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

[plain]

Is it common for lane-use signs to do double-duty as both regulatory and commercial vehicle route signs? https://goo.gl/EyTZnN

I've seen lane-use signs for truck routes before, but only on the right, and in place of the standard route marker arrows (must have been accidental): https://goo.gl/8PKuPJ

This is the first time I've seen it (I've lived in the northeast/mid-Atlantic my whole life).  Maybe they're trying to get turning trucks out of the option lane.

I'm actually thinking it's a mistake as there isn't any logic in having trucks use the leftmost turn lane in a situation like this.

[jakeroot]

Is it common for lane-use signs to do double-duty as both regulatory and commercial vehicle route signs? https://goo.gl/EyTZnN

I've seen lane-use signs for truck routes before, but only on the right, and in place of the standard route marker arrows (must have been accidental): https://goo.gl/8PKuPJ

https://i.imgur.com/Wc4rpPq.png

This is the first time I've seen it (I've lived in the northeast/mid-Atlantic my whole life).  Maybe they're trying to get turning trucks out of the option lane.

I'm actually thinking it's a mistake as there isn't any logic in having trucks use the leftmost turn lane in a situation like this.

Yeah, if trucks actually used that lane, they'd risk getting trapped (though the stop line is set back on Elliott to accommodate for larger vehicles). Definitely a misleading sign.

[jakeroot]

Cranbrook, BC: https://goo.gl/FC1XDe

Not sure what the hell else a green arrow would mean, besides "go".

Weirdly, the protected left turn here (in keeping with BC trends at pro/per lefts) is actually a flashing green arrow. Odd that they wouldn't mention that.

[ipeters61]

Cranbrook, BC: https://goo.gl/FC1XDe

Not sure what the hell else a green arrow would mean, besides "go".

Weirdly, the protected left turn here (in keeping with BC trends at pro/per lefts) is actually a flashing green arrow. Odd that they wouldn't mention that.

Why would a flashing green serve any purpose?  Other than maybe to get a driver's attention?

[MNHighwayMan]

Why would a flashing green serve any purpose?  Other than maybe to get a driver's attention?

It's Canada. I swear some of the traffic control stuff they do is just to be different from the United States.

[roadman65]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/54480415@N08/43069361334/in/photostream/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/54480415@N08/29915427158/

Though a typical contractor error, its odd to see the way both I-470 and MO Hwy. 291 are both signed on both the 1 and 2 mile guides on I-70 in Independence, MO.

[jakeroot]

Why would a flashing green serve any purpose?  Other than maybe to get a driver's attention?

It's Canada. I swear some of the traffic control stuff they do is just to be different from the United States.

No, it has a purpose. The flashing green arrow distinguishes the green arrow from the yellow arrow for colorblind drivers (Canada mostly uses 4-section PPLT signals these days, and it's all I've ever seen in BC).

[chays]

Passed this in Fawnskin, CA, on my recent trip.  Never seen a shape like this

[MNHighwayMan]

Why would a flashing green serve any purpose?  Other than maybe to get a driver's attention?

It's Canada. I swear some of the traffic control stuff they do is just to be different from the United States.

No, it has a purpose. The flashing green arrow distinguishes the green arrow from the yellow arrow for colorblind drivers (Canada mostly uses 4-section PPLT signals these days, and it's all I've ever seen in BC).

'Twas a joke.

[jakeroot]

Why would a flashing green serve any purpose?  Other than maybe to get a driver's attention?

It's Canada. I swear some of the traffic control stuff they do is just to be different from the United States.

No, it has a purpose. The flashing green arrow distinguishes the green arrow from the yellow arrow for colorblind drivers (Canada mostly uses 4-section PPLT signals these days, and it's all I've ever seen in BC).

'Twas a joke.

That's fine, but you were responding to a serious question. Perhaps unfair to ipeters61, who was probably looking for a straight answer.

[formulanone]

Passed this in Fawnskin, CA, on my recent trip.  Never seen a shape like this

Frankly, wouldn't a double-ess-curve sign do the same thing? I suppose a 180-degree hairpin curve sign followed by another in the other direction would do the trick.

[ipeters61]

Why would a flashing green serve any purpose?  Other than maybe to get a driver's attention?

It's Canada. I swear some of the traffic control stuff they do is just to be different from the United States.

No, it has a purpose. The flashing green arrow distinguishes the green arrow from the yellow arrow for colorblind drivers (Canada mostly uses 4-section PPLT signals these days, and it's all I've ever seen in BC).

'Twas a joke.

That's fine, but you were responding to a serious question. Perhaps unfair to ipeters61, who was probably looking for a straight answer.

It's alright.  But thanks for clarifying it.  Also didn't realize that there was a fourth light on that signal, so it makes sense.

That reminds me, are there any four section signals in the US with a combined green/yellow signal lamp?  I've never seen such a thing. 

Speaking of, the intersection immediately outside of my apartment does use a protected left arrow for US-13 northbound traffic but blinks with a red arrow after a while (basically the same principle as a five section signal but you have to stop instead of yield before turning left).  I don't mind it but I do get thrown off by the fact that it goes green arrow (US-13 north green) -> yellow arrow (US-13 north green) -> red arrow (after this, all US-13 traffic gets green) -> blinking red arrow (US-13 through still green, wait for it...) -> yellow arrow (US-13 through yellow) -> red arrow (US-13 through red).

I just don't like that it goes blinking red -> yellow -> red.  I don't anticipate to look down when I'm trying to go...

[MNHighwayMan]

That reminds me, are there any four section signals in the US with a combined green/yellow signal lamp?  I've never seen such a thing. 

For left-turn arrows, absolutely. Des Moines still uses quite a few combined green/yellow arrows in place of doghouses or five-section towers.

[Big John]

^^ To continue, that is not allowed in the MUTCD.

2009 MUTCD Section 4D.06

05 Each circular signal indication shall emit a single color: red, yellow, or green.

06 Each arrow signal indication shall emit a single color: red, yellow, or green except that the alternate display (dual-arrow signal section) of a GREEN ARROW and a YELLOW ARROW signal indication, both pointing in the same direction, shall be permitted, provided that they are not displayed simultaneously.

[freebrickproductions]

^^ To continue, that is not allowed in the MUTCD.

2009 MUTCD Section 4D.06

05 Each circular signal indication shall emit a single color: red, yellow, or green.

06 Each arrow signal indication shall emit a single color: red, yellow, or green except that the alternate display (dual-arrow signal section) of a GREEN ARROW and a YELLOW ARROW signal indication, both pointing in the same direction, shall be permitted, provided that they are not displayed simultaneously.

You might want to reread what I just bolded in your post, unless you were talking about the ball indications.

[ipeters61]

^^ To continue, that is not allowed in the MUTCD.

2009 MUTCD Section 4D.06

05 Each circular signal indication shall emit a single color: red, yellow, or green.

06 Each arrow signal indication shall emit a single color: red, yellow, or green except that the alternate display (dual-arrow signal section) of a GREEN ARROW and a YELLOW ARROW signal indication, both pointing in the same direction, shall be permitted, provided that they are not displayed simultaneously.

You might want to reread what I just bolded in your post, unless you were talking about the ball indications.

Delaware MUTCD prohibits it: http://regulations.delaware.gov/register/may2018/final/MUTCDPart4HighwayTrafficSignals.pdf (page 30)

The following combinations of signal indications shall not be simultaneously displayed on any one signal face or as a result of the combination of displays from multiple signal faces on an approach:
A.   CIRCULAR GREEN with CIRCULAR YELLOW;
B.   Straight-through GREEN ARROW with CIRCULAR YELLOW;
C.   GREEN ARROW with YELLOW ARROW pointing in the same direction;
D.   RED ARROW with YELLOW ARROW pointing in the same di
rection; or
E.   GREEN ARROW with RED ARROW pointing in the same direction

2009 Federal MUTCD has the same (page 455):


The following combinations of signal indications shall not be simultaneously displayed on any one signal face or as a result of the combination of displays from multiple signal faces on an approach:
   A.     CIRCULAR GREEN with CIRCULAR YELLOW;
   B.     Straight-through GREEN ARROW with CIRCULAR YELLOW;
   C.     GREEN ARROW with YELLOW ARROW pointing in the same direction;
   D.     RED ARROW with YELLOW ARROW pointing in the same direction; or
   E.     GREEN ARROW with RED ARROW pointing in the same direction

Granted, it was said that "Des Moines still uses quite a few..." which implies that these are older signals, possibly predating MUTCD.

[D-Dey65]

I was tempted to put this in the "Worst of" thread.


SM-S820L

They're better off putting the 2's over the US BUS 17's. Yes, I know US 17 Business is the priority road, but since VA 2 isn't a business route, the 2's should be on top.

[Kniwt]

Missed this a few weeks ago, but the Government of the Northwest Territories has installed a new sign at the end of the new Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway, the only one of these on the interconnected North American road network:



https://twitter.com/GNWT_INF/status/1012094916690731008

[jakeroot]

^^ To continue, that is not allowed in the MUTCD.

2009 MUTCD Section 4D.06

05 Each circular signal indication shall emit a single color: red, yellow, or green.

06 Each arrow signal indication shall emit a single color: red, yellow, or green except that the alternate display (dual-arrow signal section) of a GREEN ARROW and a YELLOW ARROW signal indication, both pointing in the same direction, shall be permitted, provided that they are not displayed simultaneously.

You might want to reread what I just bolded in your post, unless you were talking about the ball indications.

Delaware MUTCD prohibits it: http://regulations.delaware.gov/register/may2018/final/MUTCDPart4HighwayTrafficSignals.pdf (page 30)

The following combinations of signal indications shall not be simultaneously displayed on any one signal face or as a result of the combination of displays from multiple signal faces on an approach...

You're missing a key word: "simultaneously". Green and yellow arrows may occupy the same position, but may not be displayed at the same time. This section of the manual is simply saying, "don't display both green and yellow arrows at the same time".

[csw]

Missed this a few weeks ago, but the Government of the Northwest Territories has installed a new sign at the end of the new Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway, the only one of these on the interconnected North American road network:



https://twitter.com/GNWT_INF/status/1012094916690731008

I love stuff like this. Just imagine a scenario where some poor schmuck is lost in the Arctic, hopelessly searching for a Denny's, and stumbles across this sign...

"Shit."

[Mapmikey]

They're better off putting the 2's over the US BUS 17's. Yes, I know US 17 Business is the priority road, but since VA 2 isn't a business route, the 2's should be on top.

The previous iteration looked like this:  https://goo.gl/maps/TmRMiyqQTWU2

[MNHighwayMan]

I just hope it doesn't get into crocheting.



On SB MN-84 south of Longville.

[plain]

They're better off putting the 2's over the US BUS 17's. Yes, I know US 17 Business is the priority road, but since VA 2 isn't a business route, the 2's should be on top.

The previous iteration looked like this:  https://goo.gl/maps/TmRMiyqQTWU2

That older arrangement looked so much better. The new one clashes, both with the arrows (could've at least had one route on the outside of the assembly and the other inside) and the shield sizes. And what font is VA 2?

[D-Dey65]

The previous iteration looked like this:  https://goo.gl/maps/TmRMiyqQTWU2

That older arrangement looked so much better.

It does. And the one thing I noticed is that Google Street View blurs out the cardinal directional signs, which they shouldn't do. This is part of the reason I think the VA 2 shields should be on top so nobody incorrectly assumes VA 2 is also a business route. Yes, they both go north and south here, but only US 17 is the business route.

[ipeters61]

The previous iteration looked like this:  https://goo.gl/maps/TmRMiyqQTWU2

That older arrangement looked so much better.

It does. And the one thing I noticed is that Google Street View blurs out the cardinal directional signs, which they shouldn't do. This is part of the reason I think the VA 2 shields should be on top so nobody incorrectly assumes VA 2 is also a business route. Yes, they both go north and south here, but only US 17 is the business route.

If you switch to the right lane and go back in time you can see the cardinal direction sign: https://goo.gl/maps/vA6mWUJCFNA2.

Since VA-2 gets its own assembly, separate from US-17 Business, I think the confusion would be minimal still, though I do agree that VA-2 should be on top.