Wisconsin "AHEAD" sign usage

[tman]

Do any other states use signs with the routes in question and the word "AHEAD" (typically on a pull-through, though I have seen ground mounted examples) as much as Wisconsin does/in the same manner?

It seems that the most logical use case involves a multiplex where a route is added on after an interchange (or intersection, I suppose)
- this sign is used to show that US 14 and US 151 will be "added" ahead after the upcoming interchange to what is already US 12 and US 18. (That is, an implied "US 12/18 now, US 12/14/18/151 after the interchange (ahead).")

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.0373329,-89.3898468,3a,75y,259.51h,104.97t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s-Ymad3TQ8559CTAUOHRWwg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

But this example is a bit more confusing... you're already on US 18/US 151. The road that lies ahead is still US 18/US 151, but the road you're already on is too. The interchange here is a county highway, and there is no switching of routes nearby.

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.0269312,-89.4661216,3a,75y,218.86h,89.45t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1st54DYJcCPlsbTpIjVmoOUQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

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As another example, Tomah (the I-90/94 junction) has this sign at the divergence of the routes (westbound), saying that I-90 exits and that I-94 is "AHEAD."

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.9799224,-90.4249796,3a,75y,300.5h,94.92t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sVbiei8JItRVTTauzzVVVqw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

Eastbound on I-94, approaching the junction with I-90, there is a sign saying that I-90/94 are "AHEAD."

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.9942797,-90.463972,3a,75y,117.74h,94.03t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sf4cVDRBCJWcXWZ5g5egWzg!2e0!5s20121001T000000!7i16384!8i8192

But, strangely, we don't get the same sign eastbound on I-90. That sign omits the word entirely in favor of an arrow (it's at least as old as 2009, so not a new install).

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.9781728,-90.4608695,3a,75y,56.42h,102.12t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s_wxE4brgS0Gb5UXZ94l2dg!2e0!5s20121001T000000!7i16384!8i8192

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I think the use of the word when a route is added makes sense (i.e., the beginning of a concurrency), but the uses where the road doesn't change numbers/no routes are added are a bit more interesting (like the second example). It's something I associate strongly with Wisconsin's highways, though some of their newer diagrammatic signage on Madison's Beltline seems to have omitted the word in favor of arrows.

Thoughts? Ideas why they do this? Any notable examples?

[Rothman]

It just means to keep going straight for the listed routes, I thought.  No biggie.

[kphoger]

It just means to keep going straight for the listed routes, I thought.  No biggie.

To me, it sounds like there will be an intersection or exit coming up for those routes.

[GaryV]

I guess it came from the same dictionary where they found "bubbler".

[Rothman]

It just means to keep going straight for the listed routes, I thought.  No biggie.

To me, it sounds like there will be an intersection or exit coming up for those routes.

Well, I guess you'll be confused when driving in WI, then.

I don't find it that much of a leap to go from where everywhere else uses straight arrows to WI's use of "ahead," especially when I know what route I'm on.  Just a signage quirk.

[kphoger]

Frankly, I think an up-arrow is similarly ambiguous.

[Rothman]

Frankly, I think an up-arrow is similarly ambiguous.

The world must be full of ambiguity...

[JoePCool14]

I've never really found it confusing. AHEAD just means straight ahead. It's not necessary, but it's not confusing either. If there was an upcoming junction, there would be a distance or Next Exit or Junction plaque instead.

[kphoger]

Frankly, I think an up-arrow is similarly ambiguous.

The world must be full of ambiguity...

Up-arrows frequently mean that a turn will required shortly to reach that destination.

[Rothman]

Frankly, I think an up-arrow is similarly ambiguous.

The world must be full of ambiguity...

Up-arrows frequently mean that a turn will required shortly to reach that destination.

So much for APLs.

[kphoger]

So much for APLs.

Down-arrows are less ambiguous.  However, APLs are diagrammatic enough in nature that the up-arrows on them have a clearer meaning than in other contexts.

[Rothman]

So much for APLs.

Down-arrows are less ambiguous.  However, APLs are diagrammatic enough in nature that the up-arrows on them have a clearer meaning than in other contexts.

Sounds ambiguous.

[kphoger]

glad we agree

[Hobart]

I know this isn't related to the big green signs, but it's still ahead sign use.

I noticed that they use it when they mount left turn signals and through signals right next to each other; they refer to the signal for through traffic as the "ahead signal" in the same vein as "left turn signal" and "right turn signal". There's more examples, but here's one at Miller Park Way and National Avenue in West Milwaukee:

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.0207035,-87.9700749,3a,90y,15.18h,90.37t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sdTqU5q5LgH5uaCCEc3sngg!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DdTqU5q5LgH5uaCCEc3sngg%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D6.450613%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192

The only other state that I know does something similar for their through signals is Michigan, which puts a fancy lighted box that says "thru" if an intersection has a really funky layout and that sign is needed.

[ET21]

The IL tollway will also use the "Ahead" wording on a few signs. But they have been slowly disappearing over the years as newer signs are put up. The most recent examples I can remember is along I-294 as the ongoing rebuild continues.

I-294 NB before I-290 JCT
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.8644432,-87.917563,3a,75y,21.07h,92.2t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sdQjAfEy0WQ_XswK_bY7Rdw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

I-294 SB at the I-55 ramp
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.7720817,-87.9072022,3a,75y,166.44h,91.73t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sjqqlb22YxdJ29qkbvw8YQg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

I-90 WB used to have one at the I-39/US-20 JCT, but that was replaced after the 3 lane and the I-39/US-20 JCT rebuilds of the late 2000s/early 2010s
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.2471879,-88.9547593,3a,53.4y,273.47h,96.42t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s7PHkraMdgWCkv9WOVzebyw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

[Revive 755]

I-294 NB before I-290 JCT
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.8644432,-87.917563,3a,75y,21.07h,92.2t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sdQjAfEy0WQ_XswK_bY7Rdw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

A work zone speed limit of 40 - seriously?  Is ISTHA trying to cause problems given how few people obey the 45 mph speed limits?

[Bitmapped]

WVDOH uses "Straight Ahead" in a number of places on pull-through signs. I've never seen just "Ahead" used.

[ET21]

I-294 NB before I-290 JCT
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.8644432,-87.917563,3a,75y,21.07h,92.2t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sdQjAfEy0WQ_XswK_bY7Rdw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

A work zone speed limit of 40 - seriously?  Is ISTHA trying to cause problems given how few people obey the 45 mph speed limits?

That was for the ramp work from NB 294 to EB/WB 290. The 45 mph was justified, its was a tight ramp before switching to the new concrete this year. A similar speed limit is on the SB 294 to 95th ramp currently where you go into a construction trench in some parts, feels like you're going down the Death Star trench  .

[skluth]

Having grown up in Wisconsin, I don't find "AHEAD" on signs confusing at all. It means just follow the main road and you'll get to that highway if you're not already on it. I honestly don't see how anyone can be confused by it. AHEAD may not be the standard everywhere, but the meaning is clear unless you're trying to make it more complicated than it really is.

[kphoger]

the meaning is clear unless you're trying to make it more complicated than it really is.

I agree in general.  I can just also see how someone might interpret it as meaning that the exit for that route is ahead instead.

But the main thing is that it's unnecessary.  Just leave off the word 'AHEAD' entirely, or else put down-arrows.  Either one is less ambiguous, in my opinion.

[skluth]

the meaning is clear unless you're trying to make it more complicated than it really is.

I agree in general.  I can just also see how someone might interpret it as meaning that the exit for that route is ahead instead.

But the main thing is that it's unnecessary.  Just leave off the word 'AHEAD' entirely, or else put down-arrows.  Either one is less ambiguous, in my opinion.

I don't see how 'AHEAD' is any more ambiguous than down arrows. Both are guiding you to the highway you want. It seems to me that some drivers want more guidance at a future point if they see 'AHEAD' while they don't with down arrows. Yet it's just as likely that the routing for the highway you are on exits shortly down the road when a sign uses down arrows as much as any verbal guidance. To me, this just looks like someone looking for a reason to complain because it's not being done how they want it done.

[SEWIGuy]

the meaning is clear unless you're trying to make it more complicated than it really is.

I agree in general.  I can just also see how someone might interpret it as meaning that the exit for that route is ahead instead.

But the main thing is that it's unnecessary.  Just leave off the word 'AHEAD' entirely, or else put down-arrows.  Either one is less ambiguous, in my opinion.

I don't see how 'AHEAD' is any more ambiguous than down arrows. Both are guiding you to the highway you want. It seems to me that some drivers want more guidance at a future point if they see 'AHEAD' while they don't with down arrows. Yet it's just as likely that the routing for the highway you are on exits shortly down the road when a sign uses down arrows as much as any verbal guidance. To me, this just looks like someone looking for a reason to complain because it's not being done how they want it done.

If we eliminated those types of conversations here, AARoads would have like two posts a day.

[GaryV]

If we eliminated those types of conversations here, AARoads would have like two posts a day.

No, we'd still get at least 5 posts a day. Prove me wrong.

[Rothman]

the meaning is clear unless you're trying to make it more complicated than it really is.

I agree in general.  I can just also see how someone might interpret it as meaning that the exit for that route is ahead instead.

But the main thing is that it's unnecessary.  Just leave off the word 'AHEAD' entirely, or else put down-arrows.  Either one is less ambiguous, in my opinion.

I don't see how 'AHEAD' is any more ambiguous than down arrows. Both are guiding you to the highway you want. It seems to me that some drivers want more guidance at a future point if they see 'AHEAD' while they don't with down arrows. Yet it's just as likely that the routing for the highway you are on exits shortly down the road when a sign uses down arrows as much as any verbal guidance. To me, this just looks like someone looking for a reason to complain because it's not being done how they want it done.

If we eliminated those types of conversations here, AARoads would have like two posts a day.

Some posts have already been eliminated in this thread.

[tman]

the meaning is clear unless you're trying to make it more complicated than it really is.

I agree in general.  I can just also see how someone might interpret it as meaning that the exit for that route is ahead instead.

But the main thing is that it's unnecessary.  Just leave off the word 'AHEAD' entirely, or else put down-arrows.  Either one is less ambiguous, in my opinion.

I don't see how 'AHEAD' is any more ambiguous than down arrows. Both are guiding you to the highway you want. It seems to me that some drivers want more guidance at a future point if they see 'AHEAD' while they don't with down arrows. Yet it's just as likely that the routing for the highway you are on exits shortly down the road when a sign uses down arrows as much as any verbal guidance. To me, this just looks like someone looking for a reason to complain because it's not being done how they want it done.

If I came off as though I was complaining about the practice, I didn't intend to... I don't mind this by any means (and do actually find it to be an interesting localism from Wisconsin), but was just trying to see if there were other places where such signs were common, or if anyone knew the purpose of the word in the manner that it is used here (particularly when the route doesn't change, as in the second link in the original post - those are the ones that seem more interesting to me).