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

[roadfro]

I feel like this has been mentioned elsewhere on the forum somewhere, but I couldn't find it in this thread.  This is on US-50 in Parkersburg WV.  I thought "Freeway Entrance" was strictly a California thing?

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.2674348,-81.5001927,3a,15.6y,171.01h,102.95t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sTKyqMDmWR8p125bcNtDBbg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

California, Nevada, Washington, et al...but definitely haven't seen it back east. The sign itself seems more similar to the CA style than that used by NV and WA.

I think West Virginia is one of the few (if not the only) states on the eastern side of the country to use these signs. Here's another example in Wheeling...

If this is how they all look, I'm thinking WV briefly had a Caltrans engineer heading things? Very cool!

One difference is that the california signage is usually closer to the ground.  But the freeway entrance sign itself looks the same

Late to the party on "freeway entrance" signs discussion, but one comment...

California uses a slightly different design on their version, compared to Nevada and others (which I believe are vanilla MUTCD). Theirs has a slightly larger sign area and uses slightly smaller lettering that is more space out.

[jakeroot]

California uses a slightly different design on their version, compared to Nevada and others (which I believe are vanilla MUTCD). Theirs has a slightly larger sign area and uses slightly smaller lettering that is more space out.

D-modified, if I recall correctly?

[Bruce]

This sign was posted on the Hood Canal Bridge in 1979 after it partially collapsed in a windstorm. Not sure when it was taken down.



Full gallery: https://www.kitsapsun.com/picture-gallery/news/2019/02/13/archives-storm-feb-13-1979-sinks-hood-canal-bridge/2862798002/

[RobbieL2415]

Farmington, CT.  Not sure if it's a municipal sign or the country club put it up.  Crosswalk is correctly designated.
https://goo.gl/maps/MHLvJRKv98C2


Chatham, MA.  Definitely a municipal sign that's seen better days.  Paddle sign and "keep right" signs are newer.
https://goo.gl/maps/4p9kJ7SrfEQ2

Bourne, MA.  State-spec, but becoming rarer.  They really only exist along the South Coast.  The Pike has one between Exits 9 and 11A somewhere.
https://goo.gl/maps/3Piy3tdGHeE2

[UCFKnights]

Look at this: https://www.google.com/maps/@42.4367947,-71.1901159,3a,17.7y,185.51h,88.89t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sJt_PbyAnOb830YJSCRxcDw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
"Use signal for Right or Left Turn

Google Street View captured probably 20 different cars through its history, and not one obeyed this sign lol

[Max Rockatansky]

Probably the most worn guide sign I've seen on a California State Highway.  In this case CA 92 east of Half Moon Bay:

IMG_9301 by Max Rockatansky, on Flickr

Something a little on the good side but nonetheless has weird font; a Historic US 40 sign on CA 113/1st Street in Dixon:

IMG_0095 by Max Rockatansky, on Flickr

[ipeters61]

Probably the most worn guide sign I've seen on a California State Highway.  In this case CA 92 east of Half Moon Bay:

IMG_9301 by Max Rockatansky, on Flickr

At CalTrans:

"Hey, that sign on CA 92 is really worn."
"Will replacing the shields help?"
"Not really, I mean the whole si--"
"I ordered new shields!"

[Max Rockatansky]

Probably the most worn guide sign I've seen on a California State Highway.  In this case CA 92 east of Half Moon Bay:

IMG_9301 by Max Rockatansky, on Flickr

At CalTrans:

"Hey, that sign on CA 92 is really worn."
"Will replacing the shields help?"
"Not really, I mean the whole si--"
"I ordered new shields!"

Unfortunately that mindset is par for the course for Caltrans around the Bay Area.  The plus side I suppose is some fantastically used up signage.  Really the variance by Caltrans District is all over the place.  I live in District 6 and the signage is actually pretty respectable with severely worn Signs getting properly replaced more often than not. 

[frankenroad]

Look at this: https://www.google.com/maps/@42.4367947,-71.1901159,3a,17.7y,185.51h,88.89t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sJt_PbyAnOb830YJSCRxcDw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
"Use signal for Right or Left Turn

Google Street View captured probably 20 different cars through its history, and not one obeyed this sign lol

Use your turn signal in Massachusetts????   Surely, you jest.

[jakeroot]

Anyone know what the idea was behind California's "3-way Signal" signs that largely don't exist anymore? I've found a few. The one below is in Burbank.

The signs at this intersection were removed in 2016 or 2017. The intersection (even when the signs were up) has split phasing for the cross-street, and Alameda has a leading protected left from one direction, otherwise permissive.

[ipeters61]

Found a bit of an oddball at CT-9 Exit 22 in Berlin CT: https://www.google.com/maps/@41.6253545,-72.7438602,3a,15y,190.67h,91.57t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s7tKRhVjjFxNw0JtHoyjyhw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

What gives with those 372 shields?

[Amtrakprod]

Look at this: https://www.google.com/maps/@34.2710278,-118.9431397,3a,15.1y,107.46h,94.85t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1svsiaiRwlAwBGdxaOvFM49Q!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

[cjk374]

Look at this: https://www.google.com/maps/@34.2710278,-118.9431397,3a,15.1y,107.46h,94.85t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1svsiaiRwlAwBGdxaOvFM49Q!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

It looks like to me a "SIGNALS SET FOR..." digital read out sign, meaning if you go the speed listed on the sign, you should catch all of the lights green for a non-stop drive.

But it being with railroad signals. I'm not sure.

[jakeroot]

Judging by the numbers I'm seeing in historic street view, it appears to be a "YOUR SPEED" display, but I can't figure out why that would matter.

Perhaps the flashing yellow is to warn drivers if they're going too quickly? As in, slow down before you lose control at the grade-crossing.

[GenExpwy]

Look at this: https://www.google.com/maps/@34.2710278,-118.9431397,3a,15.1y,107.46h,94.85t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1svsiaiRwlAwBGdxaOvFM49Q!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

And if you pan left, there is an "oblique rail crossing"  symbol sign, with the oblique tracks going the wrong way ( / instead of \ ).

[Amtrakprod]

Anyone know what the idea was behind California's "3-way Signal" signs that largely don't exist anymore? I've found a few. The one below is in Burbank.

The signs at this intersection were removed in 2016 or 2017. The intersection (even when the signs were up) has split phasing for the cross-street, and Alameda has a leading protected left from one direction, otherwise permissive.

Jake that's really funny because I was just about to send in one: https://www.google.com/maps/@34.0625668,-118.1861742,3a,51.5y,335.88h,92.09t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sRZM-qrRDySLK5UVa-RTcZw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

[PHLBOS]

Found a bit of an oddball at CT-9 Exit 22 in Berlin CT: https://www.google.com/maps/@41.6253545,-72.7438602,3a,15y,190.67h,91.57t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s7tKRhVjjFxNw0JtHoyjyhw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

What gives with those 372 shields?

The numerals appear to be in Series E-Modified... similar to what one sees on a typical speed limit sign.

[ipeters61]

Found a bit of an oddball at CT-9 Exit 22 in Berlin CT: https://www.google.com/maps/@41.6253545,-72.7438602,3a,15y,190.67h,91.57t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s7tKRhVjjFxNw0JtHoyjyhw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

What gives with those 372 shields?

The numerals appear to be in Series E-Modified... similar to what one sees on a typical speed limit sign.

Is that the same font that's used on some of the I-691 shields?

[PHLBOS]

Found a bit of an oddball at CT-9 Exit 22 in Berlin CT: https://www.google.com/maps/@41.6253545,-72.7438602,3a,15y,190.67h,91.57t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s7tKRhVjjFxNw0JtHoyjyhw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

What gives with those 372 shields?

The numerals appear to be in Series E-Modified... similar to what one sees on a typical speed limit sign.

Is that the same font that's used on some of the I-691 shields?

Yes.

[Ian]

Some from Aroostook County, Maine this weekend...

Cross-country skier warning sign along ME 161 east of Caribou. Several highways around the county have these posted, and I don't think I've seen them anywhere else.



Euro-style arrow on a roundabout guide sign along US 1 in Caribou.



A BRAKE FOR MOOSE warning sign posted along ME 11 southbound somewhere between Fort Kent and Ashland. These are mostly found in New Hampshire, but there are several roads around Aroostook County that have them as well.

[jakeroot]

Euro-style arrow on a roundabout guide sign along US 1 in Caribou.

That one appears to be particularly *British*, as the corners of the diagram are curved, as is required by the British road sign manuals. Even the style that I'm used to seeing in BC, which is also very similar to the British roundabout diagrammatics, do not use rounded corners.

[Max Rockatansky]

Another incredibly haggard guide sign from the Bay Area, this time off of I-280:

280Ia by Max Rockatansky, on Flickr

[mrsman]

Anyone know what the idea was behind California's "3-way Signal" signs that largely don't exist anymore? I've found a few. The one below is in Burbank.

The signs at this intersection were removed in 2016 or 2017. The intersection (even when the signs were up) has split phasing for the cross-street, and Alameda has a leading protected left from one direction, otherwise permissive.

Jake that's really funny because I was just about to send in one: https://www.google.com/maps/@34.0625668,-118.1861742,3a,51.5y,335.88h,92.09t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sRZM-qrRDySLK5UVa-RTcZw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

3 way signal is basically a warning for cars not to jump the green because the signal is complex.  Due to split phasing or leading green (on other side) your green does not follow immediately when cross street gets red.  As mentioned, used to be common in CA, especially when left turn signals were less common.

Edited to add:

Here's an article that may explain it:

https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/06/01/roadshow-what-exactly-is-a-three-way-signal/


Take a look at this intersection.

https://www.google.com/maps/@34.1148593,-118.3741269,3a,75y,159.78h,94.18t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s54dmR8PegGkLHKPIOxvphw!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo3.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3D54dmR8PegGkLHKPIOxvphw%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D223.74068%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en

The 3-way signal sign is on Laurel Canyon, but only in the direction where there is no arrow, not on Lookout Mountain or at the side with the arrow.  It is meant to indicate that there are phases with arrows.

One problem with the sign is that it isn't placed consistently, so its meaning isn't very clear.

[Amtrakprod]

Oooooh, that reminds me of this sign: https://www.google.com/maps/@43.0660446,-70.7578005,3a,17.6y,22.52h,102.13t/data=!3m5!1e1!3m3!1shksj0FESouRVgx0dn4EdBQ!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo2.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3Dhksj0FESouRVgx0dn4EdBQ%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D339.02292%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100
or this one: https://www.google.com/maps/@42.4057645,-71.1423419,3a,28.7y,141.1h,110.46t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1ssV5O1tbwnBN9vQNd_1saSA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
or this one:
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.4164749,-71.157739,3a,15y,275.23h,95.83t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sPBkAiPzgMzb6wafYCFFE7w!2e0!5s20111201T000000!7i13312!8i6656

[steviep24]

These intersections have signs warning of yellow trap. I haven't seen signs like these anywhere else.

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.092419,-77.6789009,3a,15y,271.1h,101.65t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s5aM_TDWKuATs9Ws797oibw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en&authuser=0

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.0927794,-77.681722,3a,15y,66.73h,105.05t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s4S1vBay8fEPCkp51poWsNA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en&authuser=0