Traffic control devices the U.S. borrowed from Europe

[Pink Jazz]

I was thinking, could anyone think of some traffic control devices that the U.S. borrowed from Europe that are now standard installation?

One of them that seems to come to mind are lane control signals (red X/green down arrow).  Another one is symbolic pedestrian signals, although modified (raised hand instead of standing man, as well as Portland Orange/Lunar White instead of Red/Green).

EDIT: Oops, wrong forum.  Please move to Traffic Control forum.

[NE2]

The English language.

[Pink Jazz]

The English language.

Of course, Vienna Convention road signs are far less verbose than those of the MUTCD, using more pictograms rather than words.

[WashuOtaku]

Driving on the right, thanks France! 

[jakeroot]

Fairly certain these were European inventions:

- Zebra crosswalks
- Shark-teeth yield lines
- Roundabouts
- High-visibility signal backplates (chiefly white in Europe but the concept is the same)
- Diverging-diamond interchange

[Brandon]

Driving on the right, thanks France! 

Actually, we developed that on our own.  The first law of any type regarding the side traffic should stay to was in 1792.

[jakeroot]

Driving on the right, thanks France! 

Actually, we developed that on our own.  The first law of any type regarding the side traffic should stay to was in 1792.

Before that, some places drove on the left due to British Influence. Hell, parts of Canada were staying to the left as late as 1940.

[US 41]

- Roundabouts

I wish they would've kept these over there. I find it annoying when you have some people that don't know what they're doing when they approach these. I also find many roundabouts to be too small. I know that most semi truck drivers do not like them at all. Studies also show that their are more accidents in a roundabout intersection than a traditional intersection (however a traditional intersection has more accidents that are fatal or cause serious injuries).

[jakeroot]

- Roundabouts

I wish they would've kept these over there. I find it annoying when you have some people that don't know what they're doing when they approach these. I also find many roundabouts to be too small. I know that most semi truck drivers do not like them at all. Studies also show that their are more accidents in a roundabout intersection than a traditional intersection (however a traditional intersection has more accidents that are fatal or cause serious injuries).

We need another thread to debate roundabouts.

[roadman]

In the mid 1960s, there were parts of the Back Bay in Boston where European style signs were installed as an experiment.  IIRC, some of the guide signs remained in place until the early 1980s.

[PHLBOS]

In the mid 1960s, there were parts of the Back Bay in Boston where European style signs were installed as an experiment.  IIRC, some of the guide signs remained in place until the early 1980s.

I saw one of those signs (complete with C-9 & C-28 references) as late as 1990.

[1995hoo]

Maryland used to have some white-on-blue round arrow signs posted on some of their roundabouts (the ones near the Naylor Road Metrorail stop come to mind). I used to see them out the window of the Metro trains between about 2008 and early 2010 (I recall the time frame because the only time I road the trains on that segment was when Nationals Park first opened, before I found reliable cheap parking near the ballpark). They've been replaced with US-spec signage.

[Pete from Boston]

In the mid 1960s, there were parts of the Back Bay in Boston where European style signs were installed as an experiment.  IIRC, some of the guide signs remained in place until the early 1980s.

I saw one of those signs (complete with C-9 & C-28 references) as late as 1990.

Still on Arlington St. well into the 2000s, but apparently now gone, according to GMSV.

[NE2]

Yes, these lasted at least to 2001-02:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/41203461@N00/8431698259/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/41203461@N00/8432779488/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/41203461@N00/8431688719/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/41203461@N00/8431685933/

[PHLBOS]

Yes, these lasted at least to 2001-02:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/41203461@N00/8431698259/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/41203461@N00/8432779488/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/41203461@N00/8431688719/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/41203461@N00/8431685933/

Thank you for the links.

The third sign photo in your listing is clearly one from the late 60s and the ones that Roadman, Pete & I were referring to. 

The other sign photos you posted sporting European-like styling are at least a decade or two newer.

[jakeroot]

Maryland used to have some white-on-blue round arrow signs posted on some of their roundabouts (the ones near the Naylor Road Metrorail stop come to mind). I used to see them out the window of the Metro trains between about 2008 and early 2010 (I recall the time frame because the only time I road the trains on that segment was when Nationals Park first opened, before I found reliable cheap parking near the ballpark). They've been replaced with US-spec signage.

June 2014 GMSV still has them as being installed. I'm guessing they have been replaced since then? They look pretty cool, although I would have mounted them lower, closer to where the chevrons are typically installed. Raised up on a post like that looks a bit strange IMO.

[KEK Inc.]

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.986703,-104.824318,3a,46.9y,79.13h,83.53t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sK6nKKN2Su4uPa7ovlDaUpg!2e0

[jakeroot]

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.986703,-104.824318,3a,46.9y,79.13h,83.53t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sK6nKKN2Su4uPa7ovlDaUpg!2e0

Pre-MUTCD roundabout signage is one of the most fascinating things.

EDIT: like the bollard here...

[KEK Inc.]

I think this was installed after 2009.  Pretty sure it's a play on the town name, Brighton. 


iPhone

[riiga]

Maryland used to have some white-on-blue round arrow signs posted on some of their roundabouts (the ones near the Naylor Road Metrorail stop come to mind). I used to see them out the window of the Metro trains between about 2008 and early 2010 (I recall the time frame because the only time I road the trains on that segment was when Nationals Park first opened, before I found reliable cheap parking near the ballpark). They've been replaced with US-spec signage.

June 2014 GMSV still has them as being installed. I'm guessing they have been replaced since then? They look pretty cool, although I would have mounted them lower, closer to where the chevrons are typically installed. Raised up on a post like that looks a bit strange IMO.

Nice!



I'm pretty sure 2+1 roads can be added to the list, though I only know of one in use in the US.

I know there's one (albeit without barriers) in Missouri on MO-5 between Lebanon and Camdenton. MoDOT made a video about it too.

[1995hoo]

Maryland used to have some white-on-blue round arrow signs posted on some of their roundabouts (the ones near the Naylor Road Metrorail stop come to mind). I used to see them out the window of the Metro trains between about 2008 and early 2010 (I recall the time frame because the only time I road the trains on that segment was when Nationals Park first opened, before I found reliable cheap parking near the ballpark). They've been replaced with US-spec signage.

June 2014 GMSV still has them as being installed. I'm guessing they have been replaced since then? They look pretty cool, although I would have mounted them lower, closer to where the chevrons are typically installed. Raised up on a post like that looks a bit strange IMO.

That's wild. Last time I went through there, the other roundabout down the road had gone to US-style signs.

I rather like the European arrows there. I don't think there's any reason for the US to insist on reinventing signage that has been shown to work perfectly well.

[cpzilliacus]

The DO NOT ENTER (R5-1) sign is directly adapted from a European design.

U.S.:


Sweden:

[Pink Jazz]

The DO NOT ENTER (R5-1) sign is directly adapted from a European design.

And actually, I think the current Yield sign was modified from a European design as well.  Yield signs in the United States were previously yellow and originally were keystone shaped with the words "YIELD RIGHT OF WAY".  The second revision changed the shape to a triangle.  The third revision removed the words "RIGHT OF WAY", and the current red/white color scheme was adopted in 1969.

[jakeroot]

The DO NOT ENTER (R5-1) sign is directly adapted from a European design.

U.S.:
http://www.trafficsign.us/650/reg/r5-1.gif

Sweden:
http://www.transportstyrelsen.se/Vagmarken/Forbudsmarken/C1/C1-1/laddahem/C1-1.png

Additional proof -- Canada (sorry for ridiculous size):

[Jardine]

Maybe borrow something else from England:

Install gibbets (with rotting corpses) near dangerous intersections to inspire caution.