"Corrugated" vs "flat-panel"

[roadfro]

Thanks for that info on Nevada signs, JN. Interesting that Nevada is different in this regard.


I'd be interested to know what the advantages or disadvantages are to the different major types of signs. I've got to imagine that certain types are either less expensive or hold up to the elements differently in order for there to be such widespread differences.

[wytout]

So is this extruded?

AAroads

Actually these are both extruded.  You will never find anything other than extruded sign assemblies on permanent BGS's in CT.  The reason the left sign looks as though it's one piece on the front is that it's newer than the sign to the right, and in the direct sun, the diffusion of sunlight obscures the horizontal lines.

oddly enough, CT uses single flat sheet and incremental type signing for all it's exit gore signs (some rounded, some square), You will never find and extruded exit gore sign here in CT.  And they are all mounted on weak u-posts (not breakaways like the extruded signs are mounted to).  There isn't one standing up straight, and I figure they use cheap sheeting and yielding uposts here because they have to replace them so often --- every time someone mows one down when they can't quite navigate the exit ramp.

[Quillz]

Sorry to bring back an old topic, but I've always noticed that California's corrugated BGS seem to lack the bottom white border. Is this intentional, and if so, what is the reasoning behind it? I'd imagine it's a cost issue, in the sense that motorists won't really see the bottom border anyway, but it just strikes me as odd looking, even ugly.

[Brandon]

Sorry to bring back an old topic, but I've always noticed that California's corrugated BGS seem to lack the bottom white border. Is this intentional, and if so, what is the reasoning behind it? I'd imagine it's a cost issue, in the sense that motorists won't really see the bottom border anyway, but it just strikes me as odd looking, even ugly.

I'd guess, if California's BGSs are lit at night, the border might not be visible.  In other states where they are not lit at night, the border is always visible.

[roadfro]

Sorry to bring back an old topic, but I've always noticed that California's corrugated BGS seem to lack the bottom white border. Is this intentional, and if so, what is the reasoning behind it? I'd imagine it's a cost issue, in the sense that motorists won't really see the bottom border anyway, but it just strikes me as odd looking, even ugly.

For the older button copy signs, I always assumed the lower border was left out for a cost and effectiveness reason. Thinking about it, on an overhead sign lit from below with fluorescent light tubes any button reflectors in the bottom border would be underutilized--the light fixtures would block headlights from reflecting them, and the bottom border isn't incredibly visible from the driver due to blockage by the light fixtures from the road.

[myosh_tino]

For the older button copy signs, I always assumed the lower border was left out for a cost and effectiveness reason. Thinking about it, on an overhead sign lit from below with fluorescent light tubes any button reflectors in the bottom border would be underutilized--the light fixtures would block headlights from reflecting them, and the bottom border isn't incredibly visible from the driver due to blockage by the light fixtures from the road.

Actually, on some of Caltrans' older sign specs (like the G23-1 interchange sequence sign), the following note is placed on the sign spec sheet...

"On overhead mounted signs, with lighting and catwalks, bottom border shall be omitted"

[vtk]

^ There's a BGS in Columbus that's missing a border on the right side.  As far as I can tell, it was installed that way.  I might have a pic somewhere...

Aha, captured this in 2008.  Can't tell from the pic, but this sign is probably button copy – or maybe just the exit tab is button copy...

[Mergingtraffic]

So is this extruded?

AAroads

Actually these are both extruded.  You will never find anything other than extruded sign assemblies on permanent BGS's in CT.  The reason the left sign looks as though it's one piece on the front is that it's newer than the sign to the right, and in the direct sun, the diffusion of sunlight obscures the horizontal lines.

oddly enough, CT uses single flat sheet and incremental type signing for all it's exit gore signs (some rounded, some square), You will never find and extruded exit gore sign here in CT.  And they are all mounted on weak u-posts (not breakaways like the extruded signs are mounted to).  There isn't one standing up straight, and I figure they use cheap sheeting and yielding uposts here because they have to replace them so often --- every time someone mows one down when they can't quite navigate the exit ramp.

Actually I noticed the BBS "Highway Advisory Tune to 1690AM" signs are not extruded.  There is also a BYS Curve 50mph on I-84 EB at Exit 34 that isn't extruded as well. 

[PHLBOS]

Here is a rough list of what the states I've been to generally use:

Alabama:  incremental (corners not rounded)
Arkansas:  newer signs are extruded, older signs are incremental (corners not rounded)
Colorado:  extruded
Florida:  incremental (corners rounded), but IIRC the blue service signs are extruded
Georgia:  extruded, but I've seen newer exit gore signs that were flat panel with rounded corners
Illinois:  extruded
Indiana:  extruded
Kentucky:  extruded
Louisiana:  extruded
Maryland:  extruded
Massachusetts:  extruded
Michigan:  extruded
Mississippi:  mostly extruded, but I've also seen this strange combination of extruded and flat panel on older signs
Missouri:  extruded, but I believe they've used flat panels (rounded corners) on their exit gore signs in the past
Nevada:  extruded
New Hampshire:  extruded
New Jersey:  extruded, but NJ Turnpike used to use incremental
New York:  incremental (corners rounded)
North Carolina:  incremental (corners rounded)
Ohio:  extruded
Pennsylvania:  extruded
South Carolina:  extruded
Tennessee:  extruded
Texas:  extruded
Virginia:  incremental (corners rounded)
West Virginia:  extruded

Feel free to add to this list, correct it, or knock me upside the head for spoiling this thread 

To add (based on my observations):
Connecticut: extruded (at least for current BGS')
Delaware: extruded (although DelDOT used to use incremental w/rounded corners)
Maine: extruded
Oregon: extruded
Rhode Island: extruded

[hbelkins]

Virginia has started using some extruded panel signs. There are a bunch on VA 288 now.

[cpzilliacus]

Virginia:  incremental (corners rounded)

In recent years, VDOT has put up quite a few extruded sign panels, though there was a time when they  were never used in the Commonwealth. 

One case in point is I-395 in the vicinity of the Pentagon in Arlington County, Va. Within the past several years, all of the traditional rounded-corner incremental panels were replaced by extruded ones, that looked to have been designed and fabricated to Maryland SHA specifications.

[Dr Frankenstein]

I thought that the NJTP was still using incremential panel signs.