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

[kphoger]

if this sign is the sole means of indicating the school zone speed limit is in effect, then it is not legally enforceable because it is not a regulatory sign.

↑ This. ↑

That's a warning sign, not a speed limit sign.

[US 89]

I don't think I've ever seen the "divided highway" sign used on intersections controlled by stoplights, but I've seen it in a few places on DE-141...

At DE-34: https://www.google.com/maps/@39.7483053,-75.6101995,3a,34.6y,195.93h,85.74t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sdi9FNQonXwV39hAtQrU1xA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

At DE-48: https://www.google.com/maps/@39.7585451,-75.6043709,3a,75y,26.54h,80.81t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sLgMnzVeVVT09Ec-f5QQzXA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Here's one in Victor, NY on NY96.
https://www.google.com/maps/@43.0092967,-77.4436903,3a,37.5y,297.79h,84.69t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sBhMc9_T4pq0nxEuoo6dGbg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en&authuser=0

All are incorrect uses of the sign, as it actually violates a standard listed in the MUTCD.

Section 2B.42 indicates this sign shall be used at unsignalized intersections where the main road has a median width of 30 feet or greater. Although an option allows for its use at signalized intersections, my read of the section indicates that the sign is only supposed to be used when the median is 30+ feet wide.

Is there a guideline about its use at split intersections, whether they're signalized or unsignalized?

And while we're on the subject, this example caught me off guard, as I'd never have considered this intersection as "divided". But I guess it makes sense.

[roadfro]

Section 2B.42 indicates [the divided highway] sign shall be used at unsignalized intersections where the main road has a median width of 30 feet or greater. Although an option allows for its use at signalized intersections, my read of the section indicates that the sign is only supposed to be used when the median is 30+ feet wide.

Is there a guideline about its use at split intersections, whether they're signalized or unsignalized?

And while we're on the subject, this example caught me off guard, as I'd never have considered this intersection as "divided". But I guess it makes sense.

Split intersections could be classified as a divided highway. There is no specific provision in the MUTCD regarding the divided highway sign used at split intersections (the MUTCD doesn't really define a split intersection anyway).

BTW: Your signalized example is not MUTCD compliant, because the divided highway sign is supposed to posted on the near right side of the intersection.

[Amtrakprod]

Speaking of yellow trap signs, here's what MD used: https://www.google.com/maps/@38.9296604,-76.9314076,3a,15y,128.6h,99.46t/am=t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sQImVY0TyAfwD4Kx6ByrE5w!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

[Bruce]

No u-turns allowed here, so the sign says to use the roundabout. Seen on the Microsoft HQ campus in Redmond, WA (exact location here).

[paulthemapguy]

This is an interesting intersection sign, the likes of which I have never seen before.  This is on US12 east near White Pigeon, MI.  I like that the name of the road is called "Crooked Creek Road;" it looks like the eponymous creek isn't the only thing that's crooked!


IMG_8976 by Paul Drives, on Flickr

[formulanone]

This is an interesting intersection sign, the likes of which I have never seen before.  This is on US12 east near White Pigeon, MI.  I like that the name of the road is called "Crooked Creek Road;" it looks like the eponymous creek isn't the only thing that's crooked!


IMG_8976 by Paul Drives, on Flickr

Runes
Ahead

[hotdogPi]

It's the Greek letter Ψ.

[Bobby5280]

Crooked Creek Road? Or is it really Cameltoe Lane?

[TBKS1]

I came across this a while ago, I don't even remember the exact date when I took this...

Taken on Markham Street in Little Rock, within walking distance of War Memorial Stadium.



This is what happens when you have a 9-hole golf course right next to one of the busiest streets in the city, I guess.

[jakeroot]

I've definitely never seen the word "errant" on a road sign!

[ErmineNotyours]

I came across this a while ago, I don't even remember the exact date when I took this...

Taken on Markham Street in Little Rock, within walking distance of War Memorial Stadium.


This is what happens when you have a 9-hole golf course right next to one of the busiest streets in the city, I guess.

Something similar by a golf course near Woodinville.  The street is public, but the golf course was private, I think.  The course is closed now.

[PHLBOS]

Going south on I-495 in Massachusetts, between exits 31 and 30, the shields for 2A and 110 on the exit sign are different fonts.

My picture is a bit strange because Google Maps censored I-495 going south.

http://goo.gl/maps/jpjB4

More likely, it was just that the GSV guy hasn't yet driven both sides of the road.  I run into that problem quite often when using GSV.

Here's a better GSV of that BGS circa 2017.

[kphoger]

I came across this a while ago, I don't even remember the exact date when I took this...

Taken on Markham Street in Little Rock, within walking distance of War Memorial Stadium.



This is what happens when you have a 9-hole golf course right next to one of the busiest streets in the city, I guess.

Now, how the flying f^$% am I supposed to watch for errant golf balls while driving, what do they expect me to do about it if I see one?

[hbelkins]

I came across this a while ago, I don't even remember the exact date when I took this...

Taken on Markham Street in Little Rock, within walking distance of War Memorial Stadium.



This is what happens when you have a 9-hole golf course right next to one of the busiest streets in the city, I guess.

Now, how the flying f^$% am I supposed to watch for errant golf balls while driving, what do they expect me to do about it if I see one?

A high school friend of mine got a brand-spanking-new 1980 Trans Am upon his graduation from high school. He was driving along I-64 from Lexington toward Winchester, coming home from UK one weekend his freshman year, when a golf ball from the golf course that was adjacent to I-64 just outside Winchester smacked his windshield and broke it.

[Great Lakes Roads]

Very unique temporary signs on the PA Turnpike during the reconstruction and widening project in central PA... It tells the truckers on which lane they should be in...

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.1707045,-77.5643055,3a,75y,70.26h,97.52t/am=t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1siwIyT6xRjtgmvcrUAWxEQQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

It looks like they were imported from Canada (I'm thinking Quebec in particular)

[billpa]

Very unique temporary signs on the PA Turnpike during the reconstruction and widening project in central PA... It tells the truckers on which lane they should be in...

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.1707045,-77.5643055,3a,75y,70.26h,97.52t/am=t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1siwIyT6xRjtgmvcrUAWxEQQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

It looks like they were imported from Canada (I'm thinking Quebec in particular)

I'm not sure why we don't use those permanently. They couldn't be any clearer or simple.

Pixel 2

[jakeroot]

Very unique temporary signs on the PA Turnpike during the reconstruction and widening project in central PA... It tells the truckers on which lane they should be in...

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.1707045,-77.5643055,3a,75y,70.26h,97.52t/am=t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1siwIyT6xRjtgmvcrUAWxEQQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

It looks like they were imported from Canada (I'm thinking Quebec in particular)

Yeah, they are definitely Canadian style, although (IIRC) Canada would have a side view of the truck instead of a rear-view.

Very interesting find!

I'm not sure why we don't use those permanently. They couldn't be any clearer or simple.

I'm about 90% in agreement. I would prefer a blue outline versus green, because green and red look the same to colorblind individuals. Having more than just a slash being different between the two would be better. There's no blue/red colorblindness that I know of, so people could tell those colors apart.

But, assuming blue wasn't an option, for whatever reason, I'd absolutely be fine with red circles with slashes, or green circles without slashes. Still better than all-text signs.

[riiga]

I'm not sure why we don't use those permanently. They couldn't be any clearer or simple.

I'm about 90% in agreement. I would prefer a blue outline versus green, because green and red look the same to colorblind individuals. Having more than just a slash being different between the two would be better. There's no blue/red colorblindness that I know of, so people could tell those colors apart.

Indeed. As show by this comparison, blue stands out much more than green:

[Michael]

A few days ago, I drove past another yellow trap warning sign on NY 5 in Solvay I forgot about.  While looking at the intersection in Street View, I noticed the wording is different in the opposing directions.  Westbound, the sign reads "ONCOMING TRAFFIC HAS EXTENDED GREEN", and eastbound, the sign reads "ONCOMING TRAFFIC MAY HAVE EXTENDED GREEN".  I was driving westbound, so that's the sign I saw.  I haven't paid close attention, but I think I've seen the eastbound green light turn red without a lagging left before, even with the signs.

[jakeroot]

I'm not sure why we don't use those permanently. They couldn't be any clearer or simple.

I'm about 90% in agreement. I would prefer a blue outline versus green, because green and red look the same to colorblind individuals. Having more than just a slash being different between the two would be better. There's no blue/red colorblindness that I know of, so people could tell those colors apart.

Indeed. As show by this comparison, blue stands out much more than green:

https://www.lysator.liu.se/~riiga/Bilder/Amerikanska/Fargblindhet.png

Thank you for the diagram. Illustrates the problem very nicely!

I did find it strange, last time I was in Europe (well, the UK) that prohibitive signage was red circles without a slash. Which seems odd to me, though "OK" signage is a totally different color scheme, so it works fine overall. I definitely prefer "with slash" when possible, but also blue and red as the primary OK/prohibited colors, instead of green and red.

[Scott5114]

The only problem is that blue doesn't have the "OK/allowed" connotation that green does in American culture, so the message may be lost entirely on some drivers.

A better option would be a green circle and a red X (with no circle). A red X is noticeable and can't be confused for anything but a prohibitory message.

[formulanone]

Very unique temporary signs on the PA Turnpike during the reconstruction and widening project in central PA... It tells the truckers on which lane they should be in...

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.1707045,-77.5643055,3a,75y,70.26h,97.52t/am=t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1siwIyT6xRjtgmvcrUAWxEQQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

It looks like they were imported from Canada (I'm thinking Quebec in particular)

Yeah, they are definitely Canadian style, although (IIRC) Canada would have a side view of the truck instead of a rear-view.

Very interesting find!

I'm not sure why we don't use those permanently. They couldn't be any clearer or simple.

I'm about 90% in agreement. I would prefer a blue outline versus green, because green and red look the same to colorblind individuals. Having more than just a slash being different between the two would be better. There's no blue/red colorblindness that I know of, so people could tell those colors apart.

As an aside, my son is colorblind in the purple / dark red / dark-medium blue range (it all appears "blue" to him), but I don't think that affects too much in terms of road signs.

[ipeters61]

The only problem is that blue doesn't have the "OK/allowed" connotation that green does in American culture, so the message may be lost entirely on some drivers.

A better option would be a green circle and a red X (with no circle). A red X is noticeable and can't be confused for anything but a prohibitory message.

Isn't that the standard for Hazmat signage too (except with the circle)?  https://www.google.com/maps/@39.2667046,-76.6141269,3a,29.5y,92.61h,98.1t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sF0f5esX0A8max1NS-zcU8Q!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

[riiga]

I did find it strange, last time I was in Europe (well, the UK) that prohibitive signage was red circles without a slash. Which seems odd to me, though "OK" signage is a totally different color scheme, so it works fine overall. I definitely prefer "with slash" when possible, but also blue and red as the primary OK/prohibited colors, instead of green and red.

I agree. All countries use slash for prohibitied turns though, while only Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, and Sweden use them for all prohibitions. Here's a good overview.