General service signs - text vs symbols

[Pink Jazz]

While logo signs in the United States always use text, it seems that for general service signs it varies from state to state.  Some states use text while others use symbols.  I would like to know, what does your state use?

Here in Arizona ADOT uses symbols, although mainline signs for hospitals use text on a dedicated sign.  Arizona allows general service signs to be used in conjunction with logo signs, since logo signs are dependent on whatever businesses are leasing space on them.  However, general service signs other than hospitals are not used in urban areas unlike logo signs.

[mariethefoxy]

Long Island has the Blue Service signs only on I-495 (Long Island Expressway) no other freeway in on the island has them except for the blue H for Hospital.

We recently got Logo signs but only for Attractions.

[TravelingBethelite]

While logo signs in the United States always use text, it seems that for general service signs it varies from state to state.  Some states use text while others use symbols.  I would like to know, what does your state use?

Here in Arizona ADOT uses symbols, although mainline signs for hospitals use text on a dedicated sign.  Arizona allows general service signs to be used in conjunction with logo signs, since logo signs are dependent on whatever businesses are leasing space on them.  However, general service signs other than hospitals are not used in urban areas unlike logo signs.

So I can answer your question, what do you consider a 'general service' sign? 
On the Food/Gas/Lodging signs, we use logos except for [food] locations that aren't chains, usually local, with no more than 2-3 locations. I know New York uses text-only Attraction signs.
Ours are set up like this: ATTRACTIONS AT THIS EXIT, usually on a wide LBrS or a LGS:
                                                   Ski Area
                                              Amusement Park
                                              Nutmeg Museum

[Pink Jazz]

While logo signs in the United States always use text, it seems that for general service signs it varies from state to state.  Some states use text while others use symbols.  I would like to know, what does your state use?

Here in Arizona ADOT uses symbols, although mainline signs for hospitals use text on a dedicated sign.  Arizona allows general service signs to be used in conjunction with logo signs, since logo signs are dependent on whatever businesses are leasing space on them.  However, general service signs other than hospitals are not used in urban areas unlike logo signs.

So I can answer your question, what do you consider a 'general service' sign? 
On the Food/Gas/Lodging signs, we use logos except for [food] locations that aren't chains, usually local, with no more than 2-3 locations. I know New York uses text-only Attraction signs.
Ours are set up like this: ATTRACTIONS AT THIS EXIT, usually on a wide LBrS or a LGS:
                                                   Ski Area
                                              Amusement Park
                                              Nutmeg Museum

These are general service signs:


Some states use text instead of symbols for these signs.  I remember some freeways in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia had general service signs with text when I lived there, however, they have since been replaced by logo signs.  Some states allow these signs to be used in combination with logo signs (due to logo signs being dependent on current leases), while others don't.

[TravelingBethelite]

Oh. In that case, Connecticut uses the symbols. 

EDIT: As far I know. I'm not familiar with all of Connecticut's roads. Only really I-84 west of Hartford, I-91 south of Bradley International, and I-95 west of Branford.

[roadman]

As mentioned in other threads, New Hampshire uses the generic symbols on the mainline and specific LOGOs for businesses on the ramps.  The only exception is the Attractions signs they've started installing at some locations.

Oh. In that case, Connecticut uses the symbols

Connecticut actually uses a mixture of symbols and text for their generic services signs.  MassDOT still installs generic signs in limited circumstances, and uses text for those signs - with the exception of stand alone hospital symbols.

[Brandon]

Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin historically have used the text, with the exception of the hospital symbol.  Illinois uses some symbols at rest areas.  Michigan and North Dakota typically use the symbols.

[Pink Jazz]

Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin historically have used the text, with the exception of the hospital symbol.  Illinois uses some symbols at rest areas.  Michigan and North Dakota typically use the symbols.

The hospital "H" symbol seems to be used by every state, although Arizona often uses text on a dedicated sign for mainline freeway signage (ramp and off-freeway signage always use the "H" symbol).

[roadman]

Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin historically have used the text, with the exception of the hospital symbol.  Illinois uses some symbols at rest areas.  Michigan and North Dakota typically use the symbols.

The hospital "H" symbol seems to be used by every state, although Arizona often uses text on a dedicated sign for mainline freeway signage (ramp and off-freeway signage always use the "H" symbol).

MassDOT normally uses the "H" symbol.  If a hospital requests that their name be placed on signs, they are required to pay for the signing.  Not sure if this is the case in Arizona.

Edited to reflect clarification by Pink Jazz - thanks

[Pink Jazz]

MassDOT normally uses the "H" symbol.  If a hospital requests that their name be placed on signs, they are required to pay for the signing.  Not sure if this is the case in Arizona.

Arizona doesn't use the name of the hospitals on signs, but uses a dedicated blue sign with the word "HOSPITAL" and an exit tab for mainline freeway signs.

[Brandon]

Missouri uses an interesting combination of the two for hospitals: [H]ospital.  Yes, it is a combination of the symbol followed by "ospital".

[machias]

NYSDOT and the Thruway Authority have been putting "H" symbols next to the exit tab or underneath guide panels on freeways for the past 10-15 years. Region 2 has been putting the name of the hospital as a control city on guide panels in the Utica area for many years. I've been fighting that one since the '90s.

[jakeroot]

WSDOT uses logo signs, but there are some one-off cases of general service signs:

https://goo.gl/piHQtS -- this one is a bit strange since it's placed just before a roundabout, with absolutely no arrow telling you where to go.

[cl94]

NYSDOT is region-specific. Region 5 only uses symbol signs for fuel and restaurants, if they even decide to put one up. Outside of Regions 5, 10 and 11, logo signs are typically used outside of "urban areas".

[cpzilliacus]

Missouri uses an interesting combination of the two for hospitals: [H]ospital.  Yes, it is a combination of the symbol followed by "ospital".

Yeah, never seen that anywhere else.

[iBallasticwolf2]

I've never seen Kentucky use the general service signs at all, but in terms of the business listings on signs KYDOT uses the logos only.

[roadfro]

Nevada, to my knowledge, doesn't really use the general service signs at all–at least, not for the basic food/gas/lodging signs. If there's a service sign, it's of the logo variety.

NDOT does use the hospital symbol, the police/highway patrol badge (which may be a Nevada specific sign), and maybe some select others, but they're usually standalone or attached below a guide sign and not a separate BBS.

Missouri uses an interesting combination of the two for hospitals: [H]ospital.  Yes, it is a combination of the symbol followed by "ospital".

Yeah, never seen that anywhere else.

And you never should see that anywhere. That is awful sign design.

What is similarly irksome is when the airplane symbol is used in place of the word "Airport" (for made-up example: "McCarran [airplane symbol]"). The symbol does not take the place of the word it represents.

[bzakharin]

I want to say I haven't seen any general signs at all in NJ except the H for Hospital. I know the Delaware welcome center on I-95 has icons for gas and food, but "INFO" in a box instead of the "?" for information.

[lepidopteran]

Note the irony that the symbol for food is a knife and a fork, when most of the eateries near the freeway are fast-food places that have little need for cutlery (unless you order a salad, or perhaps some items on the breakfast menu).  Perhaps the MUTCD could introduce, say, a burger-on-a-bun logo for fast food joints, and reserve the utensils for sit-down places like Denny's or Big Boy.

[Pink Jazz]

Note the irony that the symbol for food is a knife and a fork, when most of the eateries near the freeway are fast-food places that have little need for cutlery (unless you order a salad, or perhaps some items on the breakfast menu).  Perhaps the MUTCD could introduce, say, a burger-on-a-bun logo for fast food joints, and reserve the utensils for sit-down places like Denny's or Big Boy.

For logo signs, Virginia actually once experimented with a "Full Service Food" category (which generally shared sign space with Camping signs), which were defined as sit-down restaurants serving three meals a day.  While this never made it to the interim approval stage, it set the foundation to allow the same service type on up to two signs per direction, which was eventually added into the 2009 MUTCD.

[GaryV]

Note the irony that the symbol for food is a knife and a fork, when most of the eateries near the freeway are fast-food places that have little need for cutlery (unless you order a salad, or perhaps some items on the breakfast menu).  Perhaps the MUTCD could introduce, say, a burger-on-a-bun logo for fast food joints, and reserve the utensils for sit-down places like Denny's or Big Boy.

When's the last time you saw a gas pump that looks like the symbol?  Or a telephone?