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

[cl94]

As of this afternoon, this old CR sign along NY 28A is still standing. About 1/2 mile east of where NYCDOT maintenance stops.

[1995hoo]

Posted in this thread because there doesn't seem to be a more appropriate one. Stanley Roberts of KRON-4 TV in San Francisco retweeted this.

[noelbotevera]

Posted in this thread because there doesn't seem to be a more appropriate one. Stanley Roberts of KRON-4 TV in San Francisco retweeted this.

Too bad I can't time travel now.

[theline]

Coming from one of the only state routes in the country with zero sections maintained by a state agency, NY 470's shields. There are a bunch of these. Signs are almost square and there's a white outline.

Reminded me of ME203, also zero sections maintained by state. LOL at the teeny tiny route marker.

In other news: I've seen "Jake brakes prohibited" before, but... "Jacob brakes"?

Yep....

Apparently Jacobs is the manufacturer of said exhaust braking systems:
http://www.jacobsvehiclesystems.com/technology/exhaust-brakes/

If the sign doesn't say "Jake Brakes Prohibited" then it should properly say "Jacobs Brakes Prohibited." The name of the company is Jacobs, not Jacob. In some other thread we covered this before, and Jacobs Vehicle Systems strongly objects to signs like these that seem to prohibit their product specifically, without mentioning other brands of compression release engine brakes. As a result, many jurisdictions have changed their signs to read something like "Engine Brakes Prohibited" or "No Compression Brakes." The Indiana Toll Road changed their signs a few years ago in the Portage area.

[jay8g]

No left turn on a lane assignment sign... with the street name included too! This whole intersection setup is a bit confusing...

[Ian]

No left turn on a lane assignment sign... with the street name included too! This whole intersection setup is a bit confusing...

I love the distance sign pole though. Noogie: Top of Head.

[formulanone]

Int29nRoad-Exit13Upcoming-TwoLeft29TwoRightMCI by formulanone, on Flickr

Odd arrow set-up for I-29 northbound at the I-435/Airport Split.

[noelbotevera]

Int29nRoad-Exit13Upcoming-TwoLeft29TwoRightMCI by formulanone, on Flickr

Odd arrow set-up for I-29 northbound at the I-435/Airport Split.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qmb9cnx__hA

[roadman]

Coming from one of the only state routes in the country with zero sections maintained by a state agency, NY 470's shields. There are a bunch of these. Signs are almost square and there's a white outline.

Reminded me of ME203, also zero sections maintained by state. LOL at the teeny tiny route marker.

In other news: I've seen "Jake brakes prohibited" before, but... "Jacob brakes"?

Yep....

Apparently Jacobs is the manufacturer of said exhaust braking systems:
http://www.jacobsvehiclesystems.com/technology/exhaust-brakes/

If the sign doesn't say "Jake Brakes Prohibited" then it should properly say "Jacobs Brakes Prohibited." The name of the company is Jacobs, not Jacob. In some other thread we covered this before, and Jacobs Vehicle Systems strongly objects to signs like these that seem to prohibit their product specifically, without mentioning other brands of compression release engine brakes. As a result, many jurisdictions have changed their signs to read something like "Engine Brakes Prohibited" or "No Compression Brakes." The Indiana Toll Road changed their signs a few years ago in the Portage area.

The reason most of these signs state 'No Jake Brakes" (or similar text) is because "Jake Brake" has become common slang for engine brakes on trucks, regardless of manufacturer.  Like how people still call a copy machine a 'Xerox machine', or how people used to call video recorders a Betamax.

However, it is important to point out that every such sign posted, whether it says Jake Brake or Engine Braking, is totally unenforcable.  Engine braking systems are mandated equipment per FMCSA regulations.  As such, no state or municipality can legally enact a law, rule, or ordinance restricting or prohibiting their use.

MassDOT's response to issues about noise from engine braking on freeway off ramps adjacent to residental areas is to post signs on the ramp reading "Truckers Test Your Service Brakes."

[jakeroot]

http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1711/24991954714_daaed21e1c_c.jpg

Odd arrow set-up for I-29 northbound at the I-435/Airport Split.

<"I don't get it">

Pretty straightforward. Left two lanes go towards 29. Right two lanes exit. What's so hard to grasp?

[noelbotevera]

http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1711/24991954714_daaed21e1c_c.jpg

Odd arrow set-up for I-29 northbound at the I-435/Airport Split.

<"I don't get it">

Pretty straightforward. Left two lanes go towards 29. Right two lanes exit. What's so hard to grasp?

Ignoring the caption, what's exiting here? There's also conflicting messages ("Right lane exit only" and "Right lanes exit only"), and US 71 is ignored.

[jakeroot]

http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1711/24991954714_daaed21e1c_c.jpg

Odd arrow set-up for I-29 northbound at the I-435/Airport Split.

<"I don't get it">

Pretty straightforward. Left two lanes go towards 29. Right two lanes exit. What's so hard to grasp?

Ignoring the caption, what's exiting here? There's also conflicting messages ("Right lane exit only" and "Right lanes exit only"), and US 71 is ignored.

Not sure what you mean by "conflicting messages" (it says "right lanes", which is correct here), but not every sign needs all possible information listed. This sign does its job well: it tells you exactly which lanes exit, and which lanes do not. Other information is provided on the overhead gantry ahead, and more than likely by a previous sign.

[hotdogPi]

http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1711/24991954714_daaed21e1c_c.jpg

Odd arrow set-up for I-29 northbound at the I-435/Airport Split.

<"I don't get it">

Pretty straightforward. Left two lanes go towards 29. Right two lanes exit. What's so hard to grasp?

Ignoring the caption, what's exiting here? There's also conflicting messages ("Right lane exit only" and "Right lanes exit only"), and US 71 is ignored.

Not sure what you mean by "conflicting messages" (it says "right lanes", which is correct here), but not every sign needs all possible information listed. This sign does its job well: it tells you exactly which lanes exit, and which lanes do not. Other information is provided on the overhead gantry ahead, and more than likely by a previous sign.

The sign ahead of that one says "right lane exit only", singular.

[jakeroot]

http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1711/24991954714_daaed21e1c_c.jpg

Odd arrow set-up for I-29 northbound at the I-435/Airport Split.

<"I don't get it">

Pretty straightforward. Left two lanes go towards 29. Right two lanes exit. What's so hard to grasp?

Ignoring the caption, what's exiting here? There's also conflicting messages ("Right lane exit only" and "Right lanes exit only"), and US 71 is ignored.

Not sure what you mean by "conflicting messages" (it says "right lanes", which is correct here), but not every sign needs all possible information listed. This sign does its job well: it tells you exactly which lanes exit, and which lanes do not. Other information is provided on the overhead gantry ahead, and more than likely by a previous sign.

The sign ahead of that one says "right lane exit only", singular.

As I see now. Didn't know we were discussing that sign, however.

[Eth]

http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1711/24991954714_daaed21e1c_c.jpg

Odd arrow set-up for I-29 northbound at the I-435/Airport Split.

<"I don't get it">

Pretty straightforward. Left two lanes go towards 29. Right two lanes exit. What's so hard to grasp?

Ignoring the caption, what's exiting here? There's also conflicting messages ("Right lane exit only" and "Right lanes exit only"), and US 71 is ignored.

Not sure what you mean by "conflicting messages" (it says "right lanes", which is correct here), but not every sign needs all possible information listed. This sign does its job well: it tells you exactly which lanes exit, and which lanes do not. Other information is provided on the overhead gantry ahead, and more than likely by a previous sign.

It would benefit greatly from the addition of a vertical line down the middle, making it clearer that the I-29 shield goes with the left arrows and not the right ones. If I were in charge, though, I'd probably replace the whole thing with an overhead assembly similar to the one in the background.

[jakeroot]

http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1711/24991954714_daaed21e1c_c.jpg

Odd arrow set-up for I-29 northbound at the I-435/Airport Split.

<"I don't get it">

Pretty straightforward. Left two lanes go towards 29. Right two lanes exit. What's so hard to grasp?

Ignoring the caption, what's exiting here? There's also conflicting messages ("Right lane exit only" and "Right lanes exit only"), and US 71 is ignored.

Not sure what you mean by "conflicting messages" (it says "right lanes", which is correct here), but not every sign needs all possible information listed. This sign does its job well: it tells you exactly which lanes exit, and which lanes do not. Other information is provided on the overhead gantry ahead, and more than likely by a previous sign.

It would benefit greatly from the addition of a vertical line down the middle, making it clearer that the I-29 shield goes with the left arrows and not the right ones. If I were in charge, though, I'd probably replace the whole thing with an overhead assembly similar to the one in the background.

I don't think the sign is meant to be a wholesale replacement for an overhead gantry. Its use is more akin to a lane use sign (like below). I agree with installing a central divider, though.

[MikeTheActuary]

My apologies if this has already been shared, but today while running errands with my father, I came across this monstrosity: https://goo.gl/maps/JVtxi47aw7B2

[Zeffy]

My apologies if this has already been shared, but today while running errands with my father, I came across this monstrosity: https://goo.gl/maps/JVtxi47aw7B2

I wasn't aware you could compress 3-digits in Series E into a 2-digit Interstate shield. That's...remarkable.

[jakeroot]

My apologies if this has already been shared, but today while running errands with my father, I came across this monstrosity: https://goo.gl/maps/JVtxi47aw7B2

I wasn't aware you could compress 3-digits in Series E into a 2-digit Interstate shield. That's...remarkable.

WSDOT has done this once (and I'm pretty sure it's E(M)). I think it looks pretty good...

[SignGeek101]

My apologies if this has already been shared, but today while running errands with my father, I came across this monstrosity: https://goo.gl/maps/JVtxi47aw7B2

I wasn't aware you could compress 3-digits in Series E into a 2-digit Interstate shield. That's...remarkable.

Not that hard if you have 1's in the shield 

[Takumi]

These VA 145 shields are like that, too. (They're also errors in more ways than one, but that's for another thread.)
https://goo.gl/maps/BBNv5BcR73S2

[SignGeek101]

These VA 145 shields are like that, too. (They're also errors in more ways than one, but that's for another thread.)
https://goo.gl/maps/BBNv5BcR73S2

Is it me, or the '5' is more bold than the 1 and the 4? Also, I believe it should be 'WEST' and 'EAST' not 'NORTH' and 'SOUTH'.

[AsphaltPlanet]

Old through traffic sign on the Royal York Road overpass overtop of the QEW/Gardiner in Toronto.  I don't know if this is a Toronto sign or an MTO sign because of its location:

[kkt]

Wow, I haven't seen a traffic sign that spelled "through" correctly in donkey's years!  Must be a Canadian thing.

[SignGeek101]

Wow, I haven't seen a traffic sign that spelled "through" correctly in donkey's years!  Must be a Canadian thing.

Yes and no. I know BC uses 'THRU'. https://goo.gl/maps/N7SGdcnjwbH2

I know Ontario does use 'THROUGH' though. https://goo.gl/maps/jr9qnjAXRF72

Quebec doesn't use either of them