The Worst of Road Signs

[Avalanchez71]

These bastards are popping up in Tennessee.

https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=35.636921,-87.016847&spn=0.007612,0.016512&sll=36.159213,-86.782293&sspn=0.007597,0.016512&oq=nashville+hwy+&hnear=Nashville+Hwy,+Columbia,+Tennessee+38401&t=m&z=17&layer=c&cbll=35.636846,-87.016904&panoid=9gmRgbpa-pmiUIOsLB1Urw&cbp=12,248.37,,1,0

Fixed it for you.  Or, rather, for mobile device users.  See also: https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=5716.0

Thanks.  I just emailed TDOT over these and then I also cc the email over the Chairman of the House Transportation Committee to see what is the deal with these bastards.

Just three years ago, this is what was there:

That's the only reason I took a detour to Columbia in 2010. Glad I got in before the change; I would have been furious. (My photo, on 412 WB: http://www.flickr.com/photos/therealkurumi/5232317292/in/set-72157625403354483)

I got TDOT to replace the bastard text only sign with regular signs.  They did screw up the font, however.

Here is the fix.

[Avalanchez71]

Looks like TDOT took my suggestion with installing a Begin US 412 and End US 412 sign since the road seamlessly transitions from US 412 to SR 99 (marked and not hidden) at I-65.  They installed Begin and End shields, however, I was only able to take a picture of the begin that day.  I will get the end over the weekend.  However, look at how they marked the begin.

[Android]

I just got back from a road trip, and while I did see a few annoying signs along the way, I didn't bother to try to take any pictures.  Only when I was on the end of my journey did I fire up my camera - here is one of a couple of bad US 6 signs I spotted while travelling down CO23 in Holyoke, CO:



And a couple of days later I find myself driving through Laramie, WY, and reminded of the "tiny 287" signs that WYDOT puts up all over the state.  These annoy me, they are using series C and they could easily have the 287 quite a bit larger on their shields! 

This example has signs with date codes of 1998:



I somehow thought that WYDOT would change their minds about those 287 signs, but these examples from 2009 still show the "tiny 287":



Really, WHY do they have to use such small numbers for 287??   

It was really easy for me to edit that previous image with more appropriate sized lettering for 287 (admittedly, still using a 2-digit shield):

[PHLBOS]

Here is the fix.

IMHO, the only thing wrong with those signs is the placement of the fonts on the US 31 & 43 shields.

[Avalanchez71]

This is a fix to a text only sign that appeared out of nowhere.

[vtk]

Here is the fix.

IMHO, the only thing wrong with those signs is the placement of the fonts on the US 31 & 43 shields.

Yeah, that's a good example of what I call Leno shields. I've seen a few in Ohio like that.

[agentsteel53]

the 'tiny 287' dates back to a 1961 standard for three-digit shields.  they got smaller numbers, similar to how Texas did it.



as far as I know, the only '61 spec shields with the small numbers in Wyoming are on US-212.  they are ancient; they may very well date back to the original numbering from US-12 to US-212 in 1963.

[PHLBOS]

That fancy 76 graphic on the BIKE ROUTE signs gives hint to that pic being taken sign dates to either around or just before the Bicentential.

[agentsteel53]

That fancy 76 graphic on the BIKE ROUTE signs gives hint to that pic being taken either around or just before the Bicentential.

1979 photo by Michael Summa.

some of those bike route 76 shields still float around.  I spotted one in Colorado just this July.  I believe it's on state route 12 but don't quote me on that.

[NE2]

some of those bike route 76 shields still float around.  I spotted one in Colorado just this July.  I believe it's on state route 12 but don't quote me on that.

Are you sure it's not one of the more modern USBR 76 signs (like this one on SH 9)?

[agentsteel53]

definitely not one of those.  matches the Wyoming photo from 1979.  green with white text and graphics.

[silverback1065]

the 'tiny 287' dates back to a 1961 standard for three-digit shields.  they got smaller numbers, similar to how Texas did it.



as far as I know, the only '61 spec shields with the small numbers in Wyoming are on US-212.  they are ancient; they may very well date back to the original numbering from US-12 to US-212 in 1963.

Why would they put a bike route on an interstate?

[formulanone]

Why not? After all, the biker's dressed up like Evel Knievel.

[agentsteel53]

Why would they put a bike route on an interstate?

no alternate between exits 221 and 228.  they put the interstate on top of the old alignment.

[hbelkins]

There's one of those 76 Bike Route signs still standing in Owsley County, Ky., not too far from where I live. It definitely dates back to the Bicentennial.

[getemngo]

Looks like TDOT took my suggestion with installing a Begin US 412 and End US 412 sign since the road seamlessly transitions from US 412 to SR 99 (marked and not hidden) at I-65.  They installed Begin and End shields, however, I was only able to take a picture of the begin that day.  I will get the end over the weekend.  However, look at how they marked the begin.

Apparently TDOT and MDOT are drinking the same Kool-Aid. Here's the opposite problem!



Michigan has actually switched to the standard "END" and (in the rare cases it's used) "BEGIN" in the last few years, but I've seen "END" placed underneath more than I've seen it on top. 

[rickmastfan67]

I got TDOT to replace the bastard text only sign with regular signs.  They did screw up the font, however.

So, what exactly did they say in defense of that stupid text only sign?

[PHLBOS]

1979 photo by Michael Summa.

I meant to say that the Bike Route sign dates to the Bicentenial and since corrected my earlier post to reflect such.

[mass_citizen]

Looks like TDOT took my suggestion with installing a Begin US 412 and End US 412 sign since the road seamlessly transitions from US 412 to SR 99 (marked and not hidden) at I-65.  They installed Begin and End shields, however, I was only able to take a picture of the begin that day.  I will get the end over the weekend.  However, look at how they marked the begin.

Apparently TDOT and MDOT are drinking the same Kool-Aid. Here's the opposite problem!



Michigan has actually switched to the standard "END" and (in the rare cases it's used) "BEGIN" in the last few years, but I've seen "END" placed underneath more than I've seen it on top. 

For some reason I can't see your picture

[TEG24601]

Why would they put a bike route on an interstate?

no alternate between exits 221 and 228.  they put the interstate on top of the old alignment.

Not only that, but in much of the West, Bicycles are legally allowed on Interstate Highways, on the shoulder only, outside of Urban Areas.  I-5 between Everett and Blane, I-5 between Olympia and Vancouver, I-90 from Issaquah and Spokane, I-84 from Troutdale to Idaho (and beyond), etc.

[Big John]

^^ http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/bicycle_pedestrian/guidance/design_guidance/freeways.cfm

There is no federal law prohibiting bicycles on interstates or other freeways.  States can and do pass such laws though, but several western states don't have such laws.

[Revive 755]

I didn't manage to get a picture, but today on EB WI 100 not too far east of US 41/US 45 there was a 'Begin Left Turn Lane' sign with a symbolic 'No Left Turn' right underneath it.  The road normally served by the left turn lane appeared to be closed for construction.

[mapman1071]

^^ http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/bicycle_pedestrian/guidance/design_guidance/freeways.cfm

There is no federal law prohibiting bicycles on interstates or other freeways.  States can and do pass such laws though, but several western states don't have such laws.

Arizona Allows Bicycles on the Following Freeways: 
Complete Length:  I-15 and I-40

I-8 Trekell Road, Casa Grande to California State Line (Yuma)

I-10 Cotton Lane, Goodyear to California State Line and Willmont Road, Tucson to NM State Line

I-17 Happy Valley Road, Phoenix to End In Flagstaff

I-19 Valencia Rd, Tucson to End at Nogales

US 60 Grand Avenue Bicycles Prohibited:
24th Avenue to 27th Avenue On/Off Ramps (Exit 160)
Camelback Road WB/43rd Avenue EB Overpass (Exit 157)
57th Drive to Myrtle Avenue (Glendale Avenue/59th Avenue Underpass)
71st Avenue to 75th Avenue (BNSF Railroad Overpass EB, Underpass WB)

No Bicycles
US-60 Superstition Freeway 
AZ 24 Gateway Freeway
AZ 30
AZ 51 Piestewa Freeway
Loop 101 Agua Fria/Pima/Price Freeway
AZ 143 Hohokam Expressway
Loop 202 Red Mountain/Santan/South Mountain Freeway
AZ 210 Avation Highway
Loop 303 Estrella Roadway/Bob Stump Memorial Parkway

[Avalanchez71]

I got TDOT to replace the bastard text only sign with regular signs.  They did screw up the font, however.

So, what exactly did they say in defense of that stupid text only sign?

Nothing.  They just did the study and erected the signs.  However, they had nothing to say about the text only signs.  I guess they thought that they may try to get away with it.  The problem is that Columbia is a town that had folks coming to it for the Mule Day Festival and other sundry events.  There are also TN scenic routes that go through Columbia as well.  I will ask for public records when I get a chance to see what was going on with that text only sign.  I did grease a squaky wheel and did cc the request over to the chairman of the House transportation committee as well.

Fixed quote. - rmf67

[KEK Inc.]

I know pot is legal in Washington now, but someone in the sign shop needs to stick away from the herb during work.



http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3761/9972043016_543ab1b553_o.jpg