I have no idea what the official term for these are, so if someone knows, tell me and I'll change the thread title. EDIT: They're called "Ramp Reference Markers.
Example of one on an on-ramp in Ohio. Ohio tries to fit it all in a square, which is why road names have letters missing:
(https://i.imgur.com/lne321T.png)
And an exit ramp one in Indiana. They fit the full road name with the suffix, and include the exit number. Much prefer Indiana's version over Ohio's:
(https://i.imgur.com/48sbNgx.png)
Rough incomplete list of states that use them (will edit when more states are mentioned):
- Indiana
- Kansas (freeway-freeway only)
- Kentucky
- Michigan (Metro Detroit only)
- New York (green, Region 5 only)
- Ohio
NYSDOT Region 5 (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.9334361,-78.7999083,3a,34.4y,240.74h,77.94t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s4EnzHhzjJehOfiv8gPgVMQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656) does something similar, though I haven't seen such signs used elsewhere in the state.
Michigan has them on some of the larger freeway-to-freeway interchanges. For example: https://www.google.com/maps/@42.4757176,-83.1108252,3a,21.3y,22.65h,87.62t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1swYTixm4sBlhlDyv7p013Fw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en
Is it more than a metro Detroit thing?
Kansas uses them, but only on freeway-to-freeway interchanges.
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.105427,-94.6795787,3a,19.7y,260.37h,88.64t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sGLVFPg-M6FLkOwp9_GOuYQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
Reference markers.
(https://storage13.openstreetcam.org/files/photo/2020/2/15/proc/2080970_1_288ce_14.jpg)
NC uses these on NC 540
Ramp mileposts of this type have been installed on select freeway-to-freeway interchanges in Utah:
https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=21703.0
Quote from: Scott5114 on September 05, 2021, 02:02:44 PM
Kansas uses them, but only on freeway-to-freeway interchanges.
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.105427,-94.6795787,3a,19.7y,260.37h,88.64t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sGLVFPg-M6FLkOwp9_GOuYQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
Missouri have something similar to KS's at some fwy-fwy interchanges, except it's green instead of blue.
https://www.google.com/maps/@38.6404461,-90.4504585,3a,21.9y,214.13h,85.39t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1stupH_b6LAF7wm5rxDEbciQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
PennDOT District 6 has them at one interchange (I-76/I-476/PA 23). In some cases, they are the exit number with a suffix. Otherwise, they list the connecting routes.
https://goo.gl/maps/tgsjKiUmyx9pSQHk7
https://goo.gl/maps/x1VWtTi6Pu9Pub1M8
They're scattered around Florida; I-595 seemed to use them for the last 20 years. They would say RAMP ## A-D, where ## was the exit number, and each quadrant was a letter for the direction of the ramp. I don't recall offhand seeing them in other places around the state, but I could be wrong.
They're also used in the Buffalo area by NYSDOT
https://goo.gl/maps/xe9JyteCXkyxCCyD6
Quote from: MASTERNC on September 13, 2021, 09:39:39 PM
They're also used in the Buffalo area by NYSDOT
https://goo.gl/maps/xe9JyteCXkyxCCyD6
*ahem*
Quote from: vdeane on September 05, 2021, 12:43:44 PM
NYSDOT Region 5 (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.9334361,-78.7999083,3a,34.4y,240.74h,77.94t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s4EnzHhzjJehOfiv8gPgVMQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656) does something similar, though I haven't seen such signs used elsewhere in the state.
This thread isn't even a full page and we're already getting repeats...
Quote from: GaryV on September 05, 2021, 01:43:15 PM
Michigan has them on some of the larger freeway-to-freeway interchanges. For example: https://www.google.com/maps/@42.4757176,-83.1108252,3a,21.3y,22.65h,87.62t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1swYTixm4sBlhlDyv7p013Fw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en
Arbitrarily used on some ramps to and from surface roads as well; for example:
https://goo.gl/maps/hNvmVNgGvf27Jbio7 and https://goo.gl/maps/YWDpg6L2tcro8B9f9
Quote from: GaryV on September 05, 2021, 01:43:15 PM
Is it more than a metro Detroit thing?
Might just be metro Detroit. I Streetviewed some interchanges in other parts of the state and didn't see any.
I believe these signs are becoming more common across the country, as they assist motorists in more accurately reporting accidents/breakdowns/problems to 911 dispatchers or other authorities. They also help state & local DOTs in better identifying long and/or confusing ramps more precisely in contract bidding documents.
WVDOH uses them state-wide, at least on Interstates.
I seem to recall some along I-40 around Nashville, TN, prior to 2009 but can't find them on Streetview.
Quote from: GaryV on September 05, 2021, 01:43:15 PM
Michigan has them on some of the larger freeway-to-freeway interchanges. For example: https://www.google.com/maps/@42.4757176,-83.1108252,3a,21.3y,22.65h,87.62t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1swYTixm4sBlhlDyv7p013Fw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en
Is it more than a metro Detroit thing?
Found one in Port Huron when randomly browsing the area in GSV:
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.9917587,-82.4505711,3a,20y,90.31h,90.54t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sCDL7hB7l2lS2wUmBsJo1Eg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
Quote from: SkyPesos on September 05, 2021, 11:54:01 AM
I have no idea what the official term for these are, so if someone knows, tell me and I'll change the thread title.
Example of one on an on-ramp in Ohio. Ohio tries to fit it all in a square, which is why road names have letters missing:
(https://i.imgur.com/lne321T.png)
And an exit ramp one in Indiana. They fit the full road name with the suffix, and include the exit number. Much prefer Indiana's version over Ohio's:
(https://i.imgur.com/48sbNgx.png)
Rough incomplete list of states that use them (will edit when more states are mentioned):
- Indiana
- Kansas (freeway-freeway only)
- Kentucky
- Michigan (Metro Detroit only)
- New York (green, Region 5 only)
- Ohio
Ramp Reference Markers are discussed in the " Evaluation of reference markers" (https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.954.7422&rep=rep1&type=pdf) report that was posted a few weeks ago in a different thread. So they have been around for over 20 years.
Not sure if this counts, freeway to freeway ramp in WI. It is a modified ramp marker sign. https://goo.gl/maps/drsNhqxqCMLydC9k7