More symbolic signs, less word only.

[NJ]

I just threw this together in Illustrator...thoughts?

Nice... I like it actually  However, without car on pictogram could also be used

[jwolfer]

The MUTCD has actually been moving more toward symbolization. The 2009 version introduced several new symbols, in part based

I wish someone could explain to me why "narrow bridge" was removed. I still see it all the time, but I know it ain't in the manual:

I really liked this sign and it seemed to be almost universal, at least here on Florida.. Now new digs have NARROW BRIDGE text signs

[GaryV]

Here's something for wind. Shows a wind sock, common in other country's 'wind ahead' signs:

Looks more like a construction barrel that got blown over to me.

[jakeroot]

http://i.imgur.com/Q0pOMIQ.png

Looks more like a construction barrel that got blown over to me.

Hmm, I can see that. Though hopefully the surrounding environment (a bridge, open area, etc) would provide the context necessary for comprehension.

[DaBigE]

http://i.imgur.com/Q0pOMIQ.png

Looks more like a construction barrel that got blown over to me.

Hmm, I can see that. Though hopefully the surrounding environment (a bridge, open area, etc) would provide the context necessary for comprehension.

Combined with roadfro's post we have the reason why so many signs have remained simple one or two-word messages. In order for a sign to be useful, its message has to be clear, quick to understand, and lack ambiguity.

Heh, not bad although it looks like the car's front axle has fallen away.

Perhaps a little extreme.

Here's something for wind. Shows a wind sock, common in other country's 'wind ahead' signs:

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/57/Brasil_A-44.svg/64px-Brasil_A-44.svg.png ... Not sure that this would make sense in places that don't have palm trees...

The point is to at least show a tall object bending over from a visibile strong wind. Tree or otherwise, the point gets across.

How about a some banners on a flagpole, or a single, generic flag perhaps shown bending the pole instead? Borrow the maritime high wind flags as a symbol? On second thought, the latter probably wouldn't test well, especially in the middle of the continent.

[Brandon]

Heh, not bad although it looks like the car's front axle has fallen away.

Perhaps a little extreme.

Here's something for wind. Shows a wind sock, common in other country's 'wind ahead' signs:

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/57/Brasil_A-44.svg/64px-Brasil_A-44.svg.png ... Not sure that this would make sense in places that don't have palm trees...

The point is to at least show a tall object bending over from a visible strong wind. Tree or otherwise, the point gets across.

That might work.  Some states, such as Nebraska, use such windsocks at the tops of freeway overpasses.

[mrsman]

As mentioned earlier, there is no reason why the highway depts. could post both the picture and the meaning on the more obscure signs. 

Here's a great example:

http://thumb7.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/3185393/323238755/stock-photo-black-and-yellow-school-bus-stop-ahead-sign-323238755.jpg

[NJ]

As mentioned earlier, there is no reason why the highway depts. could post both the picture and the meaning on the more obscure signs. 

Here's a great example:

http://thumb7.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/3185393/323238755/stock-photo-black-and-yellow-school-bus-stop-ahead-sign-323238755.jpg

Latest 2009 MUTCD actually added pictogram sign for that similar to yours...

[cjk374]

Why should we change for the sake of the world??? We're Murica! We can do whatever the hell we want! If the world don't like it, they can keep their ass at home!!!

Now that I have vented the redneck out.....

I interpreted California's falling rock sign as BLASTING ZONE when I first saw NJ's original post.  But then myosh_tino said it meant FALLING ROCK and I could see that also.  My idea for a FALLING ROCK symbol sign: the black silhouette of Wylie E. Coyote holding a small umbrella over his head with a rock over him with vertical lines indicating a downward motion.

I don't see NO PASSING in that sign on NJ's original post of it. That would definitely cause confusion.

[mgk920]

Heh, not bad although it looks like the car's front axle has fallen away.

Perhaps a little extreme.

Here's something for wind. Shows a wind sock, common in other country's 'wind ahead' signs:

I do like the idea of using the European-style wind sock image (without the up-arrow) for areas where heavy winds are common, pointing in the most common direction of the high crosswinds.  Also follow the European practice of mounting large wind socks where the high winds are common.

Although I don't have an image handy, I'd also like to see the European 'watch for congested traffic' warning image (the head-on profile of several cars superimposed on each other) used here in North America.  There is a place here in Appleton where such a sign is badly needed.

Use supplemental text plates under the signs for the first 10-20 years of their use to cover the 'Drivers Ed' issue for their meaning.

Mike

[jakeroot]

How about a some banners on a flagpole, or a single, generic flag perhaps shown bending the pole instead? Borrow the maritime high wind flags as a symbol? On second thought, the latter probably wouldn't test well, especially in the middle of the continent.

Still trying to figure out how to best utilize the available space, but I think this is sufficient:

[Mergingtraffic]

I remember reading somewhere that text signs compared to symbols catch the motorist's attention more.  It could be wrong but I remember seeing that factoid somewhere.

[bzakharin]

Tangentially, why did the stop sign make it to so much of the world, including the English word "STOP" itself (usually)? How many other eight-sided red colored signs are there?

[jakeroot]

Tangentially, why did the stop sign make it to so much of the world, including the English word "STOP" itself (usually)? How many other eight-sided red colored signs are there?

The red colour and octagonal shape are unique to stop signs, as you mention. The wording is simply a reminder of what the shape means, should somebody need it.

Most countries use their own language, or a white hand. Not sure if any other country besides majority-English speaking countries use the English "STOP" (although there is the potential that "stop" is the same in other languages).

I remember reading somewhere that text signs compared to symbols catch the motorist's attention more.  It could be wrong but I remember seeing that factoid somewhere.

That seems like a long-shot but I'm all ears if it's true.

[Brandon]

Heh, not bad although it looks like the car's front axle has fallen away.

Perhaps a little extreme.

Here's something for wind. Shows a wind sock, common in other country's 'wind ahead' signs:

I do like the idea of using the European-style wind sock image (without the up-arrow) for areas where heavy winds are common, pointing in the most common direction of the high crosswinds.  Also follow the European practice of mounting large wind socks where the high winds are common.

Nebraska does exactly that where high winds might be common along I-80.

Example: https://goo.gl/maps/cCJxM2dhJTw

[kphoger]

Not sure if any other country besides majority-English speaking countries use the English "STOP"

Turkey is the only European country I'm aware of that uses a word other than English STOP. Even European countries that use the Cyrillic alphabet have English STOP.

[jakeroot]

Not sure if any other country besides majority-English speaking countries use the English "STOP"

Turkey is the only European country I'm aware of that uses a word other than English STOP. Even European countries that use the Cyrillic alphabet have English STOP.

The Vienna convention allows either "STOP" or the language equivalent of the country, which is basically another way of saying "the red octagon is the only important bit". I assume most countries don't use the stop sign enough to give a damn what the text says.

Outside of Europe (ex bits of Ireland and Turkey, evidently), my original point still stands.

[SignGeek101]

Not sure if any other country besides majority-English speaking countries use the English "STOP"

Turkey is the only European country I'm aware of that uses a word other than English STOP. Even European countries that use the Cyrillic alphabet have English STOP.

The Vienna convention allows either "STOP" or the language equivalent of the country, which is basically another way of saying "the red octagon is the only important bit". I assume most countries don't use the stop sign enough to give a damn what the text says.

Outside of Europe (ex bits of Ireland and Turkey, evidently), my original point still stands.

https://goo.gl/maps/L7mUD3X4SCs

Come to think of it, how many countries don't use a red octagon at all (other than Japan, which uses a red triangle).

[jakeroot]

Not sure if any other country besides majority-English speaking countries use the English "STOP"

Turkey is the only European country I'm aware of that uses a word other than English STOP. Even European countries that use the Cyrillic alphabet have English STOP.

The Vienna convention allows either "STOP" or the language equivalent of the country, which is basically another way of saying "the red octagon is the only important bit". I assume most countries don't use the stop sign enough to give a damn what the text says.

Outside of Europe (ex bits of Ireland and Turkey, evidently), my original point still stands.

https://goo.gl/maps/L7mUD3X4SCs

Come to think of it, how many countries don't use a red octagon at all (other than Japan, which uses a red triangle).

The red octagon is fairly standard. Zimbabwe uses a black cross. The Vienna Convention provides for a circle with an upside-down triangle as well.

Indonesia is a fairly isolated example. Most Asian countries use their local language.

[jwolfer]

Not sure if any other country besides majority-English speaking countries use the English "STOP"

Turkey is the only European country I'm aware of that uses a word other than English STOP. Even European countries that use the Cyrillic alphabet have English STOP.

I know Turkey has a small bit in Europe. But it is mostly in Asia.

[Rothman]

Not sure if any other country besides majority-English speaking countries use the English "STOP"

Turkey is the only European country I'm aware of that uses a word other than English STOP. Even European countries that use the Cyrillic alphabet have English STOP.

The Vienna convention allows either "STOP" or the language equivalent of the country, which is basically another way of saying "the red octagon is the only important bit". I assume most countries don't use the stop sign enough to give a damn what the text says.

Outside of Europe (ex bits of Ireland and Turkey, evidently), my original point still stands.

When I lived in Volgograd, Russia, I saw your typical, English STOP sign at the exit from a lot that contained a market and a small circus.  Only one I saw when I was there.

[bzakharin]

Not sure if any other country besides majority-English speaking countries use the English "STOP"

Turkey is the only European country I'm aware of that uses a word other than English STOP. Even European countries that use the Cyrillic alphabet have English STOP.

The Vienna convention allows either "STOP" or the language equivalent of the country, which is basically another way of saying "the red octagon is the only important bit". I assume most countries don't use the stop sign enough to give a damn what the text says.

Outside of Europe (ex bits of Ireland and Turkey, evidently), my original point still stands.

When I lived in Volgograd, Russia, I saw your typical, English STOP sign at the exit from a lot that contained a market and a small circus.  Only one I saw when I was there.

There was one in St. Petersburg (then Leningrad) in a park (or maybe next to) near where I lived. It would be around here somewhere: https://www.google.com/maps/@59.9926878,30.3502073,16z though no idea if it's still there

[NJRoadfan]

An actual "rough road ahead" graphical sign installed in the US: https://goo.gl/maps/w3o97k75JH72

[roadfro]

^ That is the old "pavement ends" sign.

[briantroutman]

^ That is the old "pavement ends" sign.

I didn't realize that sign was "old"  until I checked the current MUTCD and saw that it refers only to the "PAVEMENT ENDS (W8-3) word message sign" . Was the graphical sign decertified?