Topic: I-540 Signage (ATTN AHTD) (Read 24801 times)

US71 · « **on:** February 12, 2014, 12:13:33 PM »

AHTD:

Are you using 2 different vendors for your new signs? I've noticed two different styles of I-540 shields, Southbound, most have the state name. Northbound, they don't have the state name ("neutered" as we often call them) and also have a taller, narrower sign font. It seems strange (to me at least) for one direction to use one style of sign and the other direction use a different style.

Southbound

Northbound

AHTD · « **Reply #1 on:** February 12, 2014, 03:24:21 PM »

Route markers on overhead signs typically do not contain the state name, whereas ground-mounted route markers typically do. The MUTCD allows the state name to be displayed as an option and ours is to place "Arkansas" on ground-mounted shields.

The northbound photo looks like a new installation and it appears that either a consultant placed the wrong shield on construction plans or the contractor installed the wrong shield.

If you can give us the location of this photo, we'll be able to tell you what happened - and correct the issue!

Many thanks for bringing this to our attention. We really appreciate it!

Nate here! · « **Reply #2 on:** February 12, 2014, 03:54:29 PM »

Southbound side looks way better. Also, these shields are huge. Two support posts? Oh.

US71 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 12, 2014, 04:10:22 PM »

Quote from: AHTD on February 12, 2014, 03:24:21 PM

Route markers on overhead signs typically do not contain the state name, whereas ground-mounted route markers typically do. The MUTCD allows the state name to be displayed as an option and ours is to place "Arkansas" on ground-mounted shields.

The northbound photo looks like a new installation and it appears that either a consultant placed the wrong shield on construction plans or the contractor installed the wrong shield.

If you can give us the location of this photo, we'll be able to tell you what happened - and correct the issue!

Many thanks for bringing this to our attention. We really appreciate it!

Both photos are new installation.

The photo saying South 540 (top) is on SB I-540 between Grand and Rogers (due to the lane restrictions I had to do a "drive-by" photo since there was no place to safely stop).

The photo saying North 540 (bottom) was taken along NB I-540 just past the US 271/AR 253 Exit.

M86 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 16, 2014, 02:44:41 AM »

http://goo.gl/maps/uKcms

I-540 near Exit 82 in NWA.

US71 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 16, 2014, 08:58:10 AM »

Quote from: M86 on February 16, 2014, 02:44:41 AM

http://goo.gl/maps/uKcms

I-540 near Exit 82 in NWA.

I'd forgotten about those. There are 2 or 3 near the Promenade exit. Also smaller than normal size, I think.

AHTD · « **Reply #6 on:** February 19, 2014, 05:46:31 PM »

We are moving away from including the state name on ground-level Interstate route markers. Signs in this area that were installed incorrectly (wrong version of sign) will be removed and replaced with the correct version.

NE2 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 19, 2014, 05:48:27 PM »

US71 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 19, 2014, 06:26:13 PM »

Quote from: AHTD on February 19, 2014, 05:46:31 PM

We are moving away from including the state name on ground-level Interstate route markers. Signs in this area that were installed incorrectly (wrong version of sign) will be removed and replaced with the correct version.

Guess I better hurry and get more photos

Alps · « **Reply #9 on:** February 19, 2014, 06:41:25 PM »

Quote from: AHTD on February 19, 2014, 05:46:31 PM

We are moving away from including the state name on ground-level Interstate route markers. Signs in this area that were installed incorrectly (wrong version of sign) will be removed and replaced with the correct version.

No! Please continue to include the state name! Texas has just started doing it - it reminds people what state they're in... plus we love it!

agentsteel53 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 19, 2014, 06:53:44 PM »

wait, does this mean the state name is only gonna go on shields mounted on green signs??

NE2 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 19, 2014, 06:55:06 PM »

You might be an anal roadgeek if...

AHTD · « **Reply #12 on:** February 20, 2014, 12:09:27 AM »

Quote from: agentsteel53 on February 19, 2014, 06:53:44 PM

wait, does this mean the state name is only gonna go on shields mounted on green signs??

We haven't been putting state name on overhead (green) signs. We are currently removing from the ground- mounted signs.

M86 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 20, 2014, 02:25:35 AM »

Quote from: NE2 on February 19, 2014, 06:55:06 PM

You might be an anal roadgeek if...

I just want consistency. That's my roadgeek/OCD talking.

US71 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 20, 2014, 10:17:21 AM »

Quote from: AHTD on February 20, 2014, 12:09:27 AM

Quote from: agentsteel53 on February 19, 2014, 06:53:44 PM
wait, does this mean the state name is only gonna go on shields mounted on green signs??

We haven't been putting state name on overhead (green) signs. We are currently removing from the ground- mounted signs.

To my knowledge AHTD has never used state names on the overheads (I can find no photos in my collection). Oklahoma does, though they are irregular about it. I know the independent signage in Arkansas is hit & miss, but I know AHTD replaced a lot of signs along I-40 in the last couple years, and many , if not all, of them have the state name.

I'm curious why the change: are the signs that much cheaper to make without the state name? If this is about shaving a few pennies off the sign budget, why not drop Interstate as well and just have a plain red field in the crown (unless there's a federal regulation which keeps the Interstate designation on the signs) ?

bugo · « **Reply #15 on:** February 20, 2014, 07:23:16 PM »

Quote from: AHTD on February 19, 2014, 05:46:31 PM

We are moving away from including the state name on ground-level Interstate route markers. Signs in this area that were installed incorrectly (wrong version of sign) will be removed and replaced with the correct version.

WHY? The state name is helpful for those times you're near a state line, can't remember if you've crossed it or not, and don't know what the speed limit is. This sounds like a waste of money and an unnecessary change. Don't tell me it's "legibility issues" because you use that unreadable font Clearview on all your new signs, a font that is hard to read at night, fact.

M86 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 21, 2014, 03:23:17 AM »

I'll be in the minority of my fellow road geeks...

I don't care about the state name on Interstate shields... As long as you're consistent about it.

bugo, Clearview is harder to read at night? I'm just glad AHTD stopped using all caps on certain signage... That IS harder to read, based on studies.

US71 · « **Reply #17 on:** February 21, 2014, 04:37:30 PM »

Quote from: M86 on February 21, 2014, 03:23:17 AM

I'll be in the minority of my fellow road geeks...

I don't care about the state name on Interstate shields... As long as you're consistent about it.

bugo, Clearview is harder to read at night? I'm just glad AHTD stopped using all caps on certain signage... That IS harder to read, based on studies.

Most of the signs on 540 were already U/L case, though I noticed on directions they're now using the larger initial letter

bjrush · « **Reply #18 on:** February 21, 2014, 06:55:24 PM »

Is that US 271 newer spec than usual?

US71 · « **Reply #19 on:** February 21, 2014, 09:02:17 PM »

Quote from: bjrush on February 21, 2014, 06:55:24 PM

Is that US 271 newer spec than usual?

Yes. It's the new Exit signage. The 253 shield looks a little odd to me, but it's still better than the old one.

bjrush · « **Reply #20 on:** February 21, 2014, 09:04:19 PM »

Does AHTD plan to update all of its US shields to the current MUTCD spec?

US71 · « **Reply #21 on:** February 21, 2014, 09:05:59 PM »

Quote from: bjrush on February 21, 2014, 09:04:19 PM

Does AHTD plan to update all of its US shields to the current MUTCD spec?

Maybe as signs are replaced, such as the new exit signs on I-540 .

bjrush · « **Reply #22 on:** February 21, 2014, 09:12:14 PM »

Now that you say that the US 71B is a little odd at Exit 85 in Bentonville/Rogers

The B is full size. I'm not sure how I feel about that

OLD

NEW

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Exit+Bail+Bond+Co+Inc,+905+W+Holly+St,+Rogers,+Benton+County,+Arkansas+72756&hl=en&ll=36.330834,-94.184403&spn=0.003575,0.005284&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=40.59616,86.572266&t=h&geocode=FUw-KgIdn7Zj-g&hnear=Exit+Bail+Bond+Co+Inc,+905+W+Holly+St,+Rogers,+Arkansas+72756&z=18&layer=c&cbll=36.330834,-94.184403&panoid=HDAZAGaMp4gCNB7zcGG3HQ&cbp=12,35.99,,0,4.93

US71 · « **Reply #23 on:** February 22, 2014, 12:07:09 AM »

Quote from: bjrush on February 21, 2014, 09:12:14 PM

Now that you say that the US 71B is a little odd at Exit 85 in Bentonville/Rogers

The B is full size. I'm not sure how I feel about that

OLD

NEW

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Exit+Bail+Bond+Co+Inc,+905+W+Holly+St,+Rogers,+Benton+County,+Arkansas+72756&hl=en&ll=36.330834,-94.184403&spn=0.003575,0.005284&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=40.59616,86.572266&t=h&geocode=FUw-KgIdn7Zj-g&hnear=Exit+Bail+Bond+Co+Inc,+905+W+Holly+St,+Rogers,+Arkansas+72756&z=18&layer=c&cbll=36.330834,-94.184403&panoid=HDAZAGaMp4gCNB7zcGG3HQ&cbp=12,35.99,,0,4.93

The independent signage is closer to the older version, but more centered, though AHTD sometimes gets things confused

M86 · « **Reply #24 on:** February 22, 2014, 01:59:55 AM »

Quote from: US71 on February 21, 2014, 04:37:30 PM

Quote from: M86 on February 21, 2014, 03:23:17 AM
bugo, Clearview is harder to read at night? I'm just glad AHTD stopped using all caps on certain signage... That IS harder to read, based on studies.

Most of the signs on 540 were already U/L case, though I noticed on directions they're now using the larger initial letter

I'm not talking about Interstate signage... I'm talking about this:

http://goo.gl/maps/vsNV4

and

http://goo.gl/maps/mGfJM

and those stupid arrows they use...

News:

Author Topic: I-540 Signage (ATTN AHTD) (Read 24801 times)