Has MoDOT switched to "neutered" Interstate shields?

[brycecordry]

I have noticed recently that many Interstate highway shields do not have the state name above it. Missouri has been a hold-out for many years...but did we finally switch???

[US71]

I have noticed recently that many Interstate highway shields do not have the state name above it. Missouri has been a hold-out for many years...but did we finally switch???

I first noticed it about 4 years ago when I-49 was officially designated. They haven't completely changed yet, but is still a "work in progress"

[Hurricane Rex]

When I was there in May, there were still a few out. Missouri, California and (one other state I can't think of) are the only ones left to do this, correct me if I'm wrong.

[hbelkins]

When I was there in May, there were still a few out. Missouri, California and (one other state I can't think of) are the only ones left to do this, correct me if I'm wrong.

West Virginia consistently places the state name on signage not included on large guide signs. It's rare to see a neutered sign in West Virginia.

Arkansas used to use the state name pretty consistently. I'm not sure if that's the case or not.

Kentucky is sporadic.

[US71]

When I was there in May, there were still a few out. Missouri, California and (one other state I can't think of) are the only ones left to do this, correct me if I'm wrong.

West Virginia consistently places the state name on signage not included on large guide signs. It's rare to see a neutered sign in West Virginia.

Arkansas used to use the state name pretty consistently. I'm not sure if that's the case or not.

Kentucky is sporadic.

Arkansas is slowly phasing out the state names.

[Scott5114]

Oklahoma uses the state name, except when it doesn't. Because when is Oklahoma consistent about anything? The majority do have the state name, though, and it appears as such in the standard plan sheets.

[Bobby5280]

I hate neutered Interstate shields. The numeral spacing is almost always terrible and the digits often crowd the edges of the shield. It's just downright unprofessional looking. If the numerals on the shield have to be bigger (to match numeral sizes of US highway shields and most state highway markers) then maybe they should use a bigger Interstate highway shield. It's either that or get rid of the Red Interstate bar on the top of the shield to free up space so the numerals can be vertically centered on the widest part of the shield.

[Scott5114]

I mean, the MUTCD-standard neutered Interstate shield is perfectly fine:


This is basically the layout that Illinois uses, for instance.

The problem is when states like Utah and North Carolina blow the numbers up beyond all reasonable size:

[US 89]

The problem is when states like Utah and North Carolina blow the numbers up beyond all reasonable size:

Actually, Utah seems to have stopped doing that. The Utah standard Interstate shield is now state-named, with reasonably-sized numbers.

The standard (but note that contractors are often inconsistent...) now looks like this:

[US71]

Side by side comparison of I-40 in Arkansas

[Bobby5280]

That's a pretty extreme difference. Crappy neutered shield with crowded oversize numerals versus what looks like a 1957 spec Interstate shield with tiny but not crowded numerals.

[Mapmikey]

When I was there in May, there were still a few out. Missouri, California and (one other state I can't think of) are the only ones left to do this, correct me if I'm wrong.

South Carolina is still nearly all state-named interstate shields

[Darkchylde]

(image snipped)
Side by side comparison of I-40 in Arkansas

Left shield: EWWWW
Right shield: (thumbs-up)

[DJStephens]

Likely a general trend of cheapening 

[MNHighwayMan]

Likely a general trend of cheapening

I don't see how it's any cheaper to screenprint a shield with slightly smaller numerals and the state name than one without the name and slightly larger numerals. I'll give you easier (only a little), but not cheaper.

[Bobby5280]

Yeah, as a graphic designer and someone who works in the sign industry, I can say with authority there is zero cost savings eliminating the state name from an Interstate shield. There's no difference on the design end. You make the shield artwork once and that vector object can be repeatedly used and printed a limitless number of times. These days the shield graphics are printed by either screen printing or a digital printing process and applied to white type III retro-reflective vinyl. Depending on the sign shop flat bed printers may be used by now.

I could see a cost difference in terms of material and labor if the highway shields were using cut vinyl graphics. If you have a vinyl plotter cutting the letters and numerals out of roll vinyl material then someone has to "weed" away the negative material off the roll, leaving behind only the cut numerals and lettering on the sheet. That has to be covered with release tape and then applied to the sign panel. Obviously it would be faster and cheaper to only cut one or two numerals for a highway shield versus including a state name in there. Multiply that by however many highway shields are needed and it could equal a significant time, labor and material difference. But with the printing methods there's hardly any difference at all; maybe a negligible difference in terms of ink used. And the neutered shields would actually use more blue ink than ones with a state name.

The only new highway signs I see in Oklahoma using cut vinyl lettering are the unique legends on big green signs and other signs made in small quantities. Around Lawton they've been using plain engineers grade white vinyl for the lettering. The stuff has been peeling off some signs. And that might be a good thing because a lot of the green signs on I-44 and Rogers Lane around here were terribly designed.

[paulthemapguy]

General thread for investigating/discussing which states use state-named shields

https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=12304.0