One thing I do as a roadgeek, is to take notice of the different overhead gantry assemblies each state uses. Some states are very uniform (Ohio), while some states use just about every design ever made (Pennsylvania).
What are your favorite/least favorite/most beautiful/most ugly assemblages? Photo examples would help as I don't believe they have official names.
Some that come to mind :
Best Endangered or "Antique" Gantries: Those Art Decos still on the Jersey Turnpike.
(https://www.aaroads.com/northeast/new_jersey050/i-095_sb_exit_006_05.jpg)
Favorite Foreign Gantry: The older gantries on Ontario with the "curved" edges.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.onthighways.com%2FQEW_images%2FQEW_dv_117_FEB_lg.jpg&hash=44585f7d1366e689dee2cabcc55c1588f46ab663)
Favorite US Gantry: The California Gantries which have a single, colored panel to which the BGSs are attached to.
(https://www.aaroads.com/west/california/images008/i-008_eb_exit_006a_04.jpg)
Favorite Modern Gantry: The Simple Tubular Arch assembly.
(https://www.aaroads.com/west/colorado006/us-006_wb_exit_006_01.jpg)
Ugliest: The Kentucky "Erector Set" -- the ones with the "Boxy" vertical assembly, usually a right shoulder-only assembly.
(https://www.aaroads.com/southeast/kentucky071/i-071_075_nb_exit_182_02.jpg)
Others??
Check out this one in Italy :biggrin:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.matildi.com%2Fimages%2Flotto5_gra_finale.jpg&hash=0c90ac2c69bb7ee9385daa1765a32a71b959a51d)
(they have extremely messy signage in Italy by the way)
Most gantry designs do have names, at least for types if not for specific designs.
In the case of traditional gantries with separate vertical and horizontal supports, the vertical supports are called posts (if they actually consist of just one member with a closed cross-section) while the horizontal support is called the truss. Within the truss itself, the parts of the individual support members which are between joints are called chords. Truss used by itself generally refers to the traditional design with horizontal members at the top and bottom which are secured to each other by lengths of pipe or angle iron, some of which run at an angle off vertical. If flat panels are used to conceal the structural elements, the result is called a box truss or closed truss. This design is particularly common in California. Some states, including Illinois, use a Vierendeel truss in which there are no diagonal chords, all chords being either vertical or horizontal. In structural engineering, truss is a general term for any object in which linear members are joined together to form a load-bearing structure, and this is the origin of the use of the term to refer to gantry designs.
The gantry design where the sign panels are strapped to a single pipe which functions as both the horizontal and vertical support is called monotube. Notwithstanding the designation, however, most monotube gantries are typically fabricated out of multiple lengths of pipe which are bolted to each other through thick flanges.
Quote from: Chris on July 18, 2009, 12:18:25 PM
Check out this one in Italy :biggrin:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.matildi.com%2Fimages%2Flotto5_gra_finale.jpg&hash=0c90ac2c69bb7ee9385daa1765a32a71b959a51d)
(they have extremely messy signage in Italy by the way)
Man, that is one messed-up gantry! Although i imagine one of the Italian designers made that up....
Count me as one who does like the gracefully curved gantries i saw in Ontario on I-401, I-403, and I-QEW....
oops there i go again.......
These are the most common gantries in the Netherlands:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm4.static.flickr.com%2F3224%2F3489069236_027e835c3a_o.jpg&hash=331870d72e2c8891c46364bd8603700cadf67c7c)
I like these, simple and sufficient.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm3.static.flickr.com%2F2415%2F2072322103_50dba09d40.jpg&hash=2c72e29ef4b65a8d9ddc3e2bfda3087fadb2598a)
Quote from: thenetwork on July 18, 2009, 10:51:35 AM
Favorite US Gantry: The California Gantries which have a single, colored panel to which the BGSs are attached to.
I believe Caltrans calls these "Box Beam" sign bridges.
Example (resized image - original from AARoads)...
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.markyville.com%2Faaroads%2FboxbeamExample.jpg&hash=087fe6620d8e66f9bd35e2b92ff48ba0833a564f)
They come in a variety of colors including tan (Interstate 280 north of Cupertino - example (http://www.westcoastroads.com/california/images201/i-280_sb_exit_043b_04.jpg)), mint green (Interstate 280 thru downtown San Jose - example (http://www.westcoastroads.com/california/images201/i-280_sb_exit_001a_04.jpg)), red (CA-85 between Almaden Expwy and I-280) and forest green (CA-85, Exit 1B/Bernal Road (http://www.westcoastroads.com/california/images075/ca-085_sb_exit_001b_02.jpg)).
Art Deco, anyone?
http://www.alpsroads.net/roads/nj/us_1-9/nel.jpg (http://www.alpsroads.net/roads/nj/us_1-9/nel.jpg)
http://www.alpsroads.net/roads/nj/us_1-9/nelb.jpg (http://www.alpsroads.net/roads/nj/us_1-9/nelb.jpg)
I like the ones used here in New York the best. The following pictures are from I-690 eastbound in Syracuse. All pictures are from AARoads.com
Cantilevered gantry:
(https://www.aaroads.com/northeast/new_york600/i-690_eb_exit_009_02.jpg)
Full length (in background of previous photo):
(https://www.aaroads.com/northeast/new_york600/i-690_eb_exit_009_03.jpg)
On a side note, I have no idea why there are four cross members in this sign. It's the only one like it I've ever seen:
(https://www.aaroads.com/northeast/new_york600/i-690_eb_exit_011_04.jpg)
Quote from: Michael on July 18, 2009, 02:01:05 PM
On a side note, I have no idea why there are four cross members in this sign. It's the only one like it I've ever seen:
I've seen more and more like that pop up throughout the state...I definitely like the old design better. The new one looks a lot boxier than the old design.
I like Ontario's old curved ones, too. :D
Standard Michigan Gantry
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm3.static.flickr.com%2F2459%2F3666412871_0bcd54829f_b.jpg&hash=e3d4209b50b39b7106873ae6a402e09c60241c4d)
IL example of the vierendeel truss:
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=38.477849,-90.22964&spn=0,359.956055&t=h&z=15&layer=c&cbll=38.474425,-90.235041&panoid=Wu-6Ki2HT8uVWMQz0rUHpQ&cbp=12,107.19,,0,-8.54 (http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=38.477849,-90.22964&spn=0,359.956055&t=h&z=15&layer=c&cbll=38.474425,-90.235041&panoid=Wu-6Ki2HT8uVWMQz0rUHpQ&cbp=12,107.19,,0,-8.54)
Otherwise IDOT seems to use a box truss on trussed posts:
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=38.469609,-90.22508&spn=0,359.989014&t=k&z=17&layer=c&cbll=38.469338,-90.225017&panoid=pTRXH7q_yFOWe2ZmHKgxNg&cbp=12,358,,0,-5.81 (http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=38.469609,-90.22508&spn=0,359.989014&t=k&z=17&layer=c&cbll=38.469338,-90.225017&panoid=pTRXH7q_yFOWe2ZmHKgxNg&cbp=12,358,,0,-5.81)
Although the cantilevered signs seem to use a solid post:
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=38.663028,-90.064952&spn=0,359.989014&t=k&z=17&layer=c&cbll=38.663005,-90.065055&panoid=a7erpCpURLNYOq7OAbVCyA&cbp=12,77.57,,0,-6.43 (http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=38.663028,-90.064952&spn=0,359.989014&t=k&z=17&layer=c&cbll=38.663005,-90.065055&panoid=a7erpCpURLNYOq7OAbVCyA&cbp=12,77.57,,0,-6.43)
MoDOT uses solid posts
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=38.506715,-90.34844&spn=0,359.994507&t=k&z=18&layer=c&cbll=38.506754,-90.348535&panoid=RfAR2KDUfo0lU7ekUc2ctw&cbp=12,104.33,,0,-29.63 (http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=38.506715,-90.34844&spn=0,359.994507&t=k&z=18&layer=c&cbll=38.506754,-90.348535&panoid=RfAR2KDUfo0lU7ekUc2ctw&cbp=12,104.33,,0,-29.63)
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=38.482418,-90.35807&spn=0,359.994507&t=k&z=18&layer=c&cbll=38.482345,-90.358131&panoid=rXpcT5sXbTQKSPeYaw81HQ&cbp=12,63.72,,0,-10.82 (http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=38.482418,-90.35807&spn=0,359.994507&t=k&z=18&layer=c&cbll=38.482345,-90.358131&panoid=rXpcT5sXbTQKSPeYaw81HQ&cbp=12,63.72,,0,-10.82)
I think Kansas uses a box truss with thicker gussetts, and usually trussed posts:
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=38.935912,-94.740858&spn=0,359.978027&t=k&z=16&layer=c&cbll=38.935803,-94.740563&panoid=9hkK4lYJ8V2vVXhDBtfLWA&cbp=12,314.51,,0,-7.92 (http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=38.935912,-94.740858&spn=0,359.978027&t=k&z=16&layer=c&cbll=38.935803,-94.740563&panoid=9hkK4lYJ8V2vVXhDBtfLWA&cbp=12,314.51,,0,-7.92)
Nebraska gantry:
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=41.226409,-95.964332&spn=0,359.989014&t=k&z=17&layer=c&cbll=41.226357,-95.964655&panoid=r4DRM2JsLHuHc1gcUi1xLg&cbp=12,88.76,,0,-3.17 (http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=41.226409,-95.964332&spn=0,359.989014&t=k&z=17&layer=c&cbll=41.226357,-95.964655&panoid=r4DRM2JsLHuHc1gcUi1xLg&cbp=12,88.76,,0,-3.17)
I think this one on US 77 is an older design Nebraska used:
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=40.741291,-96.717217&spn=0,359.989014&t=k&z=17&layer=c&cbll=40.741548,-96.717319&panoid=ooYEny6h5vdT3zXS1QZ29g&cbp=12,152.94,,0,0.78 (http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=40.741291,-96.717217&spn=0,359.989014&t=k&z=17&layer=c&cbll=40.741548,-96.717319&panoid=ooYEny6h5vdT3zXS1QZ29g&cbp=12,152.94,,0,0.78)
And another design in Nebraska:
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=40.857318,-96.713312&spn=0,359.978027&t=k&z=16&layer=c&cbll=40.859089,-96.714477&panoid=ZT82iawat0clQk_7Hm2j1g&cbp=12,350.11,,0,-10.03 (http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=40.857318,-96.713312&spn=0,359.978027&t=k&z=16&layer=c&cbll=40.859089,-96.714477&panoid=ZT82iawat0clQk_7Hm2j1g&cbp=12,350.11,,0,-10.03)
EDIT: fixed a link - ms
Here's a classic Chicago Gantry.
http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=41.840441,-87.630773&spn=0,359.961419&z=15&layer=c&cbll=41.840891,-87.630769&panoid=O3GZiSk7GL29du0XsiEt1w&cbp=12,359.41,,0,0.12 (http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=41.840441,-87.630773&spn=0,359.961419&z=15&layer=c&cbll=41.840891,-87.630769&panoid=O3GZiSk7GL29du0XsiEt1w&cbp=12,359.41,,0,0.12)
and the bridge version...
http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=41.859605,-87.644205&spn=0,359.98071&z=16&layer=c&cbll=41.859693,-87.644207&panoid=6wbXZMUJTG9Mg_5EkXigog&cbp=12,9.74,,0,4.4 (http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=41.859605,-87.644205&spn=0,359.98071&z=16&layer=c&cbll=41.859693,-87.644207&panoid=6wbXZMUJTG9Mg_5EkXigog&cbp=12,9.74,,0,4.4)
Here's one on the Milwaukee Airport Spur
http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=42.942617,-87.923455&spn=0,359.990355&z=17&layer=c&cbll=42.942618,-87.92345&panoid=ZRNHiN-iBYPGdR3BKCU2oQ&cbp=12,243.55,,0,-6.01 (http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=42.942617,-87.923455&spn=0,359.990355&z=17&layer=c&cbll=42.942618,-87.92345&panoid=ZRNHiN-iBYPGdR3BKCU2oQ&cbp=12,243.55,,0,-6.01)
Is there any agency other than CONNDOT which employs these rather twiggish things that are + shaped in cross-section? I don't think I've seen one anywhere else.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg187.imageshack.us%2Fimg187%2F333%2Fdscn1503.jpg&hash=b3d77a106e1a041a08bcf6626f4d96bf3980d43e)
Quote from: Duke87 on July 18, 2009, 06:26:28 PM
Is there any agency other than CONNDOT which employs these rather twiggish things that are + shaped in cross-section? I don't think I've seen one anywhere else.
That is actually the standard gantry design in France.
Also, what folks call the "Chicago design" is actually a Vierendeel truss.
Quote from: Duke87 on July 18, 2009, 06:26:28 PM
Is there any agency other than CONNDOT which employs these rather twiggish things that are + shaped in cross-section? I don't think I've seen one anywhere else.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg187.imageshack.us%2Fimg187%2F333%2Fdscn1503.jpg&hash=b3d77a106e1a041a08bcf6626f4d96bf3980d43e)
Yea I haven't seen any like these anywhere else, but very interesting!
I like how MA and RI use the single beam style like these:
http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/RhodeIslandTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5324330227069203122 (http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/RhodeIslandTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5324330227069203122)
I also like these:
http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/RhodeIslandTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5324329358970077666 (http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/RhodeIslandTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5324329358970077666)
And gotta love PA's older standard still seen in the central PA area and Louisiana. Anyone else see these anywhere else?:
http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/PennsylvaniaTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5311013299124332818 (http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/PennsylvaniaTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5311013299124332818)
Any New Hampshire goers notice how wide some of the sign bridges can get?????:
http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/NewHampshireTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5353972729827000642 (http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/NewHampshireTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5353972729827000642)
Im also pretty keene on these:
http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/NewHampshireTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5353972743933808674 (http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/NewHampshireTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5353972743933808674)
and these:
http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/NewHampshireTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5350720091939193138 (http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/NewHampshireTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5350720091939193138)
I am also a fan of the sign gantries seen around the Boson's "Big Dig" site:
http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/MassachusettsTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5323963870353675346 (http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/MassachusettsTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5323963870353675346)
http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/MassachusettsTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5323964038176005986 (http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/MassachusettsTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5323964038176005986)
Ian
I also like Philadelphia's gantries:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.northeastroads.com%2Fpennsylvania075%2Fi-095_nb_exit_022_05.jpg&hash=0e94a67033c20ae5cc44c179ca2f2f1dc8af2e73)
Favorite Bridge Design (found very commonly in the southeast U.S.):
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.southeastroads.com%2Ftennessee050%2Fi-075_nb_640_eb_exit_003_04.jpg&hash=a6daeb9c9f3cad6ff2fb8d984271aaad5da1561c)
Favorite Cantilever Design (The Florida Cantilever):
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.southeastroads.com%2Fflorida050%2Fi-095_nb_exit_350a_03.jpg&hash=36582b2622415cb62f55dd7c8ff1ce4a4485ab35)
Least Favorite Bridge Design (The Louisiana 'vintage' Sign Bridge):
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.southeastroads.com%2Flouisiana001%2Fi-010_wb_exit_238a_03.jpg&hash=c92f70899e9ddd292f0d17b546a99d328db3300a)
Least Favorite Cantilever Design (also from Louisiana):
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.southeastroads.com%2Flouisiana020%2Fi-020_eb_exit_019b_03.jpg&hash=e2cd5173e44fccc1832249179140580551f35010)
Quote from: PennDOTFan on July 19, 2009, 12:56:55 AM
And gotta love PA's older standard still seen in the central PA area and Louisiana. Anyone else see these anywhere else?:
http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/PennsylvaniaTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5311013299124332818 (http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/PennsylvaniaTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5311013299124332818)
Back in the late 70s/early 80s, I remember seeing that assembly in just a single spot in (Northeast) Ohio -- On the I-90 Innerbelt @ the I-77 interchange in downtown Cleveland.
That one was not a bad design either.
Favorite:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.northeastroads.com%2Fpennsylvania200%2Fus-202_nb_exit_025a_01.jpg&hash=e34366ce20f1752e29e2376a49dca3cc54fb145d)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.northeastroads.com%2Fpennsylvania200%2Fus-202_nb_exit_026_01.jpg&hash=175e6ff700e9dcf66909cdfe9a73dbbf27fffcb7)
Quote from: Duke87 on July 18, 2009, 06:26:28 PM
Is there any agency other than CONNDOT which employs these rather twiggish things that are + shaped in cross-section? I don't think I've seen one anywhere else.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg187.imageshack.us%2Fimg187%2F333%2Fdscn1503.jpg&hash=b3d77a106e1a041a08bcf6626f4d96bf3980d43e)
Actually Connecticut is replacing the
above square/boxy mid 1980s gantries with the singular tubular style gantries
below. The tubular ones look sleek and good. Notice on the pic, in this case the DOT just replaced the gantry and not the signs. The signs will be replaced next year. Pic courtesy of NE Roads.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.northeastroads.com%2Fconnecticut050%2Fi-084_eb_exit_007_03.jpg&hash=46922667afed4731409a5baeee4f3a6123df35c6)
and
Note on the below pic: More tube style and I-84 here has been since widened to 6-lanes plus slow vehicle lanes and the construction is complete! Also notice the tri-level stack with I-691 in the background!
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.northeastroads.com%2Fconnecticut050%2Fi-084_eb_exit_027_06.jpg&hash=846c6f30bcb3136d1f8175cde01ee66cc06e882e)
Connecticut also has these from the 60s & 70s. This style holds up well.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.northeastroads.com%2Fconnecticut050%2Fi-084_eb_exit_059_04.jpg&hash=d3b3704382599aca352b7c84c73e4c91c645e82a)
or the old fashioned "bridge gantry!"
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.northeastroads.com%2Fconnecticut050%2Fi-084_eb_exit_059_01.jpg&hash=9952376204763c9bfd6883471b029499e49aa0ea)
courtesy: NE Roads
The standard Oklahoma design:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.denexa.com%2Froadgeek%2Froad-photos%2Fmain.php%3Fcmd%3Dimage%26amp%3Bvar1%3Dok%252Fcleveland%252F035i_shields2.jpg%26amp%3Bvar2%3D700_85&hash=256f329b91b0066bacaf629951fd56d22f0b2ad9)
But my favorite is Kansas:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.denexa.com%2Froadgeek%2Froad-photos%2Fmain.php%3Fcmd%3Dimage%26amp%3Bvar1%3Di%252F435%252Fi435_02.jpg%26amp%3Bvar2%3D700_85&hash=a552c02f9f4c7f4430260abac7b1a28d48f9713e)
I hate monotubes. They just have no character.
I'm actually rather surprised nobody has posted any pictures of sign gantries that look similar to what Nevada uses. I thought these were more common.
Anyway, NDOT only has two main styles of sign bridge in its current standard plans: the standard truss and the "light duty" truss. Here's a couple pics of the standard truss:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rockymountainroads.com%2Fnevada050%2Fi-080_wb_exit_018_02.jpg&hash=4339b21204f6f177f72e81e92ac28307016d9b0d)
Interstate 80 EB in Sparks
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rockymountainroads.com%2Fnevada001%2Fi-015_nb_exit_041a_02.jpg&hash=fcb939084047b4030a538fed5d56d83bd647580d)
Interstate 15 NB in Las Vegas
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rockymountainroads.com%2Fnevada050%2Fus-095_sb_exit_077_02a.jpg&hash=0f23df2baada32f858fa0ba0af69d92420c83d4c)
US 95 SB in Las Vegas
Some things to note. NDOT tends to make the height uniform for all signs on one truss, even if it could be shorter. The sign height is generally equal to (or slightly taller than) the distance between the top and bottom chords. There are also slight variations depending on lighting. Originally, lights were level with the bottom of the sign, as on the I-80 pic (especially when fluorescent fixtures were common). Then, NDOT started slightly raising the signs with extra supports, as in the I-15 pic. Current practice for newer installations, like the US 95 pic, is generally to lower the lights below the bottom chord of the truss.
The light duty sign is typically used on city streets, as seen below.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rockymountainroads.com%2Fnevada050%2Fus-050_eb_395_nb_app_split.jpg&hash=9e55ccfcaa3f18f57afef6111aa4d5fd9da14b9c)
US 395 NB at US 50 EB split in Carson City
A slightly different design (using no vertical members) is actually used in about four places on the US 395 freeway in Reno.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rockymountainroads.com%2Fnevada200%2Fus-395_sb_exit_062_01.jpg&hash=299f8a33e9288c7fa2cbda72ebbe120eb58a0326)
US 395 SB in Reno
(Photos from various images from RockyMountainRoads)
Quote from: J N Winkler on July 18, 2009, 12:39:01 PM
Some states, including Illinois, use a Vierendeel truss in which there are no diagonal chords, all chords being either vertical or horizontal.
Is there a reason why they choose a Dutch name? "vierendeel" means something like a "four-part" or something.
Quote from: roadfro on July 20, 2009, 05:57:57 AM
I'm actually rather surprised nobody has posted any pictures of sign gantries that look similar to what Nevada uses. I thought these were more common.
I believe they are -- especially the single post gantries. I've seen them in multiple states.
In Colorado, those gantries are one of the original styles I have seen being used -- rapidly being replaced by the tubular variety.
Quote from: thenetwork on July 18, 2009, 10:51:35 AM
Some states are very uniform (Ohio), while some states use just about every design ever made (Pennsylvania).
I'll agree with that. Even just in Allegheny county one can see a smorgasbord of structures. There's a couple big structures over the 6-lanes of the (technically newer) Parkway East Monroeville by-pass section that I've never seen anywhere else.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Carnegie,+PA&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=49.357162,79.013672&ie=UTF8&ll=40.442081,-79.824514&spn=0.010484,0.054932&z=15&layer=c&cbll=40.442068,-79.824495&panoid=-EEmknxaWDSH-e6UuYzZ5A&cbp=11,269.68,,0,-7.94 (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Carnegie,+PA&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=49.357162,79.013672&ie=UTF8&ll=40.442081,-79.824514&spn=0.010484,0.054932&z=15&layer=c&cbll=40.442068,-79.824495&panoid=-EEmknxaWDSH-e6UuYzZ5A&cbp=11,269.68,,0,-7.94)
The downtown Pittsburgh area has a bunch of ones made from (what people must have determined to be more aesthetic) brown beams...
One of these:
Quote
And gotta love PA's older standard still seen in the central PA area and Louisiana. Anyone else see these anywhere else?:
http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/PennsylvaniaTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5311013299124332818 (http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/PennsylvaniaTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5311013299124332818)
can be found at the Parkway West / I-279 interchange.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Carnegie,+PA&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=49.357162,79.013672&ie=UTF8&ll=40.421501,-80.095224&spn=0.02336,0.054932&z=15&layer=c&cbll=40.42144,-80.095113&panoid=12AA3kDNIbfmjzUh1SpkcA&cbp=12,111.84,,0,-7.3 (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Carnegie,+PA&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=49.357162,79.013672&ie=UTF8&ll=40.421501,-80.095224&spn=0.02336,0.054932&z=15&layer=c&cbll=40.42144,-80.095113&panoid=12AA3kDNIbfmjzUh1SpkcA&cbp=12,111.84,,0,-7.3)
It seems that PennDOT has started using more 2-dimensional (for lack of a better term?) overhead signs a lot. I personally don't like how they look when spanning more than 3 lanes:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Carnegie,+PA&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=49.357162,79.013672&ie=UTF8&ll=40.426931,-80.294518&spn=0.093432,0.219727&z=13&layer=c&cbll=40.426906,-80.294648&panoid=e-KgT4Uprqb2Aq9I2qa_aA&cbp=12,263.57,,0,-5.76 (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Carnegie,+PA&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=49.357162,79.013672&ie=UTF8&ll=40.426931,-80.294518&spn=0.093432,0.219727&z=13&layer=c&cbll=40.426906,-80.294648&panoid=e-KgT4Uprqb2Aq9I2qa_aA&cbp=12,263.57,,0,-5.76)
(That particular example actually might have been installed by the PTC as part of the Findlay Connector project... but I've seen them spring up elsewhere)
Which brings up the fact that the PTC has been doing their own thing for overhead sign gantrys. The last couple of years they have started using the Monotube sign structures. There are some green ones up (without signs yet) at the Allegheny Valley exit area. And there are others elsewhere that have been up for a little while now.
Around the Warrendale toll plaza they used some designs I've never seen anywhere else in PA (no street view of those)
I'd have to say that Kentucky has the most consistent structures that I've ever seen. (Though I've only ever been on I-71 down to Louisville, and Louisville area highways). But, then again, there's a lot of places I've never been to.
Quote from: Chris on July 20, 2009, 06:13:20 AMIs there a reason why they choose a Dutch name? "vierendeel" means something like a "four-part" or something.
Vierendeel trusses owe their name to Arthur Vierendeel (1852-1940), a Belgian structural engineer born in Leuven (Flemish-speaking Belgium). English Wikipedia's article on trusses has a section explaining the distinguishing features of Vierendeel trusses.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truss (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truss)
Quote from: roadfro on July 20, 2009, 05:57:57 AM
I'm actually rather surprised nobody has posted any pictures of sign gantries that look similar to what Nevada uses. I thought these were more common.
These type of sign bridges are the most common in California with the "Box Beam" being the next most common. Like Nevada, all signs on a particular sign bridge are the same height but all signs are flush to the bottom of the sign bridge.
US 101 at CA-85
(https://www.aaroads.com/california/images101/us-101_nb_exit_377a_13.jpg)
I-680 at CA-84
(https://www.aaroads.com/california/images680/i-680_nb_exit_021b_02.jpg)
I-680 at I-780
(https://www.aaroads.com/california/images680/i-680_nb_exit_058a_29.jpg)
Oh, and we do tubular in California too...
(https://www.aaroads.com/california/images680/i-680_nb_exit_046a_01.jpg)
Quote from: myosh_tino on July 20, 2009, 02:33:42 PM
These type of sign bridges are the most common in California with the "Box Beam" being the next most common.
Yeah, in my travels through California, I've seen this style (which Wikipedia identifies as a "Pratt Truss") more frequently than anything else CalTrans uses. I would imagine box beams or enclosed trusses use a similar design, just covered up by panels.
To me, a lot of these other designs--especially where part of the sign hangs below the truss/pole--seem as if the signs would be harder to secure and would be more vulnerable to getting hit by an oversize vehicle. (I'm sure the latter isn't really a problem, but it just seems that way.) They also seem to need ridiculously long lighting supports as well, which add to that perception.
Quote from: thenetwork on July 18, 2009, 10:51:35 AM
Best Endangered or "Antique" Gantries: Those Art Decos still on the Jersey Turnpike.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.northeastroads.com%2Fnew_jersey050%2Fi-095_sb_exit_006_05.jpg&hash=f0a40a517933081c9630eb25ed06365e4beb6bd0)
NJDOT during their extensive reconstruction of the NJ-139 viaducts actually put up a new replica of this style gantry. You can see it in the background of this picture.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.state.nj.us%2Ftransportation%2Fcommuter%2Froads%2Fjcviaducts%2Fimages%2F0072lg.jpg&hash=48909d229cd37b0e54c52239c7e0c2bb88b52e1f)
The only signs in that area with that style were strictly NJTP directing traffic to the Newark Bay Extension. While someone was trying to be period correct (note the street lights), the old gantry there was simply something resembling an I-beam. That part of the viaduct predates the NJTP by about 20 years and would never have had that style originally.
wait, are you saying that the gantry in the second photo is *not* the old one in the first photo? They made a new one just like it? Excellent!
(Or, if they kept the old one and moved it ... also excellent!)
I drove from Spring Hill to Nashville to Clarksville and back Monday and saw at least four different styles of overhead gantries and three different cantilevered designs. The most popular design has a triangular shape for the horizontal bar. (Two in the front, of course, and one in the back.
Franklin, TN introduced some tubular gantries at the new McEwen Drive exit (#67) off of I-65.
Tennessee seems to love extreme cantilevered signs. As many of you know, this bit them in the hindquarters last year when one of them fell down on I-65 south near exit 68!
As I get pictures, I'll post them.
Quote from: mightyace on July 21, 2009, 01:18:24 AM
Tennessee seems to love extreme cantilevered signs. As many of you know, this bit them in the hindquarters last year when one of them fell down on I-65 south near exit 68!
I remember, probably close to 10 years ago now, when a cantilevered sign fell on I-240 in Memphis. I believe it was the 1/2 mile guide sign for Perkins Road.
Here's a perfect example (this design is also one of my favorites BTW):
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.southeastroads.com%2Ftennessee001%2Fi-040_eb_exit_417_01.jpg&hash=1167ed4b8a79f097476a96f99db9c67784eeefa1)
^^ Thanks, Marc.
There one on I-65 north with approach signs for exit 74 that has TWO BGSs of that size on a cantilever like that!
The one that fell near exit 68 was also of that type, it has since been replaced with a full sign bridge.
The oldest freeway era sign bridges used in Delaware resemble this assembly:
(https://www.aaroads.com/delaware/delaware200/de-273_eb_at_i-095_sb.jpg)
Then there were a handful of this style sign bridge used:
(https://www.aaroads.com/delaware/delaware050/i-095_nb_exit_009_04.jpg)
From that 1st style pictured, Delaware moved on to this style, mainly used in the 1980s:
(https://www.aaroads.com/delaware/delaware050/i-095_nb_exit_005d_03.jpg)
The newest standard style, found on the widened Interstate 95 and elsewhere, is this:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.interstate-guide.com%2Fimages295%2Fi-295_de_st_02.jpg&hash=de08321ef2e2a817dfc2d8070e58f5375aae94bc)
A customized sign bridge is used in places too, such as this one on U.S. 202:
(https://www.aaroads.com/delaware/delaware200/us-202_nb_app_de-261_05.jpg)
And lastly, a sign bridge style from eons ago, this assembly near the Cape May Lewes Ferry:
(https://www.aaroads.com/delaware/delaware001/us-009_nb_app_ferry_01_rh.jpg)
It should be noted that a similar sign bridge was posted on U.S. 13 south/40 west near their split at State Road until around 1990.
The ones in Texas are quite drab. I think they're changing them a lot because of the switch to Clearview.
They just replaced one in San Marcos (where I live) on I-35, and it held up traffic several miles.
Quote from: myosh_tino on July 18, 2009, 01:20:42 PM
They come in a variety of colors including tan (Interstate 280 north of Cupertino - example (http://www.westcoastroads.com/california/images201/i-280_sb_exit_043b_04.jpg)), mint green (Interstate 280 thru downtown San Jose - example (http://www.westcoastroads.com/california/images201/i-280_sb_exit_001a_04.jpg)), red (CA-85 between Almaden Expwy and I-280) and forest green (CA-85, Exit 1B/Bernal Road (http://www.westcoastroads.com/california/images075/ca-085_sb_exit_001b_02.jpg)).
there is also an orange-tan color on CA-24 approaching the Caldecott Tunnel.
Quote from: Marc on July 22, 2009, 12:31:58 AM
Quote from: mightyace on July 21, 2009, 01:18:24 AM
Tennessee seems to love extreme cantilevered signs. As many of you know, this bit them in the hindquarters last year when one of them fell down on I-65 south near exit 68!
I remember, probably close to 10 years ago now, when a cantilevered sign fell on I-240 in Memphis. I believe it was the 1/2 mile guide sign for Perkins Road.
Here's a perfect example (this design is also one of my favorites BTW):
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.southeastroads.com%2Ftennessee001%2Fi-040_eb_exit_417_01.jpg&hash=1167ed4b8a79f097476a96f99db9c67784eeefa1)
There's one I'm aware of in Central New York that's that long, but it just has an exit gore sign on it. Here's (http://maps.google.com/maps?cbp=12,98.96,,0,-8.61&cbll=43.106193,-76.290782&ll=43.106193,-76.290782&layer=c) the Google Street View of it.
EDIT: Street view is fixed!
Quote from: timhomer2009 on July 25, 2009, 05:04:47 PM
The ones in Texas are quite drab. I think they're changing them a lot because of the switch to Clearview.
They just replaced one in San Marcos (where I live) on I-35, and it held up traffic several miles.
Agreed. Here are examples of Texas gantries.
Bridge:
(https://www.aaroads.com/texas/ih045/i-045_nb_exit_047b_13.jpg)
Bridge (spanning all mainlanes):
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.texasfreeway.com%2FHouston%2Fphotos%2F59sw%2Fimages%2F59_chimney_rock.jpg&hash=3e8b1b9607418c0017b22dc9504b11c5d52ab871)
Cantilever (BTW, I detest Houston's excessive use of mast lighting):
(https://www.aaroads.com/texas/ih010/i-010_e_exit_758b_01.jpg)
Concrete Sign Bridge (taken from the new Katy Freeway):
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fhoustonfreeways.com%2Fmodern%2Fimages%2Fkaty_2007-04-01%2Fi10_20070401_IMG_4659_approaching_610.jpg&hash=fb9663098b74b61e11942f19466419d8bc1c7890)
EDIT: The TxDOT Houston Division has recently removed all the undercarriages and lighting from all overhead gantries. The signs have not been replaced, rather, the undercarriages have just been sawed off. They left evidence of I-beam "nubs" under many signs.
EDIT 2: I have noticed that Texas is starting to make more use of the Tubular Arch. Marsha Sharp Freeway in Lubbock is being constructed with the Tubular Arch and there are also some along I-10 in El Paso. There is also one that went up here in Houston on Post Oak Blvd at the overpass of the new Katy Freeway.
Quote from: Marc on July 27, 2009, 02:42:16 AM
EDIT: The TxDOT Houston Division has recently removed all the undercarriages and lighting from all overhead gantries. The signs have not been replaced, rather, the undercarriages have just been sawed off. They left evidence of I-beam "nubs" under many signs.
How are they lighting the signs, then - with the high mast towers? I haven't been to Houston in some time, but I would think at least some sign-mounted lighting would be warranted.
Unless they want to start backlighting those signs . . .
Quote from: burgess87 on July 27, 2009, 03:15:00 PMHow are they lighting the signs, then - with the high mast towers? I haven't been to Houston in some time, but I would think at least some sign-mounted lighting would be warranted.
They aren't lighting these signs at all. These lighting installations were removed as part of several large guide sign replacement contracts done in the early 2000's which changed out button copy in favor of retroreflective sheeting. If memory serves, the largest of these contracts (let in early 2003) had something like 250 sign design sheets, with four to six sign designs per sheet.
TxDOT carried out a major guide sign replacement initiative all over Texas, not just in the Houston District, to replace existing button copy with retroreflective sheeting. I am not sure exactly when this program started, but I think it was underway by 2000 and it ran at a rate of about one guide sign replacement contract per month letting until 2005. Most of these contracts had CCSJs of the form 09AA-XX-YYY where "AA" is the TxDOT district number (this coding implies "districtwide" rather than confined to a single route, in which case the contract goes out with a CCSJ derived from the CS of the route under consideration).
I have a collection of TxDOT signing contracts which includes most if not all of the major guide sign replacements done during this period. I have broken out all the pattern-accurate sign design sheets and moved them to a separate folder. At the moment the total sheet count in this folder (which includes sign design sheets from turnkey construction contracts as well) is 8620, of which 2724 sheets come from 09AA contracts. Signing in Texas is a massive business.
Quote from: Michael on July 25, 2009, 06:59:14 PM
Quote from: Marc on July 22, 2009, 12:31:58 AM
Quote from: mightyace on July 21, 2009, 01:18:24 AM
Tennessee seems to love extreme cantilevered signs. As many of you know, this bit them in the hindquarters last year when one of them fell down on I-65 south near exit 68!
I remember, probably close to 10 years ago now, when a cantilevered sign fell on I-240 in Memphis. I believe it was the 1/2 mile guide sign for Perkins Road.
Here's a perfect example (this design is also one of my favorites BTW):
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.southeastroads.com%2Ftennessee001%2Fi-040_eb_exit_417_01.jpg&hash=1167ed4b8a79f097476a96f99db9c67784eeefa1)
There's one I'm aware of in Central New York that's that long, but it just has an exit gore sign on it. Here's (http://maps.google.com/maps?cbp=12,98.96,,0,-8.61&cbll=43.106193,-76.290782&ll=43.106193,-76.290782&layer=c) the Google Street View of it. For some reason, Street View keeps facing the wrong way, so you have to rotate the image to the right to see it.
NH, RI, and MA use those aswell.
NH: http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/NewHampshireTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5350720044231910450 (http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/NewHampshireTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5350720044231910450)
RI: http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/RhodeIslandTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5324327431283977026 (http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/RhodeIslandTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5324327431283977026)
MA: http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/MassachusettsTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5322875952171548994 (http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/MassachusettsTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5322875952171548994)
Oh, and so does Delaware:
http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/Clearview#5292759604241855330 (http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/Clearview#5292759604241855330)
^^^ On the other extreme, here's (http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=43.054077,-76.261742&spn=0,359.992672&t=h&z=18&layer=c&cbll=43.053255,-76.259105&panoid=ujNhwIPU2d5LSYHHh06M0Q&cbp=12,339.19,,0,-0.86) one that could be cantilevered, but isn't.
Quote from: J N Winkler on July 27, 2009, 04:14:37 PM
Quote from: burgess87 on July 27, 2009, 03:15:00 PMHow are they lighting the signs, then - with the high mast towers? I haven't been to Houston in some time, but I would think at least some sign-mounted lighting would be warranted.
They aren't lighting these signs at all. These lighting installations were removed as part of several large guide sign replacement contracts done in the early 2000's which changed out button copy in favor of retroreflective sheeting. If memory serves, the largest of these contracts (let in early 2003) had something like 250 sign design sheets, with four to six sign designs per sheet.
TxDOT carried out a major guide sign replacement initiative all over Texas, not just in the Houston District, to replace existing button copy with retroreflective sheeting. I am not sure exactly when this program started, but I think it was underway by 2000 and it ran at a rate of about one guide sign replacement contract per month letting until 2005. Most of these contracts had CCSJs of the form 09AA-XX-YYY where "AA" is the TxDOT district number (this coding implies "districtwide" rather than confined to a single route, in which case the contract goes out with a CCSJ derived from the CS of the route under consideration).
I have a collection of TxDOT signing contracts which includes most if not all of the major guide sign replacements done during this period. I have broken out all the pattern-accurate sign design sheets and moved them to a separate folder. At the moment the total sheet count in this folder (which includes sign design sheets from turnkey construction contracts as well) is 8620, of which 2724 sheets come from 09AA contracts. Signing in Texas is a massive business.
Ah, I see. It's been six years since I've been back to Texas (when I was there last, Clearview was just a dream), so the only evidence I've had of change is pictures. Thanks for the explanation!
[OT] I'd like to see a "How It's Made" segment on road signs. That'd be sweet. I've never seen a sign fabrication shop. [/OT]
Quote from: burgess87 on July 28, 2009, 09:23:47 AM
[OT] I'd like to see a "How It's Made" segment on road signs. That'd be sweet. I've never seen a sign fabrication shop. [/OT]
I LOVE that show! And yes, a sign shop would be an awesome segment, especially the BGSes and sign bridges.
These hideous things from Seattle, WA date back to the 50s. :D
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi38.tinypic.com%2Fa0wak6.jpg&hash=7b76f0ed771776c9c1bffeb411f18438784f2518)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi38.tinypic.com%2Fv3zygi.jpg&hash=0e3d2542cb5d7ca394c6812c319fd88ce086d60e)
- - - -
These are square arches, as opposed to tubular ones.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi37.tinypic.com%2F2mlmi0.jpg&hash=bd5a5fff7a86b8ff7c9261adcc7a00e94dbb5c5a)
Quote from: Michael on July 28, 2009, 07:23:25 PM
Quote from: burgess87 on July 28, 2009, 09:23:47 AM
[OT] I'd like to see a "How It's Made" segment on road signs. That'd be sweet. I've never seen a sign fabrication shop. [/OT]
I LOVE that show! And yes, a sign shop would be an awesome segment, especially the BGSes and sign bridges.
They've actually done a segment on road signs, but they were surface signs instead of guide or panel signs. My wife was watching one night and woke me up to see it. ;-)
I've been in a sign manufacturing plant. Those overhead signs are actually a lot bigger than they look from a car if you stand next to them.
Quote from: Chris on September 22, 2009, 03:12:39 PM
I've been in a sign manufacturing plant. Those overhead signs are actually a lot bigger than they look from a car if you stand next to them.
I'll say!
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fcommons%2Fthumb%2Fc%2Fc6%2FSign_gantry_downed%252C_I-35_Norman_OK.jpg%2F799px-Sign_gantry_downed%252C_I-35_Norman_OK.jpg&hash=800d72f04c3851ce54e0f15744fb13df39cd059d)
Now this is rather goofy:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg87.imageshack.us%2Fimg87%2F6532%2Fdscn5571.jpg&hash=0db4d34e5b343f22ac4ed008818f625dc747dee1)
Because, you know, it's better to reeeaaach all the way over from the left rather than just putting the support to the right.:pan:
What bugs me about California gantries:
- all signs forced to same height, regardless of content
- exit "tabs" jammed into sign panel
This sign, on CA 237 EB at I-880, is all kinds of wrong: http://www.westcoastroads.com/california/images201/ca-237_eb_exit_009a_03.jpg (http://www.westcoastroads.com/california/images201/ca-237_eb_exit_009a_03.jpg) (page: http://www.westcoastroads.com/california/ca-237.html (http://www.westcoastroads.com/california/ca-237.html))
It doesn't help that the 3rd lane from the left could be used for CA 237 EB (one optional and one exit-only lane); I-880 south (one optional exit lane); or I-880 north (keeping left) without changing lanes. How do you express that on one sign gantry?
Quote from: kurumi on September 23, 2009, 01:23:03 AM
What bugs me about California gantries:
- all signs forced to same height, regardless of content
- exit "tabs" jammed into sign panel
Nevada also does this. There may be some small fluctuation, but for the most part every sign on a gantry is the same height. To me, the signs just look better that way. Pictures of signs in other states, where one sign on a gantry might be twice as tall as another, seem odd to me. Signs mounted at various heights seem like it would be harder for a driver to quickly glance at the signs and glean their information, because the eyes have to dart up and down to different heights. I don't know...maybe it just what I'm used to.
I understand the reasoning behind CalTrans drawing the tabs within the main sign panel. I do think, though, that they should start using separate tabs where possible. Right now, I think there's a lot of places where they could use standard tabs but just choose not to.