The Best of Road Signs

[PurdueBill]

To me the downward-pointing arrow is very peculiar. I know apparently that's common out in California, but it's not normal in anyplace I've ever lived.

The Newton Corner interchange (exit 17) has more examples of button copy dating to the opening of the Extension with downward arrows, including opposing arrows on the same sign.  Steve's page has some good pics.

The button copy sign at the entrance to the ramp, with an upward arrow, seems odd.  I wonder if the arrow once pointed down, possibly with the sign being moved from an original location when the building was built over the Pike.  The road was originally open-air at that location before the building/parking was built above it.

[Ian]

The Goog shows a wire leading to it, so it certainly is or was backlit.

Yeah, I did take note of the wiring coming out of the sign, which was one clue to me that it was backlit at some point. I'm curious to see what this sign looks like when it is lit, but I'm assuming it'll be replaced before that happens.

Last time, I went to Boston just to photograph one sign. It seems like a repeat may be in order.

I'd love to come up with you! There are several signs up there that I missed (like the cat-eyed "RIGHT TURN AHEAD" sign in South Boston) and wanted to take photos of, but didn't get the opportunity to do so.

To me the downward-pointing arrow is very peculiar. I know apparently that's common out in California, but it's not normal in anyplace I've ever lived.

I noticed that MassDOT loves to use that downward-pointing arrow, especially at major junctions. Here's an example along I-91 in Chicopee.

My guess is that sign is about as old as the building structure (John Hancock Conference Center) it's mounted on.  It likely replaced the old original 60s-era button-copy BGS that existed prior to the Conference Center being built and it just matched the wording & legend in kind.

I wouldn't doubt that theory. Though it looks like they missed the other 60's-era button copy BGS that's right down the ramp.

[codyg1985]

To me the downward-pointing arrow is very peculiar. I know apparently that's common out in California, but it's not normal in anyplace I've ever lived.

I noticed that MassDOT loves to use that downward-pointing arrow, especially at major junctions.

Tennessee DOT uses these all the time at major splits on freeways.

[Duke87]

Still kicking in Rochester:

[agentsteel53]

(like the cat-eyed "RIGHT TURN AHEAD" sign in South Boston)

now this I need to see a picture of!  all the cateyed signs I know of in MA are out rurally...

[Alps]

(like the cat-eyed "RIGHT TURN AHEAD" sign in South Boston)

now this I need to see a picture of!  all the cateyed signs I know of in MA are out rurally...

Button copy...

[Ian]

(like the cat-eyed "RIGHT TURN AHEAD" sign in South Boston)

now this I need to see a picture of!  all the cateyed signs I know of in MA are out rurally...

Button copy...

I guess it is button copy. My bad.
http://goo.gl/maps/5sibi

[PurdueBill]

(like the cat-eyed "RIGHT TURN AHEAD" sign in South Boston)

now this I need to see a picture of!  all the cateyed signs I know of in MA are out rurally...

Button copy...

I guess it is button copy. My bad.
http://goo.gl/maps/5sibi

Yep, button copy. 

With flash it's definitely button copy.

[StogieGuy7]

Not sure if this one should go under "best" or "worst"! 

But it sure is interesting - and befuddling to the average American:
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=roppongi&hl=en&ll=35.662739,139.731134&spn=0.001776,0.002411&hnear=Roppongi,+Minato,+Tokyo,+Japan&gl=us&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=35.662739,139.731134&panoid=BqtVXg0xgdgZcCsIW4CsMg&cbp=12,70.93,,0,-15.52

[agentsteel53]

I saw similar in Argentina the other day - and I wish Mexico City would install a few like that.

the only thing about the sign which is ambiguous to me is where "C1" is supposed to be.  Is that even a highway, or does it refer to the loop as a whole?

[vtk]

I think I've seen that specific sign before.  Possibly in a video game.

[formulanone]

the only thing about the sign which is ambiguous to me is where "C1" is supposed to be.  Is that even a highway, or does it refer to the loop as a whole?

I suppose it denotes the loop, based on this.

(Now with some Japanese green-out?)

[agentsteel53]

also, damn Arialveticverstesk.

[cpzilliacus]

the only thing about the sign which is ambiguous to me is where "C1" is supposed to be.  Is that even a highway, or does it refer to the loop as a whole?

I suppose it denotes the loop, based on this.

(Now with some Japanese green-out?)

Yes, I think that tells you if you clockwise or counterclockwise.

[Takumi]

Arialveticverstesk™

Fixed

[Central Avenue]

the only thing about the sign which is ambiguous to me is where "C1" is supposed to be.  Is that even a highway, or does it refer to the loop as a whole?

I suppose it denotes the loop, based on this.

(Now with some Japanese green-out?)

I love the Rainbow Bridge sign.

But I'm a rainbow-y kinda person in general.

[yakra]

Dig those katakana.
Reinbo-Burijji!

[mukade]

Not sure if this one should go under "best" or "worst"! 

But it sure is interesting - and befuddling to the average American:
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=roppongi&hl=en&ll=35.662739,139.731134&spn=0.001776,0.002411&hnear=Roppongi,+Minato,+Tokyo,+Japan&gl=us&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=35.662739,139.731134&panoid=BqtVXg0xgdgZcCsIW4CsMg&cbp=12,70.93,,0,-15.52

If I remember correctly, the black routes show red (LED) for congestion or green for clear - at least during rush hour. If not this particular one, I saw signs in Tokyo like that.

[StogieGuy7]

Not sure if this one should go under "best" or "worst"! 

But it sure is interesting - and befuddling to the average American:
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=roppongi&hl=en&ll=35.662739,139.731134&spn=0.001776,0.002411&hnear=Roppongi,+Minato,+Tokyo,+Japan&gl=us&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=35.662739,139.731134&panoid=BqtVXg0xgdgZcCsIW4CsMg&cbp=12,70.93,,0,-15.52

If I remember correctly, the black routes show red (LED) for congestion or green for clear - at least during rush hour. If not this particular one, I saw signs in Tokyo like that.

Yes, I believe you are correct!  However, because of the way it's labeled, what's going on is not clear to the average foreigner.  Once you understand what info the sign is conveying, I am sure that it makes perfect sense.   

[74/171FAN]

This is a state-named I-81 shield on US 11 in Christiansburg that existed earlier this year (I think I took this picture in March?).  Also I noticed that Christiansburg here is doing its best Hopewell impression... 

[cu2010]

So I'm running around running errands today, happened to have the camera with me, and I stumble upon this...



Best part? This is a fairly recent install...it's been a while since I drove through there, but the last time I did, it was a regular, modern crossbuck!

[adt1982]

I stumbled across a sign like that yesterday, except the lettering and color is all gone.  It guarded a long-gone Illinois Terminal crossing in Staunton

[NE2]

Ugly as hell.

[Takumi]

Looks like Christiansburg uses the same font for its street blades as Chesterfield County.

[74/171FAN]

Looks like Christiansburg uses the same font for its street blades as Chesterfield County.

I think it's more that particular sign than the rest of Christiansburg itself.  The rest that I remember seeing have the street names in caps (the only photo I have of one does not show the sign very well) so I'd have to drive around downtown one day to verify that.  I personally think Blacksburg signs on the ground are more like the ones in Chesterfield with the street names in lower-case.
Christiansburg

Blacksburg