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[Poll] Should Interstate Highways have “END” “BEGIN” and “JCT” signs?

Started by Interstate 69 Fan, December 15, 2017, 09:51:17 AM

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Should interstates have begin, end, and JCT signs?

Give them all JCT, end, and begin signs!
No end & begin signs, but yes for JCT signs.
No JCT signs, but End & begin signs stay.
Remove all JCT, End, & Begin signs.
Other (Post reply)

Interstate 69 Fan

Personally, I like Interstates having End & begin signs, as well as "jct"  signs found on State & US Highways.

Example:https://www.google.com/search?q=end+interstate+sign&rlz=1C9BKJA_enUS775US775&oq=end+interstate+sign&aqs=chrome..69i57.3513j0j4&hl=en-US&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8#imgrc=epxdqdWuHX3u5M: Should this I-95 sign stay? (I have no clue how to post images on the safari app on my iPhone...)
Apparently I’m a fan of I-69.  Who knew.


froggie

Interstate junction signs are effectively pointless given guide signage standards.

kphoger

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Brandon

Quote from: froggie on December 15, 2017, 10:15:23 AM
Interstate junction signs are effectively pointless given guide signage standards.

Actually, they're very much needed on intersecting roads.
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dgolub

Quote from: froggie on December 15, 2017, 10:15:23 AM
Interstate junction signs are effectively pointless given guide signage standards.

This.  Junction signs make sense on surface roads but not on other freeways.  Having begin and end shields on interstates would make sense, though.

vdeane

For the junction signs, I believe he's referring to stuff like this, not the ones on surface roads.
Please note: All comments here represent my own personal opinion and do not reflect the official position of NYSDOT or its affiliates.

US71

Quote from: vdeane on December 17, 2017, 06:23:02 PM
For the junction signs, I believe he's referring to stuff like this, not the ones on surface roads.


I-40 at West Memphis


I-49 at Texarkana

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wxfree

A junction is a point where two or more things meet.  It means to join, as in two roads being joined, such as within an intersection.  Interstates never "meet" other roads, and interchanges with other Interstates often have more than one exit, so there's no single point to refer to.  I don't think the terminology works.  I like the regular "East I-X 1/4 mile" and "West I-X 1/2 mile" terminology, with it being understood that the distance is to the exit, not to the other road.  To me, the same applies to any freeway.
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Interstate 69 Fan

Quote from: US71 on December 17, 2017, 06:47:14 PM
Quote from: vdeane on December 17, 2017, 06:23:02 PM
For the junction signs, I believe he's referring to stuff like this, not the ones on surface roads.


I-40 at West Memphis

Just like that I-40/I-55 photo is what I'm referring to.
Apparently I’m a fan of I-69.  Who knew.

kphoger

Quote from: Brandon on December 16, 2017, 05:52:28 PM
Quote from: froggie on December 15, 2017, 10:15:23 AM
Interstate junction signs are effectively pointless given guide signage standards.

Actually, they're very much needed on intersecting roads.

Or, to put what others have said more simply:  If a sign is on an intersecting road, then it isn't on an Interstate.
Keep right except to pass.  Yes.  You.
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Male pronouns, please.

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

jeffandnicole

Being that every interchange is a junction with another road, there's no point in having specifically Interstate junctions.  Just sign the interchange, and advanced signage, like you would any other interchange.

Using the above picture: "JCT I-55" isn't nearly as meaningful as "I-55 2 Miles".

21stCenturyRoad

I highly believe that there should be "Begin" and "End" signs as it can help avoid confusion upon local motorists.

"JCT" signs should only be on intersecting roads that are not freeways.
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paulthemapguy

Are you referring to JCT signs that are posted ON Interstate alignments?  Because, as @froggie said, those are rendered redundant by standards for big green signs.  I do like it when an extra BGS is posted on an Interstate in anticipation with the junction of another Interstate.  For example, a 2-mile sign is posted in addition to a 1-mile sign and a 1/2 mile sign, as is common in Illinois.  I very much support JCT signs on side arterials to announce an impending Interstate.

BEGIN and END markers are both good.  END markers I regard as very important--so if someone thinks they can just continue down I-355, but it's ending, the sign will wake up the motorist to mandate that they change course.  Like "I hope you were planning to get off here--because it's your ONLY choice!!"
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mrcmc888

I like the Begin/End signs on interstates and wish they'd be standardized, but the JCT signs are pointless.  They're meant to warn drivers of an intersection, and as interstates don't have any at-grade intersections, there's no need.  The BGSes cover that well enough.

PHLBOS

Quote from: Max Rockatansky on December 16, 2017, 10:32:57 PM
Just ends and junctions.
Agreed.  It seems that the BEGIN banners are a recent addition to the MUTCD.  I, personally, don't think they're needed in all situations (edited to add).
Quote from: Brandon on December 16, 2017, 05:52:28 PM
Quote from: froggie on December 15, 2017, 10:15:23 AM
Interstate junction signs are effectively pointless given guide signage standards.
Actually, they''re very much needed on intersecting roads.
JCT banners for Interstates (when used for trailblazer assemblies) are appropriate for non-expressway roads approaching interchanges w/Interstates.  However, such are not needed along the Interstates highways themselves nor expressways with advance BGS' IMHO.
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hotdogPi

Quote from: PHLBOS on February 08, 2018, 09:13:08 AM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on December 16, 2017, 10:32:57 PM
Just ends and junctions.
Agreed.  It seems that the BEGIN banners are a recent addition to the MUTCD.  I, personally, don't think they're needed.

I think BEGIN banners are needed when you're continuing straight, like:
MA 25 becoming I-495
I-290 becoming I-395 and vice versa
NY 22 becoming I-684
CT 66 becoming I-691

But if you're not continuing straight, you don't need a BEGIN sign.
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adventurernumber1

I originally voted for interstates to have all three of these things, but then I thought about it some more.

If an interstate does have a JCT sign in a similar fashion as one on a surface street, then IMO it is perfectly acceptable (better too much signage than too little signage), but I wouldn't say that it is particularly necessary. JCT signs on interstates may potentially be a little redundant.

However, I strongly believe that all interstates should always have both BEGIN and END signs. I think that these are very helpful, necessary, and incredibly interesting (of course).  :biggrin:

As a result, I, too, second the notion that BEGIN/END signs on interstates should be standardized.  :nod:
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bzakharin

JCT is optional. As long as the other Interstate is referenced in some way long enough in advance, it's all good. "BEGIN" is similarly optional, but to a lesser extent. The word "begin" does convey information that would not otherwise be there, but that information is not important to the average driver, as long as it is made clear which route you're currently on. END is always necessary, though.

Perfxion

JCT signs work if there is no direct connection, IE: SH99 and SH249 in Houston where this is no directs and one has use frontage roads to go from one to the other. Otherwise, they aren't needed. BGS will tell you your exit.

Begin/End work really well on I-45/US75 since the highway keeps going even with a number change. And yes, I am aware its I-345. To the driving public, I-345 doesn't exist. It goes from US75 to I-45. I will say the same for I-287, I-76, I-691, I-684, I-290/I-395, I-69, and maybe I-2. 
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jflick99

I think there should be BEGIN and END signs, but this is the only situation where there should be JCT signs between freeways. If one highway is merging into a concurrency with another highway, there should be a JCT sign. Otherwise, leave it off.

roadman65

If the road ends with an equal split between two ramps for other signed roads no.  But if one interstate defaults into another, yes!

BTW, I am not complaining about I-55 at US 41 where in 1987 it had and END I-55 shield and a small green sign opposite it with a ROUTE I-55 ENDS sign.  Or in NJ where I-80 ends but to use it in place of a pull though could have been thought out a little better, but being it goes from Coast to Coast, its a good gesture that NJDOT did there and post the transition considering that it obvious with the road dividing into both ways of I-95.
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