The Worst of Road Signs

[vtk]

I'm imagining this sign turning up in a roadgeek's sign collection...

"Why would you want a Clearview Interstate shield?"

"I don't, really..."

"So why is it here?"

"I stole it as a public service, and can't find anyone who actually wants it."

[mhallack]

What's that interstate number? I can't see it very well (Congress st. Westbrook, Maine) Sorry about the crap pic, from my phone, then had to enlarge

[Zeffy]

What's that interstate number? I can't see it very well (Congress st. Westbrook, Maine) Sorry about the crap pic, from my phone, then had to enlarge

Unless I'm not seeing something here, the only thing wrong with that is the quite small MA-22 shield... but the I-95 shield is fine.

[dfnva]

Virginia has other Clearview shields ...

Most prominently -- http://goo.gl/maps/S1NMf  --- I-95 Exit 110 / SR-639, This one was put up around 2006 or 2007, one of the first Clearview signs VDOT erected.

More recently, in Manassas, as the intersection of VA-28 and Wellington Rd was grade-separated, the new shields for VA-28 are in Clearview. These aren't available yet in Google Street-view, I'll try to get some pictures.

Are there any Clearview shields in other states?  Isn't that a MUTCD violation?

[Big John]

Are there any Clearview shields in other states?  Isn't that a MUTCD violation?

I have seen pictures of some in Michigan.  And yes, those are not approved by MUTCD.

[vdeane]

I think this sign is the bastard child of Caltrans and NYSDOT region 2: http://goo.gl/maps/1KOC2

The Thruway must be in the business of adopting unwanted signage.

[Zeffy]

I think this sign is the bastard child of Caltrans and NYSDOT region 2: http://goo.gl/maps/1KOC2

The Thruway must be in the business of adopting unwanted signage.

Am I the only one who thought of the NJTP signs when I saw the "EXIT 18A 1 MILE" sign? Also, why the hell would you box out "FENIMORE RD". That doesn't even look one bit right.

[NE2]

Also, why the hell would you box out "FENIMORE RD". That doesn't even look one bit right.

It's NYSDOT quasi-standard practice. (Yawn.)

[PHLBOS]

Unless I'm not seeing something here, the only thing wrong with that is the quite small MA-22 shield... but the I-95 shield is fine.

ME 22 shield.  Granted, ME shields and MA shields look alot alike these days.

[Brandon]

Unless I'm not seeing something here, the only thing wrong with that is the quite small MA-22 shield... but the I-95 shield is fine.

ME 22 shield.  Granted, ME shields and MA shields look alot alike these days.

Without any state name, or context (granted this one does with the Maine Tpk shield), Maine, Massachusetts, and Connecticut state route shields cannot be differentiated.  I find it amazing that three states have the same square so close to each other with no identifier on the shield.  At least Illinois and Indiana ones can be told apart from the state name on the square.

[hbelkins]

I've seen Clearview route markers in Michigan and Illinois (several on the I-90 tollway heading out toward Rockford).

[PHLBOS]

Without any state name, or context (granted this one does with the Maine Tpk shield), Maine, Massachusetts, and Connecticut state route shields cannot be differentiated.  I find it amazing that three states have the same square so close to each other with no identifier on the shield.  At least Illinois and Indiana ones can be told apart from the state name on the square.

Actually, it terms of stand-alone shields; CT's are different from MA's & ME's in that the black border extends to the edges of the shield.  For the other two states' shields, the black border is more like a stripe rather than an outer border.

It's also worth noting that both NJ & DE use the same symbol (the MUTCD circle) for their state highway shields but don't place any state names on them.

[vtk]

Maine, Massachusetts, and Connecticut state route shields cannot be differentiated.  I find it amazing that three states have the same square so close to each other with no identifier on the shield.

I don't think it's a problem practically.  State routes with the same number in more than one of those states are usually either the same road anyway, or too distant from one another to be confused... I'm assuming.  If there's a counterexample, then by all means prove me wrong.

[agentsteel53]

It's also worth noting that both NJ & DE use the same symbol (the MUTCD circle) for their state highway shields but don't place any state names on them.

as do KY and MS.

[Big John]

It's also worth noting that both NJ & DE use the same symbol (the MUTCD circle) for their state highway shields but don't place any state names on them.

as do KY and MS.

plus IA

[Brandon]

It's also worth noting that both NJ & DE use the same symbol (the MUTCD circle) for their state highway shields but don't place any state names on them.

as do KY and MS.

But, only NJ and DE are next to each other.  Even then, they're not connected by much.

For similarly shaped shields, you have CT and MA next to each other, and IL and IN sharing a very long border.

[agentsteel53]

For similarly shaped shields, you have CT and MA next to each other, and IL and IN sharing a very long border.

CT and MA shields look nothing alike to me. 

then again I'm the sort of person who can look at a sign and say "that margin is 3/8 inch; should be 1/2 for a 24 incher".

[Zeffy]

Unless I'm not seeing something here, the only thing wrong with that is the quite small MA-22 shield... but the I-95 shield is fine.

ME 22 shield.  Granted, ME shields and MA shields look alot alike these days.

Oops. I always confuse Maine and Mass. state abbreviations. I meant Maine 22.

[Alps]

It's also worth noting that both NJ & DE use the same symbol (the MUTCD circle) for their state highway shields but don't place any state names on them.

as do KY and MS.

But, only NJ and DE are next to each other.  Even then, they're not connected by much.

For similarly shaped shields, you have CT and MA next to each other, and IL and IN sharing a very long border.

CT and MA are now cross-designing shields, moreso CT's thin-outline MA-style shields, but you'll find an occasional Thickborder (TM) in MA. (I'm still making dinner.) As for NJ/DE, a fun differentiator is DE uses Series C and NJ uses Series D. Yes, you'll find plenty of Series C in NJ nowadays, but Series D in DE is technically in error.

[agentsteel53]

Series D in DE is technically in error.

or just older:




I think, though, that those are both Delaware Custom D, not Federal D.

[machias]

Also, why the hell would you box out "FENIMORE RD". That doesn't even look one bit right.

It's NYSDOT quasi-standard practice. (Yawn.)

It used to be in the NYSMUTCD that was followed until 2007. I believe it was an option beginning with the 1983 version of that manual but I don't really remember seeing it until Region 3 used it on I-81 in a couple of places. The Taft Rd (Exit 28) interchange comes to mind, but the signs have since been patched with standard Series E(m) legend.  I guess once R2 saw R3 do it, R2 went crazy and used it everywhere, insisting that it was mandatory when it wasn't, and then they told R8 about it.  The funny thing is that the sample legend in the NYSMUTCD was for a panel in R10 that was never designed with that type of street name legend.

The practice has been stopped as of 2008 or so but it still shows up on plans and R2 hasn't bothered bringing any of their signs in compliance, though the NYS supplement to the 2009 MUTCD states that mixed case lettering shall be used.

[Central Avenue]

Seen yesterday on I-395 entering DC. Not only did they not just repair the sign, they used greenout to put the missing words back on. Ugh.

My first thought was "hopefully it's a temporary fix" but I imagine that's giving them too much credit.

[myosh_tino]

I took the original photo and through the magic of Photoshop, repaired the sign.



I also took the liberty of fixing the legend on the I-395 portion of the sign.

[rickmastfan67]

From the super lazy department, I give you a horrible sign in Nashville, TN that would make anybody's heads explode:
http://goo.gl/maps/z2eJt

And it's sibling across the street is just as bad:
http://goo.gl/maps/onNGb

[NE2]

From the super lazy department, I give you a horrible sign in Nashville, TN that would make anybody's heads explode:
http://goo.gl/maps/z2eJt

And it's sibling across the street is just as bad:
http://goo.gl/maps/onNGb

Hell yeah. It's Woonsignage.
http://www.alpsroads.net/roads/ri/ri_126/