I noticed this sign (https://goo.gl/maps/APxjAwYUZmVP5nQW8) last week while driving in the desert southwest. It is a blue, black, blue sign denoting where emergency vehicles can cross the median on an interstate. I have never seen them before, so I wondered how new they are and what states use them. I saw them in New Mexico, Utah, the I-15 segment of Arizona, Nevada and in California. I don't know what they are called so I couldn't do a search to see if this topic had been covered on this forum or not.
EDIT: One thing I failed to mention in the original post is in every instance I saw these signs, there is one upstream (https://goo.gl/maps/a4t8LHmGNwAS4F4R6) warning you there is an emergence crossover ahead.
In Maryland and probably most of the east coast, they're strictly for police or emergency vehicle use.
Here's how they are marked in NCDOT District 2: 1 mile (https://www.google.com/maps/@35.4964402,-77.9967232,3a,19.2y,311.89h,85.77t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sqXZopEAzd3KS9fRVn2Pwzg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu) to go; 1/2 mile (https://www.google.com/maps/@35.5031665,-77.9996739,3a,15y,336.73h,88.28t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sLPd5W89-rqi_b1v3Oc9Kuw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu) to go; plus standard crossover signage (https://www.google.com/maps/@35.5113118,-77.9966858,3a,16.9y,6.64h,86.05t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1skkelOWgqNB0JNwYKF-wfxA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu). They are marked like this along I-795 and the US-70 Bypass around Goldsboro (Future I-42). Looks like they are now also installed along I-587.
Quote from: epzik8 on July 07, 2023, 04:11:28 PM
In Maryland and probably most of the east coast, they're strictly for police or emergency vehicle use.
He was pointing out the markings used. U-Turns in the median on interstate highways are not legal in any state.
Quote from: epzik8 on July 07, 2023, 04:11:28 PM
In Maryland and probably most of the east coast, they're strictly for police or emergency vehicle use.
and road maintenance vehicles.
Kentucky simply puts up a gigantic No U Turn symbol sign.
Tennessee and South Carolina both use the same sign that North Carolina uses, but without the advance mileage reference markers.
ISTR a state that uses the wording OFFICIAL VEHICLES ONLY on their signs but can't remember which state it was. Does anybody know where they do this?
On I-26 passing over Sams Gap, there are warning signs telling you when a vehicle is using or is about to use the turnaround at the crest of the hill. None of the advance mileage signs though I believe. I've seen maintenance vehicles using it twice; construction equipment and snow plows/salt trucks, but never an actual emergency vehicle.
Texas uses this (https://goo.gl/maps/DGLe3bTFCK7yRHw28) or a sign with slightly altered verbiage, but nothing warning anyone the crossover is coming up.
Quote from: wriddle082 on July 07, 2023, 05:30:35 PM
ISTR a state that uses the wording OFFICIAL VEHICLES ONLY on their signs but can't remember which state it was. Does anybody know where they do this?
I seem to recall a similar sign somewhere, but it may have said 'Official Use Only'.
Nebraska appears to use a variant of the assembly at the start of this thread for at least one median crossover on I-80: Streetview. (https://goo.gl/maps/QgpCez9V4fgZLjiYA)
Illinois uses a no u-turn sign with a placard underneath that says "Authorized Vehicles Only". Pretty standard, just different wording. No advanced notice either.
Here's a very standard example on I-57 near Peotone! (https://goo.gl/maps/AGYb7z3hrocXd6xV8)
Also this is the first time I actually used a link embed! Wow!
MnDOT just uses a no-U-turn sign with no other posted disclaimers about emergency vehicles. I haven't noticed any advance notice signs for them.
Michigan posts an "Authorized Vehicles Only" sign at the crossover, with no advance signage.
Wisconsin uses an unisign with the No U Turn symbol and the text "Except maintenance and police authorized vehicles" https://goo.gl/maps/Sp3k4HZ4BbHxqQRcA
Quote from: Dirt Roads on July 07, 2023, 04:39:12 PM
Here's how they are marked in NCDOT District 2: 1 mile (https://www.google.com/maps/@35.4964402,-77.9967232,3a,19.2y,311.89h,85.77t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sqXZopEAzd3KS9fRVn2Pwzg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu) to go; 1/2 mile (https://www.google.com/maps/@35.5031665,-77.9996739,3a,15y,336.73h,88.28t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sLPd5W89-rqi_b1v3Oc9Kuw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu) to go; plus standard crossover signage (https://www.google.com/maps/@35.5113118,-77.9966858,3a,16.9y,6.64h,86.05t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1skkelOWgqNB0JNwYKF-wfxA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu). They are marked like this along I-795 and the US-70 Bypass around Goldsboro (Future I-42). Looks like they are now also installed along I-587.
Surprise! I saw another pair of these on I-40 east of Hickory last night. That would be NCDOT District 12.
The NJ Turnpike has some unusual signs with a representation of the U-turn move, sometimes a "Z" with "1000" beneath it to indicate the crossover is 1000 feet ahead.
Quote from: ethanhopkin14 on July 07, 2023, 01:47:46 PM
I noticed this sign (https://goo.gl/maps/APxjAwYUZmVP5nQW8) last week while driving in the desert southwest. It is a blue, black, blue sign denoting where emergency vehicles can cross the median on an interstate. I have never seen them before, so I wondered how new they are and what states use them. I saw them in New Mexico, Utah, the I-15 segment of Arizona, Nevada and in California. I don't know what they are called so I couldn't do a search to see if this topic had been covered on this forum or not.
EDIT: One thing I failed to mention in the original post is in every instance I saw these signs, there is one upstream (https://goo.gl/maps/a4t8LHmGNwAS4F4R6) warning you there is an emergence crossover ahead.
This is pretty standard throughout Nevada. Although NDOT's sign setup at the crossover is to have an "Authorized Vehicles Only" placard under the "No U-Turn" sign, which is more ambiguous than "Except Authorized Vehicles".
Quote from: wriddle082 on July 07, 2023, 05:30:35 PM
ISTR a state that uses the wording OFFICIAL VEHICLES ONLY on their signs but can't remember which state it was. Does anybody know where they do this?
PA uses "EMERGENCY AND AUTHORIZED VEHICLES ONLY"
Quote from: roadfro on July 08, 2023, 07:54:14 PM
Quote from: ethanhopkin14 on July 07, 2023, 01:47:46 PM
I noticed this sign (https://goo.gl/maps/APxjAwYUZmVP5nQW8) last week while driving in the desert southwest. It is a blue, black, blue sign denoting where emergency vehicles can cross the median on an interstate. I have never seen them before, so I wondered how new they are and what states use them. I saw them in New Mexico, Utah, the I-15 segment of Arizona, Nevada and in California. I don't know what they are called so I couldn't do a search to see if this topic had been covered on this forum or not.
EDIT: One thing I failed to mention in the original post is in every instance I saw these signs, there is one upstream (https://goo.gl/maps/a4t8LHmGNwAS4F4R6) warning you there is an emergence crossover ahead.
This is pretty standard throughout Nevada. Although NDOT's sign setup at the crossover is to have an "Authorized Vehicles Only" placard under the "No U-Turn" sign, which is more ambiguous than "Except Authorized Vehicles".
I love it. Sounds like only authorized vehicles are the only vehicles that can't u-turn there.
Quote from: ethanhopkin14 on July 09, 2023, 04:58:22 PM
Quote from: roadfro on July 08, 2023, 07:54:14 PM
Quote from: ethanhopkin14 on July 07, 2023, 01:47:46 PM
I noticed this sign (https://goo.gl/maps/APxjAwYUZmVP5nQW8) last week while driving in the desert southwest. It is a blue, black, blue sign denoting where emergency vehicles can cross the median on an interstate. I have never seen them before, so I wondered how new they are and what states use them. I saw them in New Mexico, Utah, the I-15 segment of Arizona, Nevada and in California. I don't know what they are called so I couldn't do a search to see if this topic had been covered on this forum or not.
EDIT: One thing I failed to mention in the original post is in every instance I saw these signs, there is one upstream (https://goo.gl/maps/a4t8LHmGNwAS4F4R6) warning you there is an emergence crossover ahead.
This is pretty standard throughout Nevada. Although NDOT's sign setup at the crossover is to have an "Authorized Vehicles Only" placard under the "No U-Turn" sign, which is more ambiguous than "Except Authorized Vehicles".
I love it. Sounds like only authorized vehicles are the only vehicles that can't u-turn there.
Clearly taking a page from the AlanDOT MUTCD...
Ontario is "Except Authorized Vehicles"
(https://i.imgur.com/r5y9wkF.png)
Quote from: hbelkins on July 08, 2023, 07:21:57 PM
The NJ Turnpike has some unusual signs with a representation of the U-turn move, sometimes a "Z" with "1000" beneath it to indicate the crossover is 1000 feet ahead.
So, that's what those signs are for. I've been wondering about those most of my life.
Arizona uses the standard R3-4 sign, but only in areas where unauthorized crossovers have been deemed a problem for whatever reason. For the most part, they are completely unmarked.
WV uses pairs No U-turn signs with "Authorized Vehicles Only" signs mounted on their back sides. As a part of signage replacement projects, fixed object marker signs are installed at the far end of the crossover (see https://goo.gl/maps/LVbcySbWPVBUYtWR6) but these generally aren't replaced if something takes them out.
Standard practice in Ohio is a pair of oversized No U-turn signs with smaller "Emergency and Authorized Vehicles Only" signs mounted on their backs.
Colorado also uses the black-and-blue paddle signs in the medians for this purpose:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51719338018_fa4f599c7b_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mNg8js)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52632096754_e07c4da2ea_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2obVfG3)
Quote from: formulanone on July 19, 2023, 07:35:38 PM
Colorado also uses the black-and-blue paddle signs in the medians for this purpose:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51719338018_fa4f599c7b_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mNg8js)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52632096754_e07c4da2ea_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2obVfG3)
Yes, back to the subject at hand. Does anyone know what they are called and why is there so much inconstancy across the US about how the emergency vehicle crossover is signed? The blue and black paddle seems to be a four corners/desert southwest thing only.
This is the furthest east specimen (https://goo.gl/maps/4XALhTEy7XmKTj7W8) I have found.
The new Jersey Turnpike has advance signs for median crossings with inverted C's. I can't find a picture right now. For crossing between car and truck lanes it's a Z symbol like this:
https://www.google.com/maps/@40.2810543,-74.5040493,3a,39.4y,13.37h,87.82t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s5nmafVkKXZKrjvtBKfxPgQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu
Quote from: bzakharin on July 21, 2023, 04:09:16 PM
The new Jersey Turnpike has advance signs for median crossings with inverted C's. I can't find a picture right now. For crossing between car and truck lanes it's a Z symbol like this:
https://www.google.com/maps/@40.2810543,-74.5040493,3a,39.4y,13.37h,87.82t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s5nmafVkKXZKrjvtBKfxPgQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu
See hbelkins' post above...
Quote from: Rothman on July 21, 2023, 06:18:31 PM
Quote from: bzakharin on July 21, 2023, 04:09:16 PM
The new Jersey Turnpike has advance signs for median crossings with inverted C's. I can't find a picture right now. For crossing between car and truck lanes it's a Z symbol like this:
https://www.google.com/maps/@40.2810543,-74.5040493,3a,39.4y,13.37h,87.82t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s5nmafVkKXZKrjvtBKfxPgQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu
See hbelkins' post above...
Here's the NJ Turnpike Example:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/JfpAG5F1UV68qE2f8
The Garden State Parkway, although under the same parent agency with the Turnpike, has a less noted but still unique way of identifying median U-turns using a 90 degree yellow "L" bracket prior to the u-turn area, then 2, 90 degree yellow "L" brackets identifying the U-Turn spot:
https://goo.gl/maps/HvWziWaTvRHet94BA
https://goo.gl/maps/XhXdPCTye44reN957
Quote from: ethanhopkin14 on July 20, 2023, 09:39:16 AM
Quote from: formulanone on July 19, 2023, 07:35:38 PM
Colorado also uses the black-and-blue paddle signs in the medians for this purpose:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51719338018_fa4f599c7b_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mNg8js)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52632096754_e07c4da2ea_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2obVfG3)
Yes, back to the subject at hand. Does anyone know what they are called and why is there so much inconstancy across the US about how the emergency vehicle crossover is signed? The blue and black paddle seems to be a four corners/desert southwest thing only.
I believe they were "quietly" introduced about 5 years ago in Colorado. I think they are designed to better warn and designate, for authorized vehicles, where the crossovers are -- especially in night or inclement weather conditions.