2 mile? There's a matching one of the opposite side of 220.
Just a reminder that US 6, 49, 50, and 98 are superior to your fave routes :)


EXTEND 206 SO IT CAN MEET ITS PARENT.

D-Dey65


WillWeaverRVA

Quote from: hbelkins on April 11, 2021, 10:28:13 PM
When you use demountable copy, need a "y" but don't have any, what do you do? You cut the top off of a "g" and use it instead.

There are a couple of these along the Hal Rogers Parkway between London and Manchester; here's one example. This is from the KYTC Photolog, as I didn't have my camera with me yesterday.





The hilarious part of this is I totally read the sign as if they'd done nothing to the lowercase g they used. I looked at it and actually went "what's Hgden?"
Will Weaver
WillWeaverRVA Photography | Twitter

"But how will the oxen know where to drown if we renumber the Oregon Trail?" - NE2

roadman65

https://www.flickr.com/photos/54480415@N08/51113838951/

Notice the keep left sign to keep people from driving the narrow sidewalk.  Yeah right.
Every day is a winding road, you just got to get used to it.

Sheryl Crowe

kphoger

Quote from: roadman65 on April 13, 2021, 11:35:47 PM
https://www.flickr.com/photos/54480415@N08/51113838951/
Notice the keep left sign to keep people from driving the narrow sidewalk.  Yeah right.

Or it means keep left at the upcoming roundabout.   :awesomeface:
Keep right except to pass.  Yes.  You.
Visit scenic Orleans County, NY!
Male pronouns, please.

Quote from: Philip K. DickIf you can control the meaning of words, you can control the people who must use them.

LilianaUwU

Quote from: roadman65 on April 13, 2021, 11:35:47 PM
https://www.flickr.com/photos/54480415@N08/51113838951/

Notice the keep left sign to keep people from driving the narrow sidewalk.  Yeah right.

Definitely a candidate for the "Right idea, wrong sign" thread.
"Volcano with no fire... Not volcano... Just mountain."
—Mr. Thwomp

My pronouns are she/her. Also, I'm an admin on the AARoads Wiki.

1995hoo

Quote from: LilianaUwU on April 14, 2021, 03:56:12 PM
Quote from: roadman65 on April 13, 2021, 11:35:47 PM
https://www.flickr.com/photos/54480415@N08/51113838951/

Notice the keep left sign to keep people from driving the narrow sidewalk.  Yeah right.

Definitely a candidate for the "Right idea, wrong sign" thread.

I wonder whether some people tried to drive on that sidewalk and either damaged their vehicles or caused other trouble, thus prompting installation of that sign.
"You know, you never have a guaranteed spot until you have a spot guaranteed."
—Olaf Kolzig, as quoted in the Washington Times on March 28, 2003,
commenting on the Capitals clinching a playoff spot.

"That sounded stupid, didn't it?"
—Kolzig, to the same reporter a few seconds later.

LilianaUwU

Quote from: 1995hoo on April 14, 2021, 04:09:26 PM
Quote from: LilianaUwU on April 14, 2021, 03:56:12 PM
Quote from: roadman65 on April 13, 2021, 11:35:47 PM
https://www.flickr.com/photos/54480415@N08/51113838951/

Notice the keep left sign to keep people from driving the narrow sidewalk.  Yeah right.

Definitely a candidate for the "Right idea, wrong sign" thread.

I wonder whether some people tried to drive on that sidewalk and either damaged their vehicles or caused other trouble, thus prompting installation of that sign.

Possibly. The right sign would be an OM3-R, though:
"Volcano with no fire... Not volcano... Just mountain."
—Mr. Thwomp

My pronouns are she/her. Also, I'm an admin on the AARoads Wiki.

jakeroot


Scott5114

https://www.google.com/maps/@27.5049303,-99.5028886,3a,19.4y,206.64h,82.39t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sd5LaXBKMSCqQE1GPJ8oh2g!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Spanish-language construction signs (possibly Mexican spec?) in Laredo, Texas. Looks like the banquet's closed, so I need to use the other ladle. I think.
uncontrollable freak sardine salad chef

ClassicHasClass

QuoteThat BC-93/95 shield is not something I've ever seen

It's yuuuuge!

Rothman

Please note: All comments here represent my own personal opinion and do not reflect the official position(s) of NYSDOT.

J3ebrules

Quote from: Scott5114 on April 14, 2021, 11:31:26 PM
https://www.google.com/maps/@27.5049303,-99.5028886,3a,19.4y,206.64h,82.39t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sd5LaXBKMSCqQE1GPJ8oh2g!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Spanish-language construction signs (possibly Mexican spec?) in Laredo, Texas. Looks like the banquet's closed, so I need to use the other ladle. I think.
Unless I’m thinking of the wrong dialect, the actual Spanish translation doesn’t make much more sense: “Bench closed, use other side.” That’s an awful lot of construction stuff for a closed bench.

Also, weird false cognate, banqueta. I was LMAO at your sentence.
Counting the cars on the New Jersey Turnpike - they’ve all come to look for America! (Simon & Garfunkel)

kenarmy

Quote from: J3ebrules on April 15, 2021, 01:25:48 AM
Quote from: Scott5114 on April 14, 2021, 11:31:26 PM
https://www.google.com/maps/@27.5049303,-99.5028886,3a,19.4y,206.64h,82.39t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sd5LaXBKMSCqQE1GPJ8oh2g!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Spanish-language construction signs (possibly Mexican spec?) in Laredo, Texas. Looks like the banquet's closed, so I need to use the other ladle. I think.
Unless I'm thinking of the wrong dialect, the actual Spanish translation doesn't make much more sense: "Bench closed, use other side."  That's an awful lot of construction stuff for a closed bench.

Also, weird false cognate, banqueta. I was LMAO at your sentence.
It could also mean sidewalk but I don't think that does much justice either  :-D.
Just a reminder that US 6, 49, 50, and 98 are superior to your fave routes :)


EXTEND 206 SO IT CAN MEET ITS PARENT.

WillWeaverRVA

Quote from: jakeroot on April 14, 2021, 04:58:33 PM
BC MOTI just posted this on their Flickr. That BC-93/95 shield is not something I've ever seen:



Kicking Horse Canyon Project Closure Signs by B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, on Flickr

It's even more interesting that BC actually used the FHWA font in that gigantic BC 93/95 shield. They usually use Helvetica for their provincial route shields.
Will Weaver
WillWeaverRVA Photography | Twitter

"But how will the oxen know where to drown if we renumber the Oregon Trail?" - NE2

kphoger

Quote from: Scott5114 on April 14, 2021, 11:31:26 PM
https://www.google.com/maps/@27.5049303,-99.5028886,3a,19.4y,206.64h,82.39t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sd5LaXBKMSCqQE1GPJ8oh2g!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Spanish-language construction signs (possibly Mexican spec?) in Laredo, Texas. Looks like the banquet's closed, so I need to use the other ladle. I think.

Those are not Mexican spec, which would have both of those signs as rectangles rather than diamonds.  However, that just makes one of them even more interesting.  The DESVIACIÃ"N arrow bears very striking resemblance to the real deal, and this cannot have been mere coincidence.  Someone obviously took the trouble of making that sign look as familiar as possible to Mexicans while still adhering to the US diamond=warning convention.

Keep right except to pass.  Yes.  You.
Visit scenic Orleans County, NY!
Male pronouns, please.

Quote from: Philip K. DickIf you can control the meaning of words, you can control the people who must use them.

jakeroot

Quote from: WillWeaverRVA on April 15, 2021, 09:41:08 AM
Quote from: jakeroot on April 14, 2021, 04:58:33 PM
BC MOTI just posted this on their Flickr. That BC-93/95 shield is not something I've ever seen:



Kicking Horse Canyon Project Closure Signs by B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, on Flickr

It's even more interesting that BC actually used the FHWA font in that gigantic BC 93/95 shield. They usually use Helvetica for their provincial route shields.

That's a very good observation! I didn't notice that at all. Hell, there's more Clearview shields than FHWA shields around BC.

It's particularly strange when you consider that, besides the Hwy 1 shield, the entire assembly is in Clearview. If something other than Helvetica were to be used, you'd think it would be the typeface used across the rest of the sign instead of another font that was discarded by the MOT 15 years ago (with some exceptions, of course).



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