I stumbled upon the signage on FL 708 at I-95 near West Palm Beach, FL in StreetView earlier, and found the usage of "Ramp Only" panels on signs for the onramps interesting. Is this a FDOT standard? Does anywhere else in the country use this?
Here's a link to the signs: http://goo.gl/maps/iEjsB
I personally think this is a great idea - it's more correct than "Exit Only" panels, which some states use over the turn lanes for onramps, and makes it more abundantly clear what lane to be in than a few ambiguous guide signs or small lane assignment signs.
I've seen that elsewhere in southern Florida as well–eastbound Pines Boulevard at I-75 comes to mind. I don't ever recall seeing it outside that area because I recall bring surprised by the wording the first time I saw it there on Pines Boulevard. I liked it–an arterial street doesn't really have an "exit."
Nope, that isn't FDOT standard. They usually use regular white-on-green down arrows on signs like that.
John Young at I-4 (rebuilt 2006) has normal exit only banners.
Nevada seems to prefer "freeway only" where surface streets have a drop lane onto a freeway ramp and emphasis of the drop lane is needed. Two examples from Reno, along S. Virginia St/old US 395, where the old highway met temporary ends of the new US 395 freeway.
- "Fwy Only" (http://goo.gl/maps/zDwWf) on northbound S. Virginia St (US 395 Alt) just north of jct SR 341/431 south of town.
- "Freeway Only" (http://goo.gl/maps/UxubO) on northbound S. Virginia St (hidden US 395 Bus.) just north of S. McCarran Blvd (SR 659) near the major shopping area of Reno.
I'm confused why they're needed at all. The lanes start further back, so they're not continous lanes. They are simply ordinary turn lanes.
For the two Nevada examples, the first is an auxiliary lane from the previous signal and the second is a dropped through lane. Either of these examples would be signed as an Exit Only scenario if on a Nevada freeway.
Ramp only does have merit as its not really an exit but an entrance. You do not exit onto an entrance. Like NE2 says, John Young Parkway for I-4 uses "EXIT ONLY." In addition at the entrance ramps to FL 528 further south on John Young Parkway, have freeway "EXIT" gore signs for the FL 528 ramps when JYP is not freeway and has been downgraded over the years thanks to development from expressway to arterial. Even SB on John Young where there is a left turn onto FL 528 EB where you have to yield to oncoming traffic has an "EXIT" sign at the median crossover. A "YIELD" sign had to be erected so those unfamiliar with the area would not think that its a real exit ramp without an at grade crossover.
I've seen California randomly use "ramp" instead of "exit" on gore signs... because California.
Quote from: Duke87 on April 22, 2013, 12:03:27 AM
I've seen California randomly use "ramp" instead of "exit" on gore signs... because California.
If you think that is odd, check out the sign to the left in this photo. It uses the typical white square MUST sign for either left or right, but this is probably TexDOT doing to have "ENTER RAMP" used instead.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/54480415@N08/8598272426/in/photostream
It would be better if a yellow RAMP ONLY was beneath the I-30 WB shield. BTW, they could also use a US 59 SB shield as that route now enters the I-30 freeway ramp at this location since it was pulled out of Downtown Texarkana .
I've seen Ramp Only in Michigan too... can't remember a specific example.
Quote from: roadman65 on April 22, 2013, 02:26:17 AMIf you think that is odd, check out the sign to the left in this photo. It uses the typical white square MUST sign for either left or right, but this is probably TexDOT doing to have "ENTER RAMP" used instead.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/54480415@N08/8598272426/in/photostream
And in Michigan, there's lots of RIGHT LANE MUST EXIT signs, the same type of deal. Never seen "ENTER RAMP", but it makes sense even if it isn't in the MUTCD.
FL 7 northbound at Southern Boulevard (US 98):
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5751/30733196452_cc0fc85fb7_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/NPMEzs)
Edit: Driving around Palm Beach and Broward counties this week has revealed several more of these...
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/739/21406392478_ab9536a3d2_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/yBBmGo)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/674/21406392298_33bc6f4c1c_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/yBBmDh)
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1806/29271067708_b321f91f39_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/LAzSDb)
On recent signing projects, MassDOT has been replacing "EXIT" gore signs traditionally used at entrance ramps from divided secondary roads with gore signs that have the route shield and cardinal direction.