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

[roadfro]

Holy banners: https://www.google.com/maps/@40.0107381,-75.7309172,3a,75y,108.49h,78.55t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sfTNIVqIjSsy_XWUp16G99Q!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

I will see your US 30 ABT East and raise you US 79:

https://www.google.com/maps/@32.7593811,-93.0752517,0a,75y,201.38h,89.75t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sgFkt8MPld-omvJEmUqTIDw!2e0

Questions:

(1) For the US 79 situation [JCT|NORTH|TRUCK|BY-PASS|US 79], I see on the map a 79 Bypass, but is there a separate truck route for the bypass? Or are they calling it a "Truck By-Pass" and unnecessarily using two banners?

(2) For the US 30 situation [ALTERNATE|TRUCK|EAST|BUSINESS|US 30], this appears to be posted on US 30. I see a through-town 30 Business route on the map, but no other US 30 child routes in the area. Is there a truck route (and this is the alternate to that), or have they needlessly slapped on a couple extra banners here?

[hotdogPi]

(2) For the US 30 situation [ALTERNATE|TRUCK|EAST|BUSINESS|US 30], this appears to be posted on US 30. I see a through-town 30 Business route on the map, but no other US 30 child routes in the area. Is there a truck route (and this is the alternate to that), or have they needlessly slapped on a couple extra banners here?

It should be a 2-bannered route; the third banner is extraneous.

[PHLBOS]

(2) For the US 30 situation [ALTERNATE|TRUCK|EAST|BUSINESS|US 30], this appears to be posted on US 30. I see a through-town 30 Business route on the map, but no other US 30 child routes in the area. Is there a truck route (and this is the alternate to that), or have they needlessly slapped on a couple extra banners here?

In this area, US 30 is the main/bypass highway.  Business US 30/Lancaster Ave. is the older local roadway that was once US 30 prior to the bypass/highway being built.  The multi-bannered sign serves as a truck detour for Business US 30 due to relatively-recently imposed (no more than 10 years ago) weight prohibitions imposed on some older overpasses along Business US 30/Lancaster Ave.

That said, the multi-bannered signs for the detour(s) are overkill for sure.  IMHO, LGS'/unisigns would've been a better signing approach here.

[jakeroot]

No, I am not ever honked at as far as I know. And at least NJ's law seems to make it clear that my belief about yellow is at least correct here (NJSA 39:4-105):

But that law is also quite clear that you cannot enter on yellow or red unless you physically cannot help it. If you're already in the intersection, having entered on green, you should be in the clear.

Well, yeah, I wouldn't expect to b required to stay in the intersection and prevent the traffic that has green to move. The question is, can I enter the intersection on green ball without a reasonable expectation of being able to finish my turn before yellow.

I guess I can't be sure. Where I drive (WA, BC mostly), once you've passed the stop line, the signal itself isn't relevant. The only expectation is that you eventually finish your turn, whenever that moment arrives (typically after oncoming traffic stops).

[ipeters61]

(2) For the US 30 situation [ALTERNATE|TRUCK|EAST|BUSINESS|US 30], this appears to be posted on US 30. I see a through-town 30 Business route on the map, but no other US 30 child routes in the area. Is there a truck route (and this is the alternate to that), or have they needlessly slapped on a couple extra banners here?

In this area, US 30 is the main/bypass highway.  Business US 30/Lancaster Ave. is the older local roadway that was once US 30 prior to the bypass/highway being built.  The multi-bannered sign serves as a truck detour for Business US 30 due to relatively-recently imposed (no more than 10 years ago) weight prohibitions imposed on some older overpasses along Business US 30/Lancaster Ave.

That said, the multi-bannered signs for the detour(s) are overkill for sure.  IMHO, LGS'/unisigns would've been a better signing approach here.

Also doesn't PennDOT typically designate "Truck" routes as "Alternate Truck"?

[Roadsguy]

(2) For the US 30 situation [ALTERNATE|TRUCK|EAST|BUSINESS|US 30], this appears to be posted on US 30. I see a through-town 30 Business route on the map, but no other US 30 child routes in the area. Is there a truck route (and this is the alternate to that), or have they needlessly slapped on a couple extra banners here?

In this area, US 30 is the main/bypass highway.  Business US 30/Lancaster Ave. is the older local roadway that was once US 30 prior to the bypass/highway being built.  The multi-bannered sign serves as a truck detour for Business US 30 due to relatively-recently imposed (no more than 10 years ago) weight prohibitions imposed on some older overpasses along Business US 30/Lancaster Ave.

That said, the multi-bannered signs for the detour(s) are overkill for sure.  IMHO, LGS'/unisigns would've been a better signing approach here.

Also doesn't PennDOT typically designate "Truck" routes as "Alternate Truck"?

"Alternate Truck" routes are a relatively new thing. Regular Truck routes are posted for much stricter weight restrictions, height clearances, posted truck restrictions, or anything that prevents all or almost all trucks from using a route.

[cjk374]

Holy banners: https://www.google.com/maps/@40.0107381,-75.7309172,3a,75y,108.49h,78.55t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sfTNIVqIjSsy_XWUp16G99Q!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

I will see your US 30 ABT East and raise you US 79:

https://www.google.com/maps/@32.7593811,-93.0752517,0a,75y,201.38h,89.75t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sgFkt8MPld-omvJEmUqTIDw!2e0

Questions:

(1) For the US 79 situation [JCT|NORTH|TRUCK|BY-PASS|US 79], I see on the map a 79 Bypass, but is there a separate truck route for the bypass? Or are they calling it a "Truck By-Pass" and unnecessarily using two banners?

I believe it is saying, "Bypass Homer, especially if you drive a big truck." There is no separate truck route for the bypass. But it still amazes me how many truckers still drive through Homer & go around the courthouse square. The bypass opened in 2015 IIRC.

[jemacedo9]

(2) For the US 30 situation [ALTERNATE|TRUCK|EAST|BUSINESS|US 30], this appears to be posted on US 30. I see a through-town 30 Business route on the map, but no other US 30 child routes in the area. Is there a truck route (and this is the alternate to that), or have they needlessly slapped on a couple extra banners here?

In this area, US 30 is the main/bypass highway.  Business US 30/Lancaster Ave. is the older local roadway that was once US 30 prior to the bypass/highway being built.  The multi-bannered sign serves as a truck detour for Business US 30 due to relatively-recently imposed (no more than 10 years ago) weight prohibitions imposed on some older overpasses along Business US 30/Lancaster Ave.

That said, the multi-bannered signs for the detour(s) are overkill for sure.  IMHO, LGS'/unisigns would've been a better signing approach here.

Also doesn't PennDOT typically designate "Truck" routes as "Alternate Truck"?

"Alternate Truck" routes are a relatively new thing. Regular Truck routes are posted for much stricter weight restrictions, height clearances, posted truck restrictions, or anything that prevents all or almost all trucks from using a route.

A few years ago, PA reduced the weight posting of many bridges before Act 89 was passed raising the gas taxes. The official reasoning was that without funding, the lowered posting was in an effort to lengthen the remaining life of those bridges by lowering the loads on those bridges.  Unoffically, it seemed like a publicity stunt...

...but anyway, I might be wrong here, but I thought official truck routes had to be legislated. In order go get around that, when the bridge postings were lowered, PennDOT signed "Alternate Truck" routes instead of official ones.

The US 30 example...the bridge on Business US 30 over the Brandywine Creek has a weight posting, so the US 30 freeway acts as the Alternate Truck route for Business US 30 AND the Alternate Truck route for US 322 since that is multiplexed on the same bridge.  (If anyone has a definitive answer, feel free to correct me here).

That is not to be confused with the Truck Detour for US 322 because of the low clearance for the Amtrak/SEPTA underpass a few blocks further to the east.  That Truck Detour follows US 30, PA 100, and US 202.

[formulanone]

Ginormous Georgia Route 72 shield...

[D-Dey65]

Here's an ugly one on westbound NY 25A approaching NY 110.

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.8713196,-73.4257614,3a,75y,299.79h,90.29t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sov9dth7j01sK4J-Igx2ABA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

I didn't see that in October, but then again I didn't drive west on Main Street there.

[plain]

Ginormous Georgia Route 72 shield...

Here's some for VA 33 where a roundabout was recently constructed along its route in Richmond,  though not quite as large as your GA 72 example.

Image from GSV:



SM-S820L

[Amtrakprod]

There are at least four of these about a mile or two away from the Caltrans building in Sacramento. They all say 17 mph.

What does this sign mean? Drive around manhole cover at 17 mph?   

I'm assuming there is a traffic calming island in the middle of the road.

Actually, these are traffic circle (roundabout) signs, which I think makes them even worse. I should've made that clearer, sorry

I believe I read a traffic study that some signs use odd numbers because it increases driver awareness


iPhone

[Amtrakprod]

Saw this sign, thought it was strange:


iPhone

[hotdogPi]

There are at least four of these about a mile or two away from the Caltrans building in Sacramento. They all say 17 mph.

What does this sign mean? Drive around manhole cover at 17 mph?   

I'm assuming there is a traffic calming island in the middle of the road.

Actually, these are traffic circle (roundabout) signs, which I think makes them even worse. I should've made that clearer, sorry

I believe I read a traffic study that some signs use odd numbers because it increases driver awareness


iPhone

15 and 25 are odd.

[jakeroot]

15 and 25 are odd.

"Odd" as in strange, not the mathematical term.

[NoGoodNamesAvailable]

I believe I read a traffic study that some signs use odd numbers because it increases driver awareness

It does work somewhat initially and for unfamiliar users; but in residential areas where you tend to see these treatments, the surprise value wears off quickly for most users and it doesn't continue to have a significant effect.

[kphoger]

I believe I read a traffic study that some signs use odd numbers because it increases driver awareness

It does work somewhat initially and for unfamiliar users; but in residential areas where you tend to see these treatments, the surprise value wears off quickly for most users and it doesn't continue to have a significant effect.

Honestly, I would probably be less likely to obey an odd number like 17 mph.  I've seen enough signs like that posted in parking lots and driveways that my mind associates them with non-enforcement.

[Max Rockatansky]

Picked up a G28-1 spec California State Route 14 shield for my garage collection, I always thought they were odd:

Untitled by Max Rockatansky, on Flickr

[formulanone]

Picked up a G28-1 spec California State Route 14 shield for my garage collection, I always thought they were odd:

Untitled by Max Rockatansky, on Flickr

Looks like a movie prop where they filmed a flick pertaining to California in another state.

Or an overhead sign, naturally.

[Amtrakprod]

DDOT doubled "don'ted"  a sign, I was looking at NACTO.com at the bike design and noticed this sign instructing drivers to block the box, even though I know they mean not to block it, it's pretty funny:


iPhone

[ipeters61]

DDOT doubled "don'ted"  a sign, I was looking at NACTO.com at the bike design and noticed this sign instructing drivers to block the box, even though I know they mean not to block it, it's pretty funny.

I feel like it would just make more sense to not include the "no" symbol on that sign.

Or just make it like a Do Not Enter sign.

[paulthemapguy]

DDOT doubled "don'ted"  a sign...

Haha.  If this is a common enough occurrence, I'd advocate for a thread called "Reverse Reverse Psychology."

[Max Rockatansky]

Picked up a G28-1 spec California State Route 14 shield for my garage collection, I always thought they were odd:

Untitled by Max Rockatansky, on Flickr

Looks like a movie prop where they filmed a flick pertaining to California in another state.

Or an overhead sign, naturally.

Actually the G28-1 is intended for overhead/BGS signs.  For whatever reason an actual cut-out shield gets produced and some actually make it onto highways like this CA 227:

227CAf by Max Rockatansky, on Flickr

[kphoger]

DDOT doubled "don'ted"  a sign, I was looking at NACTO.com at the bike design and noticed this sign instructing drivers to block the box, even though I know they mean not to block it, it's pretty funny.

I feel like it would just make more sense to not include the "no" symbol on that sign.

Or just make it like a Do Not Enter sign.

But "Don't block the box" and "Do not enter" mean very different things.

[MNHighwayMan]

Found this the other day on Iowa 44 about nine miles west of Guthrie Center. Anyone know of any other lesser-known divides that are marked with prominent signs?