Best/Worst looking highway signage

[juscuz410]

Consider the look, function, lineage, and design.

Discuss.

[Scott5114]

Are you talking about shield design, or just signage in general?

In both, I give Kansas my vote for the best signage. Kansas BGSes are designed very well, usually clear and also appealing to the eye. The sunflower is a great, eye-catching design with a symbol well-suited to the state. Tennessee is a close runner up in terms of BGS construction, and Wisconsin takes third.

Oklahoma has IMO a fine shield design but the BGSes here are woefully inconsistent. Some of the signs look downright bad.

[agentsteel53]

my favorite shield is Nebraska - both the old and new styles.

best signage in general - California.  where else are you going to find so many signs from the late 1950s???  From a functional perspective, it's a disaster of course, but old porcelain is awesome.

[njroadhorse]

Favorite shield- Florida

Best signage- Probably Maryland.  When you're on the Interstate and not familiar with the area, they will not hesitate to throw anything on their attraction signs.  Even their ungodly short and useless state routes are sign fairly well.

[Scott5114]

best signage in general - California.  where else are you going to find so many signs from the late 1950s???  From a functional perspective, it's a disaster of course, but old porcelain is awesome.

Admit it–that's why you picked it to be where you lived

[WNYroadgeek]

*cringes*

[agentsteel53]

no, I simply happened to get a job there.  I'm moving to New Mexico in a few weeks!

[Duke87]

In terms of rather nonstandard stuff that looks good, there's the New Jersey Turnpike, and the Merritt Parkway.

The Connecticut Turnpike also originally had its own distinct style of signs, but they're all long gone in favor of MUTCD-standard signage.

[Ian]

In terms of rather nonstandard stuff that looks good, there's the New Jersey Turnpike, and the Merritt Parkway.

I was gonna say the same thing. I like NJTP's way of having the exit # and the distince to it on the top of the sign. I also like the style of arrow at the exits.
http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/NewJerseyTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5343891597076737106
I call it the "snake arrow". That photo shows some of the older signs on the trurnpike. I also like how the Merritt Parkway has the "points" (I don't know what to call them) on the sides of the signs...
http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/ConnecticutTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5323241816371679602

Hates:
-I am not a fan of NJDOT's freeway signage. They mount most of their signs on overhead sign posts that look just too bulky. Here is an example:
http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/NewJerseyTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5341344115943163410
Just to big and too bulky for anywhere.

-I also hate NJDOT's practice of putting black space behind the state and US routes. Not a huge fan of it.

-Another thing I hate about NJDOT's freeway signs is that on a huge number of them, they use a huge amount of unnecessary green space. Here is a perfect example:
http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/NewJerseyTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5341344474788401634
Those signs can be downsized by a whole lot IMHO.

Likes:
-I like how on most signs in New Hampshire and on the Maine Turnpike are signed in both English and metric:
http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/NewHampshireTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5353972540036942962

-I also like how Connecticut's older practice is having the state and US shields on the freeway signs be button copy and have the shield be green as in a part of the sign. I can't explain it well, so just look here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/ButtonCopySigns#5296923468276634562

-I like how on older signs in MA and RI have the exit tabs as part of the sign as in no separation like between the two...
http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/MassachusettsTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5323185719535104162
http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/RhodeIslandTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5324326183437799730

-I don't know why, but I kind of like it that there are a few giant yellow diamond warning signs on the freeways in Rhode Island...
http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/RhodeIslandTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5324326029477564690
http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/RhodeIslandTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5324327826445146866
http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/RhodeIslandTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5324328058832482546
http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/RhodeIslandTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5324328112599650882

My $0.02,
Ian

[juscuz410]

5114: I was referring to the BGS signage. Sorry I didn't clear that up, but appreciate your imput on guide signage.

WNY: Interesting font...

My picks:
Best looking BGS: Michigan(pre-clearview) with the original underlined directions. Others incl. WVa, Ohio, and Penna(all seem to be using the sme design)

Best functional BGS: Maryland. Not neccessarily attractive, but very detailed and personable, if that's even an option.
N.C. I like in this category as well.

Ugliest BGS: Indiana.(And I was born there. Shame on you guys!)

[Duke87]

Best functional BGS: Maryland. Not neccessarily attractive, but very detailed and personable, if that's even an option.

One functional peciliarity MDOT is fond of is using arrows pointing directly right instead of up/right when a ramp has a tight curve. I find it odd because I take arrows pointing directly left or right turn to mean a left or right turn (as at an intersection). Though it does practically emphasize the tightness of the curve, if unconventional.
Another is the habit of sticking shields on gore point signs at major splits. Again, functionally practical, but unusual.


Though, the best bit of novelty but functional signage I've seen is not actually signage, but pavement marking. Southbound on the NYS Thruway, approaching Exit 8 (the eastern 87/287 split), NYSTA after they redid the interchange painted I-87 and I-287 shields in the appropriate lanes (in color!) in addition to employing diagrammatic overheads. This sort of thing is apparently quite commonplace in Europe, but not here. We should do it more often. Only other place I've seen it is after the GW Bridge where NJDOT painted a NJ 4 shield in the exit only lane for it.

[yanksfan6129]

In terms of looks, I definitely prefer rounded-edge signs. They break more easily, but definitely look prettier.

[Scott5114]

Best functional BGS: Maryland. Not neccessarily attractive, but very detailed and personable, if that's even an option.

One functional peciliarity MDOT is fond of is using arrows pointing directly right instead of up/right when a ramp has a tight curve. I find it odd because I take arrows pointing directly left or right turn to mean a left or right turn (as at an intersection). Though it does practically emphasize the tightness of the curve, if unconventional.
Another is the habit of sticking shields on gore point signs at major splits. Again, functionally practical, but unusual.

How about Maryland's unique LANE ENDS sign?


Another odd habit of theirs is placing the sloping arrow on its own line, not centered like everyone else does, nor right-aligned like Texas, but 3/4 across the width of the sign.

Though, the best bit of novelty but functional signage I've seen is not actually signage, but pavement marking. Southbound on the NYS Thruway, approaching Exit 8 (the eastern 87/287 split), NYSTA after they redid the interchange painted I-87 and I-287 shields in the appropriate lanes (in color!) in addition to employing diagrammatic overheads. This sort of thing is apparently quite commonplace in Europe, but not here. We should do it more often. Only other place I've seen it is after the GW Bridge where NJDOT painted a NJ 4 shield in the exit only lane for it.

Oklahoma has quite a few instances of this: OK-9 EB approaching I-35, and the Fort Smith Junction come to mind. I think there are some in Tulsa as well.

[roadfro]

Though, the best bit of novelty but functional signage I've seen is not actually signage, but pavement marking. Southbound on the NYS Thruway, approaching Exit 8 (the eastern 87/287 split), NYSTA after they redid the interchange painted I-87 and I-287 shields in the appropriate lanes (in color!) in addition to employing diagrammatic overheads. This sort of thing is apparently quite commonplace in Europe, but not here. We should do it more often. Only other place I've seen it is after the GW Bridge where NJDOT painted a NJ 4 shield in the exit only lane for it.

Nevada DOT has used this in a couple locations in Reno, approaching the Spaghetti Bowl interchange (I-80 / US 395), complete with the full-color interstate shields as well as a US highway shield for 395.  The Interstate shield is in the 2004 Standard Highway Signs book (a MUTCD-related publication), but an equivalent US shield graphic is not in the book.

[deathtopumpkins]

VDOT recently painted I-64 shields on the C/D roads at the newly redone Battlefield Blvd. interchange in Chesapeake, in the lane that takes you through to the I-64 mainline.  I really like the idea, and definitely think it should become standard in complex junctions.

[akotchi]

^^ re:word markings.  I see them in construction zones fairly often where same direction through lanes split around a work area.

Would be effective as permanent guidance, especially when approach to roadway split is on a horizontal curve -- the overhead signs are not overly clear in these cases.

[wytout]

I thoroughly hate the widespread use of Button Copy on BGSes in here in CT, especially when the state route sheilds are the same color as the BGS and it is denoted by a white button copy box outline, green text field, and white button copy numerals inside it. 

[agentsteel53]

Conn utterly butchers button copy. 



this is obviously a poor photo, but ... still.  That's impressively bad contrast.  Button copy as intended - i.e. on non-retroreflective backgrounds - works very well.

In general I do not see why green signs need to be retroreflective - it just diminishes contrast.  I think the best combination is reflective white foreground on non-reflective dark green blackground.  It is more cost-effective than button copy (the buttons, and the form-fit aluminum outlines, are pretty expensive!) and is easier to see than all-reflective-all-the-time green signs. 

[Scott5114]

Totally agreed. Oklahoma has the crappy reflective button copy too:


Photo credit: Matt Kleiman, from alpsroads.com

[Ian]

Scott,

Where did you find that Maryland "lane ends" graphic?

[Scott5114]

Wikipedia, of course.  Commons, to be more exact.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Diagrams_of_road_signs_of_the_United_States

[wytout]

My thing has always been shields, but recently I noticed something else about CT's BGS's.  In CT Exit tabs always appear in the center of the BGS even at the exit ramp, left or right exit does not matter, the tab is centered.  Exit tabs in CT do not have any white borders.  The main BGS does, but the exit tab does not.  I'm not sure if this is true throughout the entire state, but it seems consistent in the greater hartford area on 84, 91, and other highways.  One last gripe about CT's BGS's.  I notice in other states, most recently when I was in MA and RI --not that they are particularly good at signage either! But, the outside edges of BGS's I noticed in those states are nicely finished off with an aluminum trim cap piece, but I've rarely ever seen a CT BGS with this, the individual ends of the strips used to make up the BGS are exposed all up and down the sides of the signs.  just some more observations on why our BGS's are generally ugly, I've already covered the whole love of Buyton-copy issue, so no need to go back into that.

EXAMPLES OF CENTERED EXIT TABS AND NOT EXIT TAB BORDERS (I-91 S in Windsor). Note the use of space on the Center Street Exit Directional.  I think I would have put "Center" over "St" with the Arrow to the right of the Text instead, but that's just me I guess, not ConnDOT.



Example of open ends on BGS's as seen on the left side of this BGS (consequently this BGS is NOT button-copy and less common in CT, on CT190 in Enfield, but it sure is ugly as all hell!)
I have seen very few signs with trim caps on the end around Manchester, strictly on a few of the non-button-copy signs there, but not all of them.

[City]

What pesters me on these Georgia highway signs is that Connector is posted as "Conn", and of course can be confused with Connecticut. 



And NYCDOT's handy signs with "Department of Transportation" smacked on the bottom should just be abbreviated with NYCDOT on the bottom. It'd be much easier, IMO.



And I don't like all those signs that look out of align or has too much space between words.



I don't like the wording. Seems too much like something a person would say, not what a road sign would say. I think that it would be better said "NO PARKING
HERE ALWAYS" or "DO NOT PARK HERE".

[mightyace]

What pesters me on these Georgia highway signs is that Connector is posted as "Conn", and of course can be confused with Connecticut.

I think anyone who sees that sign and thinks they are in Connecticut, has major problems and probably shouldn't be driving! 

[City]

I think anyone who sees that sign and thinks they are in Connecticut, has major problems and probably shouldn't be driving! 

But still, I think that it would look better with a connector auxiliary tab above.