Random thought: Who are the staff that actually work on numbering decisions?

Started by TheStranger, December 11, 2024, 05:11:49 PM

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TheStranger

Route numbering/decommissioning/alignment questions practically have been everywhere in the roadgeek world from the start, and for understandable reasons: some roads practically are brands within themselves.

I think of course of the whole 60 vs. 66 debate for the Santa Monica-Chicago US route, and how that got swayed in multiple directions over time.

Now, we know of AASHTO's roles, or various state legislatures, or sometimes things codified in spending bills. 

What I am curious about more is...

- Have any of the past/present DOT employees here actively worked on deciding a particular route number?
- Within AASHTO, or legislative staff, etc., who is tasked with this? 

A bit of a long shot but am curious primarily about what goes into the route number decision process, even if it is say something like "Okay, we have a 69 east, west, and central branch, we already have 35E and 35W in this state, why not have it as 69E, 69W, and 69C?" 

For that matter, the same thing goes for numbering outside of the highway realm, like transit route numbering.  (I can see geographic cluster patterns for instance with SacRT's bus routes, while a lot of longer Muni routes in SF have their roots in streetcar lines from a decade ago.)
Chris Sampang


Rothman

Only within the context of changing the designation of I-81 as part of the I-81 Viaduct Project.
Please note: All comments here represent my own personal opinion and do not reflect the official position(s) of NYSDOT.

TheStranger

Quote from: Rothman on December 11, 2024, 06:43:20 PMOnly within the context of changing the designation of I-81 as part of the I-81 Viaduct Project.

In that particular case, was a 3di ever considered/suggested or was Business 81 always the primary concept on the table? 
Chris Sampang

Rothman

Quote from: TheStranger on December 11, 2024, 08:28:20 PM
Quote from: Rothman on December 11, 2024, 06:43:20 PMOnly within the context of changing the designation of I-81 as part of the I-81 Viaduct Project.

In that particular case, was a 3di ever considered/suggested or was Business 81 always the primary concept on the table? 

Business 81 was always the primary concept.  It was too far along in the process with FHWA to switch it to 3dis as the EIS went out for public review, I believe.

(personal opinion emphasized)
Please note: All comments here represent my own personal opinion and do not reflect the official position(s) of NYSDOT.

vdeane

Quote from: Rothman on December 11, 2024, 10:11:02 PMBusiness 81 was always the primary concept.  It was too far along in the process with FHWA to switch it to 3dis as the EIS went out for public review, I believe.

(personal opinion emphasized)
Weren't there earlier rounds that looked at an interstate with state route extension.  Way before the EIS, before the additional rounds of tunnel study, back when it looked like the "missing moves" would be built even with the boulevard?

I have to admit, I've long wondered if attempting to appease the businesses upset with I-81 moving was part of the motivation.

(personal opinion)
Please note: All comments here represent my own personal opinion and do not reflect the official position of NYSDOT or its affiliates.

hbelkins

I got asked if I had an idea for the number that was going to be assigned to Reges Road in Estill County when it was adopted into the state system. I didn't, and it got assigned KY 3547.

That decision was made by someone in our Planning group.
Government would be tolerable if not for politicians and bureaucrats.

elsmere241

I have nothing to do with route numbers, but I maintain and assign address numbers here at New Castle County.

vdeane

The closest I've ever come is putting together a good chunk of the AASHTO application to move route 9 in Albany for the Skyway.  The new alignment was already chosen by the time I got involved, however.
Please note: All comments here represent my own personal opinion and do not reflect the official position of NYSDOT or its affiliates.

Rothman

Quote from: vdeane on December 12, 2024, 12:49:48 PM
Quote from: Rothman on December 11, 2024, 10:11:02 PMBusiness 81 was always the primary concept.  It was too far along in the process with FHWA to switch it to 3dis as the EIS went out for public review, I believe.

(personal opinion emphasized)
Weren't there earlier rounds that looked at an interstate with state route extension.  Way before the EIS, before the additional rounds of tunnel study, back when it looked like the "missing moves" would be built even with the boulevard?

I have to admit, I've long wondered if attempting to appease the businesses upset with I-81 moving was part of the motivation.

(personal opinion)

Actually not sure, since I've only been aware since the EIS started to get drafted.

The change in designation still is awaiting national network rulemaking by FHWA and designation actions by AASHTO, by the way, but it's like waiting for a rubber stamp at this point, per my understanding.

(yet another personal opinion)
Please note: All comments here represent my own personal opinion and do not reflect the official position(s) of NYSDOT.

6a

Quote from: TheStranger on December 11, 2024, 05:11:49 PMFor that matter, the same thing goes for numbering outside of the highway realm, like transit route numbering.  (I can see geographic cluster patterns for instance with SacRT's bus routes, while a lot of longer Muni routes in SF have their roots in streetcar lines from a decade ago.)

I can address this for my particular situation (transit bus operator). Our system is numbered like this:

1-12 serve downtown, as well as 101 and 102, which serve limited stops. A hub and spoke kind of thing.
20s and 30s are "crosstown" routes; 20s go north-south, 30s go east-west.
40s-70s are express routes; 40s are in the northeast part of the county, 50s southeast, 60s southwest, 70s northwest.
We do have some oddballs, like zoo service (141) and defunct lines like a downtown circulator (152) and a casino shuttle (222), although why they didn't number that one 777 is beyond me.



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