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

[Big John]

Pennsylvania does it in a more interesting way (was this a construction sign? Because it still exists as of today):

https://www.google.ca/maps/@40.3113234,-74.9056236,3a,15y,30.21h,85.84t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sB04eDXV_qqdZXH_7GbHhxA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

Those stop sign modifiers are usually white. I guess that particular one was temporary and then became permanent and they never installed a new permanent sign.

Around here in KC, they're typically yellow and rectangular.

As per MUTCD 2009, as it more of a warning.  http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/htm/2009/part2/fig2c_09_longdesc.htm

[US71]

Moran, KS


Springfield, MO

[AsphaltPlanet]

London, ON uses a lot of these tiger tail signs at stop signs.  They use them at both all way stops and two way stops.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/London,+ON,+Canada/@42.9991017,-81.2572164,3a,16.3y,282.24h,86.73t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1stI-QiyK4FjR_h-bfwMzjwA!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo3.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DtI-QiyK4FjR_h-bfwMzjwA%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D282.43262%26pitch%3D0!7i13312!8i6656!4m2!3m1!1s0x882ef20ea88d9b0b:0x28c7d7699a056b95!6m1!1e1?hl=en

[jakeroot]

London, ON uses a lot of these tiger tail signs at stop signs.  They use them at both all way stops and two way stops.

I think the American (Seattle?) equivalent would be to wrap the actual post in red/white:



Image courtesy Rob Klug / Flickr.

[SignGeek101]

London, ON uses a lot of these tiger tail signs at stop signs.  They use them at both all way stops and two way stops.

I think the American (Seattle?) equivalent would be to wrap the actual post in red/white:



Image courtesy Rob Klug / Flickr.

I recall seeing white on red diagonal arrows, pointing toward the road, situated below the stop (or yield) sign, in parts of BC. Don't have a picture of it though.

[jeffandnicole]

I'm mostly familiar with a red reflective strip on the poll, not a red/white strip.

[noelbotevera]

Looks like the North Pole. Does it taste like a candy cane? Where's Santa?

[jakeroot]

I'm mostly familiar with a red reflective strip on the poll, not a red/white strip.

I have started to see the red reflective strip lately. In fact, WSDOT loves to use reflective strips. I've seen green, yellow, and red strips depending on the type of sign. In terms of the sign type seen in Rob Klug's image, this has been mostly phased out. Can't remember seeing any new ones lately.

I recall seeing white on red diagonal arrows, pointing toward the road, situated below the stop (or yield) sign, in parts of BC. Don't have a picture of it though.

I also have yet to capture a photo, but this is a street view shot of an example in White Rock:

[freebrickproductions]

https://www.google.com/maps/@34.7222955,-86.5746793,3a,15y,24.27h,75.71t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1svb29UjnL5LawGrWfUQyyag!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo1.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3Dvb29UjnL5LawGrWfUQyyag%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D49.030113%26pitch%3D0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

Why are stop signs posted on both sides of the post? Surely it would make more sense just posting two before the intersection (say on both sides of the street), instead of one at the intersection, and another across the intersection. Like so:

https://goo.gl/maps/qEwqffGP8wM2

I wouldn't be surprised to find out that the intersection used to be a 4-way stop, and they moved the two stop signs for the street that doesn't have to stop to the backs of the other stop signs. Part of the reason why I believe that that intersection was originally a 4-way stop is that most of the 2-way stops here in Huntsville don't feature the "Cross traffic does not stop" signs and are set-up more like this:
https://www.google.com/maps/@34.6583789,-86.5565111,3a,66.8y,14.6h,89.92t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1snmMZghzlIh1Zsm1zocLy5g!2e0

[Ian]

I'm mostly familiar with a red reflective strip on the poll, not a red/white strip.

There an 3-way STOP intersection right down the street from my home in PA that has red/white reflective strips underneath the STOP signs. Looks like PennDOT's work too (judging by the logos on the signs).

[roadfro]

https://www.google.com/maps/@34.7222955,-86.5746793,3a,15y,24.27h,75.71t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1svb29UjnL5LawGrWfUQyyag!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo1.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3Dvb29UjnL5LawGrWfUQyyag%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D49.030113%26pitch%3D0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

Why are stop signs posted on both sides of the post? Surely it would make more sense just posting two before the intersection (say on both sides of the street), instead of one at the intersection, and another across the intersection. Like so:

https://goo.gl/maps/qEwqffGP8wM2

Enhancing conspicuousness without enhancing hardware costs. The back to back version only costs the amount of the extra signs, and doesn't need the extra pole, sleeve, and cost to put extra pole in the ground.

Solution when a tree is blocking the view of a stop sign?  https://www.google.ca/maps/@44.4968605,-88.0121338,3a,75y,317.86h,81.26t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sd6VZ5ymvV_p_lHr6ULg5ow!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

A "Stop Ahead" sign upstream would have been a better solution. Actually painting a stop line on the ground would also help.

I'm mostly familiar with a red reflective strip on the poll, not a red/white strip.

I have started to see the red reflective strip lately. In fact, WSDOT loves to use reflective strips. I've seen green, yellow, and red strips depending on the type of sign.

2009 MUTCD allows for a reflective strip, the same color as the sign background, to be placed on the pole to enhance conspicuity. The red/white and other assortments are previous home-grown solutions.

[Zeffy]

I somehow got to this photo while in GMSV... I've never seen a white-on-black speed limit sign, and I have no idea where in Orlando this is:

https://www.google.com/maps/@28.530985,-81.347382,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1s71266099!2e1!3e10!6s%2F%2Flh6.googleusercontent.com%2Fproxy%2FuZ_ntruaI8BKY-UpdkOHB2mYyauhwelE7nVSkS20ba-HxaK7aaXMXWOs9hQjP6bnckuI1ENu5GbJgGaUIiP1qmfd2IXGOQ%3Dw203-h152!7i3264!8i2448

[D-Dey65]

Who wants some Big White Signs on the Grand Central Parkway?

http://queensmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/About_Building-History_Birds-eye-view-NYC-Building-1964-Worlds-Fair1.jpg

It's in Black and White, but it was something I stumbled upon at the Queens Museum's website while searching for info on the old Sinclair gas station with the rotating gas pumps.

[jakeroot]

I somehow got to this photo while in GMSV... I've never seen a white-on-black speed limit sign, and I have no idea where in Orlando this is:

https://www.google.com/maps/@28.530985,-81.347382,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1s71266099!2e1!3e10!6s%2F%2Flh6.googleusercontent.com%2Fproxy%2FuZ_ntruaI8BKY-UpdkOHB2mYyauhwelE7nVSkS20ba-HxaK7aaXMXWOs9hQjP6bnckuI1ENu5GbJgGaUIiP1qmfd2IXGOQ%3Dw203-h152!7i3264!8i2448

I think that's in the Universal Orlando theme park.

[SignGeek101]

How common are 'LEFT LANE MUST TURN LEFT' signs? By default, isn't that always the case?

https://goo.gl/maps/uNhY2YjEeW92

[jakeroot]

How common are 'LEFT LANE MUST TURN LEFT' signs? By default, isn't that always the case?

https://goo.gl/maps/uNhY2YjEeW92

Fairly common. Usually only used when there is a median next to the left turn lane though, such as in this case. I don't think they are necessary, but that's not my choice to make.

[vdeane]

Who wants some Big White Signs on the Grand Central Parkway?

http://queensmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/About_Building-History_Birds-eye-view-NYC-Building-1964-Worlds-Fair1.jpg

It's in Black and White, but it was something I stumbled upon at the Queens Museum's website while searching for info on the old Sinclair gas station with the rotating gas pumps.

Looks like they block hotlinking, and whatever they do, it's the good kind that you can't bypass by going to the home page and then pasting in the URL.

[jeffandnicole]

How common are 'LEFT LANE MUST TURN LEFT' signs? By default, isn't that always the case?

https://goo.gl/maps/uNhY2YjEeW92

Fairly common. Usually only used when there is a median next to the left turn lane though, such as in this case. I don't think they are necessary, but that's not my choice to make.

Honestly, I never understood the reasoning for them either.  I'll see many intersections where the left lane must turn left and the right lane must turn right, yet this worded signage will either be omitted, or only one of the turn lanes is signed with the worded sign. 

[Bruce]

"Ignore GPS" sign near an Amazon warehouse in Windsor, CT found by a reddit user:



Source

[Zeffy]

Great to know?
https://www.google.com/maps/@43.035402,-87.8996491,3a,15y,56.96h,86.75t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s0A2TtcFD9uDbKSufGbvTNQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

[cl94]

How common are 'LEFT LANE MUST TURN LEFT' signs? By default, isn't that always the case?

https://goo.gl/maps/uNhY2YjEeW92

Fairly common. Usually only used when there is a median next to the left turn lane though, such as in this case. I don't think they are necessary, but that's not my choice to make.

Honestly, I never understood the reasoning for them either.  I'll see many intersections where the left lane must turn left and the right lane must turn right, yet this worded signage will either be omitted, or only one of the turn lanes is signed with the worded sign.

Typically, they're used only when a new lane forms (i.e. 2-lane road gets a left turn lane or right turn lane appears) or if a general-purpose lane becomes a turn lane, mostly in the latter case. I'd say the linked example is necessary because the left lane is a GP lane before the intersection. At least in the US, I think the MUTCD treats them like "exit only" signs.

[jakeroot]

How common are 'LEFT LANE MUST TURN LEFT' signs? By default, isn't that always the case?

https://goo.gl/maps/uNhY2YjEeW92

Fairly common. Usually only used when there is a median next to the left turn lane though, such as in this case. I don't think they are necessary, but that's not my choice to make.

Honestly, I never understood the reasoning for them either.  I'll see many intersections where the left lane must turn left and the right lane must turn right, yet this worded signage will either be omitted, or only one of the turn lanes is signed with the worded sign.

Typically, they're used only when a new lane forms (i.e. 2-lane road gets a left turn lane or right turn lane appears) or if a general-purpose lane becomes a turn lane, mostly in the latter case. I'd say the linked example is necessary because the left lane is a GP lane before the intersection. At least in the US, I think the MUTCD treats them like "exit only" signs.

In that case, I can actually see their use. I'd rather see lane use signs instead, but I'll take what I can get.

[cl94]

How common are 'LEFT LANE MUST TURN LEFT' signs? By default, isn't that always the case?

https://goo.gl/maps/uNhY2YjEeW92

Fairly common. Usually only used when there is a median next to the left turn lane though, such as in this case. I don't think they are necessary, but that's not my choice to make.

Honestly, I never understood the reasoning for them either.  I'll see many intersections where the left lane must turn left and the right lane must turn right, yet this worded signage will either be omitted, or only one of the turn lanes is signed with the worded sign.

Typically, they're used only when a new lane forms (i.e. 2-lane road gets a left turn lane or right turn lane appears) or if a general-purpose lane becomes a turn lane, mostly in the latter case. I'd say the linked example is necessary because the left lane is a GP lane before the intersection. At least in the US, I think the MUTCD treats them like "exit only" signs.

In that case, I can actually see their use. I'd rather see lane use signs instead, but I'll take what I can get.

They're often used together. Lane use signs on span wire with ground mounted "must turn" signs. At least in the east, ground-mounted lane use signs are quite rare outside of Vermont. NYSDOT often tries to avoid this altogether by having the right lane end immediately before a right turn lane appears.

[jakeroot]

How common are 'LEFT LANE MUST TURN LEFT' signs? By default, isn't that always the case?

https://goo.gl/maps/uNhY2YjEeW92

Fairly common. Usually only used when there is a median next to the left turn lane though, such as in this case. I don't think they are necessary, but that's not my choice to make.

Honestly, I never understood the reasoning for them either.  I'll see many intersections where the left lane must turn left and the right lane must turn right, yet this worded signage will either be omitted, or only one of the turn lanes is signed with the worded sign.

Typically, they're used only when a new lane forms (i.e. 2-lane road gets a left turn lane or right turn lane appears) or if a general-purpose lane becomes a turn lane, mostly in the latter case. I'd say the linked example is necessary because the left lane is a GP lane before the intersection. At least in the US, I think the MUTCD treats them like "exit only" signs.

In that case, I can actually see their use. I'd rather see lane use signs instead, but I'll take what I can get.

They're often used together. Lane use signs on span wire with ground mounted "must turn" signs. At least in the east, ground-mounted lane use signs are quite rare outside of Vermont. NYSDOT often tries to avoid this altogether by having the right lane end immediately before a right turn lane appears.

One of many differences between east and west, evidently: lane use signs, at least in Washington, are very heavily used, almost universally ground-mounted. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen span-wire lane use signs. If there is some sort of overhead signage, it's a BGS.

[Pete from Boston]

"Ignore GPS" sign near an Amazon warehouse in Windsor, CT found by a reddit user:



Source

Finally, unambiguously good advice from a sign.