Have been thinking about this for a few years now, and thought I'd share with other road people. This list is about things in roads that are gone or being phased out in favor of standardization or modernization.
Feel free to add to this list:
- button copy signage
- overhead sign lighting
- embossed license plates
- state named interstate shields
- u.s. shields with the state name
- cutout route markers
- incandescent traffic light bulbs
- old Eagle and Crouse Hinds traffic lights
- temporary interstate designations
- colored route markers
- art deco guard rails
- concrete freeways
- mercury vapor street lighting
Someday soon I might add Highway Gothic Font to the list...
porcelain signs! also, black guide signs. both used to be staples in California and elsewhere
Why are concrete freeways on that list? Most new freeways around here seem to be concrete, and there are thousands of older ones.
I miss (even though I never witnessed it) the era before interstates when rural 2-lane roads were the way to get anywhere. :cool:
Quote from: deathtopumpkins on July 31, 2009, 01:13:40 AM
Why are concrete freeways on that list? Most new freeways around here seem to be concrete, and there are thousands of older ones.
I miss (even though I never witnessed it) the era before interstates when rural 2-lane roads were the way to get anywhere. :cool:
Rarely do I see new concrete freeways, and the majority of the concrete freeways that I knew of have since been asphalted over. A few examples:
Interstate 10 in the panhandle of Florida
Interstate 95 from I-295 to the PA state line
Most of Interstate 65 in Alabama now
Interstate 16 in the Savannah area
There are exceptions like Interstate 85 in Georgia, Pinellas County Interstates, California freeways...
Quote- overhead sign lighting
I remeber
one overhead sign that had light, in San Angelo and it got replaced when they did Houston Harte Expressway, but the light burnt out and i never saw it at night, but i think that is one sign i San Angelo i will never forget
BigMatt
I know this may not be popular, but I miss sequential exit numbering especially in my home state of PA.
The old "coin bucket" automatic toll booths with the traffic lights marked "STOP" and "THANK YOU."
The "wide X" wooden railroad crossing signs.
Steel through truss bridges (painted green!) with open steel grid decks that made a distinctive sound when travelling over them.
Bridge designs that lasted more than 15-30 years! Some of those through truss bridges were over 75 years old when replaced.
I miss slab concrete. As a little kid, I loved traveling from Jackson, MS to visit family in Memphis, TN on I-55 because once you hit Batesville, you hit a really fun section of concrete slabs. Then again once you entered Tate County. 15 years later, the section near Batesville has been asphalted and the section in Tate and DeSoto Counties has been diamond grinded. Needless to say the Batesville section is in worse shape today than the Tate/DeSoto section. The asphalt has developed ruts exposing the un-level concrete slabs underneath.
I tend to prefer slabbed concrete where the joints are more frequent. I'm not a fan of slabs that are further apart (i.e. I-10 New Orleans east end, I-65 through Birmingham, etc.). I like concrete like what is found on I-95 through Jacksonville, FL for example. I'm also not too fond of newer concrete that is a scored consistent-pour rather than slabbed (like what Texas uses). Too noisy in my opinion. For bridges only it's okay, but for everything, it gets annoying really quick.
I'll add this for Houston (and most of Texas' sake, except for San Antonio)... low mast lighting. Seriously, 150 foot tall high mast on every urban freeway is downright unattractive.
they had the St. Andrew style (wide X) railroad crossbucks in cast iron too, in many places. There is one in New Jersey. Steve Alpert can tell you where this is:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.artistjake.com%2Ff%2Fc2%2Fx3448.jpg&hash=e232088406038c6fe3a15a063646c634a49148bf)
as for the coin-operated toll booths ... that reminds me of a toll exit in Newark, off either the NJ turnpike or the extension (I-78). A few friends of mine went on a road trip in 2003, and it not a very good neighborhood where we got off the toll road to find a hotel. (We didn't know much about Newark at the time.) This exit had a toll of only 25 cents at the time, and it was collected using a machine.
We pulled up, and attempted to pay, completely scratching our heads at where the slot or the receiving bucket, or really anything was to accept our money. The light said "STOP/PAY TOLL" in red, so we knew we had to deposit something somewhere. After about a minute or two, with traffic piling up behind us and looking none too friendly (this is the hood, after all), we realized that the entire coin receiving assembly had been completely stolen.
We floored it, got back on the turnpike an exit later, and found a hotel way the Hell elsewhere.
This brings to an end our weekly story segment, featuring New Jersey. Tune in next week for adventures in ... Kentucky and/or Banff!
Quote from: AARoads on July 31, 2009, 01:08:19 AM
- button copy signage
- overhead sign lighting
- incandescent traffic light bulbs
- concrete freeways
Someday soon I might add Highway Gothic Font to the list...
I agree with several things on that list. A few comments on what's quoted, from my Nevada perspective...
- Button copy: The *only* button copy sign I've ever seen on a Nevada freeway (a road info sign on WB I-80 in Reno) has been removed within the last few months.
- Overhead sign lighting: NDOT still lights practically every overhead sign, even if they have reflective sheeting. I think they're experimenting with changing this, however. Several signs on I-80 near Virginia Street and one sign structure on US 395 in Reno have been replaced since the beginning of the year. The reflective sheeting looks different and each sign's light fixtures were removed. (I will say, though, that these are some of the most well-designed new signs I've seen in a while.)
- Incandescent traffic light bulbs: These are virtually non-existent in the Vegas area anymore. They're still plentiful in other areas, but are being phased out gradually. Reno has slowly started using LED street name signs on newer signal installations as well.
- Concrete freeways: Still around Nevada on urban freeways. However, I've read that the I-15 north project in through North Las Vegas will be reconstructed with asphalt when it was originally concrete....
- Hwy Gothic: There's no Clearview in Nevada yet!
here a perspective from Quebec of what I miss
-toll autoroutes shields indentified by a triangle
-blue school zone signs
as for concrete freeways, Ontario had recently rebuilt a portion of Hwy-417 with concrete
Quote from: AARoads on July 31, 2009, 01:08:19 AM
- overhead sign lighting
Yeah - going away fast - though Milwaukee has them (and might i add - pink lighting X-( ). Iowa still does this as does Illinois
Quote from: AARoads on July 31, 2009, 01:08:19 AM
- embossed license plates
Still exists in WI, IL, Iowa no
Quote from: AARoads on July 31, 2009, 01:08:19 AM
- state named interstate shields
scattered about in most states, several states won't get rid of them though (Iowa is one of them, California is another)
Quote from: AARoads on July 31, 2009, 01:08:19 AM
- u.s. shields with the state name
yeah - where are they?
Quote from: AARoads on July 31, 2009, 01:08:19 AM
- cutout route markers
Except California and Interstates, some in VA?, that famous one in IN on the Borman.
Quote from: AARoads on July 31, 2009, 01:08:19 AM
- incandescent traffic light bulbs
I for one am glad they're going away.
Quote from: AARoads on July 31, 2009, 01:08:19 AM
- old Eagle and Crouse Hinds traffic lights
hmm. If I knew what they were - I'd concur.
Quote from: AARoads on July 31, 2009, 01:08:19 AM
- temporary interstate designations
Well, they are replaced with Future designations :P
Quote from: AARoads on July 31, 2009, 01:08:19 AM
- colored route markers
what was the point of them anyway? (in Florida)
Quote from: AARoads on July 31, 2009, 01:08:19 AM
- art deco guard rails
depends on what city you go through.
Quote from: AARoads on July 31, 2009, 01:08:19 AM
- concrete freeways
Wisconsin still does this - mostly. Milwaukee won't see them anytime soon.
Quote from: AARoads on July 31, 2009, 01:08:19 AM
- mercury vapor street lighting
YES!!!! bring it back - I like pure white!
Quote from: AARoads on July 31, 2009, 01:08:19 AM
Someday soon I might add Highway Gothic Font to the list...
I sure hope you don't have to.
At some point rest areas might have to be added to this list too(at least in VA)
the point of the colored shields was to differentiate each route so that sign gantries at junctions could be parsed more quickly.
as far as I know, there is only one button copy sign left in Nevada. It's in front of the Stratosphere in Las Vegas, and has scraped off US-91 and US-466 shields on it!
(//www.aaroads.com/shields/img/NV/NV19620911i1.jpg)
the other side has "Downtown" and a forward arrow. I believe the sign was, at one point in its life, intentionally double-sided - this isn't just a case of them reusing the back of a sign as a new front.
Master son,
Eagle and Crouse-Hinds traffic signals....
Eagle:
http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/PennsylvaniaTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5303097088344277618 (http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/PennsylvaniaTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5303097088344277618)
http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/PennsylvaniaTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5303097177910899666 (http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/PennsylvaniaTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5303097177910899666)
Crouse-Hinds (different types):
http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/PennsylvaniaTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5308026886180769186 (http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/PennsylvaniaTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5308026886180769186)
http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/PennsylvaniaTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5338843756796821794 (http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/PennsylvaniaTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5338843756796821794)
http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/PennsylvaniaTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5338843694946852114 (http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/PennsylvaniaTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5338843694946852114)
In roads, I too am going to miss the button copy, the overhead lighting, and incandescent bulbs in signals. I am also going to miss all of the old Delaware, New Hampshire and Rhode Island signs that are being replaced. They had some nice vintage freeway signs.
It is also going to be odd when the Massachusetts Turnpike gets rid of most of their tolls. They too had some nice vintage toll signals.
I am also going to be crying when these get replaced...
http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/NewYorkTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5303560726497598226 (http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/NewYorkTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5303560726497598226)
http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/NewYorkTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5289078614267868738 (http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/NewYorkTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5289078614267868738)
http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/NewYorkTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5289080630456596546 (http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/NewYorkTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5289080630456596546)
http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/NewYorkTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5289081511382471346 (http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/NewYorkTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5289081511382471346)
http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/NewYorkTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5289082321813003474 (http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/NewYorkTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5289082321813003474)
http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/NewYorkTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5289083180945232610 (http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/NewYorkTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5289083180945232610)
i
Most of our freeway when rebuilt are concrete. For example, I-75 between M-85 near Flat Rock and I-375/M-3 was all reconstructed with concrete, including the gateway project.
Things I miss include 12-8-8 signal configurations and green WALK designations, and maybe text pedestrian signals in general, especially the WAIT and WALK indications within bars. I also miss some of the cutout shields, as I remember some of them were used in the Coldwater area well into the late 80s/early 90s (the last few being replaced while I was living in the area).
I don't have to worry about missing the good ol' FHWA fonts yet; NYSDOT hasn't started using Clearview yet! (NYSTA has, though...and the new Clearview signs popping up on the Thruway are really bad.)
I do miss button copy, though...especially when you ran into the random oversized button copy sign that is overkill, but still awesome...
Here in NY, I also miss signs that aren't totally ugly and not to spec! :-D
Things I Miss:
- The Trapezoid Exit signs on the Ohio Turnpike (an idea "stolen" by the IN Toll Road), their old GREEN speed limit signs/Blue in the Service Plazas, and the old witty signage placed on the metal beams of the Overpasses every so often. (Ie: "Stay Awake - Stay Alive", "Service Plaza xx Miles").
- The old-fashioned Green or Blue Toll Plazas on various turnpikes in the east.
- BGS that also had the "Next Exit xx Miles" tab beneath them.
- Old METAL traffic lights with GLASS lenses.
- Neon (Wink-o-matic) Crosswalk signs with the Green neon for WALK.
- Neon "<- NO" Signs in Cleveland, Ohio.
- Drawbridges on Interstates.
Quote from: thenetwork on July 31, 2009, 08:19:30 PM
Things I Miss:
- The Trapezoid Exit signs on the Ohio Turnpike (an idea "stolen" by the IN Toll Road), their old GREEN speed limit signs/Blue in the Service Plazas, and the old witty signage placed on the metal beams of the Overpasses every so often. (Ie: "Stay Awake - Stay Alive", "Service Plaza xx Miles").
- The old-fashioned Green or Blue Toll Plazas on various turnpikes in the east.
- BGS that also had the "Next Exit xx Miles" tab beneath them.
- Old METAL traffic lights with GLASS lenses.
- Neon (Wink-o-matic) Crosswalk signs with the Green neon for WALK.
- Neon "<- NO" Signs in Cleveland, Ohio.
- Drawbridges on Interstates.
Exceipt for the Neon crosswalk signs a hearty ditto to all the rest. Especially the Neon "<- NO" Signs in Cleveland, Ohio! :clap:
Slight diversion semi-OT...
Quote from: agentsteel53 on July 31, 2009, 01:14:27 PM
as far as I know, there is only one button copy sign left in Nevada. It's in front of the Stratosphere in Las Vegas, and has scraped off US-91 and US-466 shields on it!
<snipped image>
The other side has "Downtown" and a forward arrow. I believe the sign was, at one point in its life, intentionally double-sided - this isn't just a case of them reusing the back of a sign as a new front.
I think there is another one in Las Vegas. On Main Street just north of Owens Avenue is a sign welcoming people to North Las Vegas, with a leaving/come again sign on the reverse (Google map (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=I-80+W+and+Keystone+Ave,+Reno,+NV&sll=39.530178,-119.831035&sspn=0.010625,0.022552&ie=UTF8&ll=39.527183,-119.836024&spn=0,359.994362&t=h&z=18&layer=c&cbll=39.527377,-119.836359&panoid=QMviQnL3FQjJIk7kZsGtmw&cbp=12,273.5,,0,13.48)). I don't have any photos of it and it's hard to tell from the Google Street View, but I seem to remember it being button copy.
Anyway, the only freeway button copy sign I was referring to was a road info sign on I-80 WB just past the Keystone Ave onramp in Reno, NV. It was somewhat obscured by the trees. (I can't get Google maps to provide a good link, sorry). I saw some NDOT trucks off-road in the vicinity of the sign earlier in July, but couldn't tell what they were doing...they may have removed it. I'm actually surprised this sign was missed in the RockyMountainRoads gallery, and more upset that I never got a picture of it.
I agree with most of what's already been posted here.
Here in Oregon, I miss the older-style cut-out state route shields, like this one (now gone):
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi572.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fss166%2Fxonhulu%2FOR217VintageShield2.jpg%3Ft%3D1249091891&hash=db3feb562ecfac053d54451769c4443e2fdcc615)
I do know of 3 of these on OR 126, but as far as I know, that's it statewide.
was that on mainline 217? I went there in June '08 to try to find that 217 shield, as well as one in the other direction, and could not find either.
I know of two on 126 ... one on the mainline in Eugene, and one on what I believe is an old alignment, a block away from the mainline, in Redmond.
Quote from: AARoads on July 31, 2009, 01:08:19 AM
- overhead sign lighting
You still see this all over New York City. Even on new signs.
Quote- mercury vapor street lighting
Indeed, the cool blue of mercury fits more with the night, the bright orange of sodium clashes with it. I remember as a kid still seeing a few mercury bulbs hanging around. Haven't seen one in ages now. Indeed, they were banned last year. No new ones will be installed ever again.
Still, the sodium ones are more efficient, and don't pose the same environmental issues. So there was a practical reason to switch.
Now then, a few more:
- pedestrian signals that say "WALK" and "DON'T WALK" as opposed to having a white walking man and an orange hand. Some of these are still kicking if you know where to look (tip for anyone in the area: the traffic signals in downtown Port Chester, NY are all pretty old, with these still operating), but anytime a signal gets replaced, it goes. Though, the hand and person are more user-friendly to people who don't speak English (the driving reason for the switch).
- street signs with raised letters. Like this one (http://img391.imageshack.us/img391/4928/dscn3666h.jpg) (still there, AFAIK).
- these old narrow strip "No Parking" signs (http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/8185/dscn3667.jpg). Were these ever used by any entity other than the City of Stamford, CT? I don't recall ever seeing one elsewhere.
Actually, plenty of those are still around (mostly on side streets in the older parts of town), but they're slowly disappearing in favor of the ubiquitous MUTCD standard signs.
Quote from: agentsteel53 on July 31, 2009, 10:36:47 PM
was that on mainline 217? I went there in June '08 to try to find that 217 shield, as well as one in the other direction, and could not find either.
Yes. At that time there were 2 of them, both posted on overpasses, but the other one had been "tagged," basically painted all black. I'm pretty sure they're both gone now.
QuoteI know of two on 126 ... one on the mainline in Eugene, and one on what I believe is an old alignment, a block away from the mainline, in Redmond.
I think there are 2 left in Eugene, although one might be gone now (I can't remember if I've seen it recently, but I haven't been looking for it, either). And here's the one in Redmond, like you said on the old alignment through downtown:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi572.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fss166%2Fxonhulu%2FOR126RedmondVintageSign4.jpg%3Ft%3D1249097358&hash=241a22e058a96de270e9fbcfd30f5ea2638e36ab)
Here, you might get a kick out of this OR 126 shield, west of Eugene on a side road near Noti:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi572.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fss166%2Fxonhulu%2FOR126OddSignnearNoti2.jpg%3Ft%3D1249097479&hash=4b5c6ed01887e8ccd808bd5ac839d6ad3907cdc8)
There's an OR 99 shield like this just off Belt Line Rd at the end of an off-ramp.
can you email me the original photos in high resolution, for the shield gallery, of the 217 (both untagged and tagged ones), and the inverse-color 126 and 99? shields@aaroads.com
the 126 in Redmond, yep, there it is in front of the insurance agency.
the 97 and 39 are gone in Klamath Falls... any others left?
Quote from: agentsteel53 on July 31, 2009, 11:54:29 PM
can you email me the original photos in high resolution, for the shield gallery, of the 217 (both untagged and tagged ones), and the inverse-color 126 and 99? shields@aaroads.com
I never took a picture of the tagged 217 shield, but I just looked over the photo album and realized that there were actually 3 of them; however, I never got a close-up of the third one, just a distant shot from a moving car. I'll email them to you, as well as the reverse 126. However, the reverse 99 I'll have to get for you later. I had a pic, but thanks to a PC problem I can't access it (long story). Anyway, I need to get something at REI so I'll probably get down there soon. I can also check for the 126 shields.
Quotethe 97 and 39 are gone in Klamath Falls... any others left?
Those 126's are the only ones I know about in the whole state.
I miss the two lines for crosswalks, as opposed to the ugly bars they use nowadays.
-Old span wire traffic signals.
-Concrete
-Non-streetscaped streets in downtown areas
Quote from: florida on August 01, 2009, 03:21:29 AM
I miss the two lines for crosswalks, as opposed to the ugly bars they use nowadays.
Crosswalk Lines are still common, depending on what region you live in..
I remember a few towns when I was little that would not only use the crosswalk lines, but would also color in-between-the-lines to make the entire crosswalks green or turquoise.
Quote from: thenetwork on August 01, 2009, 09:55:23 AM
Quote from: florida on August 01, 2009, 03:21:29 AM
I miss the two lines for crosswalks, as opposed to the ugly bars they use nowadays.
Crosswalk Lines are still common, depending on what region you live in..
I remember a few towns when I was little that would not only use the crosswalk lines, but would also color in-between-the-lines to make the entire crosswalks green or turquoise.
They've started phasing them out down here, years ago. That's interesting! They probably looked better than what streetscaping does these days.
Quote from: roadfro on July 31, 2009, 09:57:21 PM
Slight diversion semi-OT...
Quote from: agentsteel53 on July 31, 2009, 01:14:27 PM
as far as I know, there is only one button copy sign left in Nevada. It's in front of the Stratosphere in Las Vegas, and has scraped off US-91 and US-466 shields on it!
<snipped image>
The other side has "Downtown" and a forward arrow. I believe the sign was, at one point in its life, intentionally double-sided - this isn't just a case of them reusing the back of a sign as a new front.
I think there is another one in Las Vegas. On Main Street just north of Owens Avenue is a sign welcoming people to North Las Vegas, with a leaving/come again sign on the reverse (Google map (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=I-80+W+and+Keystone+Ave,+Reno,+NV&sll=39.530178,-119.831035&sspn=0.010625,0.022552&ie=UTF8&ll=39.527183,-119.836024&spn=0,359.994362&t=h&z=18&layer=c&cbll=39.527377,-119.836359&panoid=QMviQnL3FQjJIk7kZsGtmw&cbp=12,273.5,,0,13.48)). I don't have any photos of it and it's hard to tell from the Google Street View, but I seem to remember it being button copy.
Anyway, the only freeway button copy sign I was referring to was a road info sign on I-80 WB just past the Keystone Ave onramp in Reno, NV. It was somewhat obscured by the trees. (I can't get Google maps to provide a good link, sorry). I saw some NDOT trucks off-road in the vicinity of the sign earlier in July, but couldn't tell what they were doing...they may have removed it. I'm actually surprised this sign was missed in the RockyMountainRoads gallery, and more upset that I never got a picture of it.
Unfortunately we did not photograph that particular button copy sign in Reno (just checked the archives and its not there). At least there are still a few porcelains hanging around, tho less than in 2005. One I liked seeing (complete with overhead lighting) is the I-80 East Salt Lake pull-through. Other signs feature Elko.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm3.static.flickr.com%2F2513%2F3779271691_929439a063.jpg&hash=22e6738a70653f903dffef33b1f2ff38e9cdb11c)
several of the porcelain signs in Reno are stamped, of all things, CA-78. Yep, they were done by a California contractor... six years after California officially stopped using porcelain signs!
they are made exactly to California spec. What's also a bit amusing to see, in Nevada, is the exact carbon copy retroreflective signs based on 1960s Cal Div of Hwys specifications. Even CA doesn't copy their 1960s specs as exactly!
Quote from: thenetwork on July 31, 2009, 08:19:30 PM
Old METAL traffic lights with GLASS lenses.
Metal signals are still made actually. Glass lenses aren't though.
Quote from: florida on August 01, 2009, 03:21:29 AM
-Old span wire traffic signals.
Span wire signals are actually still being installed in many states, most of which are in the northeast...
http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/MassachusettsTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5323186159515481490 (http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/MassachusettsTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5323186159515481490)
http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/NewYorkTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5292758328944186850 (http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/NewYorkTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5292758328944186850)
http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/DelawareTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5347724523098608578 (http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/DelawareTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5347724523098608578)
Delaware won't stop installing span wire (very few mast arms around), New York is depending on where you go, Massachusetts is using both, Pennsylvania sometimes used span-wire in its newer installs, New Jersey hates span-wire (only place I know of in NJ that uses it is Long Beach Island), Connecticut does, Rhode Island is the same is MA, Vermont uses them a lot, NH doesn't except for its flasher beacons (http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/NewHampshireTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5353947025784142962 (http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/NewHampshireTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5353947025784142962) ), Maine does.
I also found this rarity: a newer signal brand with WALK/DON'T WALK lenses...
http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/PennsylvaniaTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5302482280724185682 (http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/PennsylvaniaTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5302482280724185682)
Quote from: AARoads on August 01, 2009, 11:44:21 PM
Unfortunately we did not photograph that particular button copy sign in Reno (just checked the archives and its not there). At least there are still a few porcelains hanging around, tho less than in 2005. One I liked seeing (complete with overhead lighting) is the I-80 East Salt Lake pull-through. Other signs feature Elko.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm3.static.flickr.com%2F2513%2F3779271691_929439a063.jpg&hash=22e6738a70653f903dffef33b1f2ff38e9cdb11c)
Yeah, many of the older, dark green (porcelain) signs in the Reno area have been replaced within the last few years--most during the I-80/US 395 Spaghetti Bowl reconstruction project a few years ago.
A couple old ones on I-80 near downtown Reno (as well as some newer reflective signs) were replaced (actually covered by new sign panels) earlier this year. The new signs on this stretch have a different reflective sheeting that appears to be more responsive to headlights, as NDOT removed the light fixtures when placing the new signs. In fact, the Downtown/Virginia exit sign pictured above is the latest to have been replaced, which occurred sometime within the last 6 weeks. What's pictured is the new version (I wish I knew some fellow roadfans were passing through recently!)
NDOT seems to be leaving the remaining I-80 pull-through signs alone for now. The sign pictured with the control city of Salt Lake is the last one in the Reno area; the other two were changed to Elko with the Spaghetti Bowl sign replacements.
Quote from: roadfro on August 02, 2009, 05:03:10 AM
NDOT seems to be leaving the remaining I-80 pull-through signs alone for now. The sign pictured with the control city of Salt Lake is the last one in the Reno area; the other two were changed to Elko with the Spaghetti Bowl sign replacements.
Yeah, many of the older, dark green (porcelain) signs in the Reno area have been replaced within the last few years--most during the I-80/US 395 Spaghetti Bowl reconstruction project a few years ago.
The one along eastbound was the only I saw on the Interstate 80 mainline.
I can add to the list of things I miss about roads:
Interstate Business Loops: They are slowly disappearing, more so in some states than others. The Verdi, NV business loop for instance is very well signed. The Reno/Sparks one however is down to one shield in Reno and two in Sparks. I am not sure if this sign http://www.rockymountainroads.com/nevada050/bl-080_nv-647_wb_begin.jpg (http://www.rockymountainroads.com/nevada050/bl-080_nv-647_wb_begin.jpg) is still there or not.
Quote from: roadfro on August 02, 2009, 05:03:10 AM
A couple old ones on I-80 near downtown Reno (as well as some newer reflective signs) were replaced (actually covered by new sign panels) earlier this year. The new signs on this stretch have a different reflective sheeting that appears to be more responsive to headlights, as NDOT removed the light fixtures when placing the new signs. In fact, the Downtown/Virginia exit sign pictured above is the latest to have been replaced, which occurred sometime within the last 6 weeks. What's pictured is the new version (I wish I knew some fellow roadfans were passing through recently!)
That photo is from July 18. Had I had my laptop, I probably would have mentioned that we were in Reno for the night. I was offline for all 10-days of our recent California trip...
Quote from: PennDOTFan on August 02, 2009, 01:44:46 AM
Quote from: florida on August 01, 2009, 03:21:29 AM
-Old span wire traffic signals.
Span wire signals are actually still being installed in many states, most of which are in the northeast...
I meant down here. A hurricane blows through and everything is reinstalled as mast arms, or if a road is widened (most cases) all the new lights will be mast arms.
Quote from: florida on August 02, 2009, 01:33:13 PM
Quote from: PennDOTFan on August 02, 2009, 01:44:46 AM
Quote from: florida on August 01, 2009, 03:21:29 AM
-Old span wire traffic signals.
Span wire signals are actually still being installed in many states, most of which are in the northeast...
I meant down here. A hurricane blows through and everything is reinstalled as mast arms, or if a road is widened (most cases) all the new lights will be mast arms.
Span wires in Florida are rapidly disappearing, but there are still found in clusters depending upon where you are. Many have been replaced in northwest Florida, but one recent installation on U.S. 98 was done in span wires.
Alabama still primarily uses span wires, though more mast arms have been installed in the southwestern part of the state, perhaps to deal with hurricane related winds.
As Froggie can attest, Mississippi is using mast arms more than span wires in its coastal areas as well.
Quote from: AARoads on August 02, 2009, 01:54:26 PM
Mast arms in Florida are rapidly disappearing, but there are still found in clusters depending upon where you are. Many have been replaced in northwest Florida, but one recent installation on U.S. 98 was done in span wires.
Are they really? Tally uses them heavily. The first time I saw those horizontal lights they made me a little dizzy. A couple popped up down here, and they're being installed where SR 50 is being widened.
Quote from: florida on August 02, 2009, 02:02:00 PM
Quote from: AARoads on August 02, 2009, 01:54:26 PM
Mast arms Span Wires in Florida are rapidly disappearing, but there are still found in clusters depending upon where you are. Many have been replaced in northwest Florida, but one recent installation on U.S. 98 was done in span wires.
Are they really? Tally uses them heavily. The first time I saw those horizontal lights they made me a little dizzy. A couple popped up down here, and they're being installed where SR 50 is being widened.
No, meant span wires :banghead:
The first modern mast arms I saw in northwest Florida were those posted at Langley Avenue and U.S. 90. http://www.southeastroads.com/florida050/us-090_wb_at_langley_av.jpg (http://www.southeastroads.com/florida050/us-090_wb_at_langley_av.jpg)
When I saw those, I liked them because they were different. Years later, they are the standard and not so cool... One thing about them that I don't like is that you cannot see the backs of the traffic lights. So its more difficult to tell the manufacturer of the signals. Also with them you'll almost never see a dog-house signal, unless the signals are posted vertically.
There's somewhere in Florida where I noted that the paint was flaking off the mast arms badly, making the assemblies look rundown. Does that ring a bell for you?
I'm probably in the minority, but I'll miss Michigan's diagonal spanwire signals when they're gone. One wire looks cleaner to me than four. Plus, all the unique configurations, old brands, and 8" signals will someday disappear. :no: However, I don't mind mast arms, maybe because they're mostly limited to a few cities.
Are hanging backlit signs going to become a thing of the past, too? They aren't being used with new left turn assemblies (with the horrendous flashing yellow arrow). I sure hope Michigan will keep at least one of their unique signal practices...
Quote from: AARoads on August 02, 2009, 01:19:20 PM
Quote from: roadfro on August 02, 2009, 05:03:10 AM
NDOT seems to be leaving the remaining I-80 pull-through signs alone for now. The sign pictured with the control city of Salt Lake is the last one in the Reno area; the other two were changed to Elko with the Spaghetti Bowl sign replacements.
Yeah, many of the older, dark green (porcelain) signs in the Reno area have been replaced within the last few years--most during the I-80/US 395 Spaghetti Bowl reconstruction project a few years ago.
The one along eastbound was the only I saw on the Interstate 80 mainline.
Another one eastbound is about 3/4 mile past the pictured one. That's the abnormally-wide advance sign for US 395 at the Wells Ave exit. Westbound, there are two pull-through signs for I-80 West / Sacramento: one at the Virginia St exit, and one just past the Virginia St onramp. The only other one in Reno that I know of is a southbound US 395 pull-through sign (with an awkward "Sparks-Reno" greenout) at the 395 Business split. All others were replaced with the Spaghetti Bowl project that wrapped up in 2005/2006.
Quote from: AARoads on August 02, 2009, 01:19:20 PM
I can add to the list of things I miss about roads:
Interstate Business Loops: They are slowly disappearing, more so in some states than others. The Verdi, NV business loop for instance is very well signed. The Reno/Sparks one however is down to one shield in Reno and two in Sparks. I am not sure if this sign http://www.rockymountainroads.com/nevada050/bl-080_nv-647_wb_begin.jpg (http://www.rockymountainroads.com/nevada050/bl-080_nv-647_wb_begin.jpg) is still there or not.
Actually, the business loop in Verdi is only well signed where it is an I-80 frontage road in western Verdi. The SR 425 portion, which actually goes through the main part of Verdi, has no BL-80 or SR 425 shields whatsoever (at least as of 9/1/08).
There's at least two BL-80 shields in Reno, one being an interesting non-cutout shield of seemingly recent vintage. Sparks has at least three: one of an older vintage, two newer with the bizarre "Business Loop I-80" legends. Actually, that'd be four if you count the business loop sign linked above, which was still there a couple months ago.
I would have to agree that Interstate business loops (or business loops in general) seem to be declining in importance and consistent signing.
Most of the BL I-80 in Reno/Sparks is under local control, and is not consistently signed. Business US 395 is also mostly locally controlled but rarely signed (the only independent, non-BGS sign I know of is on an NDOT portion). It seems the local entities don't have an interest in maintaining business loop signage that are often present on published maps.
Although, NDOT-maintained business loops are not always consistently signed either, such as Bus US 95/SR 599/Rancho Dr in Las Vegas. It is signed on freeway BGSs, but not on the actual highway itself (and there are few, if any, SR 599 shields aside from the termini).
Quote from: getemngo on August 02, 2009, 04:56:56 PM
Are hanging backlit signs going to become a thing of the past, too? They aren't being used with new left turn assemblies (with the horrendous flashing yellow arrow). I sure hope Michigan will keep at least one of their unique signal practices...
Are you talking about backlit "Left" or "Left <arrow>" signs? Yeah, they're definitely not needed with a flashing yellow arrow assembly.
Michigan won't have
any unique signal practices if FHWA gets their way. They and the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (NCUTCD) really seemed to target traffic signals practices in the proposed changes to the MUTCD. One goal with some of the revisions is to standardize the varying types of left turn signal displays used around the country.
I think I will add Jersey-style mast arm signal gantries. I notice those are slowly being changed out.
Open-wire telephone lines along highways and railroad tracks.
Quote from: getemngo on August 02, 2009, 04:56:56 PM
Are hanging backlit signs going to become a thing of the past, too? They aren't being used with new left turn assemblies (with the horrendous flashing yellow arrow). I sure hope Michigan will keep at least one of their unique signal practices...
MDOT has been keeping red balls when using three-section left-turn faces and thus still uses the back-lit LEFT signs with those. MDOT could've chosen to use red balls with the flashing-yellow arrow signals, which (according to MUTCD standard) require a left-turn sign, but ironically they went with all arrow faces for those. If you want to see a good example of both types in action, check out the recent signal replacements on 28th St at both Buchanan and Division.
Of course, there may be some left-turn faces which get converted yet keep the backlit sign despite an all-arrow face. Such was the case at Oakland Drive and the EB I-94 ramp.
Quote from: roadfro on August 02, 2009, 05:03:10 AM
Another one eastbound is about 3/4 mile past the pictured one. That's the abnormally-wide advance sign for US 395 at the Wells Ave exit.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm3.static.flickr.com%2F2631%2F3786198012_47463e71d6.jpg&hash=f9f8f265b9d624760612e05d6ea103fb5aca7c01)
Did see that one, even retains its lighting fixtures still too...
There's also one at the Exit 12 off-ramp to Keystone Avenue.
Quote from: roadfro on August 02, 2009, 05:03:10 AMWestbound, there are two pull-through signs for I-80 West / Sacramento: one at the Virginia St exit, and one just past the Virginia St onramp.
Didn't drive I-80 westbound beyond in Reno this time, but the two signs you mention are on the web page:
http://www.rockymountainroads.com/nevada050/i-080_wb_exit_013_04.jpg (http://www.rockymountainroads.com/nevada050/i-080_wb_exit_013_04.jpg)
http://www.rockymountainroads.com/nevada050/i-080_wb_exit_012_01.jpg (http://www.rockymountainroads.com/nevada050/i-080_wb_exit_012_01.jpg)
Quote from: roadfro on August 02, 2009, 05:03:10 AM
The only other one in Reno that I know of is a southbound US 395 pull-through sign (with an awkward "Sparks-Reno" greenout) at the 395 Business split. All others were replaced with the Spaghetti Bowl project that wrapped up in 2005/2006.
http://www.rockymountainroads.com/nevada200/us-395_sb_exit_072_02.jpg (http://www.rockymountainroads.com/nevada200/us-395_sb_exit_072_02.jpg) - that is awkward looking...
Quote from: roadfro on August 02, 2009, 05:03:10 AM
Actually, the business loop in Verdi is only well signed where it is an I-80 frontage road in western Verdi. The SR 425 portion, which actually goes through the main part of Verdi, has no BL-80 or SR 425 shields whatsoever (at least as of 9/1/08).
Yes you are right, we took the Verdi loop from its westbound beginning at Exit 3, and besides the BL 80 shield on the ramp, there were no other indications of the Business Loop until those frontage roads. Our only indication to turn left was the green street sign "US 40", and there were no shields on that drive until it reaches the interchange with I-80.
Quote from: roadfro on August 02, 2009, 05:03:10 AM
There's at least two BL-80 shields in Reno, one being an interesting non-cutout shield of seemingly recent vintage. Sparks has at least three: one of an older vintage, two newer with the bizarre "Business Loop I-80" legends. Actually, that'd be four if you count the business loop sign linked above, which was still there a couple months ago.
Photographed the non-cutout on westbound in Reno. Also photo'd one eastbound near the interchange at the Reno/Sparks city line, and one of the "BL I-80" shields on westbound.
Quote from: roadfro on August 02, 2009, 05:03:10 AM
I would have to agree that Interstate business loops (or business loops in general) seem to be declining in importance and consistent signing.
Most of the BL I-80 in Reno/Sparks is under local control, and is not consistently signed. Business US 395 is also mostly locally controlled but rarely signed (the only independent, non-BGS sign I know of is on an NDOT portion). It seems the local entities don't have an interest in maintaining business loop signage that are often present on published maps.
I think we saw a U.S. 395 shield assembly from the freeway for Virginia Street that did not include business banners. It was somewhere on the south side of the city.
As for business loops in general, BL I-205 in CA is down to just freeway signage, the BL 80 in Sidney, NE is dead, BL I-76 in Colorado is dead now, etc.
In reply to roadfro and rawmustard:
I was referring in part to the "Left" signs, yes, but also the [Left arrow] Only, No Left Turn/No Right Turn, One Way, Do Not Enter, No Turn on Red, etc. signs. In my experience, signals with flashing yellow arrows have absolutely no backlit signs whatsoever.
Michigan Street in Grand Rapids has quite a few signals that use the [Left arrow] Only sign for the left turn lane and then a doghouse left turn signal. I think I'd take those over flashing yellow arrows. When did flashing yellow become Yield? And why on earth do they need four signal heads??
Quote from: getemngo on August 03, 2009, 06:34:02 PM
Michigan Street in Grand Rapids has quite a few signals that use the [Left arrow] Only sign for the left turn lane and then a doghouse left turn signal. I think I'd take those over flashing yellow arrows. When did flashing yellow become Yield? And why on earth do they need four signal heads??
Flashing yellow isn't so much a yield as it is a "proceed with caution".
The use of four signal heads with this control provides a visual jump between the flashing yellow and steady yellow display. This makes it more apparent to the driver that the signal is ending the permitted left turn phase. An alternative allows for a three-head display where the flashing yellow and standard green arrow are in a bimodal display head (still allowing the jump when the phase terminates).
I need to add a specific item: cut-out Pa Turnpike trailblazer signs.
Also, how about optically-programmed left turn signals?
there are some cutout PA turnpike trailblazers floating around. I know one in New Jersey, and an embossed one (!) in Pittsburgh!
I just spied a cutout PATP on my last trip through. Damned if I can remember, but it'll come out in an update eventually.
This is starting to stray from the strand's topic, but I was in Eugene today, and can confirm that there is now only one remaining vintage OR 126 shield, and this is it, on [redacted - don't want the same thing happening to that 126 as happened to the 5/105 pair]:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi572.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fss166%2Fxonhulu%2FOR126Eugenevintagesign2.jpg%3Ft%3D1249349309&hash=31d94cbd0419b963314a118fd62c984823e5ef9c)
On the bad news front, the state-named I-105 and I-5 shields by Valley River Center are now gone; all that remains is a sawed-off signpost (which I couldn't photograph because a homeless guy was leaning on it).
However, I also got a new photo of the reverse-color OR 99 shield, at the bottom of the off-ramp from WB OR 569's (Belt Line Rd) Prairie Rd exit; here it is:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi572.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fss166%2Fxonhulu%2FOR99Eugenereversecolor.jpg%3Ft%3D1249350146&hash=c7b7e24dd11e6dfd23fb1eab9feacabc8c9dcf38)
Not as weird as the 126 shield; at least this one's the right shape.
While in REI looking at maps I realized another highway-related thing I missed: free road maps! The National Forest maps which were free when I was a kid were $12.00 at the store. The free gas station maps are also just a fond memory...
Quote from: floridaI miss the two lines for crosswalks, as opposed to the ugly bars they use nowadays.
I prefer the bars, because they are more visible than the parallel bars, imho.
Be well,
Bryant
Quote from: hm insulators on August 03, 2009, 02:10:34 PM
Open-wire telephone lines along highways and railroad tracks.
Well, the railroad ones are a relic of a bygone era. Before going with full-fledged radio, many railroads used a "railroad telephone" or "radio telephone." I may have the verbiage wrong, but the radio signal or induction would only have to travel the few feet from the locomotive or caboose to the wires. Plus, they could use poles that were already carrying telegraph wire.
fudge!!! the 5/105 pair is gone!?
sawed off implies someone stole them. wonder when they'll show up on eBay.
and what about the 126 in Redmond? gone too?
can you email me please the original high-resolution version of your 99 photo? thanks!
Quote from: agentsteel53 on August 04, 2009, 12:40:30 AM
fudge!!! the 5/105 pair is gone!?
sawed off implies someone stole them. wonder when they'll show up on eBay.
It was mostly sawed-ff, but there was part of a splintered-off piece. It may have snapped in the big June windstorm we had. Or it could have been stolen. No idea.
Quoteand what about the 126 in Redmond? gone too?
No, I saw it less than a month ago -- still there. I meant that the other vintage 126 in Eugene was gone. It was on the N-S segment where 126 turns to meet 99 (Garfield St). But it may have been gone for some time.
Quotecan you email me please the original high-resolution version of your 99 photo? thanks!
Yup, on its way.
the one on Garfield - I did not see that in June 2008.
Quote from: AARoads on July 31, 2009, 01:08:19 AM
Have been thinking about this for a few years now, and thought I'd share with other road people. This list is about things in roads that are gone or being phased out in favor of standardization or modernization.
Feel free to add to this list:
- button copy signage
- overhead sign lighting
- embossed license plates
- state named interstate shields
- u.s. shields with the state name
- cutout route markers
- incandescent traffic light bulbs
- old Eagle and Crouse Hinds traffic lights
- temporary interstate designations
- colored route markers
- art deco guard rails
- concrete freeways
- mercury vapor street lighting
Someday soon I might add Highway Gothic Font to the list...
Here in Southern California you can still find plenty of button copy signage that dates back to the 80's or even earlier. Some sections of L.A. area freeways (I-5 & I-10 in particular) have signage that dates back to the early 60's or 70's when the freeways were first built. Given the state's current financial situation, I doubt the old button copy signs will be replaced anytime soon.
Most of the freeways in CA are concrete. Head east out of LA on I-10 towards San Bernardino and Palm Springs- the condition of the road is so bad you'll swear you're driving on the original concrete that was laid down when they built it!
the oldest freeway green sign I know of dates to 1959. It's on I-5 southbound and specifies the distances to the next three exits. Main Street is, I believe, the first one.
there are two black guide signs on old US-50 in Oakland that date back to 1951. Right in front of the Alameda County courthouse.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.artistjake.com%2Flj%2Fx11444.jpg&hash=5336c028cebe214ffba2ce0521b8061f42cb2cde)
I know I have better photos somewhere but I am too lazy to find them right now.
Quote from: hm insulators on August 03, 2009, 02:10:34 PM
Open-wire telephone lines along highways and railroad tracks.
And what about wigwag railroad crossings, I think the only left in socal is in Redlands, CA on Nevada St just south of I-10
Quote from: akotchi on August 03, 2009, 07:49:37 PM
Also, how about optically-programmed left turn signals?
Ah, good one. These were certainly necessary back when a circular red was often used to terminate the green arrow. With the advent and wider use of the red arrow, the need for optically-programmed left turn signal heads has certainly decreased.
Programmed visibility heads seem to be disappearing in general, especially in cases where sets of signals are closely spaced. The new method appears to be to insert louvers inside the visor of a standard signal head. Probably cheaper, but not quite as effective.
Quote from: larryao on August 04, 2009, 03:15:35 PM
Quote from: hm insulators on August 03, 2009, 02:10:34 PM
Open-wire telephone lines along highways and railroad tracks.
And what about wigwag railroad crossings, I think the only left in socal is in Redlands, CA on Nevada St just south of I-10
some immortalized these wigwag signals on films and posted them on Youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5fIQZON3P8 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5fIQZON3P8)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZw9Y1jH-To (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZw9Y1jH-To)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6zxy23gFEU (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6zxy23gFEU)
the last wigwag signal in Canada
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xBdep4yRzo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xBdep4yRzo)
Great photo, agentsteel53! I don't ever recall seeing a sign that read "northerly" or "southerly" before. And lighted, too. definitely a classic. Hope it's not replaced anytime soon. Here's a link from Google Streetview for a daytime view of it:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=courthouse&sll=37.798978,-122.260781&sspn=0.000769,0.002776&ie=UTF8&radius=0.08&rq=1&ev=zi&ll=37.799003,-122.260889&spn=0,359.997224&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=37.79903,-122.261007&panoid=pE6xJuUklu9DtHjAYbreVg&cbp=12,319.71,,0,5 (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=courthouse&sll=37.798978,-122.260781&sspn=0.000769,0.002776&ie=UTF8&radius=0.08&rq=1&ev=zi&ll=37.799003,-122.260889&spn=0,359.997224&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=37.79903,-122.261007&panoid=pE6xJuUklu9DtHjAYbreVg&cbp=12,319.71,,0,5)