NJ Turnpike and Garden State Parkway go MUTCD!

[NJRoadfan]

Let me get this straight...........the diagrammatic sign pictured above is the old sign? Well..........what destinations are on the new sign? Is it the one in the MUTCD showing Deepwater and Bridgeport, but no bridges ?

The new signs have a diagram with the wrong lane layout on them and some ugly looking US shields.

[jeffandnicole]

Let me get this straight...........the diagrammatic sign pictured above is the old sign? Well..........what destinations are on the new sign? Is it the one in the MUTCD showing Deepwater and Bridgeport, but no bridges ?

The new signs have a diagram with the wrong lane layout on them and some ugly looking US shields.

The new signs have the same destinations. And the shields are fine as well...not sure what is ugly about them. The only difference is the diagram.

[SignBridge]

So the only problem with the new sign is the incorrect number of lanes in the diagram? Has anyone pointed this out to NJDOT?

[jeffandnicole]

The "new" sign has been in place for a number of years. I forget exactly when, but we're talking at least 2 or 3.

[_Simon]

That's no reason you can't ask them to change it if it's wrong.

[NE2]

There's no reason you can't go up in your flying car and paint on a new lane yourself. This is the future, or at least it was back when I wrote that.

[jeffandnicole]

That's no reason you can't ask them to change it if it's wrong.

The point being that it's not like the signs were installed last week.  The error is well known, and NJDOT does not seem intent on changing it.  I/everyone can ask them all I want (in fact, I may have at one point, but it's been quite a while), but I can't force them to do it.

[roadman]

That's no reason you can't ask them to change it if it's wrong.

The point being that it's not like the signs were installed last week.  The error is well known, and NJDOT does not seem intent on changing it.  I/everyone can ask them all I want (in fact, I may have at one point, but it's been quite a while), but I can't force them to do it.

You might want to call the sign error to the attention of the local FHWA office.  That's likely to get the attention of NJDOT.

[Alps]

That's no reason you can't ask them to change it if it's wrong.

The point being that it's not like the signs were installed last week.  The error is well known, and NJDOT does not seem intent on changing it.  I/everyone can ask them all I want (in fact, I may have at one point, but it's been quite a while), but I can't force them to do it.

You might want to call the sign error to the attention of the local FHWA office.  That's likely to get the attention of NJDOT.

Don't be a narc. As a resident of this state, we need all the Federal money we can get just to try to keep up with bridge replacements. I don't want anyone jeopardizing our funding sources.

[J Route Z]

Anyone notice that on this road, there are no merge signs near exit ramps? Well according to an engineer at the Authority, they will be installing these warning signs on all ramps, that merge onto the turnpike, including at rest areas, on the mainline, sometime this spring. Its extensions should have these installed as well, including the Pennsylvania Turnpike Extension, the Newark Bay Extension and the Western Spur. I am surprised that for such a heavy populated road, these signs would be present. They are found on the Garden State Parkway, which is owned by the authority, as well as all other highways. Also, they need to install "yield" signs too at these on ramps, to meet current standards.

[Alps]

Also, they need to install "yield" signs too at these on ramps, to meet current standards.

Only on a very few ramps with inadequate merge lengths.

[djsinco]

In NJ, merging is implied.

[_Simon]

In NJ, merging is implied.

But not going the correct way when you merge -- next time you drive, take notice of either the "NO TURNS" sign in the entrance gore or the "ONE WAY" sign opposite the entrance -- of every exit on state freeways.

[jeffandnicole]

Anyone notice that on this road, there are no merge signs near exit ramps? Well according to an engineer at the Authority, they will be installing these warning signs on all ramps, that merge onto the turnpike, including at rest areas, on the mainline, sometime this spring. Its extensions should have these installed as well, including the Pennsylvania Turnpike Extension, the Newark Bay Extension and the Western Spur. I am surprised that for such a heavy populated road, these signs would be present. They are found on the Garden State Parkway, which is owned by the authority, as well as all other highways. Also, they need to install "yield" signs too at these on ramps, to meet current standards.

I'm confused.  Again.

I'm quite sure I recall the standard merge signs at all (or mostly all) highway ENTRANCES. They wouldn't be at exits.  And the signs wouldn't be on the ramps. 

[kphoger]

I was going to ask the same thing, but just decided it must have been a typo.

[Steve D]

There is one ground mounted Clearview sign for the soccer arena in Harrison on I-280. I'm surprised that fancy new Turnpike sign is ground mounted. I thought they were going to all overhead mounted signs. The one pictured is the only one I saw.

LOL...I passed this sign today and it is now badly damaged (their only one! - did not get a picture).  Apparently there is a construction site adjacent to the sign and it looks like either a vehicle or equipment damaged the sign.

It was my first trip up there in a while and surprisingly most of the signs north of exit 9 (overhead and ground mounted) looked brand new (old-style) so I'm surprised of the timing of the proposed replacement effort.

[NJRoadfan]

I was thinking the other day. Will the "free" section of I-95 between US-46 and US-9W receive new reassurance markers? Unlike the Turnpike proper, there aren't giant signs on the on-ramps. I also noticed that NJDOT sneaked in some of their municipal boundary signs on that stretch of roadway. I don't know why the NJTPA insists on not clearly marking I-95, you'd think they would be proud of it or something. I guess state name shields will continue to be rare to non-existent. A shame because NJDOT seems to be bringing them back.

[_Simon]

I-95

I think it's bullshit that the turnpike authority is allowing a 59-year-old tradition to end;  I think everyone involved in this change will ultimately suffer in hell (if one existed), and I personally hope that their jobs are eliminated by Chris Christie in his next government downsizing;  and I think the only acceptable way out of this would be for the authority to  open a museum with the old signage.    forget the idea ever happened in the first place.

[NE2]

Where were you when they got rid of the exit number bubbles?

[_Simon]

Where were you when they got rid of the exit number bubbles?

Unborn -- and I'm still trying to track down photos of them.  Let's stop this nonsense before our children grow up having never known about the squiggly arrows that were a major part of my childhood.

Edit: - Was just reading the turnpike's wikipedia article and I couldn't get past this sentence. 

Construction of the mainline from conceptualization to completion took 23 months

If i had to be stranded in time, I would choose this point in time.  The next 30 years of driving would be chronologically more and more amazing...

[NE2]

I'm still trying to track down photos of them.

http://www.alpsroads.net/roads/nj/i-95/2.html
http://www.alpsroads.net/roads/nj/i-95/3n.html
http://www.alpsroads.net/roads/nj/i-95/3s.html

And a Houston variant: http://www.texasfreeway.com/Houston/historic/photos/images/i45_safety_barrier_july_1956.jpg

[jeffandnicole]

I-95

I think it's bullshit that the turnpike authority is allowing a 59-year-old tradition to end;  I think everyone involved in this change will ultimately suffer in hell (if one existed), and I personally hope that their jobs are eliminated by Chris Christie in his next government downsizing;  and I think the only acceptable way out of this would be for the authority to  open a museum with the old signage.    forget the idea ever happened in the first place.

I'm pretty sure Christie had nothing to do with that decision, nor did the Turnpike Authority especially wanted to do it either.

[J N Winkler]

I'm still trying to track down photos of them.

http://www.alpsroads.net/roads/nj/i-95/2.html
http://www.alpsroads.net/roads/nj/i-95/3n.html
http://www.alpsroads.net/roads/nj/i-95/3s.html

They're also easy enough to find in NJTA annual reports, which should be in any reasonably well-stocked university library.

[Crazy Volvo Guy]

How about the original exit signs with the rounded humps?

Conveyed the necessary information and were unique - better.

How about non-reflective button copy

Lousy now, but better when new/not as aged.  When I was a kid, there were still plenty of non-reflective button copy signs around in PA, which my family and I frequented, and plenty that were still in pretty decent shape, going back far enough.  I was always able to read the decent ones farther out than I can read the new signage now.  And according to my 8-month-old DOT physical, I have 20/13 vision, so declining vision is out.  Enhancing contrast enhances readability, period.  This is why modern reflective signs read better when under-lit by sodium bulbs.  CONTRAST.  Non-reflective button copy = contrast by the truckload.  I will give you that reflective button copy is really horrible, even when new. (But I still like it better than reflective-only.)

and neon-tubed VMS?

With much grumbling, I might consider giving you that one.

[agentsteel53]

Lousy now, but better when new/not as aged.  When I was a kid, there were still plenty of non-reflective button copy signs around in PA, which my family and I frequented, and plenty that were still in pretty decent shape, going back far enough.  I was always able to read the decent ones farther out than I can read the new signage now.  And according to my 8-month-old DOT physical, I have 20/13 vision, so declining vision is out.  Enhancing contrast enhances readability, period.  This is why modern reflective signs read better when under-lit by sodium bulbs.  CONTRAST.  Non-reflective button copy = contrast by the truckload.  I will give you that reflective button copy is really horrible, even when new. (But I still like it better than reflective-only.)

reflective background button copy is absolutely terrible.  Connecticut seems to have the worst problem with it fading into complete oblivion.