One Of My BGS Pet Peeves...

[agentsteel53]

I'm assuming it used to say US 60.

that is correct.

[agentsteel53]

They were, in fact, a standard.  The MUTCD used to provide minimum heights for text designations on freeway guide signs according to type class.  I think (haven't checked) that it was just in the last revision cycle that FHWA threw text designations on advance guide and exit direction signs out the back of the bus.  Since the MUTCD now has minimum retroreflectivity requirements and the states are universally using whole-surface retroreflectorization for all new guide signing, there is no longer a need to provide for text designations as a way of avoiding negative-contrast button copy.

I thought it was just a space-saving measure.  Spelled out routes take up less height than shields.

my 1957 AASHO interstate manual shows both styles as being permissible, but does not clarify which one to use in which situation.  I'll have to check my 1961 MUTCD to see if that says anything.

[Eth]

Also I have a memory or two of freeway mileage signs in the Carolinas where the state highways referenced on guide signs would simply display "S C XXX".

To the best of my knowledge, Georgia still does this in the relatively rare cases where they reference highways on mileage signs.

[Ian]

Also I have a memory or two of freeway mileage signs in the Carolinas where the state highways referenced on guide signs would simply display "S C XXX".

There are a few on I-95 in South Carolina...

[Scott5114]

The whole purpose of Clearview is that it's mixed case. That's when its improved legibility comes into play. You will never see all-caps Clearview simply because there is no purpose to it.

Never?



Someone might want to clue ODOT in...

[realjd]

I almost missed an exit in Columbia last week because SC barely marked I-126!

The advanced signage only says "Downtown" with no mention of the highway number:


It's not until close to the exit that 126 is even mentioned:


It was dark out. I had been driving for over 13 hours and traffic was surprisingly heavy. I was tired and anxious to get to the hotel. I almost missed the exit because I was scanning the signs for a red and blue I-126 shield! There wasn't a single one.

And thanks to aaroads for letting me steal the images

[Ian]

Route I-126, that's a new one.

[Quillz]

The whole purpose of Clearview is that it's mixed case. That's when its improved legibility comes into play. You will never see all-caps Clearview simply because there is no purpose to it.

Never?



Someone might want to clue ODOT in...

Well, I suppose it can exist but it's pointless. I think in usability studies, all-caps Clearview was actually less legible than comparable all-caps Series E(M). Clearview was designed to be mixed-case and that's how all signs that use the typeface should do it.

[J N Winkler]

I-56 runs through Boise City, Oklahoma!  An ODOT signing plan says so!

[hbelkins]

good heavens, who shat out that US-15 shield??  the 220 is pretty bad, too.

I've seen quite a few shields on guide signs in Pennsylvania that look like that. US 30's exit on I-81 is one example, and I've seen more than a few US 19 shields that look similar

[Quillz]

I-56 runs through Boise City, Oklahoma!  An ODOT signing plan says so!

And at various points in time, California has had Interstates 1, 50, 99 and 101.

[SignBridge]

I-99 was in California? When and where? It's currently in Pennsylvania. What happened to the original standardized Interstate numbering system?

[myosh_tino]

I-99 was in California? When and where? It's currently in Pennsylvania. What happened to the original standardized Interstate numbering system?

Those were sign goofs made by contractors or Caltrans.

I-99 -> CA-99
I-1 -> CA-1
I-101 -> US 101
I-50 -> US 50

[Quillz]

I-99 was in California? When and where? It's currently in Pennsylvania. What happened to the original standardized Interstate numbering system?

Error shields, as mentioned in the previous post. And I'm sure there's been more, too. Many local businesses around where I live draw very generic, simplified maps showing where they are, and they usually use the Interstate shield to represent any numbered route. That means that I've seen Interstates 27, 118, 134 and 2.

[agentsteel53]

Error shields, as mentioned in the previous post. And I'm sure there's been more, too. Many local businesses around where I live draw very generic, simplified maps showing where they are, and they usually use the Interstate shield to represent any numbered route. That means that I've seen Interstates 27, 118, 134 and 2.

oddly, we have a map here at work in San Diego, showing the nearest hospital, and it shows US-5, US-805, and US-52.  Not bad for a city with no surviving US routes!

[Quillz]

Error shields, as mentioned in the previous post. And I'm sure there's been more, too. Many local businesses around where I live draw very generic, simplified maps showing where they are, and they usually use the Interstate shield to represent any numbered route. That means that I've seen Interstates 27, 118, 134 and 2.

oddly, we have a map here at work in San Diego, showing the nearest hospital, and it shows US-5, US-805, and US-52.  Not bad for a city with no surviving US routes!

Not only does Interstate 54 run through San Diego, it even has its own Business Route!

[wriddle082]

I almost missed an exit in Columbia last week because SC barely marked I-126!

The advanced signage only says "Downtown" with no mention of the highway number:


It's not until close to the exit that 126 is even mentioned:


It was dark out. I had been driving for over 13 hours and traffic was surprisingly heavy. I was tired and anxious to get to the hotel. I almost missed the exit because I was scanning the signs for a red and blue I-126 shield! There wasn't a single one.

And thanks to aaroads for letting me steal the images

Now that I'm a Columbia-area resident, those signs are going to be a thorn in my side until they replace them.  At least the westbound I-26 signage for I-126 uses shields...

[J N Winkler]

They were, in fact, a standard.  The MUTCD used to provide minimum heights for text designations on freeway guide signs according to type class.  I think (haven't checked) that it was just in the last revision cycle that FHWA threw text designations on advance guide and exit direction signs out the back of the bus.  Since the MUTCD now has minimum retroreflectivity requirements and the states are universally using whole-surface retroreflectorization for all new guide signing, there is no longer a need to provide for text designations as a way of avoiding negative-contrast button copy.

I thought it was just a space-saving measure.  Spelled out routes take up less height than shields.

It does save space, but I don't think that was the motivation in Pennsylvania.  PennDOT (& predecessor agency) never did text designations with Interstates--only US and Pennsylvania traffic routes.  Moreover, PennDOT began using shields for US and Pennsylvania routes once the standard plan sheets started showing retroreflectorized white shields.  It would be interesting to see if Pennsylvania ever tried outline US and Pennsylvania state route shields during the relatively brief period of time when they were allowed; I don't have any signing plan sheets which address this point.

my 1957 AASHO interstate manual shows both styles as being permissible, but does not clarify which one to use in which situation.  I'll have to check my 1961 MUTCD to see if that says anything.

For US and state routes at the very least, and possibly also the Interstates, I think it was left to state discretion.

[corco]

The whole purpose of Clearview is that it's mixed case. That's when its improved legibility comes into play. You will never see all-caps Clearview simply because there is no purpose to it.

You haven't spent much time in Arizona or Wyoming, have you?

[Alps]

Error shields, as mentioned in the previous post. And I'm sure there's been more, too. Many local businesses around where I live draw very generic, simplified maps showing where they are, and they usually use the Interstate shield to represent any numbered route. That means that I've seen Interstates 27, 118, 134 and 2.

oddly, we have a map here at work in San Diego, showing the nearest hospital, and it shows US-5, US-805, and US-52.  Not bad for a city with no surviving US routes!

Not only does Interstate 54 run through San Diego, it even has its own Business Route!

I plan to be out that way fairly soon, where might I find such a contraption?  Feel free to private message me if you don't want word to get out.

[Quillz]

That's from the Shield Gallery, it's not my pic, but I'd imagine it's on one of the roads that junction with CA-54.

[Quillz]

The whole purpose of Clearview is that it's mixed case. That's when its improved legibility comes into play. You will never see all-caps Clearview simply because there is no purpose to it.

You haven't spent much time in Arizona or Wyoming, have you?

Not too much time, no. But if those states use all-caps Clearview, then they are doing it wrong. Clearview was supposed to be used in mixed-case scenarios. I believe Series E(M) is actually more legible than Clearview when both are in all-caps, and only when dealing with positive contrast signs. The very specific usage of Clearview to gets its benefits is likely a big reason why it's still only allowed on an interim basis.

[MDOTFanFB]

Error shields, as mentioned in the previous post.

Been along U.S. 1 in New York City? There is a 3di Interstate shield saying "INTERSTATE US1" somewhere.

[corco]

The whole purpose of Clearview is that it's mixed case. That's when its improved legibility comes into play. You will never see all-caps Clearview simply because there is no purpose to it.

You haven't spent much time in Arizona or Wyoming, have you?

Not too much time, no. But if those states use all-caps Clearview, then they are doing it wrong. Clearview was supposed to be used in mixed-case scenarios. I believe Series E(M) is actually more legible than Clearview when both are in all-caps, and only when dealing with positive contrast signs. The very specific usage of Clearview to gets its benefits is likely a big reason why it's still only allowed on an interim basis.

Arizona uses it very extensively from what I have seen, with Wyoming using it fairly sporadically (in quick search I can't even find any). I total agree that upper-case Clearview looks weird, but there it is anyway.

Here's some ducks for your jolly:*

(on the 60 east of Mesa)

(on SR 287 at I-10)

(on I-10 at the 101)

(in an ADOT yard off the 10 in Goodyear)

Not that I advocate it, but it is out there.


*I'm no font expert, so if I'm wrong and this isn't Clearview I'll eat my hat

[Alps]

Error shields, as mentioned in the previous post.

Been along U.S. 1 in New York City? There is a 3di Interstate shield saying "INTERSTATE US1" somewhere.

Gun Hill Rd.  I don't recommend going there alone or at night.