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

[Alex4897]

Uncontrolled pedestrian crossings aren't safe on four lane roads with more than a certain amount of traffic.  That leaves the choice at regular traffic light, flashing beacons (experimental as of 2009 MUTCD; will likely be official in the next one), and a HAWK signal.  The flashing beacons probably work better at slower speeds since they're at ground level, leaving just the regular signal and the HAWK.  Of those, the HAWK at least allows traffic to proceed after a stop, isn't constantly using electricity, and would be less likely to lure traffic into a false sense of security of assuming it's always green (albeit many people don't know what to do with them, and the wigwag pattern invites confusion at rail crossings).

I guess what I MEANT to say is, why this sign?  I'm okay with the HAWK signals there (not really, I think they're a dumb idea, but I digress), but there HAS to be a better way to sign this thing...

I don't see what's wrong with signing it by its appearance, it's how we sign every other signalized intersection anyway.  It gets the point across.

[cl94]

Here's what looks like a Schoharie County install along CR 27 at NY 30A. Flags and flashing warning beacons obviously weren't enough to stop overheight trucks, so there's a yellow and black striped outline. Note the warning siren next to the sign installed by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection in case Gilboa Dam next to the infamous NY 990V decides to fail and wipe out everything in the valley.

[SignGeek101]

Quebec always finds interesting ways to use symbols.

[noelbotevera]

Quebec always finds interesting ways to use symbols.

When merging, a bus may crash into you.

[national highway 1]

Found this interesting I-710 shield on the AARoads Facebook page complete with the round European arrow placard.

[jwolfer]

Found this interesting I-710 shield on the AARoads Facebook page complete with the round European arrow placard.

That looks like something from Disney property or a shopping mall

[jay8g]

Uncontrolled pedestrian crossings aren't safe on four lane roads with more than a certain amount of traffic.  That leaves the choice at regular traffic light, flashing beacons (experimental as of 2009 MUTCD; will likely be official in the next one), and a HAWK signal.  The flashing beacons probably work better at slower speeds since they're at ground level, leaving just the regular signal and the HAWK.  Of those, the HAWK at least allows traffic to proceed after a stop, isn't constantly using electricity, and would be less likely to lure traffic into a false sense of security of assuming it's always green (albeit many people don't know what to do with them, and the wigwag pattern invites confusion at rail crossings).

I guess what I MEANT to say is, why this sign?  I'm okay with the HAWK signals there (not really, I think they're a dumb idea, but I digress), but there HAS to be a better way to sign this thing...

WSDOT uses signs that just say "PED SIGNAL"

[Occidental Tourist]

Found this interesting I-710 shield on the AARoads Facebook page complete with the round European arrow placard.

That looks like something from Disney property or a shopping mall

The City of Long Beach put this up.

[roadman65]

Disney must of designed it.  We have them all throughout the WDW resort in Florida.

[mapman1071]

Found this interesting I-710 shield on the AARoads Facebook page complete with the round European arrow placard.

That looks like something from Disney property or a shopping mall

The City of Long Beach put this up.

Jurassic Park?

[Zeffy]

Oh no. LeHay font... and ugly shield shapes. What do you call this??
https://www.google.com/maps/@46.1255688,-67.8420235,3a,15y,204.88h,94.02t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sIb1wyJ_ajb8AO-0qacNWfg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Not related, but the only time I've seen both cardinal directions on a freeway sign for a single route:
https://www.google.com/maps/@44.9201841,-93.2750251,3a,15y,174.91h,99.07t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sK0MHAsLheisqwaoEQu0CeQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1

[ethanhopkin14]

Not related, but the only time I've seen both cardinal directions on a freeway sign for a single route:
https://www.google.com/maps/@44.9201841,-93.2750251,3a,15y,174.91h,99.07t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sK0MHAsLheisqwaoEQu0CeQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1
[/quote]

Does this count?

https://www.google.com/maps/@29.773885,-95.2378579,3a,60y,269.93h,88.66t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s5LE8K8Ttw9QEQTqnPYQyFg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

[Ian]

Oh no. LeHay font... and ugly shield shapes. What do you call this??
https://www.google.com/maps/@46.1255688,-67.8420235,3a,15y,204.88h,94.02t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sIb1wyJ_ajb8AO-0qacNWfg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Damn, I missed that when I was in the area last April. There are (or were, given MaineDOT's latest trend to replace everything older than 6 years old) more up the road.





Maine used that shield shape a ton on intersection signage back in the LeHay era.

Not related, but the only time I've seen both cardinal directions on a freeway sign for a single route:
https://www.google.com/maps/@44.9201841,-93.2750251,3a,15y,174.91h,99.07t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sK0MHAsLheisqwaoEQu0CeQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1

The entrance signs for the Mass Pike (I-90) have EAST-WEST written in them...



There's also this one on I-81 northbound at I-70 in Hagerstown, MD...

[hbelkins]

I-81 is also signed for "North and South" on I-70 at Hagerstown.

[cl94]

Along I-270 in northern Columbus, these signs are on their final days if they aren't yet gone. Yet another case of "north and south".

[ekt8750]

Along I-270 in northern Columbus, these signs are on their final days if they aren't yet gone.

A 3di shield with E(m) numerals. Didn't think it was possible.

[Eth]

Not related, but the only time I've seen both cardinal directions on a freeway sign for a single route:
https://www.google.com/maps/@44.9201841,-93.2750251,3a,15y,174.91h,99.07t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sK0MHAsLheisqwaoEQu0CeQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1

I-285 at GA 400. Done, I think, to emphasize that you can indeed go both directions on that route although US 19 goes only north (southbound US 19 hitches a ride on I-285 west to the next exit where it rejoins GA 9).

[roadman65]

Not exactly a strange sign, but Google camera did a job in blurring out US 209.
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.3568803,-74.6926878,3a,37.5y,351.4h,88.12t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s_hKObmgsiXNbv68If1KlZg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1

I tried to find that thread about strange things seen on GSV, but I could not, so rather than start a new thread, I thought this is close enough.

[1995hoo]

Regarding two directions on one sign, there's a sign on eastbound I-66 approaching Exit 60 in Virginia that has the Route 123 shield with the words "SOUTH" and "NORTH" stacked atop each other (South on top) to the right of the shield.

Posting via iPhone so no Street View link. I'll add one later if nobody beats me to it.

[jakeroot]

Not exactly a strange sign, but Google camera did a job in blurring out US 209.
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.3568803,-74.6926878,3a,37.5y,351.4h,88.12t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s_hKObmgsiXNbv68If1KlZg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1

I tried to find that thread about strange things seen on GSV, but I could not, so rather than start a new thread, I thought this is close enough.

Google's algorithm for deciding which items to blur seems to include highway shields an awful lot.

[hbelkins]

Regarding two directions on one sign, there's a sign on eastbound I-66 approaching Exit 60 in Virginia that has the Route 123 shield with the words "SOUTH" and "NORTH" stacked atop each other (South on top) to the right of the shield.

Posting via iPhone so no Street View link. I'll add one later if nobody beats me to it.

You mean this?

IMG_2847 by H.B. Elkins, on Flickr

[1995hoo]

Thank you. That's the one.

[jeffandnicole]

Not exactly a strange sign, but Google camera did a job in blurring out US 209.
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.3568803,-74.6926878,3a,37.5y,351.4h,88.12t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s_hKObmgsiXNbv68If1KlZg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1

I tried to find that thread about strange things seen on GSV, but I could not, so rather than start a new thread, I thought this is close enough.

Yep. If it has numbers, it's going to occasionally be blurred. Often, you can go back or forward one shot and see the sign without a problem.

Google's algorithm for deciding which items to blur seems to include highway shields an awful lot.

[vdeane]

Not exactly a strange sign, but Google camera did a job in blurring out US 209.
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.3568803,-74.6926878,3a,37.5y,351.4h,88.12t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s_hKObmgsiXNbv68If1KlZg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1

I tried to find that thread about strange things seen on GSV, but I could not, so rather than start a new thread, I thought this is close enough.

Hardly unique.  In my experience, EVERY BGS ever erected in the entire history of BGSes on street view has at least one frame with a shield blurred.

[noelbotevera]

Regarding two directions on one sign, there's a sign on eastbound I-66 approaching Exit 60 in Virginia that has the Route 123 shield with the words "SOUTH" and "NORTH" stacked atop each other (South on top) to the right of the shield.

Posting via iPhone so no Street View link. I'll add one later if nobody beats me to it.

You mean this?

IMG_2847 by H.B. Elkins, on Flickr

The even more odd sign is the "BEGIN HERE TO EXIT". What's so hard about that?