AARoads Forum

National Boards => General Highway Talk => Topic started by: thenetwork on April 23, 2015, 08:20:05 PM

Title: US-6 or US-6???
Post by: thenetwork on April 23, 2015, 08:20:05 PM
One of the more odd phenomenons I have seen across this great land of ours is the US-6 shield.

In all the states I have traveled on it, I have seen two versions of the numeral (apologies that I don't have the font names & sizes memorized) with almost as many in this format:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fiowahighwayends.net%2Fends%2FApril06%2FJct280from927_apr06.jpg&hash=3a1ca05d249290a70f1544ff62838441f71fffbf)

or as I call it the "Skinny 6"

As there is in this format:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.billburmaster.com%2Frmsandw%2Frhode_island%2Fimages%2Fus6.jpg&hash=6463a14fbf778f61557f9f61730141e29546723a)

or as I call it the "Fat 6"

Which version do you prefer, and is there a state where it's primarily one or the other?  I actually like the Fat 6 myself. 

And since I never spent much time on the east coast, does this happen a lot along the US-9 corridor too (skinny vs. fat 9)?



EDIT: Used another image for the "Skinny 6", even though previous Angelfire image worked in Firefox.
Title: Re: US-6 or US-6???
Post by: SignGeek101 on April 23, 2015, 08:28:46 PM
Well, the first one says "Image hosted by Angelfire", the second one is in series F. Notice the top of the six kind of bends downwards near the top.

I personally like Series D. There is a reason F is not used on much anymore.
Title: Re: US-6 or US-6???
Post by: hbelkins on April 23, 2015, 08:59:48 PM
I've seen quite a few of your second example in Pennsylvania.
Title: Re: US-6 or US-6???
Post by: KEVIN_224 on April 23, 2015, 09:05:07 PM
I prefer the first one. At least you guys don't have the error "6" shields like we do on I-84 in West Hartford. Conn-DOT got lazy and turned some state route 9 shields upside down. CT doesn't have a state route 6. We do have CT Route 9 which starts a couple of miles to the west in Farmington though.

Although it's been corrected since, I seem to remember a Rhode Island "6" shield in the past on US Route 6 in Foster.
Title: Re: US-6 or US-6???
Post by: Mapmikey on April 23, 2015, 09:05:17 PM
I've seen mostly skinny 9's but am aware of at least one fat 9:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.vahighways.com%2Ferrors%2Fi9shield.jpg&hash=e799ff129119e2ddc977d708c6c1cc47bf945c27)

Mapmikey
Title: Re: US-6 or US-6???
Post by: Zeffy on April 23, 2015, 09:10:05 PM
I don't remember where, but I thought New Hampshire also had some "fat" digits (series E I believe, which is much better looking than F) in their US 3 or US 4 shields. Also, while not US Highways, New York's old state highway shields used Series F until they started switching over to D, which they currently use.

EDIT: Rhode Island also has (or had) a version of the fat US 6 shield:
www.aaroads.com/shields/show.php?image=RI19600062

Quote from: Mapmikey on April 23, 2015, 09:05:17 PM
I've seen mostly skinny 9's but am aware of at least one fat 9:

<image snipped>

Mapmikey

That sign still lives, which I guess is due in part to the fact that most motorists only care about the number, not the type of shield used.
Title: Re: US-6 or US-6???
Post by: Big John on April 23, 2015, 09:17:19 PM
A white interstate shield instead of a US shield and undersized lower-case letters?

edit: saw Zeffy addressed this too.
Title: Re: US-6 or US-6???
Post by: Scott5114 on April 24, 2015, 12:02:47 AM
Here, have as much six as you want.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Flhj12yr.png&hash=21519c04d2fb3653a7cf95ee46078c6467d918b7)
Title: Re: US-6 or US-6???
Post by: nexus73 on April 24, 2015, 12:35:17 PM
Series E is the easiest one for me to see if I was driving.  I wonder if we could have a poll to see which series is perceived the best by our site's members?

Rick
Title: Re: US-6 or US-6???
Post by: hbelkins on April 24, 2015, 12:53:12 PM
My personal preference is Series D.

I have trouble identifying the different series just by looking at them.
Title: Re: US-6 or US-6???
Post by: hotdogPi on April 24, 2015, 02:14:22 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on April 24, 2015, 12:02:47 AM
Here, have as much six as you want.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Flhj12yr.png&hash=21519c04d2fb3653a7cf95ee46078c6467d918b7)

That's seven.
Title: Re: US-6 or US-6???
Post by: PHLBOS on April 24, 2015, 04:57:52 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on April 24, 2015, 12:02:47 AM
Here, have as much six as you want.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Flhj12yr.png&hash=21519c04d2fb3653a7cf95ee46078c6467d918b7)

Quote from: nexus73 on April 24, 2015, 12:35:17 PMI wonder if we could have a poll to see which series is perceived the best by our site's members?

My vote & preference would be Series D (3rd from left).
Title: Re: US-6 or US-6???
Post by: hobsini2 on April 24, 2015, 05:11:33 PM
My preference is C but I am ok with all of them except B and F.
Title: Re: US-6 or US-6???
Post by: Road Hog on April 24, 2015, 05:14:15 PM
For single digits, Series F is fine. White space is almost as distracting as the numeral.
Title: Re: US-6 or US-6???
Post by: cjk374 on April 24, 2015, 06:32:21 PM
Series B is what Louisiana uses to put 3 digits in a 2 digit shield.  But for a single digit, I like C or D.
Title: Re: US-6 or US-6???
Post by: SignGeek101 on April 24, 2015, 06:41:10 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on April 24, 2015, 12:02:47 AM
Here, have as much six as you want.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Flhj12yr.png&hash=21519c04d2fb3653a7cf95ee46078c6467d918b7)

I prefer Series D on all shields, but don't mind C for 3DI's or E for 1DI's.

Quebec uses EM on its autoroute shields, which I don't like.
Title: Re: US-6 or US-6???
Post by: ctsignguy on April 25, 2015, 09:27:37 AM
How about this combination?
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi166.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fu102%2Fctsignguy%2FConnecticut%2520Signs%2Fct%2520us%25206a_zpshusrgocn.jpg&hash=e854a8c01e4661bccfc8198d34281450386f2455)
Title: Re: US-6 or US-6???
Post by: froggie on April 25, 2015, 10:18:05 AM
Series D is my preference.  I can accept Series C in cases where D would be too wide for the shield (i.e. a 3-digit route on a 2-digit-sized shield).  F looks hideous, B is too skinny, and D-Modified is too thick.
Title: Re: US-6 or US-6???
Post by: c172 on April 25, 2015, 12:29:10 PM
I like D. It just looks good against the white shield. The E's and F just look too thick, and very old. I also don't really like A. Too thin (don't they use that on IA state markers)?

On a somewhat unrelated note, when I went to college in VT from '93-'97, I used Bradley Field in CT to fly out of. On I-91, I remember overhead markers (gantries?) had state and US highway markers were just white outlines with white numbers, filled in green, like the whole sign itself. I kind of liked that. You knew you were in CT.
Title: Re: US-6 or US-6???
Post by: cjk374 on April 25, 2015, 01:35:56 PM
Quote from: froggie on April 25, 2015, 10:18:05 AM
B is too skinny


I don't think that B is too skinny for a '61 spec shield, but that's just me.
Title: Re: US-6 or US-6???
Post by: pianocello on April 25, 2015, 06:33:08 PM
Quote from: c172 on April 25, 2015, 12:29:10 PM
I also don't really like A. Too thin (don't they use that on IA state markers)?

Iowa uses D for 1 digit, C for 2 digits, and B for 3 digits, which makes it possible to fit everything in a square shield no matter the route number. Since I grew up seeing D for US 6 everywhere (incidentally, that first picture is about 5 miles away from my house), it's my personal preference
Title: Re: US-6 or US-6???
Post by: Mergingtraffic on April 25, 2015, 08:03:21 PM
I like this 6....a perfect shield except for the arrow below.  The arrow isn't bad, just not perfect.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7605/17161422102_8e4a8f85cf_c.jpg)[/url]New US-6 shield on MA-18 NB in New Bedford, MA. Check out that new reflective sheeting! (https://flic.kr/p/s9uLTY) by mergingtraffic (https://www.flickr.com/people/98731835@N05/), on Flickr
Title: Re: US-6 or US-6???
Post by: vtk on April 25, 2015, 08:49:49 PM
I certainly don't mind Series E or F for single digit routes.
Title: Re: US-6 or US-6???
Post by: freebrickproductions on April 25, 2015, 11:27:26 PM
What would Series A look like for one of these shields? And the various versions of Clearview?
Title: Re: US-6 or US-6???
Post by: SignGeek101 on April 25, 2015, 11:42:00 PM
Quote from: freebrickproductions on April 25, 2015, 11:27:26 PM
What would Series A look like for one of these shields? And the various versions of Clearview?

Here's the Clearview:

The 'B' variant (except for 1B, which is missing from my computer)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1291.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fb551%2Fslik_sh00ter%2FClearview%2520US%2520Routes_zpshnbnwl7y.png&hash=e55b5f6c2f354336ef92211f940a590d770fc58e)

The 'W' variant (supposed to be for positive contrast, but is used in negative contrast where I live):

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1291.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fb551%2Fslik_sh00ter%2FClearview%2520US%2520Routes%2520W_zpsfc2bjlxz.png&hash=6e85cc43748c4f4506e78af983d1be0f74ea0891)

Pardon my lack of skill in being able to centre the numbers.
Title: Re: US-6 or US-6???
Post by: vtk on April 26, 2015, 05:51:42 AM
Quote from: freebrickproductions on April 25, 2015, 11:27:26 PM
What would Series A look like for one of these shields? And the various versions of Clearview?

Series A is very similar to Series B but lighter. You'd think it would be narrower, but it's just about the same width.
Title: Re: US-6 or US-6???
Post by: ctsignguy on April 26, 2015, 09:11:25 AM
Here is a Series 'A" 6.....

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi166.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fu102%2Fctsignguy%2Fnjus206.jpg&hash=bab21c519eeacf315bc286282359116a14fccfab)
Title: Re: US-6 or US-6???
Post by: roadfro on April 26, 2015, 04:17:45 PM
Nevada typically uses Series D in its US 6 shields, so that is what I am used to and prefer.
Title: Re: US-6 or US-6???
Post by: SSOWorld on April 27, 2015, 08:47:51 AM
How about a Fat 6 and a thin 9 </groan>

Whatever the font is, doesn't matter to me.
Title: Re: US-6 or US-6???
Post by: PHLBOS on April 27, 2015, 09:13:57 AM
Quote from: Mergingtraffic on April 25, 2015, 08:03:21 PM
I like this 6....a perfect shield except for the arrow below.  The arrow isn't bad, just not perfect.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7605/17161422102_8e4a8f85cf_c.jpg)[/url]New US-6 shield on MA-18 NB in New Bedford, MA. Check out that new reflective sheeting! (https://flic.kr/p/s9uLTY) by mergingtraffic (https://www.flickr.com/people/98731835@N05/), on Flickr
That's Series D.
Title: Re: US-6 or US-6???
Post by: Takumi on April 27, 2015, 10:53:39 AM
This is for a different 6, but it always stood out to me. Looks like Series B?
http://goo.gl/maps/qGhwD

(Edit: Street View doesn't seem to come up automatically)
Title: Re: US-6 or US-6???
Post by: PHLBOS on April 27, 2015, 10:59:09 AM
Quote from: Takumi on April 27, 2015, 10:53:39 AM
This is for a different 6, but it always stood out to me. Looks like Series B?
It is Series B.
Title: Re: US-6 or US-6???
Post by: myosh_tino on April 27, 2015, 11:47:28 AM
Quote from: Mergingtraffic on April 25, 2015, 08:03:21 PM
I like this 6....a perfect shield except for the arrow below.  The arrow isn't bad, just not perfect.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7605/17161422102_8e4a8f85cf_c.jpg)[/url]New US-6 shield on MA-18 NB in New Bedford, MA. Check out that new reflective sheeting! (https://flic.kr/p/s9uLTY) by mergingtraffic (https://www.flickr.com/people/98731835@N05/), on Flickr

While I like that 6, here is a perfect shield  :-P...

(https://www.aaroads.com/california/images006/us-006_eb_14.jpg)
Title: Re: US-6 or US-6???
Post by: Bickendan on April 27, 2015, 12:08:44 PM
Quote from: myosh_tino on April 27, 2015, 11:47:28 AM
Quote from: Mergingtraffic on April 25, 2015, 08:03:21 PM
I like this 6....a perfect shield except for the arrow below.  The arrow isn't bad, just not perfect.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7605/17161422102_8e4a8f85cf_c.jpg)[/url]New US-6 shield on MA-18 NB in New Bedford, MA. Check out that new reflective sheeting! (https://flic.kr/p/s9uLTY) by mergingtraffic (https://www.flickr.com/people/98731835@N05/), on Flickr

While I like that 6, here is a perfect shield  :-P...

(https://www.aaroads.com/california/images006/us-006_eb_14.jpg)
No button copy. Not perfect.

:bigass: