Exit Tabs

[Mr_Northside]

PennDOT Style for Left Exits:

That's actually the first example of that style I've seen PennDOT use. 
But they're being consistent with it... at least with the I-376 extension/exit renumbering so far.

[roadfro]

I'm not sure why, but I kinda like the internally drawn square tabs that CalTrans uses on replacement signs, especially when its placement does not disrupt the centering of the main sign legend (as in the first example). The regular internally drawn tabs don't look as neat to me, and their use sometimes make the remaining legend appear squished.  The non-cutout tab looks okay as well, and I prefer this look much more than full-width tabs used in other states.

[TheStranger]

roadfro: With those square-tabbed signs becoming rather common in metro Sacramento, I've grown to like them as well. 

I also really enjoy CalTrans's look for triple-digit exit number gore point signs, probably not the best for readability, but aesthetically pleasing.

Now here's an awkward usage of the square tab (though I still like the signs), where US 101 splits off from the Central Freeway at Mission Street in San Francisco:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Central+freeway,+san+francisco&sll=38.549851,-121.393727&sspn=0.010656,0.018454&ie=UTF8&ll=37.7696,-122.414019&spn=0.001346,0.002307&z=19&layer=c&cbll=37.769588,-122.413671&panoid=q4KWNavMCKZXAOwR4Hb_xA&cbp=12,271.82,,0,-0.34

Should that exit tab for Duboce Avenue really be on the right side of the sign, when technically US 101 itself is the rightmost option?  (It isn't quite a left exit - the Duboce Avenue exit and the pathway from the Central Freeway to Mission Street really is one ramp.)

[roadfro]

Strictly speaking, the exit tab should be on the far right for that panel. It's a bit ambiguous otherwise. With a bit of manipulation, that sign could probably be redesigned such that the tab was put on the far right yet still maintained the same size.

That's really a place where a separate exit tab would provide the most guidance. That sign structure looks new, so there's really no reason why an exit tab couldn't have been accommodated in the wind/weight loading for the sign bridge.

[myosh_tino]

That's really a place where a separate exit tab would provide the most guidance. That sign structure looks new, so there's really no reason why an exit tab couldn't have been accommodated in the wind/weight loading for the sign bridge.

Looks can be deceiving.  IIRC, that sign bridge is very old, probably dating back to when the Central Freeway was built.  San Francisco and/or Caltrans gave a number of sign bridges a fresh coat of silver paint in the downtown area which makes them look new.  One key indicator are the diagonal braces forming an 'X' pattern instead of the more common 'N' (or backwards-'N') pattern.

Regarding the exit number for Duboce Ave, I don't think it's necessary to display an exit number on the sign because U.S. 101 leaves the Central Freeway at the same exit and comes to a signal at the bottom of the exit ramp. Go straight through to get to Duboce Avenue, veer right to remain on U.S. 101.

[Brandon]

Exit tabs?  I'll root for the home team and say I prefer the full width ones in Illinois where the text is aligned toward the side the exit is on.    They look nicer than the simple tabs, IMHO, and far superior to that ugliness California calls "exit tabs". 

Example: http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=41.757595,-87.913177&spn=0,359.972534&t=h&z=16&layer=c&cbll=41.758629,-87.910111&panoid=RTDGMPJptlmYojgiu-R0pw&cbp=12,73.42,,0,0.99

[Michael]

I like the exit tabs used here in New York the best.  Rounded edges on both them and the BGS itself look cleaner in my opinion.  As for centered vs. right or left-aligned, I don't really notice it, so it doesn't matter to me.  I pay attention to the arrow on the sign just before the exit.

I don't like full width exit tabs or those California "tabs".

[architect77]

^
Those computer-generated California overheads look great. Regarding the tabs, is part of the reason they look this way because they weren't added until recently? I don't remember any exit tabs when I lived there back in the 1990's.

As for tabs indicating left or right exits... North Carolina has deemed left exits and entrances too dangerous, period, and is slowly rebuilding interchanges to solve the problem like here I-85/US70 in Durham.

[SSOWorld]

sounds like something Milwaukee's doing.

First the Marquette (though a left exit exists not too far away - though on old freeway that wasn't part of the project)

Now the Mitchell Interchange

And after that the Zoo Interchange.

Don't forget the well-ignored Stadium Interchange as well as Mitchell Blvd (the latter which has all left-hand ramps except the WB off-ramp.)

NOTE: They do have left-side exit tabs

[TheStranger]

architect77: Indeed, California had no exit numbers (save for a few LA area freeways, most notably much of I-10 in Los Angeles County, I-5 on the northern reaches of the Santa Ana Freeway, and the 110 and 101 in downtown) on its freeways until the last 5-6 years.

[hm insulators]

In fits and starts, it looks like California is finally getting the hang of exit numbers.

[rickmastfan67]

I don't see PennDOT eliminating any of the few Left hand exits here in the Pittsburgh area.

I mean, there is no way they could eliminate the Left Exits down @ the point.  Of course, some of them use to be right hand exits till I-279 was eliminated on the Parkway West and replaced by I-376.  And the Left Hand exit from I-79 onto I-279 South, I don't think is any problems with it.  It works perfectly fine because it's only a partial interchange.

[Mr_Northside]

Also from the Pittsburgh area is this PennDOT freak of nature: (Cropped from Street view, someone else may have an actual picture of it):


I can't recall seeing a "tab" in the BGS itself anywhere else in Pennsylvania. While it's a fine example of efficiency, it's a bad example of consistency.
I'm assuming they'll just slap the new "extended I-376" exit number over the current one (the sign is relatively new, compared to other Parkway signs), but I suppose it's possible they could add a proper tab.

[vdeane]

It looks like they had CA make that sign.

[mightyace]

While it's a fine example of efficiency, it's a bad example of consistency.

The idea of PennDOT ever being consistent. 

[myosh_tino]

Also from the Pittsburgh area is this PennDOT freak of nature: (Cropped from Street view, someone else may have an actual picture of it):


I can't recall seeing a "tab" in the BGS itself anywhere else in Pennsylvania. While it's a fine example of efficiency, it's a bad example of consistency.
I'm assuming they'll just slap the new "extended I-376" exit number over the current one (the sign is relatively new, compared to other Parkway signs), but I suppose it's possible they could add a proper tab.

Pennsylvania is becoming more and more like California.  First the internally drawn exit tab and now this...


Also here is a photo of the same sign found on AARoads...

[Mr_Northside]

Pennsylvania is becoming more and more like California.  First the internally drawn exit tab and now this...

I'm assuming that is just because of the top-mounted overhead sign lighting.
I'm assuming that area of the Parkway has overhead-signage lighting mounted like that because of it's proximity to the Airport.

[nerdly_dood]

^
Those computer-generated California overheads look great. Regarding the tabs, is part of the reason they look this way because they weren't added until recently? I don't remember any exit tabs when I lived there back in the 1990's.

As for tabs indicating left or right exits... North Carolina has deemed left exits and entrances too dangerous, period, and is slowly rebuilding interchanges to solve the problem like here I-85/US70 in Durham.

At the I-81/I-581 interchange near Roanoke, VA there is a left exit (which I don't have much problem with) and a left entrance ramp (which is a pain in the ass) - and in the DC metro there are a whole lot of left-hand exits and entrance ramps, for the separate pair of reversible HOV lanes in the center of one of the main highways.

I dont have much problem with left-hand exits, since it's just a matter of getting on the left side of the road and following the ramp wherever it goes. But left-hand entrance ramps are a royal pain in the ass, since you have to look through the whole car to check your blind spot... And the 581/81 interchange has a particularly short merge lane for its left-hand entrance ramp.

[myosh_tino]

Pennsylvania is becoming more and more like California.  First the internally drawn exit tab and now this...

I'm assuming that is just because of the top-mounted overhead sign lighting.
I'm assuming that area of the Parkway has overhead-signage lighting mounted like that because of it's proximity to the Airport.

No, look at the placement of the exit number tab in the far right sign.  Compare that to how California signs its exit numbers....

[UptownRoadGeek]

I like the way Georgia does it.  Their signs just all seem to be neat and tidy.

I also like how all the signs on a gantry are usually uniform in height in GA.

Add the signs in the Houston area to that list

[deathtopumpkins]

And the Phoenix area. Some of those signs have tremendously excessive abounts of blank space just for vertical uniformity.

[Ian]

A rather later post, but here is Massachusetts version of the left exit tab...
http://picasaweb.google.com/Iansignal/MassachusettsTrafficSignalsAndRoadSigns#5323185998319156418

[PAHighways]

Pennsylvania is becoming more and more like California.  First the internally drawn exit tab and now this...

Those tabs showed up when the Southern Expressway was completed to service the Mid-Field terminal at Pittsburgh International and the Airport Parkway improved between 22/30 and the Business PA 60 split.  They disappear after the northern Business PA 60 interchange.

[mightyace]

Those tabs showed up when the Southern Expressway was completed to service the Mid-Field terminal at Pittsburgh International and the Airport Parkway improved between 22/30 and the Business PA 60 split.  They disappear after the northern Business PA 60 interchange.

Do you think those tabs will stay or go away when this becomes I-376?

[PAHighways]

Do you think those tabs will stay or go away when this becomes I-376?

I don't see why they'd be replaced when along former I-279 the old numbers were just covered up with an overlay.