Regional signing practices that are unusual compared to everyplace else

[briantroutman]

Is FREEWAY ENTRANCE really all that helpful? I've only traveled in states with MUTCD-standard freeway ramp signage and haven't really had an issue finding ramps.

I believe the rationale is that, at interchanges where multiple ramps connect a freeway to a surface street, the "FREEWAY ENTRANCE"  signs make it just that much more obvious which ramps are the entrances...and therefore reduce the likelihood of a wrong-way collision. I know it's strictly anecdotal, but the niece of a business associate of mine was killed a few months ago by a wrong-way drunk driver on I-215 in Las Vegas–and Nevada does use California-style FREEWAY ENTRANCE signs.

Beyond that, I think CalTrans's insistence on unnecessarily signing "FREEWAY"  is not only useless, it's counterproductive. Excepting the few abnormalities that we all know (I-180 in WY, etc.) an Interstate is always a freeway, so signing "I-10 FREEWAY"  just clutters signs. Even for other classes of numbered highways, does it matter? If a motorist sees a sign for "CA 118 FREEWAY" , is he going to avoid it because he only uses roads that feature driveways and cross traffic?

[Pink Jazz]

How many states use Caltrans-style FREEWAY ENTRANCE assemblies?

If there was one mandatory change that I would impose on all freeways in all parts of the United States, it is the use of these assemblies at all entrance ramps.

NMDOT District 3 (Albuquerque) now uses them; not sure about the rest of the state.  I recently went to Albuquerque to see my brother and I noticed them when I visited.  I don't remember them being there when I lived there, so they probably have had to have been installed in 2011 or later.

[cpzilliacus]

Is FREEWAY ENTRANCE really all that helpful? I've only traveled in states with MUTCD-standard freeway ramp signage and haven't really had an issue finding ramps.

I believe the rationale is that, at interchanges where multiple ramps connect a freeway to a surface street, the "FREEWAY ENTRANCE"  signs make it just that much more obvious which ramps are the entrances...and therefore reduce the likelihood of a wrong-way collision. I know it's strictly anecdotal, but the niece of a business associate of mine was killed a few months ago by a wrong-way drunk driver on I-215 in Las Vegas–and Nevada does use California-style FREEWAY ENTRANCE signs.

Especially at night, I think these assemblies are useful, especially for older drivers that have vision good enough to drive. 

Are they perfect?  No, absolutely not, especially not when drunk/drugged/stoned drivers are on the road.

Beyond that, I think CalTrans's insistence on unnecessarily signing "FREEWAY"  is not only useless, it's counterproductive. Excepting the few abnormalities that we all know (I-180 in WY, etc.) an Interstate is always a freeway, so signing "I-10 FREEWAY"  just clutters signs. Even for other classes of numbered highways, does it matter? If a motorist sees a sign for "CA 118 FREEWAY" , is he going to avoid it because he only uses roads that feature driveways and cross traffic?

As for the FREEWAY ENTRANCE panels, perhaps they are not as essential on Interstates, (though not everyone knows such things, even though everyone here on AAROADS probably does), but on state and U.S. highways, they are more important.  In most states, there are freeways with U.S. and state route numbers.

[cl94]

It's a double-edged sword. Wording should be minimized, as more words mean less attention paid toward the road. That being said, there needs to be a way for one to easily determine what is a freeway entrance. I think a symbol sign would be most effective due to the reduced perception time. California's signage package is unnecessary at all interchanges, as certain entrance ramps (Interstates, etc) are obviously freeways.

New York uses an "entrance" banner above the route shield in a few locations, mainly (if not exclusively) on service roads on Long Island. As the service road typically shares a name with the expressway it serves, it reinforces that one must exit the service road in order to access the actual numbered freeway. Such a sign has one less word and work well in instances where "expressway/freeway" is not clearly stated at an entrance ramp and the freeway is not an Interstate or the entrance is a slip ramp.

[1995hoo]

This past week I noted Florida's use of pavement markings reading "MERGE" followed by an arrow pointing to the lane into which you're supposed to merge. While it's common to have an arrow when a lane is ending, I can't recall having seen another state or province where the word "MERGE" is routinely applied to the pavement in conjunction with the arrow every time a lane ends.

I also found it a bit odd how they had pavement markings consisting of "straight-ahead" arrows on loop ramps, such as the cloverleaf loop from northbound I-95 to the westbound Bee Line or the loop from southbound I-95 to Stadium Parkway/Fiske Boulevard (I believe Exit 195). I don't recall seeing those sorts of arrows elsewhere and they always strike me as useless because there's no other way you can go! If the goal is to try to guard against wrong-way drivers, surely there's a better way than a pavement marking consisting of an arrow on a ramp with a bunch of bumpy reflectors around it.

[jakeroot]

Washington uses "Freeway Entrance" signs at all ramps (only maybe a dozen ramps across the state don't have them). Here's a good example of a recent installation at the exit from a roundabout. The three-piece route indicator isn't very common (typically, they're of the uni-sign type) and the arrow on the "Freeway Entrance" sign itself is a recent modification, seen most often in King County (Seattle metro area):

EDIT: I do believe the route indicator sign is more of the California type, given that the cardinal direction is located below the shield. Unless this is more common than I thought?

[6a]

Is FREEWAY ENTRANCE really all that helpful? I've only traveled in states with MUTCD-standard freeway ramp signage and haven't really had an issue finding ramps.

Furthermore, why does the arrow point down?

[roadfro]

Is FREEWAY ENTRANCE really all that helpful? I've only traveled in states with MUTCD-standard freeway ramp signage and haven't really had an issue finding ramps.

Furthermore, why does the arrow point down?

The downward sloping arrow basically indicates "it's right here". As opposed to using a left or right arrow, which could mean that the entrance is some distance in the indicated direction.

[NE2]

The downward sloping arrow basically indicates "it's right here". As opposed to using a left or right arrow, which could mean that the entrance is some distance in the indicated direction.

Or an advance turn arrow, which could mean anything from "it's right here" to "it's in a half mile". Fuck arrow misuse.

[mrsman]

Is FREEWAY ENTRANCE really all that helpful? I've only traveled in states with MUTCD-standard freeway ramp signage and haven't really had an issue finding ramps.

I believe the rationale is that, at interchanges where multiple ramps connect a freeway to a surface street, the "FREEWAY ENTRANCE"  signs make it just that much more obvious which ramps are the entrances...and therefore reduce the likelihood of a wrong-way collision. I know it's strictly anecdotal, but the niece of a business associate of mine was killed a few months ago by a wrong-way drunk driver on I-215 in Las Vegas–and Nevada does use California-style FREEWAY ENTRANCE signs.

Especially at night, I think these assemblies are useful, especially for older drivers that have vision good enough to drive. 

Are they perfect?  No, absolutely not, especially not when drunk/drugged/stoned drivers are on the road.

Beyond that, I think CalTrans's insistence on unnecessarily signing "FREEWAY"  is not only useless, it's counterproductive. Excepting the few abnormalities that we all know (I-180 in WY, etc.) an Interstate is always a freeway, so signing "I-10 FREEWAY"  just clutters signs. Even for other classes of numbered highways, does it matter? If a motorist sees a sign for "CA 118 FREEWAY" , is he going to avoid it because he only uses roads that feature driveways and cross traffic?

As for the FREEWAY ENTRANCE panels, perhaps they are not as essential on Interstates, (though not everyone knows such things, even though everyone here on AAROADS probably does), but on state and U.S. highways, they are more important.  In most states, there are freeways with U.S. and state route numbers.

I believe I've said this earlier, but the real use for this type of sign are for wierd and/or surprise on-ramps to let people know, hey I'm on the freeway now.

Take a look:

http://goo.gl/maps/37DqL

This is the corner of Overland and National in Western Los Angeles.  Both are pretty important thoroughfares.  To continue east on National Blvd, you have to make a right on Overland and then a left at the southern National Blvd / National Pl.  For those unfamiliar, they may believe that they can just continue straight down National.  But that leads right to a freeway on-ramp.  The freeway entrance sign at least gives those people a warning that they are on the freeway now.

[codyg1985]

There are still a handful left, but those have mostly been phased out within the last five years as BGS have replaced assemblies and distance signs along interchanges. Here's the same spot, in 2011:

TxDOT Atlanta District has been doing JUNCTION BGS assemblies such as that one that for every junction with a state-maintained road on major non-freeway routes, even FM roads.

[codyg1985]

This past week I noted Florida's use of pavement markings reading "MERGE" followed by an arrow pointing to the lane into which you're supposed to merge. While it's common to have an arrow when a lane is ending, I can't recall having seen another state or province where the word "MERGE" is routinely applied to the pavement in conjunction with the arrow every time a lane ends.

Alabama does this a lot, too.

[doorknob60]

Back on the Freeway Entrance signs subject, they're not very common in Oregon (I can't think of any off the top of my head except this, though I'm sure there are a handful), but I noticed this one the other day, along I-84 in Portland. https://www.google.com/maps/@45.5297076,-122.6001602,3a,26.3y,49.32h,89.36t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sYzY3-w9Tog7ayhQFnXhk-w!2e0



This one especially makes sense because it's along a (essentially) frontage road that parallels the freeway.

[UCFKnights]

Orlando/Orange County, FL places signs that say
RED LIGHT RUNNING $262.00 FINE instead of the usual advisory traffic light ahead before most of the traffic lights in the county.
https://www.google.com/maps/@28.412567,-81.475775,3a,15y,239.34h,89.18t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1s3MNBTmRUglcjqRnok2e2_Q!2e0

If there is a red light camera, they use a variant of the sign indicating that:
https://www.google.com/maps/@28.559237,-81.207193,3a,15y,214h,87.51t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sI6YUEL3t8vRRLEwRUeWJtw!2e0

[formulanone]

FDOT Districts 4 and 6 use these NEXT SIGNAL signs a lot on divided state roads and other major roads:





The only place that I've also seen them was in New Jersey; occasionally you find them in isolated spots here and there, but they're quite helpful so you know which lane to head towards when approaching an intersection (especially those without any shields).

[Pink Jazz]

FDOT Districts 4 and 6 use these NEXT SIGNAL signs a lot on divided state roads and other major roads:





The only place that I've also seen them was in New Jersey; occasionally you find them in isolated spots here and there, but they're quite helpful so you know which lane to head towards when approaching an intersection (especially those without any shields).

I think New Mexico may require them on state highways; I know Coors Blvd (NM 45, previously NM 448 from St. Josephs Blvd north to Alameda Blvd) as well as Tramway Blvd (NM 556) in Albuquerque have them; while none of the city-maintained roads have them.

[bugo]

Texas has GUARDRAIL DAMAGE ahead for damages guardrails.

I've seen those in either Arkansas or Oklahoma.

[bugo]

Oklahoma likes to put "JCT" or "JUNCTION" on the green overhead signs.

[Zeffy]

Oklahoma likes to put "JCT" or "JUNCTION" on the green overhead signs.

NJDOT used to do that, but to my knowledge they have stopped.

[cl94]

Oklahoma likes to put "JCT" or "JUNCTION" on the green overhead signs.

[pictures snipped]

New York will occasionally do that for Interstate-Interstate junctions or on an expressway approaching an Interstate. There are a couple examples near Albany and at least one more in Binghamton that immediately come to mind. Full word is almost always used.

[roadman65]

Osceola Parkway in Kissimmee, FL with its own weird signage. 

I will have to get back to you with a photo, but recently they removed an elongated shield for the WB Osc Parkway on SB Poinciana Boulevard and now there is just a Disney World guide sign with a WEST directional header above it reading WEST Disney World as if the theme park is the name of the road.

It is on the way to work, so until I go in later this week, I will have the photo to share.  Its way too funny to see.

Anyway the Osceola Parkway has helvetica fonts to weird looking arrows to crazy purple guide signs that no one else uses.

[codyg1985]

Oklahoma likes to put "JCT" or "JUNCTION" on the green overhead signs.

Arkansas does that sometimes, too.

[Brandon]

Oklahoma likes to put "JCT" or "JUNCTION" on the green overhead signs.

Arkansas does that sometimes, too.

As has ISTHA.

[odditude]

Osceola Parkway in Kissimmee, FL with its own weird signage. 

I will have to get back to you with a photo, but recently they removed an elongated shield for the WB Osc Parkway on SB Poinciana Boulevard and now there is just a Disney World guide sign with a WEST directional header above it reading WEST Disney World as if the theme park is the name of the road.

It is on the way to work, so until I go in later this week, I will have the photo to share.  Its way too funny to see.

Anyway the Osceola Parkway has helvetica fonts to weird looking arrows to crazy purple guide signs that no one else uses.

the "crazy purple guide signs" are on Disney property and owned/maintained by Disney.

[roadman]

the "crazy purple guide signs" are on Disney property and owned/maintained by Disney.

A real Mickey Mouse signing job, eh?