The Worst of Road Signs

[national highway 1]

Source: KubaBVB09 on Reddit

[1995hoo]

Publix Parking Lot. Four Corners, FL:

I actually find that more hilarious than gross. I guess it could be worse. Like using an octagon with the words 'do not enter' inside it.

I can point you to an octagonal "Do Not Enter" sign in DC. Drove past it this past Sunday on the way home from Nationals Park, so it's still there. Point Google Street View at 7th and D SW and then go a block to the west across from the ramp to northbound I-395. (I'm typing this on my iPad and have never figured out how to get a Street View link on here. I know how to look at Street View, just not how to get a link.)

[Big John]

Publix Parking Lot. Four Corners, FL:

I actually find that more hilarious than gross. I guess it could be worse. Like using an octagon with the words 'do not enter' inside it.

I can point you to an octagonal "Do Not Enter" sign in DC. Drove past it this past Sunday on the way home from Nationals Park, so it's still there. Point Google Street View at 7th and D SW and then go a block to the west across from the ramp to northbound I-395. (I'm typing this on my iPad and have never figured out how to get a Street View link on here. I know how to look at Street View, just not how to get a link.)

They are common in Wisconsin as that is the standard do not enter sign to be installed on the back side of a stop sign, so the stop sign retains the octagonal shape.  Standard do not enter signs are supposed to be installed in all other locations.

[Buffaboy]

Found along Interstate 790 in Utica, New York, this is one of many installations where the arrows are unmatched. This is pointing to the interchange ramp to NY 49 WEST. Not only are the arrows unmatched, but the installation is against the MUTCD as these types of signs are not to be used along freeways.

In addition, instead of patching "SUNY Inst of Tech" on guide panels with the new "SUNY POLY", NYSDOT just installed these signs along side the guide panels with the old name.

I've seen these in the area. My dad was even confused at the signs because they displayed the school's old (BGS) and new names, some pointed straight when one would think taking the on-ramp would be the way to go, etc. It's just bad, but not as bad as that "Concessions" sign I saw on the first page.

Then they renamed the parkway "Marcy-SUNY Parkway" by taping out the "IT," which is the epitome of pure laziness.

Edit: I also saw that they taped out a SUNYIT sign on the Marcy-SUNY Parkway and it just displays "SUNY."

[roadman65]

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Pompton+Lakes,+NJ/@40.982412,-74.274807,3a,36.5y,214.89h,84.96t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sVxRINOMMsmKG6bsG44LSmQ!2e0!4m2!3m1!1s0x89c31cc85a0c375f:0x7f8e73b03d721ad0

This sign is the worst as nobody even decided to replace it and the fact, it with all its striping faded, just stands there taking space.

Also move on to the old 2 digit US 202 shield that further down.  New Jersey has not used them in well over 35 years, but as we know NJDOT does not maintain this part of US 202 and I am sure Passaic County probably does not even realize they maintain part of a network of highways with one in particular running from Bangor, ME to Newport, DE within their jurisdiction.

I stand corrected on the US 202 shield as another more recent shield is erected a few hundred feet beyond it.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Pompton+Lakes,+NJ/@40.981668,-74.274283,3a,66.8y,173.97h,90.3t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sxalgvXtQ1IaHQgc8Xinkew!2e0!4m2!3m1!1s0x89c31cc85a0c375f:0x7f8e73b03d721ad0

[JoePCool14]

"Hey boss, this sign here seems like it has a lot of empty space on it, what should we do?"
"Hmmm, we could be decent and write out the word 'First', but that's too much effort, just use Impact and make it work."

Source: KubaBVB09 on Reddit

"You guys still left empty space, you're fired!"

In other news...

Publix Parking Lot. Four Corners, FL:

I actually find that more hilarious than gross. I guess it could be worse. Like using an octagon with the words 'do not enter' inside it.

I can point you to an octagonal "Do Not Enter" sign in DC. Drove past it this past Sunday on the way home from Nationals Park, so it's still there. Point Google Street View at 7th and D SW and then go a block to the west across from the ramp to northbound I-395. (I'm typing this on my iPad and have never figured out how to get a Street View link on here. I know how to look at Street View, just not how to get a link.)

They are common in Wisconsin as that is the standard do not enter sign to be installed on the back side of a stop sign, so the stop sign retains the octagonal shape.  Standard do not enter signs are supposed to be installed in all other locations.

I really do not like the Wisconsin Do Not Enter octagon signs, they look awful to me, just awkward in design.

[SignGeek101]

"Hey boss, this sign here seems like it has a lot of empty space on it, what should we do?"
"Hmmm, we could be decent and write out the word 'First', but that's too much effort, just use Impact and make it work."

Only it's not Impact. It's super stretched Highway Gothic, but I can't tell what width. Looks more like Series C though. Observe:

[AlexandriaVA]

Heading westbound on King Street along the Alexandria/Arlington border, as you approach I-395. Non-standard Interstate shield.

https://www.google.com/maps/@38.8316401,-77.0934547,3a,15y,4.73h,87.52t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sF1FF1W2O86mBZFAe5S9gZA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

[noelbotevera]

"Hey boss, this sign here seems like it has a lot of empty space on it, what should we do?"
"Hmmm, we could be decent and write out the word 'First', but that's too much effort, just use Impact and make it work."

Only it's not Impact. It's super stretched Highway Gothic, but I can't tell what width. Looks more like Series C though. Observe:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/31954731@N00/5988854036
Perfect description of this sign.

[WillWeaverRVA]

This monstrosity needs to die in a fire. Well done, Norfolk.

https://www.google.com/maps/@36.9575084,-76.2584844,3a,75y,14.43h,78.06t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s436nLzxx4a5g4LwHZdiRDg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

[SignGeek101]

That sign is new too. Why am I not surprised that is in Clearview? I remember seeing Clearview shields from that area a while back.

It's not even the Clearview that's bad, it's how it was done. What width is the 'TO' and 'WEST'? They look very narrow, maybe 2W?

Also, the borders look like they were done in Ontario, but worse. Plus, I think the 'ONLY' is not needed.

[WillWeaverRVA]

I have no idea, but looking at it more closely, the red and blue parts of the I-64 shield are actually separate pieces with a space between them.

[SignGeek101]

I have no idea, but looking at it more closely, the red and blue parts of the I-64 shield are actually separate pieces with a space between them.

I noticed that too, but I actually don't mind it as much. Still not proper though. I have seen the red and blue sections of the interstate shield switched once.

[Scott5114]

Source: KubaBVB09 on Reddit

MY EYES!!!

Hmm, I think these sign designers are not number 1.

This one is so bad that one of my non-roadgeek friends texted the image to me.

[Bruce]

This one is so bad that one of my non-roadgeek friends texted the image to me.

It probably trickled down the Internet repost/sharing chain, where Reddit is pretty close to the top (if not the top, such as in this case) and Facebook is at the bottom (unless it loops back).

[peterj920]

https://www.google.com/maps/@44.2912197,-88.2585991,3a,15y,68.28h,89.15t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sAHHk8HPAVbi9395Ex22hvQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

https://www.google.com/maps/@44.2438781,-88.3618106,3a,37.5y,283.85h,95.66t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s9eoxMW8HlHRj_CFuRMfgDw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

https://www.google.com/maps/@44.2469326,-88.3241796,3a,37.5y,43.53h,77.86t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sIRDH7BzBkEuP0HUg-Kf2_A!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

Outagamie County, WI used to have to worst looking signs I've seen, but they have greatly improved them.  I posted 2 speed limit 30 signs and 1 speed limit 35 sign where the 3 is barely legible. 

[SignGeek101]

https://www.google.com/maps/@44.2912197,-88.2585991,3a,15y,68.28h,89.15t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sAHHk8HPAVbi9395Ex22hvQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

https://www.google.com/maps/@44.2438781,-88.3618106,3a,37.5y,283.85h,95.66t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s9eoxMW8HlHRj_CFuRMfgDw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

https://www.google.com/maps/@44.2469326,-88.3241796,3a,37.5y,43.53h,77.86t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sIRDH7BzBkEuP0HUg-Kf2_A!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

Outagamie County, WI used to have to worst looking signs I've seen, but they have greatly improved them.  I posted 2 speed limit 30 signs and 1 speed limit 35 sign where the 3 is barely legible.

I thought those were all Google street view camera cut-offs, but indeed the 3 on those signs are squished.

[peterj920]

https://www.google.com/maps/@44.2912197,-88.2585991,3a,15y,68.28h,89.15t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sAHHk8HPAVbi9395Ex22hvQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

https://www.google.com/maps/@44.2438781,-88.3618106,3a,37.5y,283.85h,95.66t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s9eoxMW8HlHRj_CFuRMfgDw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

https://www.google.com/maps/@44.2469326,-88.3241796,3a,37.5y,43.53h,77.86t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sIRDH7BzBkEuP0HUg-Kf2_A!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

Outagamie County, WI used to have to worst looking signs I've seen, but they have greatly improved them.  I posted 2 speed limit 30 signs and 1 speed limit 35 sign where the 3 is barely legible.

I thought those were all Google street view camera cut-offs, but indeed the 3 on those signs are squished.

I've driven by those signs frequently, and couldn't understand why those numbers would look that way.  I posted 3 different sites to show that those signs aren't an isolated case, and that those signs are widespread across Outagamie County.  I just posted google maps pictures since I don't have any photos of my own of these signs.  They are starting to be replaced, and the signs look much better.
Here is what the new signs look like:

https://www.google.com/maps/@44.257416,-88.2831716,3a,15y,125.55h,84.15t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s-pSvR13BWLFG8Ko3i8_PQQ!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo0.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3D-pSvR13BWLFG8Ko3i8_PQQ%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D338.13812%26pitch%3D0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

Here are what the other speed limit signs look like.  They aren't as bad as the 30 and 35s, but still look pretty strange: 

https://www.google.com/maps/@44.2572825,-88.2862292,3a,15y,129.22h,84.63t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sh8MpafOCPEPljecgCQ6OGw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

https://www.google.com/maps/@44.3864188,-88.2802326,3a,30y,304.39h,79.66t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s0mwMiGFKehCh43lUvmT8AA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

https://www.google.com/maps/@44.2574387,-88.2858644,3a,37.5y,290.43h,85.12t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sjSRd2b5QOBdTLYZ3TqwQcg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

[SignGeek101]

https://www.google.com/maps/@44.2912197,-88.2585991,3a,15y,68.28h,89.15t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sAHHk8HPAVbi9395Ex22hvQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

https://www.google.com/maps/@44.2438781,-88.3618106,3a,37.5y,283.85h,95.66t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s9eoxMW8HlHRj_CFuRMfgDw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

https://www.google.com/maps/@44.2469326,-88.3241796,3a,37.5y,43.53h,77.86t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sIRDH7BzBkEuP0HUg-Kf2_A!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

Outagamie County, WI used to have to worst looking signs I've seen, but they have greatly improved them.  I posted 2 speed limit 30 signs and 1 speed limit 35 sign where the 3 is barely legible.

I thought those were all Google street view camera cut-offs, but indeed the 3 on those signs are squished.

Here are what the other speed limit signs look like.  They aren't as bad as the 30 and 35s, but still look pretty strange: 

https://www.google.com/maps/@44.2572825,-88.2862292,3a,15y,129.22h,84.63t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sh8MpafOCPEPljecgCQ6OGw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

https://www.google.com/maps/@44.3864188,-88.2802326,3a,30y,304.39h,79.66t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s0mwMiGFKehCh43lUvmT8AA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

https://www.google.com/maps/@44.2574387,-88.2858644,3a,37.5y,290.43h,85.12t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sjSRd2b5QOBdTLYZ3TqwQcg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

It looks like the last '5' is in series EM, while the number in front of it is in series E. An easy mistake to make for people who don't know any better. Still, it could be worse: https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=3521.msg2009058#msg2009058

[TravelingBethelite]

This isn't the best view, but perhaps we wouldn't want a good view of it:

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.436071,-72.339533,3a,75y,130.86h,79.68t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sAhMQ4z9sZWujPrR367HJfA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

[cjk374]

This isn't the best view, but perhaps we wouldn't want a good view of it:

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.436071,-72.339533,3a,75y,130.86h,79.68t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sAhMQ4z9sZWujPrR367HJfA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

What's wrong here?

[SignGeek101]

This isn't the best view, but perhaps we wouldn't want a good view of it:

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.436071,-72.339533,3a,75y,130.86h,79.68t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sAhMQ4z9sZWujPrR367HJfA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

What's wrong here?

The font I think. It's not standard; looks ugly for sure. Some people wouldn't consider that 'worst' though.

[formulanone]

It's actually not a crime if there's no actual "Worst Of Road Signs" submissions for a week...In fact, all the better.

[noelbotevera]

This isn't the best view, but perhaps we wouldn't want a good view of it:

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.436071,-72.339533,3a,75y,130.86h,79.68t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sAhMQ4z9sZWujPrR367HJfA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

What's wrong here?

The font I think. It's not standard; looks ugly for sure. Some people wouldn't consider that 'worst' though.

That is Helvetica. That's the former CT-standard font for a couple years before going back to FHWA Series fonts.

[mwb1848]

I just ran across this situation on U.S. 49 at the 49E/49W split near Yazoo City, Mississippi. I can't even begin to understand what happened here.



(Image: Google StreetView)