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

[D-Dey65]

On the ugly side of signage we have https://www.google.pl/maps/@38.8532156,-76.9833056,3a,72.1y,67.88h,99.96t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sgPJtPTeIdvWSXJMKlFxe0Q!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

I was surprised to discover this is in DC, but admit that its in a part of town that I don't frequent.  Most DC signals do not have larger signs for cross streets, which is unfortunate as those signs are really helpful since the normal street blades are never big enough.  A typical install of a large sign that I see can be seen at the GSV link below.

https://www.google.pl/maps/@38.9056994,-77.0385673,3a,75y,254.54h,95.57t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s1rOcFo4kJap_PQOeItVafA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

I wish the DC signs were generally bigger, but I do agree that the sign STLmapboy posted is indeed ugly.  So make more signs like this all over the city, just not as ugly.

The signs in neighboring Maryland are generally better:

https://www.google.pl/maps/@38.9775629,-76.9378366,3a,75y,338.37h,89.05t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sO5I_LEUOkEwYbW07umAFyQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

It is not too hard to do this right.

Regarding the last link, how many intersections have route shields with equally sized cardinal direction/arrow signs attached to the shields beneath the street name signs?

https://www.google.pl/maps/@38.9776468,-76.938004,3a,15y,100.18h,95.3t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sR5N_6u6NRIzsXMmsWVQYSg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

[mrsman]

Regarding the last link, how many intersections have route shields with equally sized cardinal direction/arrow signs attached to the shields beneath the street name signs?

https://www.google.pl/maps/@38.9776468,-76.938004,3a,15y,100.18h,95.3t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sR5N_6u6NRIzsXMmsWVQYSg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

In MD, it is a fairly common practice whenever a surface street is also a US or state highway - at least on newer traffic signal installations.  It is a good feature.

Here's another example for Georgia Ave - MD 97:

https://www.google.pl/maps/@39.0300667,-77.0476741,3a,75y,224.13h,82.72t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sQ4XRoG9HqZmSyNcIfP1O3g!2e0!5s20180801T000000!7i16384!8i8192

[STLmapboy]

Regarding the last link, how many intersections have route shields with equally sized cardinal direction/arrow signs attached to the shields beneath the street name signs?

https://www.google.pl/maps/@38.9776468,-76.938004,3a,15y,100.18h,95.3t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sR5N_6u6NRIzsXMmsWVQYSg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

In MD, it is a fairly common practice whenever a surface street is also a US or state highway - at least on newer traffic signal installations.  It is a good feature.

Here's another example for Georgia Ave - MD 97:

https://www.google.pl/maps/@39.0300667,-77.0476741,3a,75y,224.13h,82.72t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sQ4XRoG9HqZmSyNcIfP1O3g!2e0!5s20180801T000000!7i16384!8i8192

MD is the only state I've seen this in. I like their new masts usually, wish they'd use more FYAs instead of doghouses though.

[STLmapboy]

You've seen school zone speed limits, but have you seen senior citizen facility speed limits?
Taken in Northern San Diego.

[roadman]

Massachusetts has these at some locations near senior citizen housing.  They're called 'Senior Citizen Safety Zones', and typically use the traditional 'bouncing ball' illuminated speed sign found in school zones, except that the sign reads 'Senior Citizen Safety Zone' instead of 'School Zone.

[D-Dey65]

Is anyone else put off by signposts sticking out of pavement, especially with nothing to protect the signs?

Example, the closed loop on the frontage road at Exit 243A on I-40 in Santa Rosa, New Mexico:

https://www.google.com/maps/@34.9880415,-105.2150045,3a,75y,119.66h,93.4t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s-mjF3qsGtijc556kcEY1VA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en


https://www.google.com/maps/@34.9882567,-105.2140308,3a,75y,119.66h,93.4t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s1IXhHofeKDiqPuGFQ5M_xA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

I can't say I am a fan--they are certainly ugly--but both of those examples have what appear to be breakaway bases with shear bolts.  To provide guardrail protection might actually increase the hazard to motorists.

Well, to me it would make more sense to reopen that loop road and close the other lane.

[Bruce]

A sign next to the IKEA in Kent, WA:

[J N Winkler]

Is anyone else put off by signposts sticking out of pavement, especially with nothing to protect the signs?

Example, the closed loop on the frontage road at Exit 243A on I-40 in Santa Rosa, New Mexico:

https://www.google.com/maps/@34.9880415,-105.2150045,3a,75y,119.66h,93.4t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s-mjF3qsGtijc556kcEY1VA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

https://www.google.com/maps/@34.9882567,-105.2140308,3a,75y,119.66h,93.4t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s1IXhHofeKDiqPuGFQ5M_xA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

I can't say I am a fan--they are certainly ugly--but both of those examples have what appear to be breakaway bases with shear bolts.  To provide guardrail protection might actually increase the hazard to motorists.

Well, to me it would make more sense to reopen that loop road and close the other lane.

This is in a part of the country where 1930's-style wye intersections still exist on conventional-road state highways.

In its current configuration, the intersection does provide too easy a path for traffic to go the wrong way down the off-ramp at open-road speeds.  However, I would personally prefer to rebuild it altogether as a right-angle tee between the ramp and the frontage road, taking especial pains to ensure the S-curve is properly signed.  This better lines up with driver expectancy by avoiding a situation where traffic in one direction has to negotiate a tight loop that is absent in the other.

[D-Dey65]

Hey, Button Copy alert in Rockland County, New York:
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.2197143,-74.0252669,3a,90y,316.4h,110.03t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sp1O83QS7eqfuuCoXTpznAw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en
That's Willow Grove Road (Rockland CR 98) near the former Letchworth Village funny farm for the retarded (or supposedly retarded) in Thiells, New York.

I found it while I was searching for old Rockland County railroad info.

[D-Dey65]

Another unusual one in New York. This time in Lower Manhattan at South and Fulton Streets;
https://www.google.com/maps/@40.7062125,-74.0031978,3a,15y,83.09h,86.17t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s0h-3U5lU__gS0MAP4j_zVQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en

[Rothman]

Another unusual one in New York. This time in Lower Manhattan at South and Fulton Streets;
https://www.google.com/maps/@40.7062125,-74.0031978,3a,15y,83.09h,86.17t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s0h-3U5lU__gS0MAP4j_zVQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en

Huh?

[jakeroot]

New rule: describe what's at the other end of a link.

[US 89]

Another unusual one in New York. This time in Lower Manhattan at South and Fulton Streets;
https://www.google.com/maps/@40.7062125,-74.0031978,3a,15y,83.09h,86.17t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s0h-3U5lU__gS0MAP4j_zVQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en

Huh?

I assume he was referring to the red bike lane sign

[D-Dey65]

Another unusual one in New York. This time in Lower Manhattan at South and Fulton Streets;
https://www.google.com/maps/@40.7062125,-74.0031978,3a,15y,83.09h,86.17t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s0h-3U5lU__gS0MAP4j_zVQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en

Huh?

I assume he was referring to the red bike lane sign

That's it. I thought it was going to be pretty obvious.

[wanderer2575]

Nothing erroneous or really odd about this, but it strikes me as unusual in several ways.  This gantry and new signs were installed on I-94 in Detroit last year after the Brush Street bridge (behind them) was replaced,

(1)  It's a box gantry, when Michigan has changed almost entirely to trichord triangular gantries.  I otherwise see new box gantries installed only when they are attached to retaining walls.

(2)  Drunken installation crew?  Michigan usually is really good about evenly lining up the bottoms of multiple signs attached to box gantries.  (Not so much on the narrower trichord gantries.)

(3)  Highway Gothic font!

(4)  The sign for southbound M-10 has the LEFT exit tab but doesn't have the cardinal direction to the left of the shield (both became Michigan standard about the same time).

[roadman]

Nothing erroneous or really odd about this, but it strikes me as unusual in several ways.  This gantry and new signs were installed on I-94 in Detroit last year after the Brush Street bridge (behind them) was replaced,

(1)  It's a box gantry, when Michigan has changed almost entirely to trichord triangular gantries.  I otherwise see new box gantries installed only when they are attached to retaining walls.

(2)  Drunken installation crew?  Michigan usually is really good about evenly lining up the bottoms of multiple signs attached to box gantries.  (Not so much on the narrower trichord gantries.)

(3)  Highway Gothic font!

(4)  The sign for southbound M-10 has the LEFT exit tab but doesn't have the cardinal direction to the left of the shield (both became Michigan standard about the same time).

Regarding #4, placing the cardinal direction to the left of the shield is now only allowed for stipple-headed diagrammatic signs.  On conventional guide signs for left-hand exits, the cardinal direction is supposed to be to the right of the shield - see MUTCD Figure 2E-15.

[wanderer2575]

Nothing erroneous or really odd about this, but it strikes me as unusual in several ways.  This gantry and new signs were installed on I-94 in Detroit last year after the Brush Street bridge (behind them) was replaced,

(1)  It's a box gantry, when Michigan has changed almost entirely to trichord triangular gantries.  I otherwise see new box gantries installed only when they are attached to retaining walls.

(2)  Drunken installation crew?  Michigan usually is really good about evenly lining up the bottoms of multiple signs attached to box gantries.  (Not so much on the narrower trichord gantries.)

(3)  Highway Gothic font!

(4)  The sign for southbound M-10 has the LEFT exit tab but doesn't have the cardinal direction to the left of the shield (both became Michigan standard about the same time).

Regarding #4, placing the cardinal direction to the left of the shield is now only allowed for stipple-headed diagrammatic signs.  On conventional guide signs for left-hand exits, the cardinal direction is supposed to be to the right of the shield - see MUTCD Figure 2E-15.

That wasn't the case on new installs near me in 2017 and 2018.  Maybe Michigan very recently changed that design standard.

[chays]

Near South Seminole Hospital in Longwood, FL

[roadfro]

Nothing erroneous or really odd about this, but it strikes me as unusual in several ways.  This gantry and new signs were installed on I-94 in Detroit last year after the Brush Street bridge (behind them) was replaced,

(1)  It's a box gantry, when Michigan has changed almost entirely to trichord triangular gantries.  I otherwise see new box gantries installed only when they are attached to retaining walls.

(2)  Drunken installation crew?  Michigan usually is really good about evenly lining up the bottoms of multiple signs attached to box gantries.  (Not so much on the narrower trichord gantries.)

(3)  Highway Gothic font!

(4)  The sign for southbound M-10 has the LEFT exit tab but doesn't have the cardinal direction to the left of the shield (both became Michigan standard about the same time).

Regarding #4, placing the cardinal direction to the left of the shield is now only allowed for stipple-headed diagrammatic signs.  On conventional guide signs for left-hand exits, the cardinal direction is supposed to be to the right of the shield - see MUTCD Figure 2E-15.

That wasn't the case on new installs near me in 2017 and 2018.  Maybe Michigan very recently changed that design standard.

While the national MUTCD chapter 2E only shows the cardinal direction to the left of the shield on figures with diagrammatic signs, I can't find any text that regulates this placement.

[Amtrakprod]

https://www.google.com/maps/@42.414837,-71.1516221,3a,15y,116.09h,88.24t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sOn7nDYdHi7XMKL08oXBmoA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en

[STLmapboy]

Take a look at this declarative no parking sign near Rochester NY.

[formulanone]

Near South Seminole Hospital in Longwood, FL

Warning: Helicopter May Drop Hot Dogs

[STLmapboy]

https://www.google.com/maps/@42.414837,-71.1516221,3a,15y,116.09h,88.24t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sOn7nDYdHi7XMKL08oXBmoA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en

Looks like MassDOT didn't want to climb all the way up the pole. That's a pretty clean light install though.

[mrsman]

https://www.google.com/maps/@42.414837,-71.1516221,3a,15y,116.09h,88.24t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sOn7nDYdHi7XMKL08oXBmoA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en

Looks like MassDOT didn't want to climb all the way up the pole. That's a pretty clean light install though.

The left turn yield on green sign is really small, do they expect us to see it?  Fortunately, it's a sign that isn't strictly necessary.

[1995hoo]

[image deleted]

Nothing erroneous or really odd about this, but it strikes me as unusual in several ways.  This gantry and new signs were installed on I-94 in Detroit last year after the Brush Street bridge (behind them) was replaced,

(1)  It's a box gantry, when Michigan has changed almost entirely to trichord triangular gantries.  I otherwise see new box gantries installed only when they are attached to retaining walls.

(2)  Drunken installation crew?  Michigan usually is really good about evenly lining up the bottoms of multiple signs attached to box gantries.  (Not so much on the narrower trichord gantries.)

(3)  Highway Gothic font!

(4)  The sign for southbound M-10 has the LEFT exit tab but doesn't have the cardinal direction to the left of the shield (both became Michigan standard about the same time).

Regarding #4, placing the cardinal direction to the left of the shield is now only allowed for stipple-headed diagrammatic signs.  On conventional guide signs for left-hand exits, the cardinal direction is supposed to be to the right of the shield - see MUTCD Figure 2E-15.

That wasn't the case on new installs near me in 2017 and 2018.  Maybe Michigan very recently changed that design standard.

While the national MUTCD chapter 2E only shows the cardinal direction to the left of the shield on figures with diagrammatic signs, I can't find any text that regulates this placement.

I've never entirely understood the reason for sometimes putting the direction to the left. Putting it to the right seems to me to "read logically"–that is, the information appears in the same way you'd say it (in the picture above, you'd tell someone to exit to "10 South" or something similar, not to "South 10"). The only two reasons I could see to put the direction to the left are (1) consistency with reassurance shields on the side of the road where the US rule is to put the direction on top (compare to Quebec, where it goes underneath), and (2) possibly to set the direction off further from an adjacent sign, or an adjacent part of the same sign, that refers to the same road going in a different direction (in the picture above, "South 10" versus "10 North" with the common information "10" going in the "middle").