Road-related Trivia Questions

[OracleUsr]

I should have said "interchanges"...this is one of them, though, yes.  I prefer the highlighting personally, makes the word LEFT stand out better.  Amazingly, GoogleMaps does not have that area up to date.

There are 3 more like it, and one that isn't (I guess technically the one that isn't is to the 2004 standard)

[Occidental Tourist]

How many pits are in a pear?

[PHLBOS]

I know where two of the non-standard left exit tabs are. I-85 southbound, where US 1 turns away from it for good.




The "left" portion of the banner is not black-on-yellow. I'd rather this be the standard, honestly.

IIRC, isn't that the 2003 MUTCD standard (LEFT but no yellow)?  The required yellow only existed since the 2009 MUTCD.

[OracleUsr]

Perhaps, but the sign shown was done after 2009, as were the other ones I'm referring to.

And 2004 had the version Massachusetts uses, IIRC.

[PHLBOS]

Perhaps, but the sign shown was done after 2009, as were the other ones I'm referring to.

How soon after 2009 were those BGS' erected?  It's possible that the design documents & specs. for those BGS may have predated the 2009 MUTCD but were erected afterwards.  Word of the change to yellow-out the LEFT banner may have come too late for these particular BGS'.

And 2004 had the version Massachusetts uses, IIRC.

The previous MUTCD is from 2003 and the left tabs match what's shown in the earlier-posted photos.

MassDOT's full-yellow over the LEFT message design, didn't start making the scene on Bay State highways until after 2009.  Roadman can confirm when MassDOT actually spec'd out their design but I believe it was after or in-tandem with the current 2009 MUTCD.

Real-life example of MassDOT's LEFT Exit Tab design:

[roadman]

Perhaps, but the sign shown was done after 2009, as were the other ones I'm referring to.

How soon after 2009 were those BGS' erected?  It's possible that the design documents & specs. for those BGS may have predated the 2009 MUTCD but were erected afterwards.  Word of the change to yellow-out the LEFT banner may have come too late for these particular BGS'.

And 2004 had the version Massachusetts uses, IIRC.

The previous MUTCD is from 2003 and the left tabs match what's shown in the earlier-posted photos.

MassDOT's full-yellow over the LEFT message design, didn't start making the scene on Bay State highways until after 2009.  Roadman can confirm when MassDOT actually spec'd out their design but I believe it was after or in-tandem with the current 2009 MUTCD.

Real-life example of MassDOT's LEFT Exit Tab design:

MassDOT's LEFT Exit tab design was first spec'd out in 2004, shortly after Massachusetts' adoption of the 2003 MUTCD.  The spec was in response to the "all green" left exit tab in the 2003 MUTCD.  The first left exit in Massachusetts to use the new tab is in New Bedford on Route 140 south at MA 18 - Exit 6 - the signs were installed about 2006.

[PHLBOS]

MassDOT's LEFT Exit tab design was first spec'd out in 2004, shortly after Massachusetts' adoption of the 2003 MUTCD.  The spec was in response to the "all green" left exit tab in the 2003 MUTCD.  The first left exit in Massachusetts to use the new tab is in New Bedford on Route 140 south at MA 18 - Exit 6 - the signs were installed about 2006.

Thanks for the info. & clarification.  Good to know. 

The last time I was along that stretch of MA 140 was either 2004 or 2005 with my older brother during a weekend visit; which is why I never saw that new BGS.

It appears the yellow LEFT tab of the MA 140/18/Exit 6 BGS features a full-black border around the LEFT lettering vs. the 3-sided black border on the posted I-95/MA 128/Exit 45 BGS.

MA 140/18/Exit 6 BGS
http://goo.gl/maps/ooGeh

Was there a change to MassDOT specs regarding the black border between 2006 and today?

Either way, like you, I prefer the MassDOT approach to Left Exit tabs than the current MUTCD spec.

[OracleUsr]

Okay, gonna finish this thread off with my answers.

1.  Yes, the Exit 220 (Randleman Road) was the correct answer.  It was at one time US 220 South, but this was when I-40 ended at I-85.  There was an Exit 220 for US 220 later on, when I-40 moved onto what is now I-73, but it was changed to Exit 95-I-73/US 220 South

2.  Here are the non-yellow bannered exits:

As shown several times, Exit 218 for US 1 between Henderson and Norlina off I-85 South
Exit 219 off I-40 West for Bus I-85/US 29 South US 70 West
(now compliant, but not when this question was asked) Exit 246 off US 74 East in Charlotte for NC 27 East
Exit 46B off I-40 East for I-26W/I-240E

The answer to the Georgia question was raised caps.  However, GA also has a sign assembly similar to the one in NC (Exit 165 off I-75 Southbound for I-16 Eastbound in Macon).

[Rothman]

It only took two years?

[noelbotevera]

What Pennsylvania route serves Hersheypark?

What is the road that runs alongside I-81 between exits 20 and 24 (in PA)?

What US route is a freeway in Hershey?

What is the longest bridge that crosses the Susquehanna River near Harrisburg?

Where is an old button copy sign that hanged after a sign replacement on I-81 north?

Hope you're from PA!

[roadman]

Which two routes in Massachusetts are in only one city, have one end at I-93, and cross MA 28 in the middle?

I'm guessing Route 213 in Methuen and Route 203 in Boston.