Cryptic word messages on traffic signs

[cpzilliacus]

They're an example of a sign where the people who need to know what it means will understand it. I recall when signs using the term "HAZMAT Carriers" first appeared on the Beltway in Virginia a lot of car drivers were confused by them (the signs were later amended to say "HAZMAT Trucks"), but again, the people who needed to be concerned about the lane restrictions for HAZMAT carriers knew what the term meant.

Reminds me of Pennsylvania's No Placarded Loads or Placarded Loads Use Route XXX signs, which are (perhaps) not so obvious to drivers of automobiles - but truck drivers are supposed to know what those mean.

[cpzilliacus]

For a while, the District of Columbia used to program the (many) portable variable message signs at its borders to flash this message on weekends (1) EVENTS DWNTWN (2) AVOID DLY (3) USE METRO, though I think someone pointed out to the DDOT staff that WMATA does a lot of track work (and single-tracking, which results in headways (sometimes) of 30 minutes or more), so using Metrorail does not "avoid dly" for the people that ride it.

I also recall reading that the MUTCD (or a related document) specifically says that "dly" is not to be used as an abbreviation for "delay."

[Michael in Philly]

and a colloquialism which has passed out of use since the 50s: BLOCK MOTHER AREA.  It sounds like a Pink Floyd song title, but the Block Mother was the person who was responsible for finding all the children after the bomb hit.

- shudder -

[Michael in Philly]

For a while, the District of Columbia used to program the (many) portable variable message signs at its borders to flash this message on weekends (1) EVENTS DWNTWN (2) AVOID DLY (3) USE METRO, though I think someone pointed out to the DDOT staff that WMATA does a lot of track work (and single-tracking, which results in headways (sometimes) of 30 minutes or more), so using Metrorail does not "avoid dly" for the people that ride it.

I also recall reading that the MUTCD (or a related document) specifically says that "dly" is not to be used as an abbreviation for "delay."

I first read it as "avoid daily."  Which might be a wise course of action....

[thenetwork]

GREEN RIVER ORDINANCE ENFORCED--generally means "businesses must obtain a license to operate in this jurisdiction" (the requirement to be licensed is designed to curb fly-by-night operators, and is called "Green River ordinance" on these signs apparently because it was pioneered in the town of Green River, Wyoming)

And I thought it had something to do with a certain Creedence Clearwater Revival song, or a law pertaining to CCR music in general...

[Alps]

For a while, the District of Columbia used to program the (many) portable variable message signs at its borders to flash this message on weekends (1) EVENTS DWNTWN (2) AVOID DLY (3) USE METRO, though I think someone pointed out to the DDOT staff that WMATA does a lot of track work (and single-tracking, which results in headways (sometimes) of 30 minutes or more), so using Metrorail does not "avoid dly" for the people that ride it.

I also recall reading that the MUTCD (or a related document) specifically says that "dly" is not to be used as an abbreviation for "delay."

I also recall that PVMS have three lines of 8 characters each, rendering the abbreviations pointless.

Regarding cryptic messages, the average motorist might scratch his head at the signs in Florida that say "PREPASS Follow In-Cab Signals." These signs appear in advance of weigh stations and are targeted at truck drivers. They're an example of a sign where the people who need to know what it means will understand it.

Not just Florida. This sign bugs the hell out of me, because it's the only one I still haven't figured out. (In fact, before I looked it up online the first time, I invented my own concept of "prepassing" that still gets stuck in my head.)

[kphoger]

Seen in Texas:    HC MUST USE ____
It's for hazardous cargo, but it's a good thing my initials aren't H.C.

Safe Place

[vtk]

Safe Place

Yeah I've seen those and I'm not quite sure what the deal is.  I mean I guess if you're a kid running from a mugger or a pedophile or something you'd want to run to a place with this sign, right?  But usually it's just a Kroger grocery store or something, and are the employees really prepared to offer the necessary protection?

[Alps]

Safe Place

Yeah I've seen those and I'm not quite sure what the deal is.  I mean I guess if you're a kid running from a mugger or a pedophile or something you'd want to run to a place with this sign, right?  But usually it's just a Kroger grocery store or something, and are the employees really prepared to offer the necessary protection?

My apartment is a safer place than a grocery store, because unlike their employees, I have no qualms about using deadly force should someone attempt to enter feloniously. Most places instruct employees to duck and run in the face of force.

[agentsteel53]

that "Safe Place" looks foreboding - like the foreground character is being grabbed from behind by a demon ghost.

that's about the last thing I'd consider safe if I were a small child.

[hbelkins]

The Tar Heel State also posts "Motorcycles Burn Headlights" at many (most?) (all?) highways entering the state.

Why should motorcyclists burn their headlights? Wouldn't it be better if they turned them on or illuminated them or used them?

[Scott5114]

Yeah, the HC signs were puzzling the first time I saw them as well.

Steve, what did you think the "prepass" signs meant?

[roadman]

Here's a snippet from Wikipedia that explains why California had to post MAXIMUM SPEED signs...

When the National Maximum Speed Law was enacted, California was forced to create a new legal signage category, "Maximum Speed", to indicate to drivers that the Basic Speed Law did not apply for speeds over the federally mandated speed cap; rather, it would be a violation to exceed the fixed maximum speed indicated on the sign, regardless of whether the driver's speed could be considered "reasonable and prudent".

Seems to me that it would had been far simpler (and much less expensive) for California to just amend the basic speed law to read "reasonable and prudent, unless otherwise posted."

[cpzilliacus]

For a while, the District of Columbia used to program the (many) portable variable message signs at its borders to flash this message on weekends (1) EVENTS DWNTWN (2) AVOID DLY (3) USE METRO, though I think someone pointed out to the DDOT staff that WMATA does a lot of track work (and single-tracking, which results in headways (sometimes) of 30 minutes or more), so using Metrorail does not "avoid dly" for the people that ride it.

I also recall reading that the MUTCD (or a related document) specifically says that "dly" is not to be used as an abbreviation for "delay."

I also recall that PVMS have three lines of 8 characters each, rendering the abbreviations pointless.

These units (since replaced) were smaller than the "conventional" portable VMS units that are normally deployed along U.S. highways - in terms of the number of characters that could be displayed, and the size of those characters.

[cpzilliacus]

For a while, the District of Columbia used to program the (many) portable variable message signs at its borders to flash this message on weekends (1) EVENTS DWNTWN (2) AVOID DLY (3) USE METRO, though I think someone pointed out to the DDOT staff that WMATA does a lot of track work (and single-tracking, which results in headways (sometimes) of 30 minutes or more), so using Metrorail does not "avoid dly" for the people that ride it.

I also recall reading that the MUTCD (or a related document) specifically says that "dly" is not to be used as an abbreviation for "delay."

I first read it as "avoid daily."  Which might be a wise course of action....

On this 4th of July it would have been - at least on the Green Line, where there was more than a little bit of "dly:"

Rebellion on the Green Line: Passengers flee stalled Metro train

[kurumi]

Connecticut used to post "ROAD LEGALLY CLOSED" (use at your own risk) when road construction was in progress.

[Scott5114]

ODOT posted a cryptic-at-first-glance VMS once, informing the motoring public "I-35 NB RAMP 2 B CLOSED". After I passed the sign I puzzled over it for about five minutes, trying to figure out which ramp could possibly be ramp 2B, since that is not a valid I-35 exit number (and it'd be about a hundred miles south of the VMS if it was). Then I was thinking it must be some sort of ODOT internal ramp designation scheme, but that didn't make sense to be on a VMS...

Five minutes later I realized it was text speak. "I-35 northbound ramp to be closed".

[deathtopumpkins]

Connecticut used to post "ROAD LEGALLY CLOSED" (use at your own risk) when road construction was in progress.

The current signage they use is still pretty cryptic -

"ROAD USE RESTRICTED
STATE LIABILITY LIMITED
[citation of relevant laws]"

[agentsteel53]

Here's a snippet from Wikipedia that explains why California had to post MAXIMUM SPEED signs...

When the National Maximum Speed Law was enacted, California was forced to create a new legal signage category, "Maximum Speed", to indicate to drivers that the Basic Speed Law did not apply for speeds over the federally mandated speed cap; rather, it would be a violation to exceed the fixed maximum speed indicated on the sign, regardless of whether the driver's speed could be considered "reasonable and prudent".

the "basic speed law" is another thing which requires eight high-powered lawyers to understand.  in reality, it's "has the cop failed to have his donut this morning?  does the jurisdiction need the revenue?", in which case there's no way you're talking yourself out of that ticket.

[agentsteel53]

ODOT posted a cryptic-at-first-glance VMS once, informing the motoring public "I-35 NB RAMP 2 B CLOSED". After I passed the sign I puzzled over it for about five minutes, trying to figure out which ramp could possibly be ramp 2B, since that is not a valid I-35 exit number (and it'd be about a hundred miles south of the VMS if it was). Then I was thinking it must be some sort of ODOT internal ramp designation scheme, but that didn't make sense to be on a VMS...

Five minutes later I realized it was text speak. "I-35 northbound ramp to be closed".

i s4w sth lyk THTHTHTHTHT 2.  L00000L!!!!!!!!!!!!OMg pwzn0r all ur BAISE

(god damn, do I hate text speak.)

[empirestate]

NO TRUCKS WITH R PERMITS - found on bridges all over NYS. Not much of a permit if it precludes you from so many roads!

CERTIFIED BUSINESS LOCATION - accompanies town name markers throughout WV.

FROST HEAVES probably looks weird to people from places that don't get these.

Then there are the Z's and the 2/3-of-the-Delorean-logos (backwards C followed by regular C; just minus the M) that appear all over the NJ Turnpike. Took me a while to figure out they're not actually letters, but symbols showing where median breaks are. Z's mean a break between same-direction roadways, and the Delorean sign means it's in the center median. (Although I believe the Delorean can also be used for other types of U-turns, such as authorized-only crossunder ramps.)

A lot of people question "THICKLY SETTLED" in Massachusetts, but it seems intuitive to me. It is an area that has been settled thickly, or to a high density.

the usage renders it unintuitive.  you see it in rural parts of the state where the population density is 20% more than surrounding farmlands - but you don't see it in Boston, or in suburbs! 

Well, you may have inadvertently hit on it, actually. In a rural area, the relative density of even a small village is a condition change from the surrounding area. In the Boston area, although the density is much, much greater, it is also widespread, so there's no immediate change from the surroundings to warrant posting.

[formulanone]

Safe Place

They're typically used for fire and police departments, hospitals, and the like to denote a safe place for a child where there might be people of authority, or at least, a great number of people who could help. We're looking from the perspective of adults, but kids could go there if they were totally lost or whatever; I don't think the theory was have bullying force met with intimidating force. They're not road signs in any way I've ever seen, as they're placed on building entrances.

Even odder were a handful of of "baby drop" signs with storks on them, in which mothers could leave their newborns with no reprisal nor penalty. Only saw a few of those, and they were exclusive to hospitals, police, and fire departments.

I would think that DLY meant "daily" and not "delay". Include a vowel when text-speaking a difference between two common words, 'mkay?

[codyg1985]

ODOT posted a cryptic-at-first-glance VMS once, informing the motoring public "I-35 NB RAMP 2 B CLOSED". After I passed the sign I puzzled over it for about five minutes, trying to figure out which ramp could possibly be ramp 2B, since that is not a valid I-35 exit number (and it'd be about a hundred miles south of the VMS if it was). Then I was thinking it must be some sort of ODOT internal ramp designation scheme, but that didn't make sense to be on a VMS...

Five minutes later I realized it was text speak. "I-35 northbound ramp to be closed".

I didn't think the MUTCD allowed for texting abbreviations on VMS signs. It would have worked better to say "I-35 NB RAMP TO CLOSE"

[SidS1045]

A lot of people question "THICKLY SETTLED" in Massachusetts, but it seems intuitive to me. It is an area that has been settled thickly, or to a high density.

Not necessarily.  That sign is a reference to the basic speed law in Massachusetts (General Laws, chapter 90, section 17), which begins:  "No person operating a motor vehicle on any way shall run it at a rate of speed greater than is reasonable and proper."  A "thickly settled" area is defined in chapter 90, section 1 as either:

1) an area of houses with an average separation of less than 200 feet over a distance of 1/4 mile or more, or
2) a business district.

Exceeding 30 mph for 1/8 mile or more in a thickly settled district is prima facie evidence of unreasonable speed, although at a hearing the cited driver is permitted to introduce evidence that the speed was reasonable at the time.

[PurdueBill]

I would think that DLY meant "daily" and not "delay". Include a vowel when text-speaking a difference between two common words, 'mkay?

The MUTCD actually mentions "daily" as a common misinterpretation of "DLY" in a table listing unacceptable abbreviations.  It actually specifically says that DLY is verboten as an abbreviation for Delay because it is easily misunderstood as Daily.  Seems that they had it right!