AARoads Forum

National Boards => General Highway Talk => Topic started by: Brian556 on January 07, 2011, 12:05:44 AM

Title: Strange Orange Tarp Guide Sign
Post by: Brian556 on January 07, 2011, 12:05:44 AM
Check This out. Never seen one of these before.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mangosteen/4453049088/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mangosteen/4453049088/)
This is how a lot of billboards are done, so that's probably where the idea originates.
Title: Re: Strange Orange Tarp Guide Sign
Post by: Dr Frankenstein on January 07, 2011, 03:03:05 AM
That's an ingenious way to do it. I wonder how much that costs.

P.S. The I-376 detour trailblazer... eww.
Title: Re: Strange Orange Tarp Guide Sign
Post by: Duke87 on January 07, 2011, 07:24:32 PM
Quote from: Dr Frankenstein on January 07, 2011, 03:03:05 AM
The I-376 detour trailblazer... eww.

Apparently those are all over the area. Here's a closer shot of one of them from August:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg200.imageshack.us%2Fimg200%2F9828%2Fdscn7619t.jpg&hash=360256601e322e0df40cf0e65157c5cc7787da75)

Eww indeed. :ded:
Title: Re: Strange Orange Tarp Guide Sign
Post by: rickmastfan67 on January 07, 2011, 08:12:54 PM
Here's one that they had on PA-8 @ the PA-28 interchange while it was under-construction.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv645%2Frickmastfan67%2FInterstates%2FPA%2FPA-8%2FP1030857s.jpg&hash=fac9a505bf291803cbe2fd841c85f00a46c33cd5)
Title: Re: Strange Orange Tarp Guide Sign
Post by: Quillz on January 07, 2011, 08:44:52 PM
Quote from: Duke87 on January 07, 2011, 07:24:32 PM
Quote from: Dr Frankenstein on January 07, 2011, 03:03:05 AM
The I-376 detour trailblazer... eww.

Apparently those are all over the area. Here's a closer shot of one of them from August:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg200.imageshack.us%2Fimg200%2F9828%2Fdscn7619t.jpg&hash=360256601e322e0df40cf0e65157c5cc7787da75)

Eww indeed. :ded:
It looks like a bubble shield... Made from a bubble shield. It doesn't even look proportionally correct.
Title: Re: Strange Orange Tarp Guide Sign
Post by: Sykotyk on January 07, 2011, 09:42:15 PM
Cheap way to cover a sign with a construction sign without the cost of affixing it, etc. Plus, the material, I would have to imagine, is a lot cheaper.
Title: Re: Strange Orange Tarp Guide Sign
Post by: wriddle082 on January 07, 2011, 09:44:50 PM
They used a lot of green tarps over the existing BGSs for the SmartFix40 project in Knoxville when they had I-40 through traffic detoured onto I-640 so they could close and rebuild the downtown stretch.

I think I also saw them being used temporarily on I-24 in Chattanooga where they were rehabbing the surface on an eastbound 24 bridge at the US 27 (I-124) interchange.

The Knoxville signs were very well done, and they managed to stretch it out well enough to keep most of the wrinkles out.  I don't know how the Chattanooga signs looked since I was going the opposite direction and just noticed the bungees holding the tarp on the back of the sign.
Title: Re: Strange Orange Tarp Guide Sign
Post by: roadfro on January 08, 2011, 03:11:45 PM
Quote from: Sykotyk on January 07, 2011, 09:42:15 PM
Cheap way to cover a sign with a construction sign without the cost of affixing it, etc. Plus, the material, I would have to imagine, is a lot cheaper.

That, plus affixing the construction sign in this manner causes no harm to the original sign, particularly important if the original sign is still applicable after construction.
Title: Re: Strange Orange Tarp Guide Sign
Post by: agentsteel53 on January 08, 2011, 03:18:21 PM
I think the word we are looking for is "urn".  which is where it needs to end up.
Title: Re: Strange Orange Tarp Guide Sign
Post by: Alex on January 08, 2011, 03:47:51 PM
Years ago they had even more  :-o tarp signs in place:

(https://www.aaroads.com/northeast/pennsylvania200/i-279_sb_exit_008b_03.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/northeast/pennsylvania200/i-279_sb_exit_008b_06.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/northeast/pennsylvania200/i-279_sb_exit_008a_01.jpg)

Title: Re: Strange Orange Tarp Guide Sign
Post by: agentsteel53 on January 08, 2011, 03:55:17 PM
holy blorb; I don't know what is more wrong - the Arial-fonted shields, or the permanent 579 sign with the 9 tipped to the side just so they can squeeze it along the arc of the shield outline even more.
Title: Re: Strange Orange Tarp Guide Sign
Post by: PAHighways on January 08, 2011, 04:08:16 PM
I don't understand what the big deal is, considering they are temporary signs that are made by contractors.  What is a more egregious act is when contractors install state shields for US routes and vice-versa as permanent signage.

The sad thing is, with signs that large, a friend of mine would call me to ask how to get to Robinson during the Fort Pitt rehab.  He would get mad that I didn't know which lane on the West End Bridge went where and didn't like the answer "Read the signs, and follow the one that says "Airport."  Even more sad is the fact that he is an English teacher.
Title: Re: Strange Orange Tarp Guide Sign
Post by: Brian556 on January 08, 2011, 05:31:14 PM
Dang those are goofy lookin'. It looks like they were made by somebody that has no knowledge of signs.
Title: Re: Strange Orange Tarp Guide Sign
Post by: Scott5114 on January 08, 2011, 07:05:56 PM
I can't imagine those tarps are properly reflectorized.

I was always amused by what KDOT used to do with their signs in construction areas. Since they used demountable copy they just pried the inapplicable messages off. Sometimes in a construction area you could find five or six completely blank signs in a row.
Title: Re: Strange Orange Tarp Guide Sign
Post by: 74/171FAN on January 09, 2011, 02:31:21 PM
Those tarp signs tome actually make clearview look good.
Title: Re: Strange Orange Tarp Guide Sign
Post by: Chris on January 09, 2011, 04:02:27 PM
I like this concept. It's temporary anyway, so it doesn't really matter how ugly the font is, as long as it is legible. How are these signs at night? Are they reflective? Can you read them through the bubbles?
Title: Re: Strange Orange Tarp Guide Sign
Post by: Brian556 on January 09, 2011, 05:31:50 PM
Those traps look non-reflective. They gotta be. If they were to be reflective, they would have to be made out of the same material as roll-up signs. That would be rather expensive.
Title: Re: Strange Orange Tarp Guide Sign
Post by: PAHighways on January 09, 2011, 07:44:47 PM
If I remember correctly, they were not reflective.
Title: Re: Strange Orange Tarp Guide Sign
Post by: Michael on January 10, 2011, 12:25:56 PM
Quote from: AARoads on January 08, 2011, 03:47:51 PM
Years ago they had even more  :-o tarp signs in place:

(https://www.aaroads.com/northeast/pennsylvania200/i-279_sb_exit_008b_03.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/northeast/pennsylvania200/i-279_sb_exit_008b_06.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/northeast/pennsylvania200/i-279_sb_exit_008a_01.jpg)



Those are downright ugly! I agree with 74/171FAN:

Quote from: 74/171FAN on January 09, 2011, 02:31:21 PM
Those tarp signs tome actually make clearview look good.
Title: Re: Strange Orange Tarp Guide Sign
Post by: Mr_Northside on January 10, 2011, 04:01:02 PM
The 579/Veterans Bridge signs (both in the foreground & background) were replaced a couple of months ago.  I don't remember if the I-sheild looks better, but Veterans Bridge is now in Clearview.  The 279/Airport signs (behind the tarps) were, for some reason, allowed to remain

I remember when those tarps were up.  I remember reading in the papers that a lot of people actually really liked the giant shields/letters on them
Title: Re: Strange Orange Tarp Guide Sign
Post by: rickmastfan67 on January 10, 2011, 08:02:47 PM
Quote from: Mr_Northside on January 10, 2011, 04:01:02 PM
The 579/Veterans Bridge signs (both in the foreground & background) were replaced a couple of months ago.  I don't remember if the I-sheild looks better, but Veterans Bridge is now in Clearview.

Here's a picture of it. ;)  At least it's no longer a bubble shield. :nod:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv645%2Frickmastfan67%2FInterstates%2FPA%2FI-579%2FVeterans_Bridge.jpg&hash=9a5e0722f6077d2380099ceed8a6704c7d015623)
Title: Re: Strange Orange Tarp Guide Sign
Post by: The Premier on January 10, 2011, 08:10:42 PM
Yet it still retains the tipped "9" that agentsteel53 pointed out. :pan:
Title: Re: Strange Orange Tarp Guide Sign
Post by: rickmastfan67 on January 10, 2011, 08:20:20 PM
Quote from: The Premier on January 10, 2011, 08:10:42 PM
Yet it still retains the tipped "9" that agentsteel53 pointed out. :pan:

Still, looks better that all the other I-579 sheilds on the other new BGS's around the Civic Arena. :ded:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv645%2Frickmastfan67%2FInterstates%2FPA%2FI-579%2FP1070473m.jpg&hash=596bf7802869032faa5d399ee1621ef32f883d6b)
Title: Re: Strange Orange Tarp Guide Sign
Post by: Quillz on January 10, 2011, 08:33:37 PM
Quote from: agentsteel53 on January 08, 2011, 03:55:17 PM
holy blorb; I don't know what is more wrong - the Arial-fonted shields, or the permanent 579 sign with the 9 tipped to the side just so they can squeeze it along the arc of the shield outline even more.
I remember I made a topic not to long ago about shields that have weird-looking "9" in them, but I think that's without doubt the worst attempt at getting a 9 onto a shield ever.
Title: Re: Strange Orange Tarp Guide Sign
Post by: Scott5114 on January 10, 2011, 09:23:20 PM
I think the 579 on the "Monroeville" sign looks better than the one on the Veterans Bridge sign, myself. For one thing, the Veterans Bridge sign is still using a compressed font.

(What is the deal with that "No Trucks Over 35 Ft"? Is that supposed to be an Exit Only? Is that why it's yellow? Why isn't it on a white regulatory plaque? Why is the text so small? What sort of liquor was being imbibed?)
Title: Re: Strange Orange Tarp Guide Sign
Post by: rickmastfan67 on January 10, 2011, 09:53:11 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on January 10, 2011, 09:23:20 PM
(What is the deal with that "No Trucks Over 35 Ft"? Is that supposed to be an Exit Only? Is that why it's yellow? Why isn't it on a white regulatory plaque? Why is the text so small? What sort of liquor was being imbibed?)

Because that route takes you dirrectly into Downtown on the surface streets.  No Big Rig would be able to make sharp right turn at the end of the ramp.
Original Sign in StreetView (http://maps.google.com/maps?client=firefox-a&hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=40.442807,-79.992201&spn=0.002988,0.006968&z=18&layer=c&cbll=40.442798,-79.992325&panoid=UDVk_V1BWVWnyncTiZDA6w&cbp=12,261.03,,0,-13.36)
Title: Re: Strange Orange Tarp Guide Sign
Post by: mightyace on January 10, 2011, 10:41:30 PM
^^^

OK.  It's 35 feet in length!  For some reason I was thinking height!  :banghead:  That would be one horribly tall truck!
Title: Re: Strange Orange Tarp Guide Sign
Post by: cu2010 on January 10, 2011, 11:41:49 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on January 10, 2011, 09:23:20 PM
I think the 579 on the "Monroeville" sign looks better than the one on the Veterans Bridge sign, myself. For one thing, the Veterans Bridge sign is still using a compressed font.
As do I...it'd just be better if the 579 was properly centered within the shield...

I really hate the way PennDOT does Clearview...I hate how the exit tab and direction text remains in Series E(M) while the legend is in Clearview...it'd look better if the whole sign (minus the shield) was in Clearview. (Of course, it'd look even better if the whole thing was in E(M)!)
Title: Re: Strange Orange Tarp Guide Sign
Post by: Scott5114 on January 11, 2011, 12:19:07 AM
Quote from: rickmastfan67 on January 10, 2011, 09:53:11 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on January 10, 2011, 09:23:20 PM
(What is the deal with that "No Trucks Over 35 Ft"? Is that supposed to be an Exit Only? Is that why it's yellow? Why isn't it on a white regulatory plaque? Why is the text so small? What sort of liquor was being imbibed?)

Because that route takes you dirrectly into Downtown on the surface streets.  No Big Rig would be able to make sharp right turn at the end of the ramp.
Original Sign in StreetView (http://maps.google.com/maps?client=firefox-a&hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=40.442807,-79.992201&spn=0.002988,0.006968&z=18&layer=c&cbll=40.442798,-79.992325&panoid=UDVk_V1BWVWnyncTiZDA6w&cbp=12,261.03,,0,-13.36)

And how does any of that justify that godawful implementation of it? :P
Title: Re: Strange Orange Tarp Guide Sign
Post by: PAHighways on January 11, 2011, 06:39:42 PM
Quote from: Quillz on January 10, 2011, 08:33:37 PMI remember I made a topic not to long ago about shields that have weird-looking "9" in them, but I think that's without doubt the worst attempt at getting a 9 onto a shield ever.

That honor would have gone to the old sign for I-79 out on then US 22/US 30 heading eastbound, which had a "9" that was so skewed it appeared to be falling over.
Title: Re: Strange Orange Tarp Guide Sign
Post by: hbelkins on January 11, 2011, 09:03:52 PM
Quote from: PAHighways on January 11, 2011, 06:39:42 PM
Quote from: Quillz on January 10, 2011, 08:33:37 PMI remember I made a topic not to long ago about shields that have weird-looking "9" in them, but I think that's without doubt the worst attempt at getting a 9 onto a shield ever.

That honor would have gone to the old sign for I-79 out on then US 22/US 30 heading eastbound, which had a "9" that was so skewed it appeared to be falling over.

I remember -- and may have a photo of -- that one. Seems like there were more than one of those interstate signs for 79 and 279 with a leaning 9.