Challenge: Find The Sign

[ctsignguy]

You mean like one of these?  (sign courtesy of the legendary Michael Summa's collection)

Yes, that one! Now if we can only find an example of one in the field (whether it's an old photo or new).

Only one i found was in the Gallery
www.aaroads.com/shields/show.php?image=MA19880951

[agentsteel53]

that's not '61 spec though - doesn't count!

[rickmastfan67]

A Button Copy sign within the state of Wyoming.

Go go go

I can say the same for Delaware and Virginia

Here you go.
http://maps.google.com/maps?client=firefox-a&hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=37.253517,-81.117575&spn=0.006285,0.013937&z=17&layer=c&cbll=37.253738,-81.117711&panoid=JS0ghKWSpTKjQ9pzXLD1xA&cbp=12,344.67,,1,-2.27

Too bad it's from WVDOT, but it is posted in VA.

[MDOTFanFB]

Here is a neutered 3di shield (the one on the leftmost sign):



And a neutered 2di shield:

[Quillz]

Is that 3di shield using Series D or something thicker? It really should be Series C, would look much better.

[Ian]

A Button Copy sign within the state of Wyoming.

Go go go

I can say the same for Delaware and Virginia

Here you go.
http://maps.google.com/maps?client=firefox-a&hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=37.253517,-81.117575&spn=0.006285,0.013937&z=17&layer=c&cbll=37.253738,-81.117711&panoid=JS0ghKWSpTKjQ9pzXLD1xA&cbp=12,344.67,,1,-2.27

Too bad it's from WVDOT, but it is posted in VA.

Now try finding one installed by Virginia

[MDOTFanFB]

Is that 3di shield using Series D or something thicker? It really should be Series C, would look much better.

Series F.

[agentsteel53]

Louisiana is also super tough to find button copy.  the only sign I know of is a black (!) guide sign pointing to the Superdome.

also, Mississippi - none in that state as far as I know.

[MDOTFanFB]

the only sign I know of is a black (!) guide sign pointing to the Superdome.

Black guide signs are also super tough to find anywhere! Prior to 1971, black was the standard color for guide signs on non-Interstate highways. Also before 1971, white was the color to use to separate two-way traffic.

[Quillz]

Am I the only one who thinks that black guide signs on freeways is the way to go? Seems like it would be more legible than the current green signs.

[thenetwork]

Is that 3di shield using Series D or something thicker? It really should be Series C, would look much better.

If you're referring to the I-475 sign, I don't know the specifics, but I can tell you that is EXACTLY how some of the original I-475 signs looked like on some of the overhead BGSs of the I-475 stretch between I-75 and US-23 on the north end of Toledo, for what it's worth. 

[thenetwork]

A Button Copy sign within the state of Wyoming.

Go go go

I can say the same for Delaware and Virginia

Here you go.
http://maps.google.com/maps?client=firefox-a&hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=37.253517,-81.117575&spn=0.006285,0.013937&z=17&layer=c&cbll=37.253738,-81.117711&panoid=JS0ghKWSpTKjQ9pzXLD1xA&cbp=12,344.67,,1,-2.27

Too bad it's from WVDOT, but it is posted in VA.

But is that really a DOT-installed sign?  Usually, there are private contractors that install & maintain the blue service/logo signs (since they make money off of the businesses that wish  to "advertise" their location directly on the freeway signage (toll roads are usually done by the toll commissions themselves) -- they just have to follow the respective states' sign specs for BGS installations.

[Scott5114]

Am I the only one who thinks that black guide signs on freeways is the way to go? Seems like it would be more legible than the current green signs.

FHWA did a study around the beginning of the Interstate System that had motorists drive down a stretch of test road (it may have been an unopened Interstate) with signs done up in green, blue, and black, and they were asked to vote on the color of the signs at the end of the track. Green got the most, then blue, then black brought up the rear.

[Quillz]

I'm just kind of surprised, is all. I thought white against black would be the most visible color scheme. Apparently not.

[MDOTFanFB]

Well, I have found a one-way road where the left solid line is white! http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=41.656585,-83.511114&spn=0,0.01369&z=17&layer=c&cbll=41.656693,-83.511026&panoid=ZeH6g1Utg76DXudABxlK3Q&cbp=12,63.07,,0,24.75

[Quillz]

Looking through the Shield Gallery, I found what's probably my favorite Interstate shield ever:



This is a wide, 1961 shield. The best shield, in my opinion. Has a good width, the numerals are well proportioned and it has a nice, thick white border. I also like the same shield neutered, which some of my more recent Interstate shield concepts are based on.

[hbelkins]

Louisiana is also super tough to find button copy.  the only sign I know of is a black (!) guide sign pointing to the Superdome.

I've seen some "Connecticut-style" button copy guide signs in Louisiana, plus my wife took a few photos of some during a couple of jaunts across I-10 in the last few years.

[MDOTFanFB]

Found a text "Pavement Ends" sign. This one is 1948-spec.

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=42.137139,-83.402367&spn=0,0.01369&z=17&layer=c&cbll=42.137134,-83.402515&panoid=wS2IKb7EfQaXjdBmNy_Vdw&cbp=12,305.26,,0,-8.59

[yakra]

2di inside a 3di shield (though this really isn't an error, as the 95 shield covers a 495 shield):

There is, however, a genuine goofy 3di-width I-95 shield, on the southbound Turnpike just after the Kennebunk service area -- the part of the Turnpike that's always been I-95. Near the ME35 overpass IIRC.
I doubt I have a photo of it to post, and if I did, there's no obvious place to start looking...

[Ian]

There is also this at I-95/Maine Turnpike exit 32 in Biddeford:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Biddeford,+ME&aq=0&sll=37.09024,-95.712891&sspn=33.489543,78.662109&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Biddeford,+York,+Maine&ll=43.47955,-70.497851&spn=0,0.019205&t=h&z=16&layer=c&cbll=43.479505,-70.497948&panoid=NYGXTS3c_BnAtnygs05JkA&cbp=12,344.62,,0,2.99

This section has also always been I-95.

[OracleUsr]

Whoa, wait...Montreal, PQ, as a control city for I-95???  The heck is that all about?

[Dr Frankenstein]

'The Hell? At that point you're already WAY East of Montreal, and only getting farther.

[OracleUsr]

Actually, there's a sign for Quebec, PQ, further north on I-95, at the US 201 interchange in Skowhegan, north of Portland...actually north of Augusta.

[NE2]

Whoa, wait...Montreal, PQ, as a control city for I-95???  The heck is that all about?

Presumably one of the exits on I-95 is signed for Montreal, though I can't figure out which one.

[Dr Frankenstein]

Quebec city makes more sense than Montreal as a control city there, especially for US-201, which heads straight there. US-201 is signed all the way from Quebec City along A-73 and QC-173.