Symbol for Information

[shadyjay]

Been wondering this for a couple of years now...

When signs have been replaced in recent years on I-89 and I-91 for Vermont, the service symbol used for information has gone from a "?" to "INFO".  In fact, it's getting harder and harder up here to find a "?" on any sign.  Is using "?" for information outlawed now by the MUTCD?  Any other states doing this?

[Dr Frankenstein]

Strange. '?' is used everywhere in QC and ON.

[roadfro]

The 2009 MUTCD replaced the "?" symbol sign with the "INFO" sign. The following text from the Final Rule on the 2009 MUTCD contains the rationale.

Additionally, as proposed in the NPA [notice of proposed amendments], the FHWA adopts a revised design of the Tourist Information (D9—10) sign, as illustrated in Figure 2I—1. A recent study found that the meaning of the existing "˜"˜question mark'' symbol for this service is poorly understood by road users. The abbreviation "˜"˜INFO'' was fully understood by 96 percent of the participants in the human factors testing. Further, the FHWA believes that the term INFO is understandable in most languages. ...

EDIT: Perhaps due to the supposed confusion, NDOT didn't want to use the old "?" symbol, as I've never seen one of the old signs in Nevada. Most signing for tourist info I've seen in Nevada comes on a BBS supplemental service sign saying either "Tourist Info Center" or "Nevada Welcome Center".

[oscar]

Strange. '?' is used everywhere in QC and ON.

And PEI and NS too (maybe also NB).

I found "?" to be completely clear, and expect it would be easier to make out at a distance, or at speed, than a four-letter word like "INFO".

[golden eagle]

Pleading ignorance here...what kind of info was displayed (restaurants, gas stations, etc.)? I don't recall ever seeing such a sign.

[NE2]

They're used for directions to tourist information (like the blue H for hospitals).

[oscar]

They're used for directions to tourist information (like the blue H for hospitals).

More exactly (at least in Canada), directions to official tourist information centers, usually staffed 9-5 or so and with restrooms.

[Michael in Philly]

Like this:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sonofsuperfly/985072894/in/pool-1633209@N21/

I can't find anything on line for the rebuilt Delaware service area (rebuilt within the last two years - I certainly remember stopping at the old one in January 2009), but I'm pretty sure they use the question mark sign in some form, and a separate

[shadyjay]

Pleading ignorance here...what kind of info was displayed (restaurants, gas stations, etc.)? I don't recall ever seeing such a sign.

The "?" in Vermont was used to denote that tourist information was available off the exit, at a facility such as a roadside kiosk, attraction, etc.  All service symbols for an exit were attached to the lower half of the final BGS for a particular exit, such as here:  https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-saEDt632lBc/TlK4EEljHXI/AAAAAAAAPXA/GibIpE86HDI/s720/Exit%25252005-NB.JPG.

As signs are being replaced, the service symbols are being moved to their own BBS (big blue sign) that is located either between the 1  and 1/2 mile BGS or the 1/2 mile and final BGS, depending on the exit.  Those exits featuring tourist information available now have the symbol identified not by a "?" but by "INFO" in a blue square.  An example of a BBS can be seen in the distance in this shot:
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-BnGaPtz5udk/TlK31_qSU6I/AAAAAAAAPW4/kOzgLyiOlqQ/s720/Exit%25252005-NB.JPG

There also used to be the "?" symbol used on rest area signage (usually the 1 mile sign), along with the picnic table and handicapped symbols.  These were removed as a standardization of rest area signage came into being.  Rest Areas without facilities were redesignated as Parking Areas, thus eliminating some confusion on what services would be available.

If the "?" confused motorists, hopefully we won't see the day when the plate, the pump, or the bed confuse motorists.  The concept of the phone symbol may confuse the younger drivers as time goes on, however.  

It was only about 10 years or so ago when Connecticut finally jumped on the bandwagon with other states and started using service symbols, but those are incorporated into a blue bar at the bottom of ground-mounted BGSs.  There, they haven't used the "?" symbol, but instead have a separate sign saying "TOURIST INFO" or something of that nature.

I should also note that both CT and VT use all text service signs on offramps (GAS, FOOD, LODGING, etc).... no symbols, except for "H".