Title...When visiting a new state for the 1st time, what surprised you the most about the roads there?
I haven't been to a new state or province in quite a while as an active roadgeek so I don't really have much to say.
I was surprised in Minnesota to see paved county highways with hard shoulders.
Utah: I was surprised they had paved roads.
I was impressed by the very nice Interstate-grade state highways in the area immediately west of St. Louis (e.g., MO-364 and MO-370) when we visited there in October 2017.
While I've been to Ohio several times before, this past weekend I was pleasantly surprised to find a 70-mph speed limit on a road with at-grade intersections east of the Mississippi River, specifically, US-30 in Ohio, which we travelled from I-75 all the way to where it turns off Trump Avenue in Canton (we were headed to Gervasi Vineyard and Trump Avenue was a logical route to use...dare I say a positive way to go?). US-30 was a very nice road, very little traffic for the most part. The only previous time I recall encountering a 70-mph speed limit on a road with at-grade intersections was in New Mexico five years ago.
On the flip side, I was mildly annoyed to discover that the "Eastgate" toll plaza on the Ohio Turnpike doesn't have any ORT E-ZPass lanes.
Jalisco State surprised the hell out of me given it's own highway numbers take priority and are better signed than the Federal Highways.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on October 07, 2020, 04:34:14 PM
Jalisco State surprised the hell out of me given it's own highway numbers take priority and are better signed than the Federal Highways.
As far as I remember, I've only driven on one Jalisco state highway:
what is unnumbered on the SCT log and map but is labeled as JAL-544 on Google Maps (https://goo.gl/maps/wjyaboStoVv2NYot6). At that time,
the bridge over RÃo San Sebastián (https://goo.gl/maps/cdrGwz3R3aS27pAz5) was in the process of being replaced, and the construction detour involved driving down into the river valley on a single-lane temporary road, fording the water, then driving up the other side. In a rented Chevrolet Chevy with a five-speed, that was fun!
Edited to add: I found the construction detour on Google Maps (https://goo.gl/maps/zPbkbpepHtgywnqUA). And you can even see remnants of it on GSV (https://goo.gl/maps/jti8KTMfHMsEEaFv9). Cool!
Quote from: kphoger on October 07, 2020, 04:46:12 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on October 07, 2020, 04:34:14 PM
Jalisco State surprised the hell out of me given it's own highway numbers take priority and are better signed than the Federal Highways.
As far as I remember, I've only driven on one Jalisco state highway: what is unnumbered on the SCT log and map but is labeled as JAL-544 on Google Maps (https://goo.gl/maps/wjyaboStoVv2NYot6). At that time, the bridge over RÃo San Sebastián (https://goo.gl/maps/cdrGwz3R3aS27pAz5) was in the process of being replaced, and the construction detour involved driving down into the river valley on a single-lane temporary road, fording the water, then driving up the other side. In a rented Chevrolet Chevy with a five-speed, that was fun!
Heh, if you look at the State Department website travel on JAL 544 is banned for Federal Employees. Apparently it doesn't have so much to do with crime but rather that the road is apparently infamous for fatal accidents. That must have been pretty wild getting over that detour in a Chevy Chevy. It's just amusing to see those bounding over cobblestone (no wonder there are so many Comfort trims) roads much less an actual ford with water.
Nevada: wow the roads there are so much smoother than California's!
Traffic light equipment - long mast arms like CA
State named Interstate shields.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on October 07, 2020, 04:50:51 PM
Heh, if you look at the State Department website travel on JAL 544 is banned for Federal Employees. Apparently it doesn't have so much to do with crime but rather that the road is apparently infamous for fatal accidents. That must have been pretty wild getting over that detour in a Chevy Chevy. It's just amusing to see those bounding over cobblestone (no wonder there are so many Comfort trims) roads much less an actual ford with water.
Check out my edit to see the detour route.
Not only was there a low water ford, but the road to San Sebas was part cobblestone and part dirt. At the turnoff from apparently-JAL-544, there was a police officer who told us something I didn't quite understand. I didn't know the word 'carreta'. As it turns out, that word means 'race'. We found ourselves in the middle of a dune buggy race!
I wasn't too worried about the rental car, considering that the man who rented it to us was the one who recommended we go there in the first place. I did, however, bottom out on a large speed bump in Sayulita. Considering that rental agreements specifically exclude damage to the undercarriage, I was slightly worried about that one. When we turned in the car after our honeymoon, all he said was, "Looks like you had some fun!" ... because the car was covered in dust and dirt.
Quote from: kphoger on October 07, 2020, 04:57:44 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on October 07, 2020, 04:50:51 PM
Heh, if you look at the State Department website travel on JAL 544 is banned for Federal Employees. Apparently it doesn't have so much to do with crime but rather that the road is apparently infamous for fatal accidents. That must have been pretty wild getting over that detour in a Chevy Chevy. It's just amusing to see those bounding over cobblestone (no wonder there are so many Comfort trims) roads much less an actual ford with water.
Check out my edit to see the detour route.
Not only was there a low water ford, but the road to San Sebas was part cobblestone and part dirt. At the turnoff from apparently-JAL-544, there was a police officer who told us something I didn't quite understand. I didn't know the word 'carreta'. As it turns out, that word means 'race'. We found ourselves in the middle of a dune buggy race!
I wasn't too worried about the rental car, considering that the man who rented it to us was the one who recommended we go there in the first place. I did, however, bottom out on a large speed bump in Sayulita. Considering that rental agreements specifically exclude damage to the undercarriage, I was slightly worried about that one. When we turned in the car after our honeymoon, all he said was, "Looks like you had some fun!" ... because the car was covered in dust and dirt.
Really I don't think anyone at a rental agency would even notice much less care. Doing things like going onto a ungraded dirt road or things of the like kind of are expected as normal travel. Just getting to the family ranch for us basically requires some traversing a high clearance mountain pass. I have no idea how so many cars make it through things like that so regularly. I feel lucky in a way we have access to a extended cab F-150 down there, even it takes some effort to keep road worthy.
That said it is tempting to buy a brand new Chevy Beat and part it at the house my Wife's Aunt owns. They have a couple garage stalls and two spots are already occupied by SUVs. $170,000 Pesos seemed like a bargain for basically what is a last gen Chevy Spark. COVID really screwed up some of the ideas we had of doing more things down there.
That roads in the south (especially Mississippi and Memphis) have such a strong element of red clay.
Like here (https://www.google.com/maps/@34.8239102,-89.9749222,3a,75y,263.57h,72.15t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sBjxnVNpIyGKeocpwKG2FuA!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo2.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DBjxnVNpIyGKeocpwKG2FuA%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D111.396675%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192) and here (https://www.google.com/maps/@32.3567799,-89.972235,3a,75y,179.93h,70.58t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sl9wVcFxDtXDLFuPXnRt-SQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656) and even here (https://www.google.com/maps/@33.1622238,-89.0819226,3a,75y,37.1h,66.09t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sizj7oKIbkgdT6EDPv5s84g!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo1.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3Dizj7oKIbkgdT6EDPv5s84g%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D213.91228%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656)
Quote from: I-55 on October 07, 2020, 06:10:31 PM
That roads in the south (especially Mississippi and Memphis) have such a strong element of red clay.
Like here (https://www.google.com/maps/@34.8239102,-89.9749222,3a,75y,263.57h,72.15t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sBjxnVNpIyGKeocpwKG2FuA!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo2.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DBjxnVNpIyGKeocpwKG2FuA%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D111.396675%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192) and here (https://www.google.com/maps/@32.3567799,-89.972235,3a,75y,179.93h,70.58t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sl9wVcFxDtXDLFuPXnRt-SQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656) and even here (https://www.google.com/maps/@33.1622238,-89.0819226,3a,75y,37.1h,66.09t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sizj7oKIbkgdT6EDPv5s84g!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo1.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3Dizj7oKIbkgdT6EDPv5s84g%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D213.91228%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Others: Bott's Dots in Washington, the black paint (https://www.google.com/maps/@32.8345592,-117.1066575,3a,75y,72.5h,81.46t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sFwQT-ZwtIHHVTrv30lRZ4A!2e0!7i16384!8i8192/) in between the yellow lines on CA roads, and all of the supports (https://www.google.com/maps/@46.8448636,-92.4553072,3a,28.7y,35.65h,86.34t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sg32vLi8C92HvC6tn1PRrIw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656/) on the signs in MN.
When I first moved to Texas, the horizontal traffic lights surprised me.
Quote from: I-55 on October 07, 2020, 06:10:31 PM
That roads in the south (especially Mississippi and Memphis) have such a strong element of red clay.
Like here (https://www.google.com/maps/@34.8239102,-89.9749222,3a,75y,263.57h,72.15t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sBjxnVNpIyGKeocpwKG2FuA!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo2.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DBjxnVNpIyGKeocpwKG2FuA%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D111.396675%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192) and here (https://www.google.com/maps/@32.3567799,-89.972235,3a,75y,179.93h,70.58t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sl9wVcFxDtXDLFuPXnRt-SQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656) and even here (https://www.google.com/maps/@33.1622238,-89.0819226,3a,75y,37.1h,66.09t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sizj7oKIbkgdT6EDPv5s84g!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo1.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3Dizj7oKIbkgdT6EDPv5s84g%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D213.91228%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656)
Yeah, that surprised me too. I remember parts of I-40 in Memphis on the north side have a really strong tint, if I remember correctly.
Quote from: CoreySamson on October 08, 2020, 12:47:43 AM
When I first moved to Texas, the horizontal traffic lights surprised me.
Quote from: I-55 on October 07, 2020, 06:10:31 PM
That roads in the south (especially Mississippi and Memphis) have such a strong element of red clay.
Like here (https://www.google.com/maps/@34.8239102,-89.9749222,3a,75y,263.57h,72.15t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sBjxnVNpIyGKeocpwKG2FuA!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo2.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DBjxnVNpIyGKeocpwKG2FuA%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D111.396675%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192) and here (https://www.google.com/maps/@32.3567799,-89.972235,3a,75y,179.93h,70.58t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sl9wVcFxDtXDLFuPXnRt-SQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656) and even here (https://www.google.com/maps/@33.1622238,-89.0819226,3a,75y,37.1h,66.09t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sizj7oKIbkgdT6EDPv5s84g!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo1.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3Dizj7oKIbkgdT6EDPv5s84g%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D213.91228%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656)
Yeah, that surprised me too. I remember parts of I-40 in Memphis on the north side have a really strong tint, if I remember correctly.
As do 55 and 240. In fact, much of TN has very strong red pavement (KY, by contrast, has little of this). I remember the first time I went to TN, driving from STL to Huntsville AL for a school camp. We drove 155 to Dyersburg, 412 to Jackson, and 45 down near Selmer (we stopped at Shiloh National Park and Pickwick Dam, getting to the former via TN-199/224/142 and the latter via TN-22/142/57). I remember we'd play a game on the bus, counting the Confederate flags; I racked up six on TN-199 in Finger (including this house (https://www.google.com/maps/@35.3539931,-88.6367445,3a,75y,332.47h,79.87t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1shqQZ1-DO90D6S662q3BTMA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656/) with a traffic light out front). Anyway, all of these roads had strong red pavement.
With Oregon, the quality of the pavement -- particularly in contrast with CA (just cross the state line on either I-5 or US 97 and the difference is striking!). Exception -- some of the state-maintained street mileage in the Portland area -- particularly Bypass US 30.
Quote from: sparker on October 08, 2020, 04:46:28 PM
With Oregon, the quality of the pavement -- particularly in contrast with CA (just cross the state line on either I-5 or US 97 and the difference is striking!). Exception -- some of the state-maintained street mileage in the Portland area -- particularly Bypass US 30.
Better or worse.
Some county highways in Iowa being better quality than lots of state highways in other states.
Quote from: STLmapboy on October 07, 2020, 06:28:29 PM
Quote from: I-55 on October 07, 2020, 06:10:31 PM
That roads in the south (especially Mississippi and Memphis) have such a strong element of red clay.
Like here (https://www.google.com/maps/@34.8239102,-89.9749222,3a,75y,263.57h,72.15t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sBjxnVNpIyGKeocpwKG2FuA!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo2.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DBjxnVNpIyGKeocpwKG2FuA%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D111.396675%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192) and here (https://www.google.com/maps/@32.3567799,-89.972235,3a,75y,179.93h,70.58t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sl9wVcFxDtXDLFuPXnRt-SQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656) and even here (https://www.google.com/maps/@33.1622238,-89.0819226,3a,75y,37.1h,66.09t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sizj7oKIbkgdT6EDPv5s84g!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo1.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3Dizj7oKIbkgdT6EDPv5s84g%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D213.91228%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Others: Bott's Dots in Washington, the black paint (https://www.google.com/maps/@32.8345592,-117.1066575,3a,75y,72.5h,81.46t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sFwQT-ZwtIHHVTrv30lRZ4A!2e0!7i16384!8i8192/) in between the yellow lines on CA roads, and all of the supports (https://www.google.com/maps/@46.8448636,-92.4553072,3a,28.7y,35.65h,86.34t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sg32vLi8C92HvC6tn1PRrIw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656/) on the signs in MN.
That Minnesota reference makes me laugh since I live in Saginaw, Michigan and there aren't too many Saginaw's, the one I live in being the largest one.
Tennessee, I was surprised how nice the state highway system roads were compared to when they get into Kentucky. US 431 and US 51 come to mind.
Quote from: kphoger on October 07, 2020, 04:15:41 PM
I was surprised in Minnesota to see paved county highways with hard shoulders.
Quote from: hbelkins on October 08, 2020, 05:22:52 PM
Some county highways in Iowa being better quality than lots of state highways in other states.
Yeah, both states do a great job with their county highways.
But Iowa also surprised me at its lack of paved shoulders on even major state and US Routes.
For example,
this highway (https://goo.gl/maps/ARBtZEBALZWSkf5o6) in many other Midwestern states would not have gravel shoulders.
And
here is US-30 (https://goo.gl/maps/LMSSai46ASUysU2m8). Sure, it's a divided highway, but it has zero left shoulder and gravel immediately to the right of the edge line.
Quote from: kphoger on October 09, 2020, 09:03:59 AM
Quote from: kphoger on October 07, 2020, 04:15:41 PM
I was surprised in Minnesota to see paved county highways with hard shoulders.
Quote from: hbelkins on October 08, 2020, 05:22:52 PM
Some county highways in Iowa being better quality than lots of state highways in other states.
Yeah, both states do a great job with their county highways.
But Iowa also surprised me at its lack of paved shoulders on even major state and US Routes.
For example, this highway (https://goo.gl/maps/ARBtZEBALZWSkf5o6) in many other Midwestern states would not have gravel shoulders.
And here is US-30 (https://goo.gl/maps/LMSSai46ASUysU2m8). Sure, it's a divided highway, but it has zero left shoulder and gravel immediately to the right of the edge line.
I also find IA pavement to be not as good as MO or MN. US-218 between Iowa City and Keokuk, for example, has some pretty raggedy concrete in places, and this is true for some other roadways around the state (parts of 380 have pretty poor asphalt). There is some good concrete, though, like 218 north of Waterloo or 18 around Mason City (the latter suffering (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.1066931,-93.189991,3a,82.5y,252.95h,73.55t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1seTqiV772-HOlFquwbLcstg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192/) from the same shoulder problem described by kphoger).
Quote from: STLmapboy on October 07, 2020, 06:28:29 PM
Quote from: I-55 on October 07, 2020, 06:10:31 PM
That roads in the south (especially Mississippi and Memphis) have such a strong element of red clay.
Like here (https://www.google.com/maps/@34.8239102,-89.9749222,3a,75y,263.57h,72.15t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sBjxnVNpIyGKeocpwKG2FuA!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo2.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DBjxnVNpIyGKeocpwKG2FuA%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D111.396675%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192) and here (https://www.google.com/maps/@32.3567799,-89.972235,3a,75y,179.93h,70.58t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sl9wVcFxDtXDLFuPXnRt-SQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656) and even here (https://www.google.com/maps/@33.1622238,-89.0819226,3a,75y,37.1h,66.09t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sizj7oKIbkgdT6EDPv5s84g!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo1.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3Dizj7oKIbkgdT6EDPv5s84g%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D213.91228%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Others: Bott's Dots in Washington, the black paint (https://www.google.com/maps/@32.8345592,-117.1066575,3a,75y,72.5h,81.46t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sFwQT-ZwtIHHVTrv30lRZ4A!2e0!7i16384!8i8192/) in between the yellow lines on CA roads, and all of the supports (https://www.google.com/maps/@46.8448636,-92.4553072,3a,28.7y,35.65h,86.34t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sg32vLi8C92HvC6tn1PRrIw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656/) on the signs in MN.
Also for CA: constantly painting SIGNAL AHEAD, STOP AHEAD, KEEP CLEAR, and PED XING on the road surface.
Tubular gantries in Utah.
Maryland's massive east/west placard exit signs.
Seeing interstate exit arrows that point directly right in most of the Northeast.
Quote from: mrcmc888 on October 13, 2020, 12:22:17 PM
Maryland's massive east/west placard exit signs.
Reminds me; the large interstate shields and sometimes off-center directional banners (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.494153,-71.1181168,3a,46.9y,201.49h,85.44t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s6kXUbJWIifBe-H51Os0OVw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192/) on reassurance shields in Massachusetts.
Unrelated NE thing: the small manufacturer's text (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.4963095,-71.1182512,3a,37.7y,197.75h,116t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sphrkC7BsMrU9pLnza7FSMQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192/) on most MA and NH BGSes.
Before Jim Lin posted his compendium of state route markers on the WWW, it was always a surprise to enter a new state and see what their state route markers looked like.
One early memory I have of a trip to West Virginia and the way the W1-1 signs looked there. They were -- "different" -- than what I was used to in Kentucky and Tennessee. They were more angular with a wider arrowhead and narrower stroke than this (http://www.trafficsign.us/150/warn/w1-1.png), which has been the standard in Kentucky for as long as I can remember. (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.trafficsign.us%2F150%2Fwarn%2Fw1-1.png&hash=8ee9bbb6850751c45b0ad38000d57c66d0b4686d)
(Image from Richard Moeur's trafficsign.us site.)
I remember calling them "crude West Virginia curve signs" and if I ever did see one somewhere else, that was the descriptive term that floated through my mind.
"End" signs in West Virginia surprised me as well, since Kentucky doesn't typically use them.
Along those lines... I know Mexico doesn't count as a state, so I'll go with... The first time I drove in Nayarit...
One thing that struck me was that, although the curve warning signs were quite similar to what I was used to in the USA (see Page 99 of this .pdf (http://www.sct.gob.mx/fileadmin/DireccionesGrales/DGST/Manuales/NUEVO-SENALAMIENTO/manualSenalamientoVialDispositivosSeguridad.pdf)), there were no speed advisory tabs. I quickly improved at judging the speed to take a curve at–a little-used skill on most highways in the USA.
Quote from: kphoger on October 13, 2020, 05:03:36 PM
Along those lines... I know Mexico doesn't count as a state, so I'll go with... The first time I drove in Nayarit...
One thing that struck me was that, although the curve warning signs were quite similar to what I was used to in the USA (see Page 99 of this .pdf (http://www.sct.gob.mx/fileadmin/DireccionesGrales/DGST/Manuales/NUEVO-SENALAMIENTO/manualSenalamientoVialDispositivosSeguridad.pdf)), there were no speed advisory tabs. I quickly improved at judging the speed to take a curve at–a little-used skill on most highways in the USA.
Where on the SCT's website do I find this Mexican MUTCD?
Years ago, seeing 75 mph speed limits on two-lane roads in Texas.
Quote from: STLmapboy on October 13, 2020, 07:20:26 PM
Quote from: kphoger on October 13, 2020, 05:03:36 PM
Along those lines... I know Mexico doesn't count as a state, so I'll go with... The first time I drove in Nayarit...
One thing that struck me was that, although the curve warning signs were quite similar to what I was used to in the USA (see Page 99 of this .pdf (http://www.sct.gob.mx/fileadmin/DireccionesGrales/DGST/Manuales/NUEVO-SENALAMIENTO/manualSenalamientoVialDispositivosSeguridad.pdf)), there were no speed advisory tabs. I quickly improved at judging the speed to take a curve at–a little-used skill on most highways in the USA.
Where on the SCT's website do I find this Mexican MUTCD?
Various manuals, including the one I linked to, can be found here:
http://www.sct.gob.mx/carreteras/direccion-general-de-servicios-tecnicos/normativa/manuales/ (http://www.sct.gob.mx/carreteras/direccion-general-de-servicios-tecnicos/normativa/manuales/)
Quote from: sprjus4 on October 13, 2020, 07:24:22 PM
Years ago, seeing 75 mph speed limits on two-lane roads in Texas.
Yes, I remember traveling through Texas during the 1990s, when speed limits across the country were being raised from 55/65. I don't think any two-lane roads in Texas carried 75mph limits yet back then, but I do specifically remember seeing shoulder-less FM highways with 70mph limits.
Other Texas observations from back then:
– Suburban highways tended to carry higher speed limits than comparable routes in other states.
– Work zone speed limits were reasonably low, which–when coupled with higher regular speed limits–reinforced their importance.
– Texas was the first place I witnessed vehicles riding the shoulder to let faster traffic pass down the centerline (Mexican style).
– A lot of apparently chip-and-seal pavement, but very few roads that were actually rough. Preferable to smooth pavement with big bumps and cracks.
– FM and RM highways provided useful bypasses of towns–
e.g.,
this bypass of Odessa (https://goo.gl/maps/HXsWKmn1LpyoAgyQ8) using FM-866.
The way they're maintained, in general.
Quote from: kphoger on October 14, 2020, 09:54:46 AM
Quote from: STLmapboy on October 13, 2020, 07:20:26 PM
Quote from: kphoger on October 13, 2020, 05:03:36 PM
Along those lines... I know Mexico doesn't count as a state, so I'll go with... The first time I drove in Nayarit...
One thing that struck me was that, although the curve warning signs were quite similar to what I was used to in the USA (see Page 99 of this .pdf (http://www.sct.gob.mx/fileadmin/DireccionesGrales/DGST/Manuales/NUEVO-SENALAMIENTO/manualSenalamientoVialDispositivosSeguridad.pdf)), there were no speed advisory tabs. I quickly improved at judging the speed to take a curve at–a little-used skill on most highways in the USA.
Where on the SCT's website do I find this Mexican MUTCD?
Various manuals, including the one I linked to, can be found here:
http://www.sct.gob.mx/carreteras/direccion-general-de-servicios-tecnicos/normativa/manuales/ (http://www.sct.gob.mx/carreteras/direccion-general-de-servicios-tecnicos/normativa/manuales/)
Quote from: sprjus4 on October 13, 2020, 07:24:22 PM
Years ago, seeing 75 mph speed limits on two-lane roads in Texas.
Yes, I remember traveling through Texas during the 1990s, when speed limits across the country were being raised from 55/65. I don't think any two-lane roads in Texas carried 75mph limits yet back then, but I do specifically remember seeing shoulder-less FM highways with 70mph limits.
Other Texas observations from back then:
– Suburban highways tended to carry higher speed limits than comparable routes in other states.
– Work zone speed limits were reasonably low, which–when coupled with higher regular speed limits–reinforced their importance.
– Texas was the first place I witnessed vehicles riding the shoulder to let faster traffic pass down the centerline (Mexican style).
– A lot of apparently chip-and-seal pavement, but very few roads that were actually rough. Preferable to smooth pavement with big bumps and cracks.
– FM and RM highways provided useful bypasses of towns–e.g., this bypass of Odessa (https://goo.gl/maps/HXsWKmn1LpyoAgyQ8) using FM-866.
IIRC, 75 mph speed limits were not introduced in the state until around 2011. Before then, 70 mph speed limits would've been the maximum posted on all highways, with the exception of 80 mph zones that were approved a few years before that still remain on I-10 and I-20.
What surprised me the first time I left Indiana was that not every state numbers its state highways on a grid.
Quote from: kphoger on October 13, 2020, 05:03:36 PM
Along those lines... I know Mexico doesn't count as a state, so I'll go with... The first time I drove in Nayarit...
One thing that struck me was that, although the curve warning signs were quite similar to what I was used to in the USA (see Page 99 of this .pdf (http://www.sct.gob.mx/fileadmin/DireccionesGrales/DGST/Manuales/NUEVO-SENALAMIENTO/manualSenalamientoVialDispositivosSeguridad.pdf)), there were no speed advisory tabs. I quickly improved at judging the speed to take a curve at–a little-used skill on most highways in the USA.
Speaking of curve advisories the first time I revisited California as a driver I noticed that they often aren't even there on a lot of state and local roads. That was really a surprising contrast to Arizona which over posts recommend curve speed signs.
for me, it was the 'michigan left' when i visited muskegon.
turned left at a light and my friend looked at me like he expected a bird to leap out of my head on a small spring.
there's benefits and disadvantages on both sides, i imagine...
Something that has surprised me about PA in general: the truck traffic!
In NY I can probably count on one or two hands the number of important non-freeway truck routes. In PA, though, seemingly every state route has heavy truck traffic whizzing by. It's been most noticeable to me south and east of Harrisburg and in the Altoona area, although you also have US 219, US 220, two lane portions of US 15 and US 322, etc.
The first time I left Georgia via freeway, entering South Carolina in 1994:
"What's with the extra-thick text on the exit signs here?"
Some observations from over the years (and even as a kid, I was a very observant roadgeek).
Ohio (1970s) - Button copy & lighted BGS's
St. Louis (early '70s) - Black BGS's on the freeways
Georgia & Florida ('80s at the time) - Sequential-based exit numbers (since changed to mileage-based). This was very demoralizing on long trips.
Pennsylvania - Tubular posts instead of traditional gantries. Not a big fan. Now those darned things have made there way into Ohio.
Honorable mention - Ontario-BGS's in the GTA ('80s before they became bilingual signs) having extremely large letters (i.e. "401 WEST" and "427 NORTH").
Quote from: kennyshark64 on October 15, 2020, 01:03:26 PM
St. Louis (early '70s) - Black BGS's on the freeways
I would
kill for a picture of those.
For me, it would have to be the colored US Highway shields in Florida (Early 90's)
Taking I-20 through Mississippi for the first time in 2015, I was pleasantly surprised by how many bridge designs were in evidence. It's almost as impressive as Tennessee in that regard and a most welcome change after boring ol' Alabama. My travels there are still sparse, but I really like their ways of doing things.