Text speak on VMS

[Scott5114]

On the way to work I saw a portable VMS that had the following text on the first slide:

I-35 NB
RAMP 2 B
CLOSED

The second slide had the date and time of the closure. I misinterpreted it, thinking it was referring to a "Ramp 2B", like an Exit 2B (thinking the space was because of the new MUTCD requirement) and wondering where it was. By the time I realized "2 B" meant "to be", it was too late for me to note the date and time.

Have you seen your DOT pull this boneheaded move? Do you think the MUTCD should ban it?

[realjd]

Boneheaded? They were able to get the message across given the limited character space. How would you have written it?

[deathtopumpkins]

I would have abbreviated "RAMP" to "RMP" in order to fit in "TO B" or even "TOBE" as opposed to "2 B".

[twinsfan87]

Maybe change it to say:

I-35 NB
EXIT XX
CLOSED

(second panel with date and time)

Similar messages are used in Minnesota, and I think they get the point across without using "text speak".

[Michael in Philly]

or "RAMP TO CLOSE."  I would have understood the "2 B" (unless I pondered that space) the same way Scott did.

[Dr Frankenstein]

I would also have misinterpreted the "2 B". It's not something I would encourage.

[Scott5114]

In this particular case it was on WB SH-9 approaching I-35. The interchange in question is a trumpet, the NB ramp mentioned is the straight-line onramp to I-35 NB.

I would have just said "I-35 NB / ONRAMP / CLOSED" or something. Or add a third slide: "WORK BEGINNING SOON / I-35 NB ONRAMP CLOSED / (date and time)"

[twinsfan87]

So it could maybe read something like this:

1st slide:
RAMP TO
I-35 NB
CLOSED

(date and time second slide)

3rd slide:
USE ALT
ROUTE

The third slide is also widely used in MN. Sometimes Mn/DOT will put up an orange sign with the closure info instead of the variable message sign too, although lately I've seen more VMSs being used than orange signs.

[Brandon]

I thought the "RAMP 2 B" was "Exit 2B"  Texting does not translate well to VMSs.

I-35 NBD
RAMP TO
CLOSE

Then the next slide with:

10/4/11
FOLLOW
DETOUR

[roadfro]

It's certainly not an MUTCD approved abbreviation scheme.

It's much simpler to say

I-35 NB
RAMP
CLOSED

10/4/11
10:00PM-
5:00AM

[codyg1985]

I would have said something like this:

I-35 NB
RAMP TO
CLOSE

10/4/11
10:00PM-
5:00AM

[1995hoo]

I don't understand text-message speak on the Internet (and it annoys me when people use it where it's not needed, like in an online forum). I'd hate to see it on a road sign.

[Ace10]

Oh, I'd be infuriated if that happened. I, too, would think Exit 2B as well, but I've also seen signs at some interchanges that mention Ramp 1, Ramp 2, or Ramp A, Ramp B. I just think this would have led to more confusion as to what "2 B" means. Shame on them for not spelling out "to be" or for rewording it to make the message fit.

[Mergingtraffic]

CT uses:

Route 8 NB
Accident
X35-X36

[vtk]

Guidance:
When the message on a CMS includes an abbreviation, the provisions of Section 1A.15 should be used.

The table in section 1A.15 does not include entries abbreviating the words "to" or "be".

In my opinion, the phrase "RAMP WILL CLOSE" would be marginally better than "RAMP TO BE CLOSED" and incomparably better than "RAMP 2 B CLOSED".  And if you can't fit "RAMP WILL" on a single line in a VMS, then the VMS is poorly designed.