Painted Shields in travel lanes

[Mergingtraffic]

This was on the NE Board but wanted to post here and see if it is similiar to your state.
CT painted shields in travel lanes to so drivers know which lane to be in for which route.

http://www.ct.gov/dot/cwp/view.asp?a=2354&q=401618

Notice, the "9", it looks like it was painted in highway gothic instead of the usual font for painted letters in travel lanes.  It looks pretty good!

[agentsteel53]

is that an outline-shield 44?

gotta love CT's insistence on maintaining that standard.

[roadfro]

We discussed this in a thread before...To recap:

There is an expanding number of jurisdictions that are using on-pavement route shields for better lane guidance.

The 2004 Standard Highway Signs book (the specifications for signs/markings for the 2003 MUTCD) included a layout for the colorized version of the Interstate shield pavement marking, but there was no mention of these in the MUTCD itself. The 2009 MUTCD corrects this, showing colored and outline versions of the Interstate, US route and state highway circle shields (referred to as "elongated route shields for pavement markings"). The new layouts have not yet made it into the Standard Highway Signs, which is still being revised with all the new signs/material in the new MUTCD.

[Duke87]

Hasn't this been very common practice in much of Europe for years?
It's a good idea, nice to see it catching on.

And to throw out another instance of it: the I-87/287 junction in Elmsford had these painted in the southbound/eastbound lanes approaching the split after reconstruction of interchange was finished a couple years ago.

[Brandon]

The ISTHA is using them now as well.  Not so sure I like them.  They would seem to me to be potentially slippery when wet or icy, and they would strike me as the first things to be scraped off the pavement after a snowfall.

[BigMattFromTexas]

Pretty common in Houston. Angelo is WAYYY to small to need these, I wouldn't be surprised to see them in Dallas or San Antonio...
BigMatt

[Bryant5493]

I'd like to see the route markers painted on the pavement more, to let drivers know what lane goes to what route. Signage can be confusing and inconsistent. I'm glad GDOT did that with the I-75 South/Northside Drive HOV-2 exit, even though I don't think it was that confusing before, if one were paying attention.


Be well,

Bryant

[Revive 755]

There's a few of these in Missouri around St. Louis:

* SB I-55 near the split with I-44:
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=38.612411,-90.201622&spn=0,0.006866&t=k&z=18&layer=c&cbll=38.612262,-90.201956&panoid=hiyoiGzfH6oOoUFuPNilOw&cbp=12,95.11,,0,11.54

* NB I-270 near I-64:
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=38.63077,-90.450431&spn=0,0.003433&t=k&z=19&layer=c&cbll=38.630943,-90.450413&panoid=O3cn5L3LIk4SEWBxOjqbYQ&cbp=12,179.7,,0,20.62

* One on EB MO 100 just before I-270:
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=38.601516,-90.455482&spn=0,0.006866&t=k&z=18&layer=c&cbll=38.601508,-90.455375&panoid=LkQTGiRGRy_63rPB2x66WA&cbp=12,120.23,,0,17.02

An extremely faded one on EB MO 100 closer to SB I-270:
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=38.601574,-90.453835&spn=0,0.006866&t=k&z=18&layer=c&cbll=38.601595,-90.453714&panoid=M-tg89LpCir7JYP8AQ41Nw&cbp=12,74.6,,0,19.2

And another worn one on EB MO 100:
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=38.601788,-90.45295&spn=0,0.006866&t=k&z=18&layer=c&cbll=38.601822,-90.452843&panoid=n4IrZ32I7l6gKLOCM4lk3w&cbp=12,354.51,,0,40.02

[roadfro]

The ISTHA is using them now as well.  Not so sure I like them.  They would seem to me to be potentially slippery when wet or icy, and they would strike me as the first things to be scraped off the pavement after a snowfall.

The pavement route shields are usually thermoplastic (same material many jurisdictions use for crosswalk bars, stop lines, and pavement word messages), although some might possibly be painted on. In any event, a snowplow shouldn't be able to scrape them up.

For that same reason of the material used, these markings should not be a major safety concern in inclement weather (provided motorists are driving properly for conditions). According to the MUTCD figure that illustrates these, the typical application is 6 feet wide by 14 feet long. The wheels of a typical car traveling in the center of the lane would maybe touch the outer edges of the marking.

[myosh_tino]

Here's one from my home town...
http://www.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=cupertino,+ca&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=38.22949,58.095703&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Cupertino,+Santa+Clara,+California&ll=37.322582,-122.051814&spn=0.000587,0.000886&t=k&z=20

[golden eagle]

I-10 in New Orleans have shields painted on the highway, but I can't recall if they have any signage painted on lanes for exits.

[Hot Rod Hootenanny]

I-10 in New Orleans have shields painted on the highway, but I can't recall if they have any signage painted on lanes for exits.

And on I-10 EB approaching the I-12 split in Baton Rouge.

[national highway 1]

Pretty common in Houston. Angelo is WAYYY to small to need these, I wouldn't be surprised to see them in Dallas or San Antonio...
BigMatt

Correct, BigMatt!!! I remember i saw I-10 and I-610 shields painted onto the lanes of the Katy Fwy in the AARoads Shield gallery!

[realjd]

Pretty common in Houston. Angelo is WAYYY to small to need these, I wouldn't be surprised to see them in Dallas or San Antonio...
BigMatt

Dallas does use them. I think the first time I ever saw one of those was in Dallas actually, in the early 2000's. I know the new monster High-5 interchange at LBJ and Central has them also.

[shoptb1]

What a timely topic.  I was just wondering about this yesterday.  ODOT used to use these in the Columbus area (or at least maintain them) more frequently than today.  I'm not sure if they're getting rid of them on purpose, or just not repainting them after repaving for cost-cutting reasons.  Unlike Texas, ODOT painted shields, however, were never in color...only white paint.  Regardless, I found the pavement markings EXTREMELY helpful when I first moved here because we have so many single-lane exit-only configurations in the downtown area.  The pavement markings are a great confirmation that you're in the correct lane without having to take your eyes off the road.

Here's some Google Map links to the paintings...they're either missing or in worse condition today.

I-70W/I-71S (Split)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=columbus,+oh&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=45.418852,79.013672&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Columbus,+Franklin,+Ohio&ll=39.953261,-83.008291&spn=0.002698,0.004823&t=h&z=18&layer=c&cbll=39.953248,-83.008401&panoid=KkKpUEjInd5yvsmpvNJJOw&cbp=12,285.83,,0,24.42

I-70E/I-71N
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=columbus,+oh&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=45.418852,79.013672&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Columbus,+Franklin,+Ohio&ll=39.952792,-83.009868&spn=0.002714,0.004823&t=h&z=18&layer=c&cbll=39.95276,-83.009981&panoid=eWkhiRBtGm3_jUopUWrX8g&cbp=12,76.47,,0,6.7

I-670W
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=columbus,+oh&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=45.418852,79.013672&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Columbus,+Franklin,+Ohio&ll=39.974039,-83.003745&spn=0.001357,0.002411&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=39.97408,-83.003647&panoid=UE5lh8jOen_zUMo5NfcmIw&cbp=12,237.39,,0,23.02

I-670E
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=columbus,+oh&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=45.418852,79.013672&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Columbus,+Franklin,+Ohio&ll=39.974619,-83.001902&spn=0.001357,0.002411&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=39.974665,-83.001809&panoid=QPgQmy1a9vbQo6fOH8yoTw&cbp=12,54.51,,0,29.83

I-70W (Prior to the Split)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=columbus,+oh&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=45.418852,79.013672&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Columbus,+Franklin,+Ohio&ll=39.953973,-82.971448&spn=0.002714,0.004823&t=h&z=18&layer=c&cbll=39.953984,-82.971559&panoid=kUFzxHMVt16B-CvXP6sJGA&cbp=12,306.12,,0,31.53

[burgess87]

I've noticed TxDOT laying down warning sign symbols as well.  I've seen the "Signal Ahead" symbol sign used several times.

[Max B. (FreewayTitan)]

I actually saw this on I-355, merging onto I-294 in Downers Grove, IL. Really good idea!

[yakra]

It's a little fuzzy, but here's one at the newly reconfigured South Portland I-295 entrance.

[Truvelo]

There's a nice example on I-70 near Wheeling that no one has mentioned yet which is surprising given that this stretch of I-70 is discussed regularly.

[shoptb1]

There's a nice example on I-70 near Wheeling that no one has mentioned yet which is surprising given that this stretch of I-70 is discussed regularly.

That's because I never actually drive I-70 through Wheeling.  I take I-470, since the Wheeling tunnels are ALWAYS under construction.  Please note the orange barrels in the distance in your photo.   

[Michael]

@shoptb1: On I-670 West, just past your Street View link, some of the shields are blacked out.  Any idea why?

[shoptb1]

@shoptb1: On I-670 West, just past your Street View link, some of the shields are blacked out.  Any idea why?

No, that was one of my main comments.  For some reason, ODOT is blacking these out, and I don't know why.  I find these markings very helpful and I really wish that they would continue to paint them.

[realjd]

So here's one for you all - has anyone ever seen a painted shield with the state name? 

[The Premier]

So here's one for you all - has anyone ever seen a painted shield with the state name? 

Never heard of it.

Anyway, ODOT at one point painted the shields on SR 8, but they are beginning to chip off.

http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=41.07064,-81.504318&spn=0,0.006899&z=17&layer=c&cbll=41.069954,-81.504303&panoid=AManWknm9zMZmt_PDPG7Zg&cbp=12,354.07,,0,12.47

http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=41.073051,-81.504296&spn=0,0.006899&z=17&layer=c&cbll=41.073563,-81.504146&panoid=1U-c0BLO38ppjnDkkV2krg&cbp=12,220.54,,0,14.71

Maybe ODOT should consider not painting the colors on the signs on the road.

[74/171FAN]

There's one on I-295 SB near the south I-95 interchange near Petersburg marking the left lane as the way to I-95 SB.