What is the best way to display exit tabs on highway signage?
I know I'm going to get a lot of grief here, but I actually like the way CT does their exit tabs.
(https://www.aaroads.com/northeast/connecticut384/i-384_eb_exit_002_03.jpg)
But, I like how CT doesn't have a liner around the exit tab. I've seen states where the liner goes all the way around the exit tab and it seems too much for a small tab.
I also like how there is no gap between the sign and the exit tab.
As of the last two years, new signage finally has it on the right or left depending on where the exit is and not in the middle as evidenced by the NE Roads pic on I-384. (I also like the pipe gantry)
Edited to set image width at 800
i dont like center mounted tabs. Funny you mention the 384 righ aligned sign, over on 84 near the 384 interchange. Just noticed it this week. and before that sign, on 84 EB, there is a bordered exit tab for exit 58, but center mounted. It's MA-style in that there is no border of separation between the BGS and tab. The border actually traces the overall outline of the BGS and Tab together. Personally prefer side mounted, and with a border including separation between the BGS and the tab.
I think its interesting that in Massachusetts, there is no separation line between the exit tabs and the sign itself.
I also think its interesting how Maryland uses gigantic exit tabs.
not always the case. some ma signage has separation between the sign and the tab, some does not. A lot of new signage down on i 195 and I 495 towards the Cape has a separation and the tabs are extra tall too. There are 2 and a half sign strips in height used to make these new tabs.
Borrowed this example of new signage being placed on I-195 back in '04-'05 from alpsroads.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.alpsroads.net%2Froads%2Fma%2Fi-195%2Fe18.jpg&hash=21f47c841afcf32bd42945d505c71b927a5d5082)
An aside, there is a ma-style bgs in CT on I84 eb in east hartford, for exit 58 with a bordered exit tab, END it is not separated from the bgs by a line border traces the entire overall shape of the sign including the exit tab. However it is typical, CT centered exit tab.
I like the way KDOT does it.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fcommons%2Fthumb%2F3%2F3e%2FKS_I-35_ex133.jpg%2F800px-KS_I-35_ex133.jpg&hash=c6705f0361f243222bdf19c0e9c31b3d8a38d7a5)
Oklahoma gives the tab its own border on all sides. It looks kinda stupid, I think.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.denexa.com%2Froadgeek%2Froad-photos%2Fmain.php%3Fcmd%3Dimage%26amp%3Bvar1%3Dok%252Foklahoma%252F035i_kilpatrick.jpg%26amp%3Bvar2%3D700_85&hash=3606bd25c415d52c8f32b54b03edf5ef82074b1d)
An example of WA's exit 'tabs' (I-90 WB headed into the I-5 interchange).
http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=47.592743,-122.311569&spn=0,359.994255&t=h&z=18&layer=c&cbll=47.592829,-122.311633&panoid=kvbxu1UsFYwSDjMs3a6gIg&cbp=12,334.53,,0,5 (http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=47.592743,-122.311569&spn=0,359.994255&t=h&z=18&layer=c&cbll=47.592829,-122.311633&panoid=kvbxu1UsFYwSDjMs3a6gIg&cbp=12,334.53,,0,5)
--Andy
I like the way Georgia does it. Their signs just all seem to be neat and tidy.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.southeastroads.com%2Fgeorgia001%2Fi-020_eb_exit_055a_03.jpg&hash=3d0ef81567a53ec5a2628ff5f154e468af905233)
I also like how all the signs on a gantry are usually uniform in height in GA.
Scott--the KDOT example you posted is out of date. The current KDOT standard still uses a 1" border (main sign panel border is 2") with 3" corner rounding, but the border now runs along the bottom as well as the other three sides, and all four corners are rounded. This solves the problem that the edge side of the tab (usually the right side) had a white border which seemed to "float" in green space, but at the cost of thickening the sign border under the tab.
I rather wish KDOT had instead thickened the tab border to 2", perhaps changed corner radius to 4", and eliminated corner rounding on the main sign panel immediately underneath the tab. This is the approach Arizona, Wisconsin, and Michigan follow.
Utah used to do it similar to Georgia (the center-aligned, full-width tab). Then in the mid-90s they aligned the exit number to the right but still full-width. A few years ago, this happened:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rockymountainroads.com%2Futah001%2Fi-015_nb_exit_095_03.jpg&hash=1a7a02360d9f9facca9f2e6c3448fa007c1ede9c)
And although I may be a little biased, I find this slightly rounded design to be my favorite of any I've seen. However, when UDOT simply pastes a new sign over an old one, a right-aligned full-width tab will still be made.
I hate full width exit tabs. Try going west while the sun's setting on a road with them. You'll find they're pretty useless for the purpose of showing what side of the road the exit is on; by the time you're close enough to see what side the text is on, you're too close to act upon the sign legend. The silhouette of the tabs is much easier to see when they're correctly done.
Quote from: J N Winkler on September 20, 2009, 07:58:08 PM
Scott--the KDOT example you posted is out of date. The current KDOT standard still uses a 1" border (main sign panel border is 2") with 3" corner rounding, but the border now runs along the bottom as well as the other three sides, and all four corners are rounded. This solves the problem that the edge side of the tab (usually the right side) had a white border which seemed to "float" in green space, but at the cost of thickening the sign border under the tab.
Darn. I like the way that sign I posted does it.
Quote from: Scott5114 on September 20, 2009, 11:36:26 PM
I hate full width exit tabs. Try going west while the sun's setting on a road with them. You'll find they're pretty useless for the purpose of showing what side of the road the exit is on; by the time you're close enough to see what side the text is on, you're too close to act upon the sign legend. The silhouette of the tabs is much easier to see when they're correctly done.
Darn. How did we ever survive without exit tabs telling us which side of the road the exit is on?
Actually, they are pretty handy if you are traveling in unfamiliar territory, but this seems to me to be another example of dumbing things down to the lowest common denominator. IMNSHO we do too much of that in society already.
The MUTCD says that's a feature that should be around for the benefit of road users, and if it says that, by golly I'm going to use it. If that little exit tab helps prevent me from missing my exit, then it serves its purpose. Considering the fact that most non-roadgeeks don't know about the exit tab trick, how is that "dumbing things down"?
Quote from: wytout
not always the case. some ma signage has separation between the sign and the tab, some does not. A lot of new signage down on i 195 and I 495 towards the Cape has a separation and the tabs are extra tall too. There are 2 and a half sign strips in height used to make these new tabs.
I guess I should have said older signs. Older signs used to do it. I now know that newer signs do have the separation tabs, much like the Mass Pike.
QuoteThe MUTCD says that's a feature that should be around for the benefit of road users, and if it says that, by golly I'm going to use it. If that little exit tab helps prevent me from missing my exit, then it serves its purpose. Considering the fact that most non-roadgeeks don't know about the exit tab trick, how is that "dumbing things down"?
Well, that's just it. If the vast majority of people don't know about it, it isn't really helpful in the greater scheme of things. It's also a rule which obviously isn't always followed, so you can't necessarily take what side the tab is on as reliable information.
Besides, you don't need anything telling you an exit will be the right. The vast majority of exits are to the right and drivers will generally thus assume an exit is on the right unless told otherwise.
So, the MUTCD standard practice of putting "LEFT EXIT" labels on signs for them is far more obvious and unquestionable, and works far better. With that in place, where you put the tab is effectively pure aesthetics.
And the tab standard doesn't work for exits that don't have posted numbers, anyway.
Tabs in michigan...
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm3.static.flickr.com%2F2496%2F3898681350_4920111690_b.jpg&hash=0355d46dfd808c82f6272a20533c6eb490d33261)
I've seen some exit tabs in Milwauke that say "Left Exit ###" (insert number where that ### appears) - Talk about dumbing down!? :hmmm:
^
Yes, Utah does this as well.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fcommons%2Fd%2Fd5%2FLegacyParkwaySTerminus.jpg&hash=aff5d03147e46fda1e6de73165097a8f591b0f5a)
I hate that LEFT EXIT wording thing. There's one in New Hampshire, where the Spaulding Turnpike exits left from I-95 North in Portsmouth, and in NC, where I-240 begins at I-40 Eastbound and I-26. And, YET, the new alignment of I-40 in Death Valley, NC (Greensboro) has a left exit to Business I-85 and DOESN'T have that wording.
And, as my sig shows, I am not a center-tabbing fan at all.
Also, the new bordered tab in MA is a growing trend. I-84 in Sturbridge (from the MA Turnpike westward to the CT line) has this new tab style.
Quote from: Scott5114 on September 21, 2009, 05:24:08 PM
The MUTCD says that's a feature that should be around for the benefit of road users, and if it says that, by golly I'm going to use it. If that little exit tab helps prevent me from missing my exit, then it serves its purpose. Considering the fact that most non-roadgeeks don't know about the exit tab trick, how is that "dumbing things down"?
Well, we survived for years with center-mounted exit tabs. They were good enough for my father (when my grandfather drove, I don't even think Kentucky had numbered exits except for a handful on I-75 in Lexington that were sequentially numbered) so why aren't they good enough for future generations of drivers?
Kinda like the larger first letter of directional indications. What's the point? We did fine for years with all letters the same size.
HB, I think it's one of those things where if you can give an added visual cue to the driver, it allows quicker recognition and reaction as a result. Same thing with the larger first letter of cardinal directions. Seems negligible to the average person, but it probably helps subconsciously and it doesn't make a big difference to implement.
For those talking about left exit tabs, I think adding the word "left" into the tab became a requirement in either the 2003 or Millennium MUTCD. The proposed MUTCD takes it one step further, requiring the word "left" be written in warning (black on yellow) style--new images show a taller exit tab with "left" in the upper half in black on yellow, with the remaining exit legend white on green. I think the change is appropriate, but would design it differently.
To reply to the original topic of the thread, I like any state that uses appropriately aligned exit tabs. Nevada's tabs tend to have a thinner border than the main sign that omits the bottom edge, although some newer signs wrap the entire border and/or have the full size border.
Great, not only are we idiot-proofing left exits, we're polluting them now :ded:
One thing that gets me is this BGS, taken from AARoads itself, but an occurence I saw in person (no photos from me...sorry, was in kind of a hurry):
http://www.interstate-guide.com/images395/i-395_me_wt_12.jpg (http://www.interstate-guide.com/images395/i-395_me_wt_12.jpg)
You have this HUGE guide sign, appropriately so, so why is the tab with the numbers so small? Especially compared to this assembly 1 mile northward:
http://www.interstate-guide.com/images395/i-395_me_wt_14.jpg (http://www.interstate-guide.com/images395/i-395_me_wt_14.jpg)
Quote from: hbelkins on September 21, 2009, 10:09:54 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on September 21, 2009, 05:24:08 PM
The MUTCD says that's a feature that should be around for the benefit of road users, and if it says that, by golly I'm going to use it. If that little exit tab helps prevent me from missing my exit, then it serves its purpose. Considering the fact that most non-roadgeeks don't know about the exit tab trick, how is that "dumbing things down"?
Well, we survived for years with center-mounted exit tabs. They were good enough for my father (when my grandfather drove, I don't even think Kentucky had numbered exits except for a handful on I-75 in Lexington that were sequentially numbered) so why aren't they good enough for future generations of drivers?
Kinda like the larger first letter of directional indications. What's the point? We did fine for years with all letters the same size.
Well put, I could not agree with you more!
PennDOT Style for Left Exits:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv645%2Frickmastfan67%2FInterstates%2FPA%2FI-376%2F08-22-09%2FP1060265s.jpg&hash=ba89ba4e77222dde618fc715056f2ee8b9bdd14a)
Being a native Californian, I couldn't resist adding our "unique" style of exit numbering on guide signs to this topic. Instead of posting pictures that are in the AARoads galleries, I though I would instead use the signs I created for my Silicon Valley Roads webpage. These are nearly identical to the real signs with respect to layout and legend. Sorry about the purple background, it's what I'm using on the site...
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.markyville.com%2Fsvroads%2Fguides%2Fi280_south%2F280s_6.jpg&hash=6ca4e27b9abb11ff5345479eba40acdd5015f01e)
The left sign (I-880/CA-17) features a tab that puts the word "EXIT" and the number (5B) on two lines in an internally drawn box. The right sign (Winchester Blvd) features a more traditional exit tab with the tab located above the sign but within a borderless green field.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.markyville.com%2Fsvroads%2Fguides%2Fi880_south%2F880s_4A.jpg&hash=0ec0f20fca1b7457aae8f0166f745621e15db377)
Once again, the left sign features the internally drawn box with "EXIT" and number on two lines. The right sign (Downtown/N First St) features the traditional exit tab but it is also internally drawn.
(https://www.aaroads.com/california/images005/i-005_sb_exit_493_02a.jpg)
Of course there are a few signs that use an independent tab but I've only seen this on ground-mounted signs (not on overhead signs). One exception is in downtown Los Angeles where in the 1970's Caltrans experimented with exit numbers and the tabs were centered on overhead guide signs
In Oregon, all exit tabs are centered on the guide sign.
(https://www.aaroads.com/west/oregon084/i-084_wb_exit_013_01.jpg)
Washington uses full width exit tabs with the exit number being centered on the sign.
(https://www.aaroads.com/west/washington005/i-005_nb_exit_009_05b.jpg)
QuotePennDOT Style for Left Exits:
That's actually the first example of that style I've seen PennDOT use.
But they're being consistent with it... at least with the I-376 extension/exit renumbering so far.
I'm not sure why, but I kinda like the internally drawn square tabs that CalTrans uses on replacement signs, especially when its placement does not disrupt the centering of the main sign legend (as in the first example). The regular internally drawn tabs don't look as neat to me, and their use sometimes make the remaining legend appear squished. The non-cutout tab looks okay as well, and I prefer this look much more than full-width tabs used in other states.
roadfro: With those square-tabbed signs becoming rather common in metro Sacramento, I've grown to like them as well.
I also really enjoy CalTrans's look for triple-digit exit number gore point signs, probably not the best for readability, but aesthetically pleasing.
Now here's an awkward usage of the square tab (though I still like the signs), where US 101 splits off from the Central Freeway at Mission Street in San Francisco:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Central+freeway,+san+francisco&sll=38.549851,-121.393727&sspn=0.010656,0.018454&ie=UTF8&ll=37.7696,-122.414019&spn=0.001346,0.002307&z=19&layer=c&cbll=37.769588,-122.413671&panoid=q4KWNavMCKZXAOwR4Hb_xA&cbp=12,271.82,,0,-0.34 (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Central+freeway,+san+francisco&sll=38.549851,-121.393727&sspn=0.010656,0.018454&ie=UTF8&ll=37.7696,-122.414019&spn=0.001346,0.002307&z=19&layer=c&cbll=37.769588,-122.413671&panoid=q4KWNavMCKZXAOwR4Hb_xA&cbp=12,271.82,,0,-0.34)
Should that exit tab for Duboce Avenue really be on the right side of the sign, when technically US 101 itself is the rightmost option? (It isn't quite a left exit - the Duboce Avenue exit and the pathway from the Central Freeway to Mission Street really is one ramp.)
Strictly speaking, the exit tab should be on the far right for that panel. It's a bit ambiguous otherwise. With a bit of manipulation, that sign could probably be redesigned such that the tab was put on the far right yet still maintained the same size.
That's really a place where a separate exit tab would provide the most guidance. That sign structure looks new, so there's really no reason why an exit tab couldn't have been accommodated in the wind/weight loading for the sign bridge.
Quote from: roadfro on September 23, 2009, 02:31:05 AMThat's really a place where a separate exit tab would provide the most guidance. That sign structure looks new, so there's really no reason why an exit tab couldn't have been accommodated in the wind/weight loading for the sign bridge.
Looks can be deceiving. IIRC, that sign bridge is very old, probably dating back to when the Central Freeway was built. San Francisco and/or Caltrans gave a number of sign bridges a fresh coat of silver paint in the downtown area which makes them look new. One key indicator are the diagonal braces forming an 'X' pattern instead of the more common 'N' (or backwards-'N') pattern.
Regarding the exit number for Duboce Ave, I don't think it's necessary to display an exit number on the sign because U.S. 101 leaves the Central Freeway at the same exit and comes to a signal at the bottom of the exit ramp. Go straight through to get to Duboce Avenue, veer right to remain on U.S. 101.
Exit tabs? I'll root for the home team and say I prefer the full width ones in Illinois where the text is aligned toward the side the exit is on. :cool: They look nicer than the simple tabs, IMHO, and far superior to that ugliness California calls "exit tabs". X-(
Example: http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=41.757595,-87.913177&spn=0,359.972534&t=h&z=16&layer=c&cbll=41.758629,-87.910111&panoid=RTDGMPJptlmYojgiu-R0pw&cbp=12,73.42,,0,0.99 (http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=41.757595,-87.913177&spn=0,359.972534&t=h&z=16&layer=c&cbll=41.758629,-87.910111&panoid=RTDGMPJptlmYojgiu-R0pw&cbp=12,73.42,,0,0.99)
I like the exit tabs used here in New York the best. Rounded edges on both them and the BGS itself look cleaner in my opinion. As for centered vs. right or left-aligned, I don't really notice it, so it doesn't matter to me. I pay attention to the arrow on the sign just before the exit.
I don't like full width exit tabs or those California "tabs".
^
Those computer-generated California overheads look great. Regarding the tabs, is part of the reason they look this way because they weren't added until recently? I don't remember any exit tabs when I lived there back in the 1990's.
As for tabs indicating left or right exits... North Carolina has deemed left exits and entrances too dangerous, period, and is slowly rebuilding interchanges to solve the problem like here I-85/US70 in Durham.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi174.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fw102%2Farchitect77%2F85flyover-1.jpg&hash=e64f45a9be6d8cd47ac90430b89f7b162616afc0)
sounds like something Milwaukee's doing.
First the Marquette (though a left exit exists not too far away - though on old freeway that wasn't part of the project)
Now the Mitchell Interchange
And after that the Zoo Interchange.
Don't forget the well-ignored Stadium Interchange as well as Mitchell Blvd (the latter which has all left-hand ramps except the WB off-ramp.)
NOTE: They do have left-side exit tabs
architect77: Indeed, California had no exit numbers (save for a few LA area freeways, most notably much of I-10 in Los Angeles County, I-5 on the northern reaches of the Santa Ana Freeway, and the 110 and 101 in downtown) on its freeways until the last 5-6 years.
In fits and starts, it looks like California is finally getting the hang of exit numbers.
I don't see PennDOT eliminating any of the few Left hand exits here in the Pittsburgh area.
I mean, there is no way they could eliminate the Left Exits down @ the point. Of course, some of them use to be right hand exits till I-279 was eliminated on the Parkway West and replaced by I-376. And the Left Hand exit from I-79 onto I-279 South, I don't think is any problems with it. It works perfectly fine because it's only a partial interchange.
Also from the Pittsburgh area is this PennDOT freak of nature: (Cropped from Street view, someone else may have an actual picture of it):
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fmysite.verizon.net%2F%7Evze3kr2y%2Fpics%2Fexittab.jpg&hash=b732fb0e4505d7fafc990e2fe1a61c38e766a425)
I can't recall seeing a "tab" in the BGS itself anywhere else in Pennsylvania. While it's a fine example of efficiency, it's a bad example of consistency.
I'm assuming they'll just slap the new "extended I-376" exit number over the current one (the sign is relatively new, compared to other Parkway signs), but I suppose it's possible they could add a proper tab.
It looks like they had CA make that sign.
Quote from: Mr_Northside on October 01, 2009, 09:56:42 AM
While it's a fine example of efficiency, it's a bad example of consistency.
The idea of PennDOT ever being consistent. :rofl:
Quote from: Mr_Northside on October 01, 2009, 09:56:42 AM
Also from the Pittsburgh area is this PennDOT freak of nature: (Cropped from Street view, someone else may have an actual picture of it):
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fmysite.verizon.net%2F%7Evze3kr2y%2Fpics%2Fexittab.jpg&hash=b732fb0e4505d7fafc990e2fe1a61c38e766a425)
I can't recall seeing a "tab" in the BGS itself anywhere else in Pennsylvania. While it's a fine example of efficiency, it's a bad example of consistency.
I'm assuming they'll just slap the new "extended I-376" exit number over the current one (the sign is relatively new, compared to other Parkway signs), but I suppose it's possible they could add a proper tab.
Pennsylvania is becoming more and more like California. First the internally drawn exit tab and now this...
(https://www.aaroads.com/northeast/pennsylvania001/pa-060_nb_exit_002_02.jpg)
Also here is a photo of the same sign found on AARoads...
(https://www.aaroads.com/northeast/pennsylvania300/i-376_wb_exit_002b_01.jpg)
Quote from: myosh_tino on October 01, 2009, 04:41:00 PM
Pennsylvania is becoming more and more like California. First the internally drawn exit tab and now this...
(https://www.aaroads.com/northeast/pennsylvania001/pa-060_nb_exit_002_02.jpg)
I'm assuming that is just because of the top-mounted overhead sign lighting.
I'm assuming that area of the Parkway has overhead-signage lighting mounted like that because of it's proximity to the Airport.
Quote from: architect77 on September 30, 2009, 06:10:22 AM
^
Those computer-generated California overheads look great. Regarding the tabs, is part of the reason they look this way because they weren't added until recently? I don't remember any exit tabs when I lived there back in the 1990's.
As for tabs indicating left or right exits... North Carolina has deemed left exits and entrances too dangerous, period, and is slowly rebuilding interchanges to solve the problem like here I-85/US70 in Durham.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi174.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fw102%2Farchitect77%2F85flyover-1.jpg&hash=e64f45a9be6d8cd47ac90430b89f7b162616afc0)
At the I-81/I-581 interchange near Roanoke, VA there is a left exit (which I don't have much problem with) and a left entrance ramp (which is a pain in the ass) - and in the DC metro there are a whole lot of left-hand exits and entrance ramps, for the separate pair of reversible HOV lanes in the center of one of the main highways.
I dont have much problem with left-hand exits, since it's just a matter of getting on the left side of the road and following the ramp wherever it goes. But left-hand entrance ramps are a royal pain in the ass, since you have to look through the whole car to check your blind spot... And the 581/81 interchange has a particularly short merge lane for its left-hand entrance ramp.
Quote from: Mr_Northside on October 02, 2009, 09:34:41 AM
Quote from: myosh_tino on October 01, 2009, 04:41:00 PM
Pennsylvania is becoming more and more like California. First the internally drawn exit tab and now this...
(https://www.aaroads.com/northeast/pennsylvania001/pa-060_nb_exit_002_02.jpg)
I'm assuming that is just because of the top-mounted overhead sign lighting.
I'm assuming that area of the Parkway has overhead-signage lighting mounted like that because of it's proximity to the Airport.
No, look at the placement of the exit number tab in the far right sign. Compare that to how California signs its exit numbers....
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.westcoastroads.com%2Fcalifornia%2Fimages075%2Fi-080_eb_exit_029a_01.jpg&hash=985fd2315cdd8e3a2607252e38562094cff4dd04)
Quote from: Annunciation70130 on September 20, 2009, 07:45:37 PM
I like the way Georgia does it. Their signs just all seem to be neat and tidy.
I also like how all the signs on a gantry are usually uniform in height in GA.
Add the signs in the Houston area to that list
(https://www.aaroads.com/texas/ih110-820/i-610_w_n_exit_011_02.jpg)
And the Phoenix area. Some of those signs have tremendously excessive abounts of blank space just for vertical uniformity.
A rather later post, but here is Massachusetts version of the left exit tab...
http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/MassachusettsTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5323185998319156418 (http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/MassachusettsTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5323185998319156418)
Quote from: myosh_tino on October 01, 2009, 04:41:00 PM
Pennsylvania is becoming more and more like California. First the internally drawn exit tab and now this...
(https://www.aaroads.com/northeast/pennsylvania001/pa-060_nb_exit_002_02.jpg)
Those tabs showed up when the Southern Expressway was completed to service the Mid-Field terminal at Pittsburgh International and the Airport Parkway improved between 22/30 and the Business PA 60 split. They disappear after the northern Business PA 60 interchange.
Quote from: PAHighways on November 03, 2009, 08:01:59 PM
Those tabs showed up when the Southern Expressway was completed to service the Mid-Field terminal at Pittsburgh International and the Airport Parkway improved between 22/30 and the Business PA 60 split. They disappear after the northern Business PA 60 interchange.
Do you think those tabs will stay or go away when this becomes I-376?
Quote from: mightyace on November 03, 2009, 09:48:30 PMDo you think those tabs will stay or go away when this becomes I-376?
I don't see why they'd be replaced when along former I-279 the old numbers were just covered up with an overlay.
Couple things to note:
Connecticut only just started adding right sided exit tabs, those appear largely on the Conn Turnpike (I-95) from NY state line up to Fairfield in the most recent sign replacement project. Another is currently going on in Milford, up to West Haven. Outside of a few replacement signs scattered throughout the state, the rest of the BGSs all have centered tabs.
Now Massachusetts seems to have borderless exit tabs on their second generation of non-turnpike signage. The white border around the sign extends up and over the tab, vs going across the bottom of the tab. Signs of this vintage also have the outline state route marker and button copy interstate numerals. Masspike's current signage, and new installations now seem to have the bottom exit tab border, and traditional interstate numerals. State route markers are non-outline variety on the MassPike, but I think are outlined still on new installations.
Vermont, NH, and Maine largely have border all around their signs, and exit tabs on the right. Exception to the rule is those signs in VT which carry no exit tabs ... I-89 north of Burlington and I-91's north end for 2 exits.
Correct, Vermont signs without exit tabs are the exception now, but even on the segments you mentioned. Exit 29 (Derby Line) on I-91 doesn't have them, but Exit 28 does. As does I-89 north of Burlington now (at least at/north of St. Albans).
Even new signs they replaced in Burlington when they added a lane SB to one ramp of VT's only cloverleaf [Exit 14] don't have exit tabs. I think they also kept the button copy gore sign, too. Doesn't make a lot of sense.
Exit 13 SB to I-189 has no exit tabs, Exit 12 is missing 1, Exit 17 I think is missing them as well. I-91... Exit 24 has 2 decrepit signs NB, with no tabs. Exit 23-SB is same way. They did do a good job Exits 11-23, though that sign replacement was the last large stretch of original button copy remaining in New England.
Quote from: deathtopumpkins on October 03, 2009, 12:41:32 AM
And the Phoenix area. Some of those signs have tremendously excessive abounts of blank space just for vertical uniformity.
Might as well add IDOT [Illinois] District 1 to that list as well. They have some rather tall signs with a lot of green space for the same reason. Other districts don't stick to height uniformity as much as District 1. The ISTHA on the other hand prefers to center signs horizontally.
My favorite exit tabs of the past were the older ones in PA where the BGS outline traced only the edge of the entire sign, so the exit tab looked to be part of the main sign (It looked like Colorado also did this in the past as well).
My LEAST favorite exit tabs are the newer ones in PA which look more like "race-track ovals" than actual rectangles.
My favorite modern day tabs are the full length tabs found in areas of Illinois.
I'm almost always exiting I-91 at Exit 23, so anything north of there is hit-or-miss as far as my catching it. Often take back roads into Burlington, so whatever I catch on I-89 is heading east out of town. Still, I've caught enough to where I'd say it's more "hit or miss" than consistent for interchange signage lacking exit tabs in Vermont.
Quote from: mightyace on October 01, 2009, 03:42:43 PM
Quote from: Mr_Northside on October 01, 2009, 09:56:42 AM
While it's a fine example of efficiency, it's a bad example of consistency.
The idea of PennDOT ever being consistent. :rofl:
Well, PennDOT looks to be now "up to standards" when it comes to new Left Hand Exit signs. Just saw this on the webcams for the PA-130 Left Exit on I-376.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv645%2Frickmastfan67%2FInterstates%2FPA%2FI-376%2FD11-410.jpg&hash=8fd9df4536ba3749f556976e95d6d3608ae991d8)
Quote from: rickmastfan67 on December 03, 2009, 05:57:55 PM
Quote from: mightyace on October 01, 2009, 03:42:43 PM
Quote from: Mr_Northside on October 01, 2009, 09:56:42 AM
While it's a fine example of efficiency, it's a bad example of consistency.
The idea of PennDOT ever being consistent. :rofl:
Well, PennDOT looks to be now "up to standards" when it comes to new Left Hand Exit signs. Just saw this on the webcams for the PA-130 Left Exit on I-376.
They have done that with all of the left exits along the current length of I-376. Even the new community exit sign on westbound Parkway Central before Second Avenue has a yellow box with "LEFT" next to the Grant and Stanwix exits.
Quote from: PAHighways on December 03, 2009, 08:57:20 PM
Well, PennDOT looks to be now "up to standards" when it comes to new Left Hand Exit signs. Just saw this on the webcams for the PA-130 Left Exit on I-376.
The yellow "Left" in the tab does seem a bit redundant on signs with "Exit Only" already pointing that out. That and on diagrammatic signs (like the signs for Grant St. traveling Eastbound).
Of course, I suppose the standard is the standard. Better safe than sorry.
Quote from: PAHighways on December 03, 2009, 08:57:20 PM
They have done that with all of the left exits along the current length of I-376. Even the new community exit sign on westbound Parkway Central before Second Avenue has a yellow box with "LEFT" next to the Grant and Stanwix exits.
As an asides, I've always thought that particular sign (both the previous version and the current one) should say "Downtown Exits" instead of "Pittsburgh Exits".
There are plenty of other exits within the city limits on the Parkway, and that kind of ignores that fact.
Quote from: Mr_Northside on December 04, 2009, 09:29:25 AMThe yellow "Left" in the tab does seem a bit redundant on signs with "Exit Only" already pointing that out. That and on diagrammatic signs (like the signs for Grant St. traveling Eastbound).
Of course, I suppose the standard is the standard. Better safe than sorry.
The "LEFT" notation keeps consistency between the left lane drops (Grant WB) and plain left hand exits (Stanwix WB).
Quote from: PAHighways on December 05, 2009, 12:01:35 AMQuote from: Mr_Northside on December 04, 2009, 09:29:25 AMThe yellow "Left" in the tab does seem a bit redundant on signs with "Exit Only" already pointing that out. That and on diagrammatic signs (like the signs for Grant St. traveling Eastbound).
Of course, I suppose the standard is the standard. Better safe than sorry.
The "LEFT" notation keeps consistency between the left lane drops (Grant WB) and plain left hand exits (Stanwix WB).
Just to clear up a couple of things:
* Both ordinary left exits and lane drops on the left attract exit tabs mounted to the left of the main sign panel. The
MUTCD says (§ 2E.28) the exit tab
should have the word "LEFT" (in other words, the provision is Guidance rather than a Standard--meaning it has to be done unless there is a good reason not to).
* It is an option (same section) to place the word "LEFT" in black against yellow on the exit tab. It is left completely to designer discretion and is not related to any special conditions such as left lane being dropped, etc.
The main distinction in diagrammatic signs for left exits and left-lane drops relates to the use of an "EXIT ONLY" black-on-yellow patch on the main sign panel (§ 2E.19) for signs indicating that the left lane drops. (The
MUTCD however avoids the question of what to do in situations where the left exit is a lane drop with optional lane but the agency prefers not to treat it as a split, generally because the exit is part of a service rather than a system interchange. Some agencies address this situation by using a black-on-yellow patch with "LEFT LANE EXIT ONLY" on the lane-drop diagrammatic.)
These signs were just redone quite recently. Probably before the whole "Left"-in-the-tab thing.
But you'd think they would've at least left-aligned the tab they used.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fmysite.verizon.net%2F%7Evze3kr2y%2Fpics%2Fsplittab.jpg&hash=f33ef9b40f1ca32c913b0c9351291a736d6010a4)
Ontario used to use exit tabs that had the word "Exit" on them before they omited the word "exit" on new tabs because of the switch to bilingual signs although quite a few of the older ones still exist.
Most of them were just a standard tab like the other ones here but there were a few internally drawn out ones on a white tab with black lettering and one on a separate BGS/BBS.
The 407 uses a lot of these old style exit tabs even though it was built pretty recently.
The modern exit tab just have the exit number on them.
On most of our left hand exit we left align the exit tab on the BGS.
As for borders they used to be rounded but the modern ones use 90 degree borders. I think the borders were always the same width as the ones on BGSs and completely surrounded the exit tab though,
Update: Here's some pictures of Ontario's exit tabs(first two from vintagekinghighways.com and shows older sign standards):
A left aligned old style exit tab that has the EXIT and km on it:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg31.imageshack.us%2Fimg31%2F6083%2F4001s.jpg&hash=25bb0508830a51313bf52fb8c7847aa66aa52f59)
Here's the internally drawn out black on white exit tab:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg685.imageshack.us%2Fimg685%2F4905%2F40196.jpg&hash=8b20ab45bdec191fe28a66a8f0ec12e89c9f5fa4)
The newer exit tab style that shows the km only but still has a rounded border:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg24.imageshack.us%2Fimg24%2F4711%2Fdscn1710w.jpg&hash=3ad6b10e89e06b325249722322ec7b072ba43fb7)
And finally the latest exit tab style that shows the km only and the rectangular border:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg14.imageshack.us%2Fimg14%2F9539%2Fdscn5794x.jpg&hash=7f89ed08bae0f285d1233ba149c623f2c8d22b5e)
I noticed British Columbia, or at least the BGS's on the web I've seen, use EXIT + the KM marker. Anyone know if that's a more recent standard, or is the trend like Ontario?
Noticed an oddity I drive by frequently the other day...
This exit tab is left-aligned for a right exit (http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=128+River+Walk+Ct,+Hampton,+Virginia+23669&ll=37.101587,-76.468105&spn=0,359.973843&t=h&z=16&layer=c&cbll=37.103546,-76.470334&panoid=Z856BORJtDf5qczRQjDTeQ&cbp=12,188,,0,-3.49) (I-64 eastbound at exit 258, US-17/J Clyde Morris Blvd).
Quote from: OracleUsr on January 06, 2010, 08:19:10 PM
I noticed British Columbia, or at least the BGS's on the web I've seen, use EXIT + the KM marker. Anyone know if that's a more recent standard, or is the trend like Ontario?
Ontario used to use EXIT and the km marker but now they just post the km marker and omit the word EXIT on the tab. I don't know about the standard in BC but from the pictures I've seen they use EXIT and the km number. Maybe someone else here knows more about BC.
===
I've updated my previous post on Ontario exit tab to include some pictures of the exit tabs.
Quebec post exit tabs in a quite interesting way in my opinion they also number by km post only but their tab is internally drawn out in a yellow trapezoid symbol.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.canhighways.com%2FPQ%2FA%2F20%2FA20_dv_55_east.jpg&hash=b1d1ac3a5bebd1b56c0e0129fa17fdae9ce1c798)
(picture from canhighways.com)
I-85 near Norlina has the same thing as that I-64 BGS. At the US 1/158 connector interchange on northbound I-85, the EXIT 220 is left-aligned, though the exiit is to the right.
Interestingly, southbound on the same highway, the last I-85 sees of US 1 before US 1 goes to Raleigh, EXIT 218, is a left exit (and until NC started with directional tabbing, was untabbed).
I remember being in PQ and noticing the same thing (the yellow "exit tab") back in 1989. Loved Quebec City.
From what I've seen in Google streetview it looks like all of Canada except QC does exit tabs similar to Ontario.
Quote from: shadyjay on November 04, 2009, 02:04:56 AM
Couple things to note:
Connecticut only just started adding right sided exit tabs, those appear largely on the Conn Turnpike (I-95) from NY state line up to Fairfield in the most recent sign replacement project. Another is currently going on in Milford, up to West Haven. Outside of a few replacement signs scattered throughout the state, the rest of the BGSs all have centered tabs.
...
I noticed that on MOST new installations, including all those blanket replacement signs on I-95NB in CT are going similar to the way of MA and putting the state route shield on the BGS as it appears stand alone, with the CT Thick border and US route signs are as they should be... cutout style with no borders etc, per MUTCD.
Quote from: Annunciation70130 on September 20, 2009, 07:45:37 PM
I like the way Georgia does it. Their signs just all seem to be neat and tidy.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.southeastroads.com%2Fgeorgia001%2Fi-020_eb_exit_055a_03.jpg&hash=3d0ef81567a53ec5a2628ff5f154e468af905233)
Based on what I've seen...I would have to say that I like Georgia's approach the best as well.
ODOT's approach is apparently "no exit tab variation left behind", as we seem to have every variation on exit tabs here in the Columbus area. I'm pretty sure that Ohio's tag line is 'Yep, we got at least one of them'. :sombrero:
Right-Side Tab
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Flh6.ggpht.com%2F_vV2-Fg-7T40%2FS0kxRTDP_kI%2FAAAAAAAABHM%2FpqeYDpaAfHM%2Fs720%2FIMG_9257.JPG&hash=8375181bbf458eb67e84cb04dd51b5804ab5875b)
Middle-Tab (on the same exit sequence!)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Flh5.ggpht.com%2F_vV2-Fg-7T40%2FS0kxQ-H84LI%2FAAAAAAAABHI%2FmGSCA1uTSPs%2Fs1152%2FIMG_9256.JPG&hash=2019394bf8dcfe43eda95ba6877f711be6de471d)
Left-Tab (and not necessarily on a left-hand exit)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Flh5.ggpht.com%2F_vV2-Fg-7T40%2FS0k5yg2pceI%2FAAAAAAAABII%2FCtYGhL9ssrw%2Fs1280%2FIMG_9392.JPG&hash=0479ccd0630c0b72a34a5c269746d7e3305fec38)
Integrated Exit Number - Right-Aligned (and some funky stack of the I-670/US-23)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Flh3.ggpht.com%2F_vV2-Fg-7T40%2FS0ktOCYZPUI%2FAAAAAAAABFo%2FIAEj1JOfCNQ%2Fs800%2FIMG_9387.JPG&hash=89eb9992162c7d73d9cf612365a320a7547d1309)
No Exit Numbers at all (on a Interstate Route that should have them)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Flh3.ggpht.com%2F_vV2-Fg-7T40%2FS0Z7TJQ0iGI%2FAAAAAAAAA7o%2FAfvrSxk-HxQ%2Fs1280%2FIMG_6112.JPG&hash=8e3922d68cd5ea0fd897e33529edba892e258198)
Yep, that's how we roll up here. :)
Ontario also has some exit tab oddities, there are a couple exit tabs I've seen that are right aligned but don't actually reach the edge of the BGS:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.onthighways.com%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_366-1_west.jpg&hash=d98c47109a23f15fe5df77ba71825450214bd532)
(picture from onthighways.com)
Here's a another faux right aligned tab but this time for a left exit, I guess this one and the one before where part of the same sign contract:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg31.imageshack.us%2Fimg31%2F1609%2Fhwy401westallenctr.jpg&hash=7c6dcd71f8a93e1153f4cd31c28245427cba0635)
(picture from google streetview)
The one is missing the exit tab on a highway with exit numbers:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg693.imageshack.us%2Fimg693%2F8324%2Fdscn4326d.jpg&hash=d889031bf9eb315490ef87b34b6a4466ebbbb2fa)
and finally this one has a sheet of overlay covering the word "EXIT" on it(click to enlarge):
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.onthighways.com%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_614-5_east.jpg&hash=cc9f4c753c925bba1e60b3164f9d9dd93410827c) (http://www.onthighways.com/hwy_401_images/401_dv_614-5_east_lg.jpg)
(picture from onthighways.com)
^^ Canada has unusual BGS supports, as shown in that last picture.