AARoads Forum

National Boards => General Highway Talk => Topic started by: txstateends on April 17, 2019, 02:44:18 PM

Title: Alternate uses for the yellow downward-arrow and AHEAD signs
Post by: txstateends on April 17, 2019, 02:44:18 PM
Has anyone seen local/state use of the downward-arrow and AHEAD yellow signs, but not just with pedestrian or school uses?  Recently I saw an RXR yellow-round with AHEAD below it, followed by another one (without AHEAD), then the crossing with crossbucks/full signals/gates.  The one with AHEAD added is prior to a slight right-curve where the eventual crossing, for a light-rail transit line, isn't at first apparent.  (Irving, TX) (GSV)
(https://i.ibb.co/X37ms3x/Screenshot-8.png)

This one, meanwhile, has no advance AHEAD signage, but uses the downward-arrow to point to a DIP.  (Farmers Branch, TX) (GSV)
(https://i.ibb.co/473Ksxg/Screenshot-6.png)
Title: Re: Alternate uses for the yellow downward-arrow and AHEAD signs
Post by: Brian556 on April 17, 2019, 02:57:52 PM
In my opinion. DIP and BUMP signs should be required to use the AHEAD/ [DOWN ARROW] plaques because the current sign is too ambiguous as to the location of the condition. BUMP and DIP signs are sometimes placed in advance of the condition, and sometimes right at it, with no consistency.

So cities are catching on. Denton does this for DIP signs https://www.google.com/maps/@33.1770745,-97.0881671,3a,46.1y,0.9h,88.74t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1so7pzh8QwtZUyn5eqb1STHQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192 (https://www.google.com/maps/@33.1770745,-97.0881671,3a,46.1y,0.9h,88.74t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1so7pzh8QwtZUyn5eqb1STHQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192), but their plaques are too small. Grapevine puts the arrow inside the DIP sign, and it looks crappyhttps://www.google.com/maps/@32.9289847,-97.0832107,3a,75y,292.58h,93.92t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sRf5_QghmYfAjpsSzwdFkAA!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo2.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DRf5_QghmYfAjpsSzwdFkAA%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D259.78662%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192 (https://www.google.com/maps/@32.9289847,-97.0832107,3a,75y,292.58h,93.92t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sRf5_QghmYfAjpsSzwdFkAA!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo2.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DRf5_QghmYfAjpsSzwdFkAA%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D259.78662%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192)

There's an intersection ahead sign with an ahead plaque in Shady Shores. They are a small town, so those responsible for signs aren't gonna be too knowledgeable:https://www.google.com/maps/@33.1437488,-97.0299176,3a,48.7y,7.38h,86.41t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sFBoRolocNfaZSSigYlidWA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192 (https://www.google.com/maps/@33.1437488,-97.0299176,3a,48.7y,7.38h,86.41t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sFBoRolocNfaZSSigYlidWA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192)
Title: Re: Alternate uses for the yellow downward-arrow and AHEAD signs
Post by: kphoger on April 17, 2019, 03:15:43 PM
I see [AHEAD] used for roundabouts somewhat frequently.
Title: Re: Alternate uses for the yellow downward-arrow and AHEAD signs
Post by: roadman on April 18, 2019, 11:20:36 AM
Quote from: Brian556 on April 17, 2019, 02:57:52 PM
In my opinion. DIP and BUMP signs should be required to use the AHEAD/ [DOWN ARROW] plaques because the current sign is too ambiguous as to the location of the condition. BUMP and DIP signs are sometimes placed in advance of the condition, and sometimes right at it, with no consistency


Does it make sense to put up a DIP sign two inches before you get to the dip?  You're driving a car and you're "What's the sign say?  The sign says DIP.  Thump!"  If you want to help somebody, put the sign after you've hit the dip.  You've just hit a dip.  Thanks a lot, appreciate that.  - Bill Cosby, from the Driving in San Francisco routine
Title: Re: Alternate uses for the yellow downward-arrow and AHEAD signs
Post by: Revive 755 on April 18, 2019, 10:20:28 PM
[Ahead] is fairly common in Illinois prior to pedestrian/trail crossings.

Example on Kirk Road in Kane County (https://goo.gl/maps/3vTYBKAQVfCFnUgn6).
Example on Chain of Rocks Road in Madison County (https://goo.gl/maps/ndWTLg87bF3EAFEe8)


IIRC Nebraska has done 'Bump Ahead' (one sign) and a Bump sign with the downward diagonal arrow in construction zones.