Unique, Odd, or Interesting Signs aka The good, the bad, and the ugly

[Scott5114]

Right, I think that's a valid way of designing it. So long as there's some sort of cue that it is a supplemental sign and not part of the main series of destination signs.

The last time I got "lost" was in 2007, because of a series of signs in DC that changed the "official" destination legend from panel to panel. DC-295 just spontaneously vanished and was replaced by "Pennsylvania Avenue" on later panels. So, lacking confidence in whether that was the exit I wanted, I ended up in Anacostia instead. Whoops. (Such destination legend rotation between panels is explicitly forbidden in the MUTCD, but DDOT is pretty weird in a lot of ways. "US Senate" and "US House" are apparently different destinations, despite being technically housed in the same building, etc.)

But they're not the same building.  The Senate office buildings are NE of the Capitol, the House buildings are south of it.
Those are where the work gets done (such as it does).  The Capitol Building is for floor votes and tourists.

If you're going to the Dirksen/Rayburn/whatever building, you know what you're doing enough that you probably don't need a guide sign to get there.......

For most of the public if they want to see the "House" or the "Senate", they're looking for that building on the back of the $50 bill.

[J N Winkler]

I thought it was "US Senate" and "The House" (a lack of parallelism that really stuck out to me when I lived and worked in the metro DC area), and that those exits off I-395 led to parking garages which only members of Congress and their staffers could use.

[tckma]

I thought it was "US Senate" and "The House" (a lack of parallelism that really stuck out to me when I lived and worked in the metro DC area), and that those exits off I-395 led to parking garages which only members of Congress and their staffers could use.

Most state governments also have a State Senate, but the population-based body is called something different:  Maryland House of Delegates, New York State Assembly, et. al.  So "US Senate" disambiguates from state senates, but The House is just The House.

(Although, if I see the words "Maryland House," I think of the rest stop on I-95.  Usually we say "House of Delegates.")

[Brian556]

Interesting Texas and incorrect Oklahoma state highway detour signage:
https://www.google.com/maps/@34.68174,-99.9134353,3a,25.7y,92.28h,90.35t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1soPDgHKFFTBJ7hQDcx8SN1A!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

[paulthemapguy]

Get a load of this craziness.

This photo is taken facing northbound on I-74 in Moline, IL, at IL-5.  The NB-to-EB ramp is closed, and this picture shows the detour established by IDOT.  They want northbound cars to use three leaves of the cloverleaf to reach the eastbound lanes of IL-5!  It works, but just....why??  And do they really expect the average non-roadgeek motorist to understand this upon their first glance at this sign?


IMG_9217 by Paul Drives, on Flickr

[Roadgeekteen]

Get a load of this craziness.

This photo is taken facing northbound on I-74 in Moline, IL, at IL-5.  The NB-to-EB ramp is closed, and this picture shows the detour established by IDOT.  They want northbound cars to use three leaves of the cloverleaf to reach the eastbound lanes of IL-5!  It works, but just....why??  And do they really expect the average non-roadgeek motorist to understand this upon their first glance at this sign?


IMG_9217 by Paul Drives, on Flickr

At first glance, allI saw were lines.

[US 89]

Get a load of this craziness.

This photo is taken facing northbound on I-74 in Moline, IL, at IL-5.  The NB-to-EB ramp is closed, and this picture shows the detour established by IDOT.  They want northbound cars to use three leaves of the cloverleaf to reach the eastbound lanes of IL-5!  It works, but just....why??  And do they really expect the average non-roadgeek motorist to understand this upon their first glance at this sign?


IMG_9217 by Paul Drives, on Flickr

At first glance, allI saw were lines.

It looks like the Apple command symbol.

[jakeroot]

This photo is taken facing northbound on I-74 in Moline, IL, at IL-5.  The NB-to-EB ramp is closed, and this picture shows the detour established by IDOT.  They want northbound cars to use three leaves of the cloverleaf to reach the eastbound lanes of IL-5!  It works, but just....why??  And do they really expect the average non-roadgeek motorist to understand this upon their first glance at this sign?

The diagram is fine, but there better be loads of "DETOUR ->" signs. There's no way someone could figure everything out at a quick glance. Even roadgeeks (judging by the above comments) might be a bit flustered (at least at first).

[mrsman]

This photo is taken facing northbound on I-74 in Moline, IL, at IL-5.  The NB-to-EB ramp is closed, and this picture shows the detour established by IDOT.  They want northbound cars to use three leaves of the cloverleaf to reach the eastbound lanes of IL-5!  It works, but just....why??  And do they really expect the average non-roadgeek motorist to understand this upon their first glance at this sign?

The diagram is fine, but there better be loads of "DETOUR ->" signs. There's no way someone could figure everything out at a quick glance. Even roadgeeks (judging by the above comments) might be a bit flustered (at least at first).

It's very hard to decipher a sign like that at highway speeds.  But, I assume that using 3 loops would be the most efficient detour, and yes, I beleive that other state that do a similar detour will have "DETOUR" signs throughout the loops to make it easier.  Technically, the detour signs would only be needed on the first 2 loops with signs saying "DETOUR IL-5 EAST".  The third loop is permanently signed for IL-5 East.

This is a freeway version of using 3 lefts to make a right.

[freebrickproductions]

This is a freeway version of using 3 lefts to make a right.

...But you still can't make 2 wrongs.

[Jet380]

This is a freeway version of using 3 lefts to make a right.

Or more technically, using 9 rights to make a right! I think there'd be some dizzy drivers out there 

[US 89]

This is a freeway version of using 3 lefts to make a right.

Or more technically, using 9 rights to make a right! I think there'd be some dizzy drivers out there 

Funny, we were just discussing this in another thread.

[paulthemapguy]

This is a freeway version of using 3 lefts to make a right.

Or more technically, using 9 rights to make a right! I think there'd be some dizzy drivers out there 

Funny, we were just discussing this in another thread.

So...much metaquoting...can't make sense...of anything...

As an aside, here's something I learned about Iowa that I love.  They have signs directing you to all the access points along different rivers for you to go boating.  They're very active about posting signage for all of them, and I think that rocks.  Here's an example in Keosaqua, Iowa.

It's a windshield photo, so the contrast is less than stellar.  The sign I'm referring to is at the right side of the frame.


IA-001VKeosaqua by Paul Drives, on Flickr

[theline]

Get a load of this craziness.

This photo is taken facing northbound on I-74 in Moline, IL, at IL-5.  The NB-to-EB ramp is closed, and this picture shows the detour established by IDOT.  They want northbound cars to use three leaves of the cloverleaf to reach the eastbound lanes of IL-5!  It works, but just....why??  And do they really expect the average non-roadgeek motorist to understand this upon their first glance at this sign?


IMG_9217 by Paul Drives, on Flickr

A similar detour has been in effect this construction season near Michigan City, IN. The ramp from EB I-94 leading to EB US 20 and SB US 35 is closed for reconstruction and traffic is detoured around 3 loops. No diagram sign like this one was erected there. They just have the usual detour signs at each ramp. In addition, both highways have lane restrictions, adding to the confusion. It's a heavily-traveled route, especially by trucks. I've seen a lot of confused drivers when I've driven through there. I've not seen any accidents, but I suspect there've been more than a few.

[Bluenoser]

The small Quebec village of St-Justin has this little number at the corner of Duchesnay and Guerin, featuring a tab indicating the stop is actually 19m (62' 4") away:
https://www.google.ca/maps/@46.2517689,-73.0859997,3a,15y,349.61h,86.76t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sD4vh5ACao6946AMXlkT7fQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

[US 89]

The small Quebec village of St-Justin has this little number at the corner of Duchesnay and Guerin, featuring a tab indicating the stop is actually 19m (62' 4") away:
https://www.google.ca/maps/@46.2517689,-73.0859997,3a,15y,349.61h,86.76t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sD4vh5ACao6946AMXlkT7fQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

What was wrong with putting the stop sign at the actual intersection?

[jakeroot]

The small Quebec village of St-Justin has this little number at the corner of Duchesnay and Guerin, featuring a tab indicating the stop is actually 19m (62' 4") away:
https://www.google.ca/maps/@46.2517689,-73.0859997,3a,15y,349.61h,86.76t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sD4vh5ACao6946AMXlkT7fQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

What was wrong with putting the stop sign at the actual intersection?

Doesn't look like there was any room for one. Asphalt from left sidewalk all the way to the building on the right.

[PHLBOS]

Here's an example in Keosaqua, Iowa.

It's a windshield photo, so the contrast is less than stellar.  The sign I'm referring to is at the right side of the frame.


IA-001VKeosaqua by Paul Drives, on Flickr

That Sinclair station sign on the left jumped out at me more than anything.  I didn't think that Sinclair, as a brand, still existed in the U.S.  All the ones in eastern Massachusetts became BPs and then later Gibbs during the 70s.

[roadfro]

That Sinclair station sign on the left jumped out at me more than anything.  I didn't think that Sinclair, as a brand, still existed in the U.S.  All the ones in eastern Massachusetts became BPs and then later Gibbs during the 70s.

Sinclair stations are still around. According to their website locator map, locations appear to be concentrated west of the Mississippi River excluding southern states.

According to the Wikipedia page, ARCO purchased Sinclair in 1969 but had to divest of certain assets, so they sold the Sinclair's east coast operations to BP.

[kkt]

I thought it was "US Senate" and "The House" (a lack of parallelism that really stuck out to me when I lived and worked in the metro DC area), and that those exits off I-395 led to parking garages which only members of Congress and their staffers could use.

Most state governments also have a State Senate, but the population-based body is called something different:  Maryland House of Delegates, New York State Assembly, et. al.  So "US Senate" disambiguates from state senates, but The House is just The House.

(Although, if I see the words "Maryland House," I think of the rest stop on I-95.  Usually we say "House of Delegates.")

Washington State's lower chamber is called the House of Representatives.  But I don't think too many drivers on I-395 are lost looking for Olympia.

[Kniwt]

Just outside Duluth today. Presumably erected by the county, but still odd:

[MNHighwayMan]

Just outside Duluth today. Presumably erected by the county, but still odd:

Pine and Carlton counties both have put up old US-61 markers. I don't remember seeing any in Chisago County.

[US 89]

Just outside Duluth today. Presumably erected by the county, but still odd:

Pine and Carlton counties both have put up old US-61 markers. I don't remember seeing any in Chisago County.

That was one of the US Highway decommissionings that made less sense. Even with the nonstandard design and huge numerals, it's still cool that it's being signed.

[Rothman]

Don't know if anyone shared this one before.  Found a few of these along the frontage road to Washington Ave Extension in the Albany Area (can't remember if it's Albany, Guilderland, Colonie or whatever other town comes into the mix before it hits New Karner).  I suppose they wanted to be extra clear in case "No Parking Any Time" was taken to mean a lifetime ban everywhere.

[plain]

On US 1 (Brook Rd) in Henrico County, VA just north of Richmond

https://goo.gl/maps/25SvPspmX6L2

Not sure but I believe Henrico County did this instead of VDOT