AARoads Forum

What is the official name for signs like this one?

(https://www.aaroads.com/texas/texas400/i-635_sb_exit_013_04.jpg)

And what is the largest number of exits you've seen for a destination?

I know around DFW there is a Mesquite next 11 exits on I-635 south and Lewisville shows "next 9 exits" on I-35E southbound

somewhere in CA there is a "next 12 exits".  Fresno on US-99?

Tee hee.  He called it US-99.  What a silly mistake. </facetious>

Obviously 7 is a smaller number than the ones just mentioned, but I've always been intrigued by the signs on I-5 for Bellingham.  It includes 250-257, but not 258, despite the fact that exit 258 serves the airport and the big shopping mall on the north end of town.  It wasn't until just know that I looked at the city limits on Google, and they're drawn so that the entire interchange is just outside city limits (i.e. if you turn right onto Bakerview from the northbound off-ramp, you cross the line virtually immediately, but no part of the interchange or freeway is within the city limits).

Quote from: bassoon1986 on April 11, 2013, 01:13:20 PM
What is the official name for signs like this one?

The G87(CA) sign is California's version of the sign the OP is referring to.  Caltrans refers to these signs as "NEXT X EXITS" signs.  What's interesting is there is no corresponding MUTCD sign code equivalent so the design of these signs is up to each state (although the Texas sign seems to mirror the California version).

NEXT 19 EXITS entering Albuquerque from the north on I-25. About the most useless piece of information I could be given.

from what I can tell about Bellingham culture, they'd rather not acknowledge that the big box mall is within their city limits.

MUTCD just simply calls those NEXT XX EXITS signs.

In Florida on I-95 there is a sign southbound approaching US 1 near Ormond Beach that states "Holly Hill Next 2 Exits" when in fact the third exit as well serves Holly Hill and is the only exit with a guide that uses that city as a control point.

The sign was actually before the LPGA Boulevard exit was opened when southbound I-95 had to use those first two exits and was never updated even when I-95 was widened to six lanes long after the new interchange was added.

What really interests me the most is further to the west in Ocala there was a sign that read "Ocala Silver Springs Next 3 Exits" and now the Ocala was removed with a new sign with just Silver Springs exclusively and an added Pennsylvania type of exit guide sign for Ocala with the road names with distances to it.  Either way is fine by me, but why have two completely different signing practices for two places that use the same exact exits?

Quote from: agentsteel53 on April 11, 2013, 01:53:21 PM
from what I can tell about Bellingham culture, they'd rather not acknowledge that the big box mall is within their city limits.

That explains it as the number of exits shown are supposed to represent how many exits serve the city, regardless if the exits themselves are physically outside city limits.

Quote from: Kacie Jane on April 11, 2013, 01:48:57 PM
Obviously 7 is a smaller number than the ones just mentioned, but I've always been intrigued by the signs on I-5 for Bellingham.  It includes 250-257, but not 258, despite the fact that exit 258 serves the airport and the big shopping mall on the north end of town.  It wasn't until just know that I looked at the city limits on Google, and they're drawn so that the entire interchange is just outside city limits (i.e. if you turn right onto Bakerview from the northbound off-ramp, you cross the line virtually immediately, but no part of the interchange or freeway is within the city limits).

I'm pretty sure that Bellingham, Next 7 Exits sign has been there since Bellis Fair Mall was just a gleam in the developer's eye.  It's not an accident that the mall is outside the city limits, of course; that way it's in the lower property tax area of the county.

In New Jersey along the Garden State Parkway you have multiple exits for some cities, but only one exit gets signed. 
Clifton has 2 southbound Exits (154 & 153) and northbound has (153 both A & B, 154, and 155) yet only Exit 154 is signed for Clifton.  All exits respectively are in the city limits with almost all of Clifton being urban. 

The same for Irvington where both Exits 143 A & 143 B are also for Irvington, but not signed.

Bloomfield used to have a sign SB approaching Exit 151 that read "BLOOMFIELD NEXT 3 Exits" that has been removed and no exit guide even uses the name for all three exits going southbound.  Bloomfield Avenue does not have anything but Bloomfield Avenue.  Belleville Avenue is signed for Belleville and Glen Ridge, and Watchung Avenue is for Nutley and Montclair.

Typically the Garden State Parkway, never signs cities to their business district.  Exit 135 for Clark has no signs on the ramp that point towards Clark's Business District.  Exit 114 for Holmdel shows Holmdel in both directions on Red Hill Road instead of just westbound as Holmdel's Business District is at the intersection of NJ 34 and CR 520.  It seems odd that Clifton only uses Exit 154 considering that SB the exit is for US 46 WB and NB it is for US 46 EB where directed Clifton is in two separate directions from the GSP on US 46.

Quote from: agentsteel53 on April 11, 2013, 01:20:39 PM
somewhere in CA there is a "next 12 exits".  Fresno on US-99?

Google search found one for Santa Barbara on US 101

US 75 northbound in Texas has "Sherman Next 12 Exits." Which is probably six exits too many, but that's another topic.

"Next 4 Exits" would've worked just fine here...

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm3.staticflickr.com%2F2632%2F4065716387_ba12446c09_z.jpg&hash=a35fc8b6baaa93400cac1afa6da7804c810b2957) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/coredesatchikai/4065716387/)

Quote from: WillWeaverRVA on April 11, 2013, 06:53:07 PM
"Next 4 Exits" would've worked just fine here...

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm3.staticflickr.com%2F2632%2F4065716387_ba12446c09_z.jpg&hash=a35fc8b6baaa93400cac1afa6da7804c810b2957) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/coredesatchikai/4065716387/)

I was just thinking of that one!

I-87 SB has a Manhattan Next... I think 9 Exits. Could be a bit higher. Too bad I-278 doesn't have "New York City Next..."

North Carolina uses the word "Interchanges" instead of "Exits." Never really knew why...

Quote from: hbelkins on April 11, 2013, 10:51:09 PM
North Carolina uses the word "Interchanges" instead of "Exits." Never really knew why...

Could account for interchanges which have more than 1 exit ramp per direction in it, such as a cloverleaf.  An NC language thing to make it more clear as other states call the whole interchange 1 exit for this purpose.

Yo mama's so fat, she has her own "Next XX Exits" sign.

(Sorry, little roadgeek joke I made up a while ago that fits here. Or doesn't.)

Quote from: WillWeaverRVA on April 11, 2013, 06:53:07 PM
"Next 4 Exits" would've worked just fine here...

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm3.staticflickr.com%2F2632%2F4065716387_ba12446c09_z.jpg&hash=a35fc8b6baaa93400cac1afa6da7804c810b2957) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/coredesatchikai/4065716387/)

If the exit numbers are mile-marker-based and/or there's not an exit located between the listed ones; yes.

On a road that (still) has sequential-based exit numbers; not necessarily.  Along MA 128 west of the MA 133 interchange (Exit 14); there's a ground-mounted BGS that states Gloucester USE EXITS 14-11-10-9, Exits 13 & 12 (which do exist) are deliberately not included because those roads don't directly serve downtown Gloucester.  In that case, using NEXT XX EXITS BGS would not be appropriate.

Quote from: PHLBOS on April 12, 2013, 09:47:23 AMthere's not an exit located between the listed ones

that would be some very strange gerrymandering... even if, literally, an intermediate exit is not placed within city limits, it seems plausible that it could serve the city.

the only exception I would think of is another freeway... but I am pretty sure that in the "next 19 exits" of Albuquerque, one of them is I-40, which does not let you access Albuquerque directly.  so I believe the spirit of the "next N exits" sign includes intervening freeway-to-freeway connections.

(I believe Vermont does not - or, at least, at one time did not - count freeway-to-freeway connections in their sequential exit scheme.  literally correct, but what a cluster.)

Quote from: hbelkins on April 11, 2013, 10:51:09 PM
North Carolina uses the word "Interchanges" instead of "Exits." Never really knew why...

Illinois tends to as well, but it isn't consistent, even within IDOT.  Here's a bit of an oddity though,
Westbound on I-80, just past I-355 is the following:
Joliet
NEXT 7 INTERCHANGES

However, just past I-55 on eastbound I-80 is the following:
Joliet
NEXT 8 INTERCHANGES

The interchanges are as follows:
127 - Houbolt Rd / Hollywood Rd
130 A-B - Larkin Ave (IL-7)
131 - Center St (EB) Center St / Meadow Ave (WB)
132 A-B (EB) - Chicago St (US-52/IL-52) 132 (WB) - Chicago St (US-52/IL-53)
133 - Richards St
134 - Briggs St
137 - Maple St (US-30)

For a total of 7 interchanges.

Quote from: agentsteel53 on April 12, 2013, 09:55:22 AM

Quote from: PHLBOS on April 12, 2013, 09:47:23 AMthere's not an exit located between the listed ones

that would be some very strange gerrymandering... even if, literally, an intermediate exit is not placed within city limits, it seems plausible that it could serve the city.

While one can get to downtown Gloucester via Concord Street (Exit 13), one clearly can not get there by way of Crafts Road (Exit 12) very easily.  The former exit (at least along 128 northbound) includes Wingaersheek Beach in BGS and the latter exit also includes Rust Island in the BGS.

That particular BGS (& its predecessor(s)) listing the 4 exits to the center of Gloucester has been there since at least 1976.

Quote from: Steve on April 11, 2013, 10:11:51 PM
I-87 SB has a Manhattan Next... I think 9 Exits. Could be a bit higher. Too bad I-278 doesn't have "New York City Next..."

I also wondered that as well. Most large cities aren't listed as having X amount of exits because they are so large. Dallas and Fort Worth would never have a sign like that on I-30, but many of the suburbs do. Manhattan is a pretty populated area, but there are many places with a sign for more than 9. Albuquerque's 19 verges on the ridiculous. That's a lot of coverage.

Quote from: agentsteel53 on April 12, 2013, 09:55:22 AM
the only exception I would think of is another freeway... but I am pretty sure that in the "next 19 exits" of Albuquerque, one of them is I-40, which does not let you access Albuquerque directly.  so I believe the spirit of the "next N exits" sign includes intervening freeway-to-freeway connections.

(I believe Vermont does not - or, at least, at one time did not - count freeway-to-freeway connections in their sequential exit scheme.  literally correct, but what a cluster.)

I thought of my own town when I read this. South on I-35 it says Denton next 11 exits. That includes the I-35W interchange to Fort Worth, which has no exits serving Denton once you leave 35. Also different in that the interstate splits right after that sign. I guess if you really didn't know the area, you wouldn't know that only 35E south and not 35W serves Denton for the remainder of the 7 exits. But the mileage follows 35E as well.

Indiana used to go back and forth.

Before the Borman (I-80/94) Reconstruction began, there was a sign on the westbound side just east of I-65 that said, "Gary, Next 5 Interchanges." That sign has since been removed.

Everywhere else in my area uses the word exits in lieu of interchanges. The Indiana Toll Road still has a sign that says, "Gary, Next 4 Exits," just east of I-65.

I like what MnDOT does.  Much more informative.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm5.staticflickr.com%2F4129%2F5021427845_be471b3bdf_z_d.jpg&hash=7b84296c62c6b13662e782edaa26f8a572803033) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ajfroggie/5021427845/in/set-72157625027922220/)

For cases where you'd have more than 4 exits to a given town, using distance signs in between exits but showing the distances to the next 3 exits from a given location would be the best option.

What that photo actually shows is a variant of a community interchanges sign (the vanilla MUTCD version would say "Owatonna Exits" on one line rather than "Exits To Owatonna" on two).

Still, more informative than the "Next X Exits" sign.

When I-75 received new signage recently, there was a sign erected on I-75 northbound that reads "Toledo Next 13 Exits".

Quote from: froggie on April 12, 2013, 02:32:40 PMStill, more informative than the "Next X Exits" sign.

This is true, but presumably for reasons of message loading, the MUTCD restricts community interchanges signs to rural or suburban locations with two or three exits.  The "NEXT X EXITS" sign covers cases where there are more than three exits associated with a community or recreational area.

As an aside, the traditional MUTCD example of a community interchanges sign has had "Columbia Exits" as the top line.  In a fit of pedantry (after my own heart), the revisors of the 2009 MUTCD decided that the second word should not be in mixed-case since it is a generic word, so the example sign now reads "Columbia EXITS."

on that topic... upcoming exits signs are incredibly common in California; where else are they present?  Nevada comes to mind, as does Arizona.  where else?

Quote from: kkt on April 11, 2013, 05:21:47 PM

Quote from: Kacie Jane on April 11, 2013, 01:48:57 PM
Obviously 7 is a smaller number than the ones just mentioned, but I've always been intrigued by the signs on I-5 for Bellingham.  It includes 250-257, but not 258, despite the fact that exit 258 serves the airport and the big shopping mall on the north end of town.  It wasn't until just know that I looked at the city limits on Google, and they're drawn so that the entire interchange is just outside city limits (i.e. if you turn right onto Bakerview from the northbound off-ramp, you cross the line virtually immediately, but no part of the interchange or freeway is within the city limits).

I'm pretty sure that Bellingham, Next 7 Exits sign has been there since Bellis Fair Mall was just a gleam in the developer's eye.  It's not an accident that the mall is outside the city limits, of course; that way it's in the lower property tax area of the county.

Jake is correct regarding Bellingham culture (especially when the exchange rate is such that the mall is invaded by Canadian shoppers).  However, the mall is definitely within city limits, as are the WalMart and Costco about a mile further north.

Quote from: Kacie Jane on April 12, 2013, 03:29:42 PM

Quote from: kkt on April 11, 2013, 05:21:47 PM

Quote from: Kacie Jane on April 11, 2013, 01:48:57 PM
Obviously 7 is a smaller number than the ones just mentioned, but I've always been intrigued by the signs on I-5 for Bellingham.  It includes 250-257, but not 258, despite the fact that exit 258 serves the airport and the big shopping mall on the north end of town.  It wasn't until just know that I looked at the city limits on Google, and they're drawn so that the entire interchange is just outside city limits (i.e. if you turn right onto Bakerview from the northbound off-ramp, you cross the line virtually immediately, but no part of the interchange or freeway is within the city limits).

I'm pretty sure that Bellingham, Next 7 Exits sign has been there since Bellis Fair Mall was just a gleam in the developer's eye.  It's not an accident that the mall is outside the city limits, of course; that way it's in the lower property tax area of the county.

Jake is correct regarding Bellingham culture (especially when the exchange rate is such that the mall is invaded by Canadian shoppers).  However, the mall is definitely within city limits, as are the WalMart and Costco about a mile further north.

You're right, that tract was annexed in 1978 http://www.cob.org/services/maps/maps/incorp-annex-hist-map.aspx (http://www.cob.org/services/maps/maps/incorp-annex-hist-map.aspx) and the mall opened in 1988 http://www.trilliumcorp.com/bellis_fair.php (http://www.trilliumcorp.com/bellis_fair.php).  "Bellingham, Next 7 Exits" is still older though  :D

Quote from: kkt on April 12, 2013, 03:57:56 PM"Bellingham, Next 7 Exits" is still older though  :D

Because if we're going solely by whether the interchange itself is within city limits, that sign has been accurate since before the freeway was built.  (Annexation #5 puts Exits 256 & 257 at least partially within city limits, and dates to 1947.)

I'm mainly just baffled as to why (a) Exit 258 wouldn't be included even if it's technically outside city limits, and (b) why annexation #26 on that map looks as if it were drawn to specifically exclude the interchange.

Quote from: agentsteel53 on April 12, 2013, 03:06:43 PM
on that topic... upcoming exits signs are incredibly common in California; where else are they present?  Nevada comes to mind, as does Arizona.  where else?

The signs Agentsteel52 is referring to are called Interchange Sequence signs and they are very common in urban areas of California.  According to the Caltrans' sign specs, there are 6 different variations (G23-1 thru G23-6) of the interchange sequence signs.  Here are some photos of these signs courtesy of the AARoads gallery...

(https://www.aaroads.com/california/images680/i-680_nb_exit_034_03.jpg)
(https://www.aaroads.com/california/images680/i-680_nb_exit_045b_01.jpg)
(https://www.aaroads.com/california/images101/us-101_sb_exit_397_01.jpg)
(https://www.aaroads.com/california/images280/i-280_nb_exit_007_01.jpg)
While most of these signs are placed in the center median, some are located on the right shoulder or mounted on an overpass.

Quote from: agentsteel53 on April 12, 2013, 03:06:43 PM
on that topic... upcoming exits signs are incredibly common in California; where else are they present?  Nevada comes to mind, as does Arizona.  where else?

Washington uses them, but they're not super-duper common.

Quote from: PHLBOS on April 12, 2013, 09:47:23 AM

Quote from: WillWeaverRVA on April 11, 2013, 06:53:07 PM
"Next 4 Exits" would've worked just fine here...

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm3.staticflickr.com%2F2632%2F4065716387_ba12446c09_z.jpg&hash=a35fc8b6baaa93400cac1afa6da7804c810b2957) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/coredesatchikai/4065716387/)

If the exit numbers are mile-marker-based and/or there's not an exit located between the listed ones; yes.

On a road that (still) has sequential-based exit numbers; not necessarily.  Along MA 128 west of the MA 133 interchange (Exit 14); there's a ground-mounted BGS that states Gloucester USE EXITS 14-11-10-9, Exits 13 & 12 (which do exist) are deliberately not included because those roads don't directly serve downtown Gloucester.  In that case, using NEXT XX EXITS BGS would not be appropriate.

I-64 passes just south of Charlottesville, so those literally are the next four exits at that point.

Quote from: Brandon on April 12, 2013, 11:34:40 AM

Quote from: hbelkins on April 11, 2013, 10:51:09 PM
North Carolina uses the word "Interchanges" instead of "Exits." Never really knew why...

Illinois tends to as well, but it isn't consistent, even within IDOT.  Here's a bit of an oddity though,
Westbound on I-80, just past I-355 is the following:
Joliet
NEXT 7 INTERCHANGES

However, just past I-55 on eastbound I-80 is the following:
Joliet
NEXT 8 INTERCHANGES

The interchanges are as follows:
127 - Houbolt Rd / Hollywood Rd
130 A-B - Larkin Ave (IL-7)
131 - Center St (EB) Center St / Meadow Ave (WB)
132 A-B (EB) - Chicago St (US-52/IL-52) 132 (WB) - Chicago St (US-52/IL-53)
133 - Richards St
134 - Briggs St
137 - Maple St (US-30)

For a total of 7 interchanges.

I think the reason why the EB 80 sign says 8 instead of 7 is because of I-355 which does have 1 Joliet exit (US 6 SW Hwy).

Also, the ISTHA uses "exits" for Naperville (3), Aurora (4), Elgin Area (3) and Rockford Area (4 IIRC with the new exit at 173 counting).

Quote from: Kacie Jane on April 12, 2013, 05:00:32 PM

Quote from: kkt on April 12, 2013, 03:57:56 PM"Bellingham, Next 7 Exits" is still older though  :D

Because if we're going solely by whether the interchange itself is within city limits, that sign has been accurate since before the freeway was built.  (Annexation #5 puts Exits 256 & 257 at least partially within city limits, and dates to 1947.)

I'm mainly just baffled as to why (a) Exit 258 wouldn't be included even if it's technically outside city limits, and (b) why annexation #26 on that map looks as if it were drawn to specifically exclude the interchange.

As far as Exit 258, there wasn't very much out there but the airport when the interstate was built, and that's probably when the Next 7 Exits sign was put up.  The airport really isn't what most people think of as part of the city.

Annexation 26 was after the freeway was built.  I guess Bellingham didn't see any need to annex freeway ROW owned by Wash DOT and they didn't want the land on the SW side of I-5 there.

Oregon uses these signs fairly often, also in urban areas. Usually used in conjunction with '(CITY)' EXITS with the next three exit distances, though the city name part seemed to be a short-lived experiment back in the late 90's/early 2000's.

Quote from: myosh_tino on April 11, 2013, 01:50:37 PM
What's interesting is there is no corresponding MUTCD sign code equivalent.

Yes there is, and it's called a NEXT EXITS sign (not a NEXT X EXITS sign as has been suggested).

Quote from: 2003 MUTCD:  Chapter 2E. Guide Signs–Freeways and Expressways



Figure 2E-26. NEXT EXITS Sign

This figure shows a NEXT EXITS sign.

The sign is shown as a horizontal rectangular green sign with white lettering and a white border. The top line shows the word "Springfield." The second line shows the words "NEXT 3 EXITS."

Quote from: 2009 MUTCD:  Chapter 2E. Guide Signs–Freeways and Expressways



Figure 2E-33. NEXT EXITS Sign

This figure shows a NEXT EXITS sign.

The sign is shown as a horizontal rectangular green sign with white lettering and a white border. The top line shows the word "Springfield." The second line shows the words "NEXT 3 EXITS."

Quote from: kphoger on April 13, 2013, 12:57:26 PMYes there is, and it's called a NEXT EXITS sign (not a NEXT X EXITS sign as has been suggested).

"NEXT EXITS" is what the drawing caption says in the 2003 and 2009 editions of MUTCD.  The text, however, says "NEXT XX EXITS" in the 2009 edition and "NEXT X EXITS" in the 2003 edition.

Personally, I think "NEXT XX EXITS" is a less ambiguous label because (1) it matches the syntax of the bottom line and (2) it is more clearly distinguished from "NEXT EXIT" signs, which are a type of supplemental guide sign.

You know I have seen a

       Perry
   Next 2 Exits

sign on I-10 Westbound in Florida approaching Madison CR 14 near Madison, FL when that particular city is several miles away from the interstate.  The first time a city that far off the beaten path with two exits in a row uses that sort of assembly.

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Madison,+FL&hl=en&ll=30.416703,-83.436184&spn=0.051664,0.090981&sll=27.698638,-83.804601&sspn=6.785937,11.645508&oq=madison,+&t=h&hnear=Madison,+Florida&z=13&layer=c&cbll=30.41654,-83.43592&panoid=7O3Qtan40m-Y-kHn-M61sA&cbp=12,345,,1,0

Quote from: hbelkins on April 11, 2013, 10:51:09 PM
North Carolina uses the word "Interchanges" instead of "Exits." Never really knew why...

Northbound I-49/US 167 approaching Opelousas has "Opelousas NEXT 3 INTERCHANGES"...though southbound they use "NEXT 3 EXITS". Seems like LaDOTD couldn't seem to make up their minds.

Maybe those signs are due to having the relative cities as control cities??

Quote from: Anthony_JK on April 13, 2013, 01:29:29 PM

Quote from: hbelkins on April 11, 2013, 10:51:09 PM
North Carolina uses the word "Interchanges" instead of "Exits." Never really knew why...

Northbound I-49/US 167 approaching Opelousas has "Opelousas NEXT 3 INTERCHANGES"...though southbound they use "NEXT 3 EXITS". Seems like LaDOTD couldn't seem to make up their minds.

Maybe those signs are due to having the relative cities as control cities??

Interchanges help when you  have a cloverleaf where only one direction goes there.  Some people might consider A-B exits as two separate and most likely some engineers have different thoughts on it.

For example, in Florida on the Florida Turnpike you have approaching Exits 267 A & B a sign for Winter Garden Next 3 Exits.  They count both 267 ramps as the first two, yet in New Jersey on the Garden State Parkway near Toms River you have a sign that reads:
                 Dover Twp.
                Next 2 Exits
where the first exit is a full cloverleaf with two exits and the second exit being forthcoming Exit 81.

It is all up to those in charge and interpretation.

Quote from: Anthony_JK on April 13, 2013, 01:29:29 PM

Quote from: hbelkins on April 11, 2013, 10:51:09 PM
North Carolina uses the word "Interchanges" instead of "Exits." Never really knew why...

Northbound I-49/US 167 approaching Opelousas has "Opelousas NEXT 3 INTERCHANGES"...though southbound they use "NEXT 3 EXITS". Seems like LaDOTD couldn't seem to make up their minds.

Maybe those signs are due to having the relative cities as control cities??

Virginia uses "next X exits" and "next X interchanges"...uh, interchangeably at times as well.

Quote from: agentsteel53 on April 12, 2013, 03:06:43 PM
on that topic... upcoming exits signs are incredibly common in California; where else are they present?  Nevada comes to mind, as does Arizona.  where else?

Urban areas of Minnesota, Colorado and New Mexico.

Ontario has a neat way of expressing multiple interchanges for an upcoming city especially along the QEW.  It does not say "NEXT" but just lists the amount of interchanges along with the city's population.

Quote from: PHLBOS on April 12, 2013, 11:54:10 AM

Quote from: agentsteel53 on April 12, 2013, 09:55:22 AM

Quote from: PHLBOS on April 12, 2013, 09:47:23 AMthere's not an exit located between the listed ones

that would be some very strange gerrymandering... even if, literally, an intermediate exit is not placed within city limits, it seems plausible that it could serve the city.

While one can get to downtown Gloucester via Concord Street (Exit 13), one clearly can not get there by way of Crafts Road (Exit 12) very easily.  The former exit (at least along 128 northbound) includes Wingaersheek Beach in BGS and the latter exit also includes Rust Island in the BGS.

That particular BGS (& its predecessor(s)) listing the 4 exits to the center of Gloucester has been there since at least 1976.

In this situation wouldn't it be simplest to just list Gloucester on the exit sign for Exit 14, and then after Exit 12 have a "Gloucester Next 3 Exits" sign?

Quote from: deathtopumpkins on April 13, 2013, 05:49:30 PM

Quote from: PHLBOS on April 12, 2013, 11:54:10 AM

Quote from: agentsteel53 on April 12, 2013, 09:55:22 AM

Quote from: PHLBOS on April 12, 2013, 09:47:23 AMthere's not an exit located between the listed ones

that would be some very strange gerrymandering... even if, literally, an intermediate exit is not placed within city limits, it seems plausible that it could serve the city.

While one can get to downtown Gloucester via Concord Street (Exit 13), one clearly can not get there by way of Crafts Road (Exit 12) very easily.  The former exit (at least along 128 northbound) includes Wingaersheek Beach in BGS and the latter exit also includes Rust Island in the BGS.

That particular BGS (& its predecessor(s)) listing the 4 exits to the center of Gloucester has been there since at least 1976.

In this situation wouldn't it be simplest to just list Gloucester on the exit sign for Exit 14, and then after Exit 12 have a "Gloucester Next 3 Exits" sign?

Arkansas used to use Next -- Exits, but has mostly switched to signs showing the exits and how far to each one.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm4.staticflickr.com%2F3313%2F3331438701_51a9bb00a4_z_d.jpg&hash=c185cadc1581dbac4f0c852ccdf20fd383b0b6ff)

Pennsylvania  lists three exits maximum on each sign, however for the fourth exit it will appear on a sign after the first exit thus maintaining another three exit sign.  Then if there should be five or six, after each exit a new sign will appear with thee new set of exits.

To me seeing four places is too much information.

Quote from: Anthony_JK on April 13, 2013, 01:29:29 PM

Quote from: hbelkins on April 11, 2013, 10:51:09 PM
North Carolina uses the word "Interchanges" instead of "Exits." Never really knew why...

Northbound I-49/US 167 approaching Opelousas has "Opelousas NEXT 3 INTERCHANGES"...though southbound they use "NEXT 3 EXITS". Seems like LaDOTD couldn't seem to make up their minds.

Maybe those signs are due to having the relative cities as control cities??

The only other places I can remember having next exits are for Bossier City (5?) Westbound on I-20, for Pineville coming south on the 167 expressway, for West Monroe(5) eastbound on I-20, and I beleieve for Ruston (3) as well

Quote from: US71 on April 13, 2013, 08:44:00 PM

Quote from: deathtopumpkins on April 13, 2013, 05:49:30 PM

Quote from: PHLBOS on April 12, 2013, 11:54:10 AM

Quote from: agentsteel53 on April 12, 2013, 09:55:22 AM

Quote from: PHLBOS on April 12, 2013, 09:47:23 AMthere's not an exit located between the listed ones

that would be some very strange gerrymandering... even if, literally, an intermediate exit is not placed within city limits, it seems plausible that it could serve the city.

While one can get to downtown Gloucester via Concord Street (Exit 13), one clearly can not get there by way of Crafts Road (Exit 12) very easily.  The former exit (at least along 128 northbound) includes Wingaersheek Beach in BGS and the latter exit also includes Rust Island in the BGS.

That particular BGS (& its predecessor(s)) listing the 4 exits to the center of Gloucester has been there since at least 1976.

In this situation wouldn't it be simplest to just list Gloucester on the exit sign for Exit 14, and then after Exit 12 have a "Gloucester Next 3 Exits" sign?

Arkansas used to use Next -- Exits, but has mostly switched to signs showing the exits and how far to each one.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm4.staticflickr.com%2F3313%2F3331438701_51a9bb00a4_z_d.jpg&hash=c185cadc1581dbac4f0c852ccdf20fd383b0b6ff)

Superfluous signage at its worst. US 64 does not cross I-40 at any point in Russellville. All four exits will take you to it, however.

What the hell would you sign the West Main exit as?

Quote from: NE2 on April 15, 2013, 03:19:53 AM
What the hell would you sign the West Main exit as?

ALAN

Quote from: Road Hog on April 15, 2013, 01:59:25 AM

Superfluous signage at its worst. US 64 does not cross I-40 at any point in Russellville. All four exits will take you to it, however.

Yes, well those two exits have been posted as US 64 for many years. The West Main St exit, until a few years ago, was basically a long ramp to US 64. http://goo.gl/maps/jguL7

Of course, I-40 doesn't cross AR 109 in Clarksville, either: ;)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm4.staticflickr.com%2F3068%2F2960037800_6eebf3e8d5_d.jpg&hash=b1f1287e2679d588ae47e1b29e3f6d85b3766111)

Quote from: deathtopumpkins on April 13, 2013, 05:49:30 PM

Quote from: PHLBOS on April 12, 2013, 11:54:10 AMWhile one can get to downtown Gloucester via Concord Street (Exit 13), one clearly can not get there by way of Crafts Road (Exit 12) very easily.  The former exit (at least along 128 northbound) includes Wingaersheek Beach in BGS and the latter exit also includes Rust Island in the BGS.

That particular BGS (& its predecessor(s)) listing the 4 exits to the center of Gloucester has been there since at least 1976.

In this situation wouldn't it be simplest to just list Gloucester on the exit sign for Exit 14, and then after Exit 12 have a "Gloucester Next 3 Exits" sign?

I guess you've never actually been in the area in question.  Exit 12 is located no too far from the western approach/abutment to the Anniquam Bridge crossing.  Guess on my part is that the highway right-of-way between that interchange and the bridge narrows a bit to a point where there may not have been enough room to erect such a sign.  There are no other BGS' in that immediate area along the northbound lanes and the only BGS along the southbound lanes is the overhead exit BGS at Exit 12 iteself (where the right-of-way is wider).

MassDPW's logic of of placing that particular BGS that skips exit numbers (granted, three of them aren't actual interchanges but rather intersections but nonetheless) is to inform motorists well in advance which exits will direct them to the center of Gloucester.

NJ's Rt. 55 Southbound infamous 4 Exit Glassboro Sign. High up on an overpass, with small lettering and Route numbers written out rather than using shields. All relatively unusual in the state.  http://goo.gl/maps/atuAW 

The sign was also posted before the highway was built to the final two locations, giving a sort of sneak preview as to where the next 2 exits were going to be built.

I know there's better pics out there, but this is what is says:

GLASSBORO EXITS
NJ 47              2 MI
NJ 553            5 MI
US 322           8 MI
CO 641        9.5 MI

On NJ Rt. 55 Northbound, a more standard "Glassboro Next 3 Exits" sign exists...but it's below the next exit south from County Rt. 641.  So of the 5 exits designated in total for Glassboro, the only overlapping exits both directions are US 322 & CO 641.

I-471 in Campbell County, KY has the following:

Newport Next 3 Exits: http://goo.gl/maps/wgqsb

Fort Thomas Next 2 Interchanges: http://goo.gl/maps/iZ3V7

One does not exist for Bellevue, Kentucky, even though the last two interchanges in the state do go to that community.

Southbound, this one is technically wrong, as the next 3 exits do indeed serve Newport southbound, but the sign only says 2: http://goo.gl/maps/Qg626

Also, as you approach downtown Cincinnati from the north on I-75, you see this sign for the downtown exits:

http://goo.gl/maps/L37Ee

Quote from: J N Winkler on April 12, 2013, 03:00:40 PM

Quote from: froggie on April 12, 2013, 02:32:40 PMStill, more informative than the "Next X Exits" sign.

This is true, but presumably for reasons of message loading, the MUTCD restricts community interchanges signs to rural or suburban locations with two or three exits.  The "NEXT X EXITS" sign covers cases where there are more than three exits associated with a community or recreational area.

As an aside, the traditional MUTCD example of a community interchanges sign has had "Columbia Exits" as the top line.  In a fit of pedantry (after my own heart), the revisors of the 2009 MUTCD decided that the second word should not be in mixed-case since it is a generic word, so the example sign now reads "Columbia EXITS."

Thanks for that info. I'd always wondered why this sign on the Beltway in Virginia (picture from AARoads), as well as a nearly-identical overhead sign to the left of that barrier on the left side of the picture, lists only three exits and omits the US-1 interchange that serves Old Town Alexandria (the area most people probably think of first if you just say "Alexandria"):

(https://www.aaroads.com/mid-atlantic/virginia095/i-095_nb_exit_173_01.jpg)

As an aside unrelated to this thread, I like that they spelled out "Connector." Last night as we were coming back from Six Flags my wife noted a BGS in Maryland that referred to "Eisenhower Ave Conn" and she wondered whether anyone who doesn't live here would know what it meant.

One of my favs is this sign on both NB and SB I-55 at Lincoln, IL
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.billburmaster.com%2Frmsandw%2Fillinois%2Fimages%2Flincolnexits.jpg&hash=8d98e52752ef20ae4e8e5f4496b6318a23f3de15)

Exits NB are

BUSN Loop I-55/Lincoln
IL 10/121 Lincoln
I-155 Peoria...no Lincoln connection
BUSN Loop I-55/Lincon

Reverse for SB

Quote from: PHLBOS on April 15, 2013, 09:05:04 AM

Quote from: deathtopumpkins on April 13, 2013, 05:49:30 PM

Quote from: PHLBOS on April 12, 2013, 11:54:10 AMWhile one can get to downtown Gloucester via Concord Street (Exit 13), one clearly can not get there by way of Crafts Road (Exit 12) very easily.  The former exit (at least along 128 northbound) includes Wingaersheek Beach in BGS and the latter exit also includes Rust Island in the BGS.

That particular BGS (& its predecessor(s)) listing the 4 exits to the center of Gloucester has been there since at least 1976.

In this situation wouldn't it be simplest to just list Gloucester on the exit sign for Exit 14, and then after Exit 12 have a "Gloucester Next 3 Exits" sign?

I guess you've never actually been in the area in question.  Exit 12 is located no too far from the western approach/abutment to the Anniquam Bridge crossing.  Guess on my part is that the highway right-of-way between that interchange and the bridge narrows a bit to a point where there may not have been enough room to erect such a sign.  There are no other BGS' in that immediate area along the northbound lanes and the only BGS along the southbound lanes is the overhead exit BGS at Exit 12 iteself (where the right-of-way is wider).

MassDPW's logic of of placing that particular BGS that skips exit numbers (granted, three of them aren't actual interchanges but rather intersections but nonetheless) is to inform motorists well in advance which exits will direct them to the center of Gloucester.

I live a few blocks off MA 133 a few miles from there, so I most certainly have been to the area in question. I don't know what I said that indicated my ignorance of the area. I also don't know the exit numbers off the top of my head, but I presumed that Exit 14 was MA 133, and Exits 13 and 12 were the random back roads by the bridge. A quick look at Google Maps confirms this.

I still don't understand why it wouldn't be simplest to just put a "Next 3 Exits" sign after Exit 12. The right-of-way not being wide enough is irrelevant - if MassDOT really wanted people to know how to get to Gloucester, like you say, then put up an overhead sign. Or not even worry about it, since exit 12 is the last actual interchange anyway, and just throw up a "Gloucester ->" sign at Grant Circle, which I'm pretty sure exists anyway.

Quote from: roadman65 on April 13, 2013, 10:01:18 PM
Pennsylvania  lists three exits maximum on each sign, however for the fourth exit it will appear on a sign after the first exit thus maintaining another three exit sign.  Then if there should be five or six, after each exit a new sign will appear with thee new set of exits.
To me seeing four places is too much information.

North of New Stanton, there is this 4-destination sign; though I'm almost positive it was put up by the PTC in conjunction with the Toll-66 freeway.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fmysite.verizon.net%2Fvze3kr2y%2Fsitebuildercontent%2Fsitebuilderpictures%2FGburg_Exits.jpg&hash=86054f130ccfd2c35b726dacc8cbd254efd6e166)

---

Also, some variations (at least in my opinion) of these signs (both from SB I-79):
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fmysite.verizon.net%2Fvze3kr2y%2Fsitebuildercontent%2Fsitebuilderpictures%2FI-79_Split-W_Exits.jpg&hash=7fee36ee4efa99f2ea4746f1f802284e7e09e78e)

Use of Exit numbers to indicate to Washington PA bound traffic which direction to head on I-70.  (This sign omits the I-79/I-70 East duplex, probably since it's mostly just for the local-bound traffic)

And:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fmysite.verizon.net%2Fvze3kr2y%2Fsitebuildercontent%2Fsitebuilderpictures%2FI-68_Mtown_Exits.jpg&hash=740de2d209151f6b392776fccaafcdec8e85158a)

Use of exit destinations & distance to for another interstate highway (since it forms a half-beltway of Morgantown with I-79)

Quote from: deathtopumpkins on April 15, 2013, 01:30:52 PMI still don't understand why it wouldn't be simplest to just put a "Next 3 Exits" sign after Exit 12. The right-of-way not being wide enough is irrelevant - if MassDOT really wanted people to know how to get to Gloucester, like you say, then put up an overhead sign. Or not even worry about it, since exit 12 is the last actual interchange anyway, and just throw up a "Gloucester ->" sign at Grant Circle, which I'm pretty sure exists anyway.

On most highway corridors that approach a large elevated structure (especially if the highway in question predates the Interstate era such as this stretch of 128), the highway's right-of-way narrows down to a point where the width of the right-of-way is not that much wider than the roadway pavement/abutment width.  As a result, there's less room to place either a ground-mounted BGS' or even a concrete foundation for an overhead BGS gantry in the immediate area. 

It's also worth that noting that the stretch of highway between Exit 12 & the bridge has no paved breakdown shoulder and the embankment makes a sharp drop-off elevation-wise.  That said, placing any large signs (never mind a BGS) would be a bit cumbersome and problematic from a constructability standpoint.

While placing a supplemental BGS beyond (east) of the bridge is doable (the road widens back to a normal 4-laner w/a breakdown shoulder just past the bridge) and could be done per your suggestion; it defeats the general purpose of placing an all-inclusive advance exit-listing BGS prior to approaching all of the applicable exits.

To a Gloucester Center-bound motorist that's unfamiliar with the area the current BGS (prior to Exit 14 (MA 133)) not only gives that person a 'heads-up' as towards which exits will get him to his destination but it also (indirectly) tells him which exits not to use.

BTW, there is a Gloucester - Grant Circle (I forget the exact wording) LGS that you mentioned is along the downside (eastern approach) of the bridge approaching Grant Circle/Exit 11/MA 127.  Again, that stretch is not as narrow the western approach so placing signs off to the side of the roadway's not an issue.

IMHO, unless MassDOT plans on converting those circles (I'm including the un-numbered Blackburn Circle) & intersections into interchanges down the road (I doubt it); they shouldn't have even bothered assigning those circles & intersections exit numbers.

Quote from: JMoses24 on April 15, 2013, 09:19:23 AM
I-471 in Campbell County, KY has the following:

Newport Next 3 Exits: http://goo.gl/maps/wgqsb

Fort Thomas Next 2 Interchanges: http://goo.gl/maps/iZ3V7

One does not exist for Bellevue, Kentucky, even though the last two interchanges in the state do go to that community.

Southbound, this one is technically wrong, as the next 3 exits do indeed serve Newport southbound, but the sign only says 2: http://goo.gl/maps/Qg626

The Ft. Thomas sign in the median was taken down last year due to the reconstruction of I-471 NB and has been replaced by a ground-mounted sign on the right side of the road in the same location.  It now says "Ft. Thomas  Next 2 Exits." (on 2 lines)

The cities in Northern Kentucky just seem to run right into each other.  On I-471, exits 2 and 3 are for Ft. Thomas and exits 3, 4, and 5 are for Newport.

Quote from: amroad17 on April 16, 2013, 05:46:18 PM
The Ft. Thomas sign in the median was taken down last year due to the reconstruction of I-471 NB and has been replaced by a ground-mounted sign on the right side of the road in the same location.  It now says "Ft. Thomas  Next 2 Exits." (on 2 lines)

The cities in Northern Kentucky just seem to run right into each other.  On I-471, exits 2 and 3 are for Ft. Thomas and exits 3, 4, and 5 are for Newport.

And 4 and 5 are actually for Bellevue as well.

Quote from: Big John on April 11, 2013, 11:14:45 PM

Quote from: hbelkins on April 11, 2013, 10:51:09 PM
North Carolina uses the word "Interchanges" instead of "Exits." Never really knew why...

Could account for interchanges which have more than 1 exit ramp per direction in it, such as a cloverleaf.  An NC language thing to make it more clear as other states call the whole interchange 1 exit for this purpose.

Mississippi uses "interchanges" on the signs for Brookhaven instead of "exits" (maybe McComb also, I can't remember).  Looking at the signs, it seems to me that the signs would be cheaper if you used the word "exits" because of less metal usage.  There are no cloverleaf interchanges in Brookhaven.

I believe NYSDOT has referred to these types of signs as "regional next exits" signs in the past.  NYSDOT likes to mark regions with these signs, for example,

Tug Hill Region
NEXT 6 EXITS

1000 Islands Region
NEXT 8 EXITS

The Thruway is also big on these, though they're a little different:
Central - Leatherstocking Region
EXITS 27 - 34 A

I've seen "Next 15 Exits" and "Next 16 Exits" in the same general area of Tempe and Mesa, near the Loop 101 and Loop 202 interchange. Some valley freeways have them for specific cities, such as Mesa, Scottsdale, Tempe, and Chandler. I have seen some for the west valley cities.

On a side note, ADOT used to be a lot better with this, as well as city limit signs on some of the freeways. I haven't seen them post any city limit signs on the Loop 202 Santan Freeway.

Winston-Salem, NC uses 'exits' instead of 'interchanges' in the form of "Downtown Next X Exits" signs like this one: http://goo.gl/maps/d9FI4

My favorite "exits" sign is in California: Weed  Next 3 Exits

I swear you can't make this stuff up...LOL!

Rick

LOL WEED LOL LOL LOL

Oh, please! There's always Weed down in SoCal so of course CalTrans puts up a sign that says "Weed, Next 3 Exits"! Makes it plenty obvious to druggies, doesn't it?!

Quote from: Billy F 1988 on June 13, 2013, 07:31:48 PM
Oh, please! There's always Weed down in SoCal so of course CalTrans puts up a sign that says "Weed, Next 3 Exits"! Makes it plenty obvious to druggies, doesn't it?!

Actually the city of Weed is on I-5 in NorCal.  Imagine being a cop in this city and having to wear a badge or patch that says "Weed Police"!

Rick

 :-D Weed Police! Oh, wow. I hope the cops there aren't druggies!

On I-495 in Massachusetts, going north, between Exit 47 and Exit 48, there is "Haverhill: Next 5 exits". Then, after exit 48, "Downtown Haverhill: Next 3 exits".

I-88: Uses "Aurora: Next 4 Exits"
I-90: Uses "Elgin: Next 3 exits"
US-20 Bypass of Rockford: Uses "Rockford: Next 7 Exits"

Gainsville, FL on I-75 NB uses "Gainsville Next 4 Exits" but has the University of Florida  marked as "2nd and 3rd Exits" beneath it.

Orlando, FL on the Florida's Turnpike SB uses "Orlando Next 4 Exits" approaching the Ocoee tangle at Exits 267A & B.  The thing is if one exits at Exit 267 A, it connects with the FL 429 Toll Road which does not go there, and Exit 267B takes you to FL 50 EB (unmarked with follow up guides) that has a directional sign later on directing you to FL 408.  The latter one will bring you back to where the second Orlando exit eventually brings you to.

Lakeland, FL on I-4 WB has "Lakeland Next 6 Exits" when in fact the seventh exit is also signed as Lakeland.

Quote from: roadman65 on April 11, 2013, 02:14:52 PM
In Florida on I-95 there is a sign southbound approaching US 1 near Ormond Beach that states "Holly Hill Next 2 Exits" when in fact the third exit as well serves Holly Hill and is the only exit with a guide that uses that city as a control point.

The sign was actually before the LPGA Boulevard exit was opened when southbound I-95 had to use those first two exits and was never updated even when I-95 was widened to six lanes long after the new interchange was added.

What really interests me the most is further to the west in Ocala there was a sign that read "Ocala Silver Springs Next 3 Exits" and now the Ocala was removed with a new sign with just Silver Springs exclusively and an added Pennsylvania type of exit guide sign for Ocala with the road names with distances to it.  Either way is fine by me, but why have two completely different signing practices for two places that use the same exact exits?

FDOT is really fouled up with the manner in which they mark interstate exits. I-75 Exit #414 is located just about midway between Lake City and High Springs. Yest it is signed for both towns in both directions. Why anyone would drive southbound all the way to 414 to exit for Lake City is just lunacy. The same with northbound for High Springs. Northbound I-75 approaching Exit #399 is a sign reading "High Springs Next 3 Exits". Exits 399 and 404 make sense. But, again, why would anyone in their right mind drive all the way to 414, 12 miles NORTH of High Springs itself, to exit for High Springs. #414 northbound should be signed for Lake City and southbound for High Springs.

Georgia has it right at Exit #185 (GA18). It is signed northbound for Forsyth and southbound for Gray.

More FDOT I-75 signage lunacy: Exit #404 is signed for Lake Butler. Northbound, I guess it makes sense, sort of. But exiting at 414, driving <1 mile north on 41/441 then turning east on FL238 makes far more sense; 238 leads directly to Lake Butler. Southbound, driving all the way to #404, then exiting on CR236 east to FL121 north to Lake Butler is at least 20 miles farther.

Quote from: roadman65 on August 12, 2013, 12:01:08 PM
Gainsville, FL on I-75 NB uses "Gainsville Next 4 Exits" but has the University of Florida  marked as "2nd and 3rd Exits" beneath it.

Ever notice the mileage sign just north of #374 which indicates "Gainesville 18"? Eighteen miles from that sign would put you about halfway between Gainesville Airport and Waldo. It should read 11 miles. The sign is at MM375 - nine miles from Archer Rd (384) which is no more than two miles from UF.

The only way I can get 18 miles from Real Fireworks Left Under Bridge (RIP) to downtown Gainesville is by exiting at SR 26. Someone fucked up.

It's possible that the reason for High Springs next 3 exits is that O'Leno State Park has a High Springs address, and using exit 414 to get there is somewhat reasonable.

Quote from: NE2 on December 07, 2014, 09:40:46 PM
It's possible that the reason for High Springs next 3 exits is that O'Leno State Park has a High Springs address, and using exit 414 to get there is somewhat reasonable.

Interesting point. But that's a stretch, IMO. Although there is a brown sign for O'Lono SP, the exit itself is not signed for it. And that doesn't explain SB being signed for Lake City. Ludicrous.

Is there a southbound Lake City next x exits sign that includes 414? If not, you're already lost by the time you get there, so there's no harm in signing it.

Quote from: NE2 on December 08, 2014, 12:28:19 AM
Is there a southbound Lake City next x exits sign that includes 414? If not, you're already lost by the time you get there, so there's no harm in signing it.

Good question. I can't say for certain since I seldom travel north of Lake City (unless I'm going to Atlanta on business). But if an extra 20-25 miles is of no concern to you, by all means, drive to #414 to get to there. But 404 to Lake Butler? NFW - especially southbound.

As I pointed out, Georgia did it right on I-75 at SR18 in Forsyth.