Do any other states use signs with the routes in question and the word "AHEAD" (typically on a pull-through, though I have seen ground mounted examples) as much as Wisconsin does/in the same manner?
It seems that the most logical use case involves a multiplex where a route is added on after an interchange (or intersection, I suppose)
- this sign is used to show that US 14 and US 151 will be "added" ahead after the upcoming interchange to what is already US 12 and US 18. (That is, an implied "US 12/18 now, US 12/14/18/151 after the interchange (ahead).")
https://www.google.com/maps/@43.0373329,-89.3898468,3a,75y,259.51h,104.97t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s-Ymad3TQ8559CTAUOHRWwg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192 (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.0373329,-89.3898468,3a,75y,259.51h,104.97t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s-Ymad3TQ8559CTAUOHRWwg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192)
But this example is a bit more confusing... you're already on US 18/US 151. The road that lies ahead is still US 18/US 151, but the road you're already on is too. The interchange here is a county highway, and there is no switching of routes nearby.
https://www.google.com/maps/@43.0269312,-89.4661216,3a,75y,218.86h,89.45t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1st54DYJcCPlsbTpIjVmoOUQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192 (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.0269312,-89.4661216,3a,75y,218.86h,89.45t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1st54DYJcCPlsbTpIjVmoOUQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192)
---
As another example, Tomah (the I-90/94 junction) has this sign at the divergence of the routes (westbound), saying that I-90 exits and that I-94 is "AHEAD."
https://www.google.com/maps/@43.9799224,-90.4249796,3a,75y,300.5h,94.92t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sVbiei8JItRVTTauzzVVVqw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192 (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.9799224,-90.4249796,3a,75y,300.5h,94.92t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sVbiei8JItRVTTauzzVVVqw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192)
Eastbound on I-94, approaching the junction with I-90, there is a sign saying that I-90/94 are "AHEAD."
https://www.google.com/maps/@43.9942797,-90.463972,3a,75y,117.74h,94.03t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sf4cVDRBCJWcXWZ5g5egWzg!2e0!5s20121001T000000!7i16384!8i8192 (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.9942797,-90.463972,3a,75y,117.74h,94.03t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sf4cVDRBCJWcXWZ5g5egWzg!2e0!5s20121001T000000!7i16384!8i8192)
But, strangely, we don't get the same sign eastbound on I-90. That sign omits the word entirely in favor of an arrow (it's at least as old as 2009, so not a new install).
https://www.google.com/maps/@43.9781728,-90.4608695,3a,75y,56.42h,102.12t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s_wxE4brgS0Gb5UXZ94l2dg!2e0!5s20121001T000000!7i16384!8i8192 (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.9781728,-90.4608695,3a,75y,56.42h,102.12t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s_wxE4brgS0Gb5UXZ94l2dg!2e0!5s20121001T000000!7i16384!8i8192)
---
I think the use of the word when a route is added makes sense (i.e., the beginning of a concurrency), but the uses where the road doesn't change numbers/no routes are added are a bit more interesting (like the second example). It's something I associate strongly with Wisconsin's highways, though some of their newer diagrammatic signage on Madison's Beltline seems to have omitted the word in favor of arrows.
Thoughts? Ideas why they do this? Any notable examples?
It just means to keep going straight for the listed routes, I thought. No biggie.
Quote from: Rothman on October 28, 2022, 06:48:01 AM
It just means to keep going straight for the listed routes, I thought. No biggie.
To me, it sounds like there will be an intersection or exit coming up for those routes.
I guess it came from the same dictionary where they found "bubbler".
Quote from: kphoger on October 28, 2022, 09:26:04 AM
Quote from: Rothman on October 28, 2022, 06:48:01 AM
It just means to keep going straight for the listed routes, I thought. No biggie.
To me, it sounds like there will be an intersection or exit coming up for those routes.
Well, I guess you'll be confused when driving in WI, then.
I don't find it that much of a leap to go from where everywhere else uses straight arrows to WI's use of "ahead," especially when I know what route I'm on. Just a signage quirk.
Frankly, I think an up-arrow is similarly ambiguous.
Quote from: kphoger on October 28, 2022, 11:56:28 AM
Frankly, I think an up-arrow is similarly ambiguous.
The world must be full of ambiguity...
I've never really found it confusing. AHEAD just means straight ahead. It's not necessary, but it's not confusing either. If there was an upcoming junction, there would be a distance or Next Exit or Junction plaque instead.
Quote from: Rothman on October 28, 2022, 11:57:30 AM
Quote from: kphoger on October 28, 2022, 11:56:28 AM
Frankly, I think an up-arrow is similarly ambiguous.
The world must be full of ambiguity...
Up-arrows frequently mean that a turn will required shortly to reach that destination.
(https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/htm/2009/images/fig2d_11.gif)
(https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/htm/2009/images/fig2d_12.gif)
Quote from: kphoger on October 28, 2022, 01:07:19 PM
Quote from: Rothman on October 28, 2022, 11:57:30 AM
Quote from: kphoger on October 28, 2022, 11:56:28 AM
Frankly, I think an up-arrow is similarly ambiguous.
The world must be full of ambiguity...
Up-arrows frequently mean that a turn will required shortly to reach that destination.
(https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/htm/2009/images/fig2d_11.gif)
(https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/htm/2009/images/fig2d_12.gif)
So much for APLs.
Quote from: Rothman on October 28, 2022, 01:09:33 PM
So much for APLs.
Down-arrows are less ambiguous. However, APLs are diagrammatic enough in nature that the up-arrows on them have a clearer meaning than in other contexts.
Quote from: kphoger on October 28, 2022, 01:15:03 PM
Quote from: Rothman on October 28, 2022, 01:09:33 PM
So much for APLs.
Down-arrows are less ambiguous. However, APLs are diagrammatic enough in nature that the up-arrows on them have a clearer meaning than in other contexts.
Sounds ambiguous.
glad we agree
I know this isn't related to the big green signs, but it's still ahead sign use.
I noticed that they use it when they mount left turn signals and through signals right next to each other; they refer to the signal for through traffic as the "ahead signal" in the same vein as "left turn signal" and "right turn signal". There's more examples, but here's one at Miller Park Way and National Avenue in West Milwaukee:
https://www.google.com/maps/@43.0207035,-87.9700749,3a,90y,15.18h,90.37t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sdTqU5q5LgH5uaCCEc3sngg!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DdTqU5q5LgH5uaCCEc3sngg%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D6.450613%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192
The only other state that I know does something similar for their through signals is Michigan, which puts a fancy lighted box that says "thru" if an intersection has a really funky layout and that sign is needed.
The IL tollway will also use the "Ahead" wording on a few signs. But they have been slowly disappearing over the years as newer signs are put up. The most recent examples I can remember is along I-294 as the ongoing rebuild continues.
I-294 NB before I-290 JCT
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.8644432,-87.917563,3a,75y,21.07h,92.2t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sdQjAfEy0WQ_XswK_bY7Rdw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192 (https://www.google.com/maps/@41.8644432,-87.917563,3a,75y,21.07h,92.2t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sdQjAfEy0WQ_XswK_bY7Rdw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192)
I-294 SB at the I-55 ramp
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.7720817,-87.9072022,3a,75y,166.44h,91.73t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sjqqlb22YxdJ29qkbvw8YQg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192 (https://www.google.com/maps/@41.7720817,-87.9072022,3a,75y,166.44h,91.73t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sjqqlb22YxdJ29qkbvw8YQg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192)
I-90 WB used to have one at the I-39/US-20 JCT, but that was replaced after the 3 lane and the I-39/US-20 JCT rebuilds of the late 2000s/early 2010s
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.2471879,-88.9547593,3a,53.4y,273.47h,96.42t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s7PHkraMdgWCkv9WOVzebyw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656 (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.2471879,-88.9547593,3a,53.4y,273.47h,96.42t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s7PHkraMdgWCkv9WOVzebyw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656)
Quote from: ET21 on October 29, 2022, 04:52:57 PM
I-294 NB before I-290 JCT
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.8644432,-87.917563,3a,75y,21.07h,92.2t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sdQjAfEy0WQ_XswK_bY7Rdw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192 (https://www.google.com/maps/@41.8644432,-87.917563,3a,75y,21.07h,92.2t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sdQjAfEy0WQ_XswK_bY7Rdw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192)
A work zone speed limit of 40 - seriously? Is ISTHA trying to cause problems given how few people obey the 45 mph speed limits?
WVDOH uses "Straight Ahead" in a number of places on pull-through signs. I've never seen just "Ahead" used.
Quote from: Revive 755 on October 29, 2022, 09:54:41 PM
Quote from: ET21 on October 29, 2022, 04:52:57 PM
I-294 NB before I-290 JCT
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.8644432,-87.917563,3a,75y,21.07h,92.2t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sdQjAfEy0WQ_XswK_bY7Rdw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192 (https://www.google.com/maps/@41.8644432,-87.917563,3a,75y,21.07h,92.2t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sdQjAfEy0WQ_XswK_bY7Rdw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192)
A work zone speed limit of 40 - seriously? Is ISTHA trying to cause problems given how few people obey the 45 mph speed limits?
That was for the ramp work from NB 294 to EB/WB 290. The 45 mph was justified, its was a tight ramp before switching to the new concrete this year. A similar speed limit is on the SB 294 to 95th ramp currently where you go into a construction trench in some parts, feels like you're going down the Death Star trench :-D.
Having grown up in Wisconsin, I don't find "AHEAD" on signs confusing at all. It means just follow the main road and you'll get to that highway if you're not already on it. I honestly don't see how anyone can be confused by it. AHEAD may not be the standard everywhere, but the meaning is clear unless you're trying to make it more complicated than it really is.
Quote from: skluth on October 31, 2022, 07:14:25 PM
the meaning is clear unless you're trying to make it more complicated than it really is.
I agree in general. I can just also see how someone might interpret it as meaning that the
exit for that route is ahead instead.
But the main thing is that it's unnecessary. Just leave off the word 'AHEAD' entirely, or else put down-arrows. Either one is less ambiguous, in my opinion.
Quote from: kphoger on November 01, 2022, 09:53:52 AM
Quote from: skluth on October 31, 2022, 07:14:25 PM
the meaning is clear unless you're trying to make it more complicated than it really is.
I agree in general. I can just also see how someone might interpret it as meaning that the exit for that route is ahead instead.
But the main thing is that it's unnecessary. Just leave off the word 'AHEAD' entirely, or else put down-arrows. Either one is less ambiguous, in my opinion.
I don't see how 'AHEAD' is any more ambiguous than down arrows. Both are guiding you to the highway you want. It seems to me that some drivers want more guidance at a future point if they see 'AHEAD' while they don't with down arrows. Yet it's just as likely that the routing for the highway you are on exits shortly down the road when a sign uses down arrows as much as any verbal guidance. To me, this just looks like someone looking for a reason to complain because it's not being done how they want it done.
Quote from: skluth on November 01, 2022, 12:35:46 PM
Quote from: kphoger on November 01, 2022, 09:53:52 AM
Quote from: skluth on October 31, 2022, 07:14:25 PM
the meaning is clear unless you're trying to make it more complicated than it really is.
I agree in general. I can just also see how someone might interpret it as meaning that the exit for that route is ahead instead.
But the main thing is that it's unnecessary. Just leave off the word 'AHEAD' entirely, or else put down-arrows. Either one is less ambiguous, in my opinion.
I don't see how 'AHEAD' is any more ambiguous than down arrows. Both are guiding you to the highway you want. It seems to me that some drivers want more guidance at a future point if they see 'AHEAD' while they don't with down arrows. Yet it's just as likely that the routing for the highway you are on exits shortly down the road when a sign uses down arrows as much as any verbal guidance. To me, this just looks like someone looking for a reason to complain because it's not being done how they want it done.
If we eliminated those types of conversations here, AARoads would have like two posts a day.
Quote from: SEWIGuy on November 01, 2022, 12:40:38 PM
If we eliminated those types of conversations here, AARoads would have like two posts a day.
No, we'd still get at least 5 posts a day. Prove me wrong.
Quote from: SEWIGuy on November 01, 2022, 12:40:38 PM
Quote from: skluth on November 01, 2022, 12:35:46 PM
Quote from: kphoger on November 01, 2022, 09:53:52 AM
Quote from: skluth on October 31, 2022, 07:14:25 PM
the meaning is clear unless you're trying to make it more complicated than it really is.
I agree in general. I can just also see how someone might interpret it as meaning that the exit for that route is ahead instead.
But the main thing is that it's unnecessary. Just leave off the word 'AHEAD' entirely, or else put down-arrows. Either one is less ambiguous, in my opinion.
I don't see how 'AHEAD' is any more ambiguous than down arrows. Both are guiding you to the highway you want. It seems to me that some drivers want more guidance at a future point if they see 'AHEAD' while they don't with down arrows. Yet it's just as likely that the routing for the highway you are on exits shortly down the road when a sign uses down arrows as much as any verbal guidance. To me, this just looks like someone looking for a reason to complain because it's not being done how they want it done.
If we eliminated those types of conversations here, AARoads would have like two posts a day.
Some posts have already been eliminated in this thread.
Quote from: skluth on November 01, 2022, 12:35:46 PM
Quote from: kphoger on November 01, 2022, 09:53:52 AM
Quote from: skluth on October 31, 2022, 07:14:25 PM
the meaning is clear unless you're trying to make it more complicated than it really is.
I agree in general. I can just also see how someone might interpret it as meaning that the exit for that route is ahead instead.
But the main thing is that it's unnecessary. Just leave off the word 'AHEAD' entirely, or else put down-arrows. Either one is less ambiguous, in my opinion.
I don't see how 'AHEAD' is any more ambiguous than down arrows. Both are guiding you to the highway you want. It seems to me that some drivers want more guidance at a future point if they see 'AHEAD' while they don't with down arrows. Yet it's just as likely that the routing for the highway you are on exits shortly down the road when a sign uses down arrows as much as any verbal guidance. To me, this just looks like someone looking for a reason to complain because it's not being done how they want it done.
If I came off as though I was complaining about the practice, I didn't intend to... I don't mind this by any means (and do actually find it to be an interesting localism from Wisconsin), but was just trying to see if there were other places where such signs were common, or if anyone knew the purpose of the word in the manner that it is used here (particularly when the route doesn't change, as in the second link in the original post - those are the ones that seem more interesting to me).
Quote from: tman on November 01, 2022, 10:54:21 PM
Quote from: skluth on November 01, 2022, 12:35:46 PM
Quote from: kphoger on November 01, 2022, 09:53:52 AM
Quote from: skluth on October 31, 2022, 07:14:25 PM
the meaning is clear unless you're trying to make it more complicated than it really is.
I agree in general. I can just also see how someone might interpret it as meaning that the exit for that route is ahead instead.
But the main thing is that it's unnecessary. Just leave off the word 'AHEAD' entirely, or else put down-arrows. Either one is less ambiguous, in my opinion.
I don't see how 'AHEAD' is any more ambiguous than down arrows. Both are guiding you to the highway you want. It seems to me that some drivers want more guidance at a future point if they see 'AHEAD' while they don't with down arrows. Yet it's just as likely that the routing for the highway you are on exits shortly down the road when a sign uses down arrows as much as any verbal guidance. To me, this just looks like someone looking for a reason to complain because it's not being done how they want it done.
If I came off as though I was complaining about the practice, I didn't intend to... I don't mind this by any means (and do actually find it to be an interesting localism from Wisconsin), but was just trying to see if there were other places where such signs were common, or if anyone knew the purpose of the word in the manner that it is used here (particularly when the route doesn't change, as in the second link in the original post - those are the ones that seem more interesting to me).
Don't think it ever came up - CT uses "JUNCTION" advance signs, which is fine except when you're on a multiplex it junctions both routes as they split.
There is no language in the current Wisconsin MUTCD--which, as far as I can tell, is an interspersed supplement to the federal MUTCD--that specifically supports "Ahead" sign usage. My interpretation, based on limited field observation supplemented by Google StreetView, is that they have traditionally been used on freeways and expressways (not conventional-road highways) to indicate the beginnings of overlaps where the current roadway gains a new route, but not for the ends of overlaps where routes are dropped, and also not on the joining routes in either direction.
The Beltline interchange mentioned in the OP, where US 18 and US 151 join US 12 and US 14, is an example of this: an "Ahead" sign is used on the Beltline itself in the eastbound direction (two routes become four), but not in the westbound (four routes become two), and not in either direction for traffic following US 18 and US 151 (the joining routes).
STH 16/STH 67 north of Oconomowoc (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.1496863,-88.5074923,3a,75y,101.62h,89.38t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sgHyVTKb0GIexyCNaTbfTEQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192) is another example--here the roadway carrying STH 16 gains STH 67.
This said, I am not sure how tightly "Ahead" signs are confined to this usage pattern in Wisconsin nowadays. They can conceptually be used as pull-through signs even in cases where routes don't join the current roadway, though it is inefficient to do so--the vanilla MUTCD approach calls for shields, cardinal direction words, destinations, or arrows as needed, not "Ahead." I-90 in La Crosse has at least two examples of "Ahead" used in this way (1 (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.863145,-91.2433912,3a,75y,80.76h,90.8t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sShsE8VYhQxm01YjWdPBpZA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192), 2 (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.876558,-91.203078,3a,27y,253.83h,93.02t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s4AbpPjtVSK4pBYWd86urlA!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3D4AbpPjtVSK4pBYWd86urlA%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D12.680684%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192)). Moreover, not all situations that would seem to qualify for "Ahead" signs on the basis of established usage do in fact have them. The bypasses of Dodgeville (full freeway) and Burlington (expressway) don't appear to have any, for example.
Though "Ahead" signs do exist elsewhere (as others have pointed out), I do not know of any other US jurisdictions that use them consistently with overlaps as WisDOT has historically done. They are very much a WisDOT heirloom, just like "Turn Off" signs are for Caltrans.
Quote from: tman on November 01, 2022, 10:54:21 PM
Quote from: skluth on November 01, 2022, 12:35:46 PM
Quote from: kphoger on November 01, 2022, 09:53:52 AM
Quote from: skluth on October 31, 2022, 07:14:25 PM
the meaning is clear unless you're trying to make it more complicated than it really is.
I agree in general. I can just also see how someone might interpret it as meaning that the exit for that route is ahead instead.
But the main thing is that it's unnecessary. Just leave off the word 'AHEAD' entirely, or else put down-arrows. Either one is less ambiguous, in my opinion.
I don't see how 'AHEAD' is any more ambiguous than down arrows. Both are guiding you to the highway you want. It seems to me that some drivers want more guidance at a future point if they see 'AHEAD' while they don't with down arrows. Yet it's just as likely that the routing for the highway you are on exits shortly down the road when a sign uses down arrows as much as any verbal guidance. To me, this just looks like someone looking for a reason to complain because it's not being done how they want it done.
If I came off as though I was complaining about the practice, I didn't intend to... I don't mind this by any means (and do actually find it to be an interesting localism from Wisconsin), but was just trying to see if there were other places where such signs were common, or if anyone knew the purpose of the word in the manner that it is used here (particularly when the route doesn't change, as in the second link in the original post - those are the ones that seem more interesting to me).
Your original post didn't and you haven't. But others have to the point of being overly pedantic even for AA Roads. The use of "AHEAD" is admittedly different. But it's not much different than variances used by other states.
Frankly, I think it would be easier if the US just went to the international conventions used by signs which get rid of words almost entirely. I didn't have any problems with those signs when I was stationed in Spain back in the 80s; we all had to pass a written test to get a supplemental Spanish license which allowed us to drive in Spain as long as we had a stateside license. But that would be an entirely new discussion.
EDIT: I added a thread for this in the General Highway Talk discussions (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=32400.0) for those who want to discuss it.
There are at least two of these in my area. When you're on I-94 westbound heading towards Hudson, two highways join on. First you get westbound U.S. 12 at Exit 4, and then northbound WIS 35 at Exit 3. I know there's at least a "NORTH 35 AHEAD" sign here. (and now I can't remember if they do one for 12 as well... maybe not since it's joining on all the way to Minneapolis and will get hidden by Minnesota anyway at the state line)
In River Falls, on the southbound WIS 35 expressway, we get a "SOUTH 65 AHEAD" sign at the junction with 65.
Quote from: J N Winkler on November 02, 2022, 12:18:01 AM
My interpretation, based on limited field observation supplemented by Google StreetView, is that they have traditionally been used on freeways and expressways (not conventional-road highways) to indicate the beginnings of overlaps where the current roadway gains a new route, but not for the ends of overlaps where routes are dropped, and also not on the joining routes in either direction.
When you put it that way, that actually makes some degree of sense to me.
Quote from: kphoger on October 28, 2022, 09:26:04 AM
To me, it sounds like there will be an intersection or exit coming up for those routes.
In most cases, there actually is. The upcoming "intersection" is simply another route joining the same roadway.
I'm pretty sure the Michigan version of "Ahead" is "Straight Thru" and/or just down arrows indicating the thru lanes.
I can see where "Ahead" could be confusing to out-of-staters who are used to different verbiage. Personally I interpret "Ahead" as meaning there's something coming up I should look out for, but I get that they intend it as a shorthand for "keep going straight."
Dialects are wild.
Having grown up in Wisconsin, I don't see anything wrong with them. No matter how you want to interpret them, the named highway is ahead, whether straight, or an exit, or whatever. Just like stop ahead or signal ahead. The highway is ahead. After that road joins, there are always reassurance markers to identify it.
Right. If the sign says "stop ahead", then you have to look out for the stop sign that's just up ahead. If the sign says "signal ahead", then you have to look out for the signal that's just up ahead. If the sign says "US 12 ahead", then–assuming you want to follow US-12–you have to look out for US-12 that's just up ahead.
I can't think of any "AHEAD" signs WisDOT has put up recently, so I think this might be a legacy from another era. The overhead BGS on any recent project I can think of uses the 'arrow per lane' standard.
Going from memory, though, so maybe they have used more AHEAD signs recently and I just didn't notice.
Quote from: triplemultiplex on November 04, 2022, 02:39:03 PMI can't think of any "AHEAD" signs WisDOT has put up recently, so I think this might be a legacy from another era. The overhead BGS on any recent project I can think of uses the 'arrow per lane' standard.
Going from memory, though, so maybe they have used more AHEAD signs recently and I just didn't notice.
Here are a few examples in chronological order from my stash of recent WisDOT sign panel detail sheets (WisDOT project number and letting date):
* 1000-20-73: May 12, 2015 (STH 32/STH 54 overlap in Green Bay)
* 1000-20-74: June 14, 2016 (I-94 Milwaukee apparently at the I-39/I-90/I-94 complex east of Madison)
* 1020-06-75: June 13, 2017 (I-94 just across the St. Croix River)
* 1060-33-82: December 12, 2017 (I-94 auxiliary lanes in Waukesha County)
* 1000-20-76: May 8, 2018 (STH 55 and STH 47 in the Appleton area)
* 1007-12-79: June 9, 2020 (I-39 Illinois state line-Madison)
So it seems they are still in use. However, quite a few of these contracts are sign replacements (first four digits of 1000 in the WisDOT project number). Besides carbon-copying often being easier, I wouldn't expect to see "Ahead" signs in locations involving option lanes, as those are better catered for using APLs or stippled-arrow diagrammatics (WisDOT uses both).
An AHEAD sign has also snuck south into Illinois recently.
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.9839765,-87.8424591,3a,63.7y,95.87h,91.95t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sNZJdws-8D_dTX7dpWB15GQ!2e0!5s20211201T000000!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en
However, this one is probably only this way because it was patched on. I'm almost certain it used to say Left 3 Lanes underneath.
Closing out the search for "Ahead" signs in the stash:
* 1228-18-60: March 11, 2014 (I-43 Milwaukee-Ozaukee--sign is for STH 57 North/Plymouth)
* 7028-00-60: November 10, 2015 (STH 312 Eau Claire)
* 1071-06-83: December 13, 2016 (I-90 at Mississippi River)
* 1206-07-75: July 11, 2017 (Beltline signs)
* 1166-12-80: December 12, 2017 (I-39 Portage County, US 10/STH 66 overlap)
* 1206-06-79: December 8, 2020 (more Beltline signs)
So much for my dumb memory. :P
I guess I'm so used to AHEAD signs being there, I don't even notice them any more.
Quote from: JoePCool14 on November 04, 2022, 04:31:13 PM
An AHEAD sign has also snuck south into Illinois recently.
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.9839765,-87.8424591,3a,63.7y,95.87h,91.95t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sNZJdws-8D_dTX7dpWB15GQ!2e0!5s20211201T000000!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en
However, this one is probably only this way because it was patched on. I'm almost certain it used to say Left 3 Lanes underneath.
Yep, I've actually seen a couple "AHEAD" signs in IL - but it's nothing like WI.
Speaking of which, when I first moved to the midwest, I had to guess what "AHEAD" meant. Because it implies an upcoming intersection of some sort. I soon realized that it means "straight ahead" which could be much more easily (and cheaply) communicated with downward facing arrows like you see in most of the rest of the world. You do get those "THRU TRAFFIC" signs in parts of the east, but they're dedicated signs and not nearly as ubiquitous as the WISDOT "Ahead" signage.
Here is a load of ahead signs (along us 53 in the Eau Claire area)
https://www.google.com/maps/@44.9012264,-91.4261927,3a,75y,149.74h,87.8t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1szlCHlmMXsrbyKjzNjeK7rQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192 (https://www.google.com/maps/@44.9012264,-91.4261927,3a,75y,149.74h,87.8t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1szlCHlmMXsrbyKjzNjeK7rQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192)
https://www.google.com/maps/@44.7732957,-91.4298044,3a,75y,121.99h,99.71t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1setHLTP1-KZ9qOE_44kMkWw!2e0!5s20211001T000000!7i16384!8i8192 (https://www.google.com/maps/@44.7732957,-91.4298044,3a,75y,121.99h,99.71t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1setHLTP1-KZ9qOE_44kMkWw!2e0!5s20211001T000000!7i16384!8i8192) https://www.google.com/maps/@44.8907099,-91.4066129,3a,75y,268.66h,99.04t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sTgEYw4vgGkm0lYPEMbmOiw!2e0!5s20211001T000000!7i16384!8i8192 (https://www.google.com/maps/@44.8907099,-91.4066129,3a,75y,268.66h,99.04t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sTgEYw4vgGkm0lYPEMbmOiw!2e0!5s20211001T000000!7i16384!8i8192)
https://www.google.com/maps/@44.8928852,-91.4212349,3a,75y,114.19h,85.73t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1siUxyfYt3LdZ09m7e87KIOQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192 (https://www.google.com/maps/@44.8928852,-91.4212349,3a,75y,114.19h,85.73t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1siUxyfYt3LdZ09m7e87KIOQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192)
https://www.google.com/maps/@44.8003132,-91.4560358,3a,75y,180.38h,90.3t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sjbRkmKZyolBgdsOi0XofCA!2e0!5s20211001T000000!7i16384!8i8192 (https://www.google.com/maps/@44.8003132,-91.4560358,3a,75y,180.38h,90.3t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sjbRkmKZyolBgdsOi0XofCA!2e0!5s20211001T000000!7i16384!8i8192)
https://www.google.com/maps/@44.7733517,-91.4298047,3a,60y,126.58h,90t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sEJ8lgfkmKHOmirARgucVXQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192 (https://www.google.com/maps/@44.7733517,-91.4298047,3a,60y,126.58h,90t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sEJ8lgfkmKHOmirARgucVXQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192)
https://www.google.com/maps/@44.781401,-91.4418788,3a,75y,312.83h,100.53t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sVKgQXugjg2SdlcB6LPU5RA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192 (https://www.google.com/maps/@44.781401,-91.4418788,3a,75y,312.83h,100.53t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sVKgQXugjg2SdlcB6LPU5RA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192)
https://www.google.com/maps/@44.7886821,-91.4549835,3a,75y,316.58h,91.38t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sRDcb2TdZHiYUQ3cKnDaXOw!2e0!5s20211001T000000!7i16384!8i8192 (https://www.google.com/maps/@44.7886821,-91.4549835,3a,75y,316.58h,91.38t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sRDcb2TdZHiYUQ3cKnDaXOw!2e0!5s20211001T000000!7i16384!8i8192)
https://www.google.com/maps/@44.7950684,-91.4597214,3a,60y,257.17h,90t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s6Pwtx-uVZDIiWyiGwS20-w!2e0!7i16384!8i8192 (https://www.google.com/maps/@44.7950684,-91.4597214,3a,60y,257.17h,90t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s6Pwtx-uVZDIiWyiGwS20-w!2e0!7i16384!8i8192)
https://www.google.com/maps/@44.7946556,-91.4627456,3a,45y,73.6h,101.52t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1stVAGvrnydwEWz0mbVX31Wg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192 (https://www.google.com/maps/@44.7946556,-91.4627456,3a,45y,73.6h,101.52t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1stVAGvrnydwEWz0mbVX31Wg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192)
Here's one that took me by surprise. It actually had a mileage sign underneath it!
https://goo.gl/maps/1H8LqqsKk9g2rjGv9
Quote from: GeekJedi on February 11, 2023, 12:51:51 PM
Here's one that took me by surprise. It actually had a mileage sign underneath it!
https://goo.gl/maps/1H8LqqsKk9g2rjGv9
That makes a ton of sense though. It probably should have an overhead gantry at the exit though.
Quote from: hobsini2 on February 12, 2023, 09:36:02 AM
Quote from: GeekJedi on February 11, 2023, 12:51:51 PM
Here's one that took me by surprise. It actually had a mileage sign underneath it!
https://goo.gl/maps/1H8LqqsKk9g2rjGv9
That makes a ton of sense though. It probably should have an overhead gantry at the exit though.
It leads to the trumpet interchange at I-39. At that interchange, US 10 is the single right lane splitting to the right and the left lane splits to the left and becomes the ramp to northbound I-39, one must slow down just a little bit for the very broad trumpet loop.
Mike
Mike
Quote from: mgk920 on February 12, 2023, 10:29:26 AM
Quote from: hobsini2 on February 12, 2023, 09:36:02 AM
Quote from: GeekJedi on February 11, 2023, 12:51:51 PM
Here's one that took me by surprise. It actually had a mileage sign underneath it!
https://goo.gl/maps/1H8LqqsKk9g2rjGv9
That makes a ton of sense though. It probably should have an overhead gantry at the exit though.
It leads to the trumpet interchange at I-39. At that interchange, US 10 is the single right lane splitting to the right and the left lane splits to the left and becomes the ramp to northbound I-39, one must slow down just a little bit for the very broad trumpet loop.
Mike
Mike
This is on I-39 South before you get to west US 10.
Quote from: GeekJedi on February 12, 2023, 02:54:10 PM
Quote from: mgk920 on February 12, 2023, 10:29:26 AM
Quote from: hobsini2 on February 12, 2023, 09:36:02 AM
Quote from: GeekJedi on February 11, 2023, 12:51:51 PM
Here's one that took me by surprise. It actually had a mileage sign underneath it!
https://goo.gl/maps/1H8LqqsKk9g2rjGv9
That makes a ton of sense though. It probably should have an overhead gantry at the exit though.
It leads to the trumpet interchange at I-39. At that interchange, US 10 is the single right lane splitting to the right and the left lane splits to the left and becomes the ramp to northbound I-39, one must slow down just a little bit for the very broad trumpet loop.
Mike
Mike
This is on I-39 South before you get to west US 10.
Ahhh, my error. :-p
Mike
I kind of like the practice. I think the intent is to provide a big BGS reassurance marker, but the sign is next to other directional signage to other roads and points. So Wisconsin wanted to clearly distinguish the reassurance marker from the guide signage by adding the word "ahead". It's a little more direct than just putting up a sign that says "I-39/US51 NORTH-Wausau" with no other content- if it's next to a sign that says "WI-16 Portage ->", people might wonder where the arrow or the mileage is on the reassurance for 39/51.
Here's a unique one, featuring everyone's favorite uncontroversial town:
https://www.google.com/maps/@43.5964282,-88.7334678,3a,36.2y,59.37h,90.4t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sBjssR_9McPL9tdQrNnRn3g!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DBjssR_9McPL9tdQrNnRn3g%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D38.03614%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192
This is leading up to the southernmost US-151/WI-26 interchange in Waupun, telling "Rosendale" (WI-26 (Fox Valley/Green Bay)) traffic to stay on US-151 until the northern WI-26 split.
Streetview imagery has one of the signs for NB I-294 at IL 38 being temporarily changed to be 'ahead' instead of the previous exit only. Link (https://maps.app.goo.gl/5voFc3HArYjBovUZ8)
I saw one of these recently flying out of MKE.
The short freeway spur(WI-119) has a sign soon after exiting I-94/I-41 that reads Gen Mitchell Int'l Airport AHEAD
Yep!!! That's pretty much WHY I took the airport exit! :-D
Quote from: OCGuy81 on July 31, 2024, 04:08:03 PMI saw one of these recently flying out of MKE.
The short freeway spur(WI-119) has a sign soon after exiting I-94/I-41 that reads Gen Mitchell Int'l Airport AHEAD
Yep!!! That's pretty much WHY I took the airport exit! :-D
I think they put there because there is still another exit before the airport. On Howell Avenue.