Logo signs in urban areas - for or against?

[cpzilliacus]

Many urban areas do not even have tall mast signs that usually appear at most interchanges that we rely on.  This is another factor to consider. 

My hometown was one that had an ordinance against high signs facing the Garden State Parkway after Howard Johnson put theirs up.  The Ramada Inn (now Holiday Inn) could not put up such an assembly when opening in 1974.  So signs like these would help a situation like the Ramada faced (as the GSP is a toll road not ever considering these logo signs) in a big way.

A lot of toll roads do feature logo signs for hotels. For example, NYSTA has logophobia (not wanting to undermine service plazas), even past the last service areas (west of Angola, south of Ramapo, or EB Berkshire Spur). Yet, they typically post logo signs for hotels and attractions, as there are no such facilities present at service areas (unlike much of Europe).

The New Jersey Turnpike Authority has similar practices, especially on the Turnpike (not sure if it holds true on all of the Garden State Parkway, since I have not driven all of it).

[cpzilliacus]

I am very much in favor of logo signage on all (or very nearly all) freeways, be they toll roads or "free" roads. 

Only exception - I might be persuaded that they should not be used in core areas of large cities.

[Pete from Boston]

I am very much in favor of logo signage on all (or very nearly all) freeways, be they toll roads or "free" roads. 

Only exception - I might be persuaded that they should not be used in core areas of large cities.

In a lot of cases, they simply don't fit.  There are miles of highway here where they'd need to be on gantries or not at all.

In a handful of years, when signs can reliably be designed around laggards catching up and getting smartphones or nav systems, this conversation is going to seem quaint.   

[riiga]

These are not the same thing as U.S. logo signage (full disclosure: I have driven a lot in Sweden and speak the language fluently).

These are more analogous to the signage that one would see approaching a toll road service plaza (such "full service" rest stops with food and fuel are almost unknown in the U.S. except on motorways where a toll is charged - though they can be found on "free" motorways in some Canadian provinces).

True, but they serve the same function, namely informing drivers of nearby services using logos and placing them in a category. The reason we don't use them more here is that our cities aren't built around the car in the same way. The US often has a large concentration of various services, like gas and food near major intersections in urban and suburban areas, while in Sweden and most of Europe those are confined to major national roads, or there's a gas station at most which hardly requires extensive logo signing near a major intersection.

[NE2]

riiga: how would it work in Sweden where there are multiple exits in quick succession, each with different brands available?

[mrsman]

I am also in favor of using the logo signs in urban areas.  But I would take exception in areas where there are many closely spaced exits, as in many downtown areas.  The logo sign may just add to the clutter.  Plus, in many downtowns, there are few if any gas stations, hotels are very pricey, and restaurants tend to also be pricey and may not have easy parking.

But general urban areas like Phoenix, I don't believe that this is a problem near most highway exits, as even the urban parts of town (outside of Downtown) have a relatively suburban feel and aren't like Manhattan or the Chicago Loop.

[cpzilliacus]

I am very much in favor of logo signage on all (or very nearly all) freeways, be they toll roads or "free" roads. 

Only exception - I might be persuaded that they should not be used in core areas of large cities.

In a lot of cases, they simply don't fit.  There are miles of highway here where they'd need to be on gantries or not at all.

In a handful of years, when signs can reliably be designed around laggards catching up and getting smartphones or nav systems, this conversation is going to seem quaint.

At a significant number of interchanges along (the relatively few) freeways in the District of Columbia, there is little or nothing in the way of motorist services. 

One significant exception is Pennsylvania Avenue, S.E. east of D.C. 295.

[Pink Jazz]

Sorry to bump an old thread, but just as an update, as of May 2016, ADOT has actually recently installed more logo signs a bit closer to Downtown Phoenix on I-10 and I-17, as well as SR 143.  ADOT must have really good engineers that were able to fit these logo signs without conflicting with other signs.  Prior to May 2016, they were not installed on I-10 from 35th Avenue to Baseline Road, I-17 south of Dunlap, nor on SR 143.

Also, the City of Glendale has recommended to ADOT to expand the urban logo sign program to non-freeway state-maintained roads, specifically along US 60 Grand Avenue.  Currently, logo sign installation for non-freeway state roads remains only in rural areas.

[swbrotha100]

I don't mind them in urban areas. Didn't realize until recently that other metro areas besides Phoenix and Tucson have them on their highways.

[kphoger]

I don't mind service logo signs in urban areas if the business is immediately off the highway.  But advertising businesses that are three or four stoplights away from the exit is not really helpful.

[Pink Jazz]

I don't mind them in urban areas. Didn't realize until recently that other metro areas besides Phoenix and Tucson have them on their highways.

As a general rule, Sun Belt states and other states of rapid population growth (California being the major exception) are more likely to have logo signs in major urban areas, since their freeways are generally newer with wider shoulders and less densely spaced exits.  Examples of such cities include Atlanta, Orlando, Denver, Las Vegas, and most major cities in Texas, among others.

One thing that bothers me is why logo signs won't be installed on Albuquerque freeways.  If Phoenix and Tucson can have them, I don't see why Albuquerque can't; I think there is ample space for logo signs on most of Albuquerque's freeways with the possible exception of I-25 near Downtown.