Practices in One State You'd Like to See in Other States

[NE2]

Hell, Florida has 60 on a lot of two-lanes. Nothing wrong as long as sight lines are good.
http://www.itoworld.com/map/124#fullscreen&lat=29.7&lon=-82.5&zoom=9 (60-65 is light blue; all the two-lanes are max 60)

[Scott5114]

I don't know if any state does this, but I'd like to see a nationwide BAN on any Highway Gothic Series C lettering that predates the 2005 release of Highway Gothic fonts for non-Street Name guide signs.

On what grounds? The version of Series C that Iowa uses is actually better than the federal Series C, if you ask me.

[hbelkins]

\\
Cap the speed limit on all two-lane highways at 55 max, and on non-interstate highways at 60 max, which are the maxes on SC's highways.

Why?

[D-Dey65]

Here are some practices I like that I wish the other states would do:

Yellow crossroad/signal ahead/stop sign ahead signs have the name of the upcoming road Illinois and sometimes Indiana does those especially on main roads in rural/suburban areas.

Georgia (GDOT) also does this.  Counties there sometmes do but more spotty, with Cobb County putting the street name above the warning sign.

Florida does it too, mainly on local and county roads. I've got to get a picture of one on Powell Road in rural Hernando County just west of Spring Lake.

[Brandon]

I don't know if any state does this, but I'd like to see a nationwide BAN on any Highway Gothic Series C lettering that predates the 2005 release of Highway Gothic fonts for non-Street Name guide signs.

On what grounds? The version of Series C that Iowa uses is actually better than the federal Series C, if you ask me.

Personally, I'd like to see a comeback of the custom or slightly custom fonts.  Variety is fun.

[jeffandnicole]

Cap the speed limit on all two-lane highways at 55 max, and on non-interstate highways at 60 max, which are the maxes on SC's highways. Interstate speed limits should be 85 mph, or whatever Texas implements should they increase the speed limit even higher.

So the Garden State Parkway, Delaware Route 1, and half the NJ Turnpike (along with dozens of other non-interstate designated highways) should be limited to 60 mph because it doesn't have a federal number designation?

[wxfree]

Cap the speed limit on all two-lane highways at 55 max, and on non-interstate highways at 60 max, which are the maxes on SC's highways. Interstate speed limits should be 85 mph, or whatever Texas implements should they increase the speed limit even higher.

I wouldn't mind seeing the Texas practice for speed limits on all roads spread.  If you haven't done so, you should drive across the west before suggesting a 55 mph cap.  I think 75 is about right for two-lane roads.  Not all of them, but as a maximum limit to be applied where suitable.  TxDOT has been setting 75 mph speed limits on two-lane roads where it appears to be actually suitable, and not just as a blanket practice on all roads.  It's nice to see speed limits set by engineering judgement rather than politics.  I think 75 is also good for well-traveled rural Interstates, while 80 and 85 are suitable for those that are straight and lightly, or very lightly, traveled.

On the other side, I'd like to see reasonable speed limits combined with strict enforcement.  No more "75 means 85" or "85 means 90."  If we're going to set speed limits, they need to be reasonable, and they need to be actual limits.  Setting speed limits too low and then not enforcing them breeds disrespect for the law.  I think Texas is taking a step in the right direction, and we now need to see strict enforcement and no tolerance.

[vdeane]

Cap the speed limit on all two-lane highways at 55 max, and on non-interstate highways at 60 max, which are the maxes on SC's highways. Interstate speed limits should be 85 mph, or whatever Texas implements should they increase the speed limit even higher.

I can think of plenty of two lane roads that could use faster than 55, and that's just in NY.  Why are you so obsessed with making artificially low limits lower?

[myosh_tino]

Cap the speed limit on all two-lane highways at 55 max, and on non-interstate highways at 60 max, which are the maxes on SC's highways.

Ummm... why?  Just because a freeway doesn't have an interstate number doesn't necessarily mean it's an inferior road.  California has a number of non-interstate freeways (portions of or entire lengths of CA-1, 2, 4, 13, 17, 24, 60, 58, 84, 85, 87, 91, 92, 99, 118, 134, 170, 237, 242, and on and on and on) and you want the speed limits on these roads capped at 60 MPH just because they're not "Interstates"?!?!?  For the most part, all freeways carry a 65 MPH speed limit unless conditions warrant a lower limit.  Rural sections of CA-99 carry a 70 MPH limit.  Also, many of California's freeways are built to interstate specifications.

[TheStranger]

Also, many of California's freeways are built to interstate specifications.

Another way to look at it:

Most of California's state route freeways (except for Route 110 north of the Four-Level, and unsigned Route 51/Business 80 between US 50 and Foothill Farms) are much closer to Interstate standard than Interstate 80 in San Francisco.

[kkt]

Also, many of California's freeways are built to interstate specifications.

Another way to look at it:

Most of California's state route freeways (except for Route 110 north of the Four-Level, and unsigned Route 51/Business 80 between US 50 and Foothill Farms) are much closer to Interstate standard than Interstate 80 in San Francisco.

Yes, I-80 in San Francisco is the poster child for substandard interstates.  The posted speed limit is 50, and it would not be a good idea to raise it.  No shoulders, poor sightlines, poor merging distances, excessively frequent entrances and exits.  50 is still about 40 mph faster than you could go on city streets, though.

Another example, not quite so bad, is I-5 between Redding and Weed as it goes over Shasta Dam and through the mountains.    Many, many turns marked at 50 mph.  I think speed limit is 65 between the turns, and it certainly shouldn't be raised.  Possibly should be lowered for December and January because of frequent frost and snow.

[kphoger]

Here are some practices I like that I wish the other states would do:

Yellow crossroad/signal ahead/stop sign ahead signs have the name of the upcoming road Illinois and sometimes Indiana does those especially on main roads in rural/suburban areas.

Having spent my earliest years (when I developed roadgeekiness) in Illinois, it never occurred to me until reading this thread that not everywhere uses the yellow plaque for the street name.  I've seen white-on-green before and just assumed it was a mistake every time.  It's a very useful thing when giving directions to someone.  When someone from out of town is doing 55 mph, looking for the right crossroad, it's very helpful to give some advance notice.

[sandwalk]

Here are some practices I like that I wish the other states would do:

Yellow crossroad/signal ahead/stop sign ahead signs have the name of the upcoming road Illinois and sometimes Indiana does those especially on main roads in rural/suburban areas. Hardly ever in the city of Chicago except on Lake Shore Dr between Columbus Dr and Randolph St. It looks like these.

Green streetsigns on signals with both the "local name" and the route number Illinois does this mainly in Chicagoland like this on in Lockport at IL 171/State St and IL 7/9th St. http://www.landmarks.org/hcih/images/933-935-Sout-State-Street_Lockport-lg.jpg or like this one in Aurora. http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&tbo=d&biw=1404&bih=739&tbm=isch&tbnid=qtbstW_D3J30PM:&imgrefurl=http://www.billburmaster.com/rmsandw/illinois/state/il25kane.html&docid=3ff70Aeik0CzxM&imgurl=http://www.billburmaster.com/rmsandw/illinois/images/il25broad.jpg&w=414&h=279&ei=EurhUIzCKofj2QXw64CwCA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=788&vpy=236&dur=823&hovh=184&hovw=274&tx=140&ty=95&sig=114410953852498010262&page=1&tbnh=137&tbnw=237&start=0&ndsp=28&ved=1t:429,r:25,s:0,i:169

We have the yellow crossroad/signal signs with the upcoming street listed on them in many of the outer/suburban areas of Rockford, IL. 

The city does have massive street name signs mounted on nearly all of the traffic signal mast arms....you can usually read the text half a block away!  Here's an example:
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=mulford+%26+newberg+rockford+il&hl=en&ll=42.252791,-89.026873&spn=0.004868,0.006899&sll=45.402307,-122.742004&sspn=0.587206,0.883026&t=h&gl=us&hnear=S+Mulford+Rd+%26+Newburg+Rd,+Rockford,+Winnebago,+Illinois+61108&z=17&layer=c&cbll=42.252791,-89.028828&panoid=yBxJACyDc7vF29d_hazRFw&cbp=12,2.77,,1,-9.07

And for state highways, particularly toward the edge of town on IL Route 70, the state highway number is listed on the street sign (in place of the block number).  Some signs for State Street / BUS US 20 (as it's stylized) are like this on the far west side of Rockford.
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=rockford+il&ll=42.314028,-89.134322&spn=0.003416,0.003449&hnear=Rockford,+Winnebago,+Illinois&gl=us&t=h&z=18&layer=c&cbll=42.314093,-89.13523&panoid=DE1GQ520EPlnl2yGPMiiTQ&cbp=12,98.38,,2,-4.12

[roadman]

The black on yellow colors for street name tabs (where provided) are required by the MUTCD.  Having stated that, I agree with others on this thread that they should be white on green.

I also maintain that the street name signs at intersections themselves should always be white on green (local preferences or "historic" districts notwithstanding).

[kphoger]

I like Kentucky's habit of signing exits 2 miles in advance, rather than 1 mile in advance as is the habit in Illinois.

[sp_redelectric]

I like this practice that's common in California and rare here in Washington:  On urban arterials, posting a big green sign midblock

Portland has installed "(Street Name) Next Signal" signs for decades; while they are slowly fading away, ODOT has begun installing them on state highways in the Metro area.

[roadman65]

Florida could use for temporary road signs in construction area work zones, when the normal signs need to be temporarily removed so workers can do their thing.  Many intersections and ramps to freeways are missing trailblazing during road projects due to the signs being in the imediate work area.  So many do not know that the unmarked turn is leading on to a freeway or a toll highway, or even the route that the motorist may need.

In some cases, portable VMSes are brought out to replace exit guide signs in road widening projects.  Even though it is something, many other states erect moveable signs that workers can easily plant nearby when working in the area of the sign.  New Jersey and Pennsylvania use Orange guide signs during work periods and sometimes I have seen NJDOT use small lgses during construction until the new permanent signs are erected at the end of the project.

Also, FDOT does not like to post information signs letting motorists know about the nature of the project.  Many states tell you what the new road will be, or the type of improvements that are being made.  When FL 429 was constructed, no large project signs letting you know what was being done or what the new highway will be, as my home state of New Jersey will tell you what interstate or state route is being constructed and the costs, project summary, etc.

[NE2]

Also, FDOT does not like to post information signs letting motorists know about the nature of the project.  Many states tell you what the new road will be, or the type of improvements that are being made.  When FL 429 was constructed, no large project signs letting you know what was being done or what the new highway will be, as my home state of New Jersey will tell you what interstate or state route is being constructed and the costs, project summary, etc.

WTF? I see FDOT (and Orange County) signs all the time with completion date. SR 429 is OOCEA.
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=28.450797,-81.392151&spn=0.017206,0.033023&gl=us&t=m&z=16&layer=c&cbll=28.450797,-81.392151&panoid=moOGECrDBUDIqWaOzyLtiQ&cbp=12,232.13,,2,-0.2

[A.J. Bertin]

I can't stand numerically-based exit numbers. I wish every state's exit numbers were mileage-based. It drives me crazy when I'm driving out east somewhere and it's, say, 15 miles between Exit 6 and Exit 7. It's so nice to be able to easily compute how many more miles it is to your exit.

[KEK Inc.]

I can't stand numerically-based exit numbers. I wish every state's exit numbers were mileage-based. It drives me crazy when I'm driving out east somewhere and it's, say, 15 miles between Exit 6 and Exit 7. It's so nice to be able to easily compute how many more miles it is to your exit.

Numerical exit numbers still exist in 2013?  The only one I can think of is I-78 in New York, but that's intentional since it's just a round-a-bout after the tunnel.  I think it would have been better if they just did Exit A-E instead of Exit 1-5, though.

[elsmere241]

Numerical exit numbers still exist in 2013?  The only one I can think of is I-78 in New York, but that's intentional since it's just a round-a-bout after the tunnel.  I think it would have been better if they just did Exit A-E instead of Exit 1-5, though.

Around here, in lots of places: Delaware (except DE 1 which uses kilometers), Maryland (on I-695), New Jersey (on the Turnpike), New York, most of New England, possibly a few short freeways in Virginia.

[1995hoo]

Numerical exit numbers still exist in 2013?  The only one I can think of is I-78 in New York, but that's intentional since it's just a round-a-bout after the tunnel.  I think it would have been better if they just did Exit A-E instead of Exit 1-5, though.

Around here, in lots of places: Delaware (except DE 1 which uses kilometers), Maryland (on I-695), New Jersey (on the Turnpike), New York, most of New England, possibly a few short freeways in Virginia.

I-395 in Virginia definitely has sequential numbers, as do I-395 and I-295 in DC. In all three cases the exits are close enough together that the sequential numbering is probably easier for most people to follow than the mileage-based due to the latter's need for excessive suffixed numbers, especially when the existing exit numbers are already suffixed (up to "D," in one case).

I haven't been to Hampton Roads, Roanoke, or Bristol in a long time and so I don't know whether the shorter routes there use sequential numbers. Takumi would probably know as to Hampton Roads.

[KEVIN_224]

Still sequential on any interstate here in Connecticut as well: I-84/I-91/I-95/I-384/I-291/I-691/I-395 (I-684 passes through Greenwich with no exit on that stretch.)

[mgk920]

Big Rig Steve just posted several real-time video clips of a drive that he made on I-95, NH 101, I-93, etc. a couple of weeks ago on Youtube and the interchange numbers in New Hampshire are all sequential, not distance-based.

Mike

[kphoger]

I never really pay attention to exit numbers in urban areas anyway, navigating instead by street name.  It's only in rural areas that I go by exit numbers.