U.S. map question

[bandit86]

looking at Google Earth, I can see several different type of roadmarkers.

I know the interstate signs, but what are the other ones called. Just zoomed in on Atlanta and I see a rectangular sign with rounded corners and another one that is like a shiled kinda. What are those called?

Also, when talking to someeon, would an interstate be always referred to as say I75 or just 75? the others?

 

[Beefer]

Re: U.S. map question

Let's see how i do with this.

The rounded-corner sign could be a State Hwy. Most of the state hwy signs have the shape of the state drawn inside the sign. Could also be a county road. The shield looking signs is probably a US Route sign (like Route 66).

You can also do a googe search for US road or highway signs, and see all the different signs.

 

[joed]

Re: U.S. map question

http://www.routemarkers.com/usa/

 

[Thad]

Re: U.S. map question

Yep, what beefer said.

I work for the IDOT in the traffic operations department. ALL Interstate shields are the same. ALL US route markers are the same. This is per the MUTCD (manual on uniform traffic control devices) Where it differs is each individual state, they can design their own signs for State routes. In Illinois, it simply says ILLINOIS at the top. Older versions, long before my time were just a number inside the outline of the state.

There are some variances on the first two, although not that common any more, some states will put on the sign somewhere the name of the state you are in. Toll ways and Turnpikes often have another slight variance on signing, since most of them do not receive State funding or motor fuel tax money.

Another thing that IS uniform is color. Black on white is standard for US and State routes. Blue is Interstate. Green can be business, National, or informative. Brown is historic or public use.

County route are another thing entirely their own monster. (At least here)
Unless they receive State or Federal monies to help maintain a particular route, they can do pretty much what they want. Wisconsin is about the only State I have seen that has a somewhat uniform county route marking system.

There is a lot of time, money, energy, and learning involved in roadway signing. And there are more being added and changed monthly. A new one here we are getting ready to sign is the Chicago/Kansas City Trade Route. And no, it is NOT the shortest or quickest way to get there.

Oh, and it is alway I-75 or I-80. When refering to a route it is best to use its designation. Unless you're local to the area.

 

[bandit86]

Re: U.S. map question

If an interstate has another name, like I65 in kentucky is the Kentucky turnpike, are both names used commonly? When would one be preferable to the other?

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: U.S. map question

Maybe she was right after all!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj3iNxZ8Dww

 

[Thad]

Re: U.S. map question

If an interstate has another name, like I65 in kentucky is the Kentucky turnpike, are both names used commonly? When would one be preferable to the other?

It would be a local thing. As for Interstate travel it would be the dominant I-65. For Intrastate travel it would be the Turnpike.

When a Federal road is on the SAME section of road as a State route, the Federal alway comes first. When you throw an Interstate in the mix, it is first.

A good example would be I-39 and US 51. The Interstate is listed first. If you had US 52, Illinois 26, Illinois 2,and Illinois 38, the US route would be first and then the State routes would be listed numerically. So it would read US 52/IL 38/IL 26/IL 2. The same would apply to the Turnpike. It still has the Federal designation. In some cases, you will see on the confiramtion markers both signs side by side, the Interstate should be on the left, which is first. On a Toll road, The shield will be the shape of the Interstate shield, but will say TOLL in place of Interstate. Turnpikes usually have a design that is determined "in house" and that will be displayed with the confirming route marker.

I-80 is a great example. It runs through many states. Across Iowa to Dixon, IL it is a free Interstate. At Dixon it becomes I-80 Toll Road. At Indiana it becomes I-80/Indiana Toll road, and at Ohio becomes I-80/Ohio TPK. I believe Penn. gets a little pay action on it as well. But it is the State that determines how to subsidize the maintenance and upkeep on the route. If it is a Toll road, you have foregone State subsidies but it is still a Federal route.

If you think about it long enough, you will make even less sense out of it.(pull hair out here)

 

[bandit86]

Re: U.S. map question

oh my god, thar was awful. I think beauty pagents should have a minimum IQ before being allowed to enter. If they are the idol to millions of little girls, they should be held to a higher degree. You know, somewhat smarter than a doormat.

 

[mscher]

Re: U.S. map question

If an interstate has another name, like I65 in kentucky is the Kentucky turnpike, are both names used commonly? When would one be preferable to the other?

FWIW, I-65 and most other Interstate highways are considered "freeways", even though the term is used mostly for CA interstates, through major cities.

A "turnpike" is a term, usually saved for a road that charges tolls.

 

[Bondo]

Re: U.S. map question

Ayuh,... And Interstates are numbered from south to north,+ west to east...
Federal Hiways are numbered east to west, north to south...
Odd numbers run north/ south,... Even numbers east/ west...

 

[FuriousMob]

Re: U.S. map question

Some regions say "The 65" also. "The" covering all roads that are referred to in number only, so it usually is an interstate or state route.

 

[PGFISHER]

Re: U.S. map question

The term turnpike came from the turnstile type of gate used on toll roads when we were still riding in wagons. Once you paid the toll the tollkeep would turn the pike to let you pass.

 

[ifallsguy]

Re: U.S. map question

To throw more confusion into the mix, toll roads can be and are numbered as Interstates. Such as the Northwest Toll Road in Illinois is also Interstate or I 90.

Federal highway dollars cannot be used to build or maintain toll roads. That's what the tolls are for. The problem is most toll road authorities have a date that stated when they would be paid off and be free roads when they proposed and built their little toll roads. I don't remember ever hearing of one changing over from toll to free.

And, for the most part, toll roads tend to be in better shape. They have to keep them repaired or their "customers" could and will find another route. That is what part of the toll is supposed to pay for. Free interstates are at the mercy of the DOT and politicans. Just drive I-80 in the Joliet, IL area and enjoy dodging the semi eating potholes.

Not meaning to pick on Illinois, but it the closest state with toll roads to here. I grew up in Illinois and made a lot of money off my toll road bonds, before I got rid of them (back in the 1990's).

 

[gonefishie]

Re: U.S. map question

Confucius says why is it called I-465 when it's only a loop that goes around the city of Indianapolis?

 

[CN Spots]

Re: U.S. map question

Confucius says why is it called I-465 when it's only a loop that goes around the city of Indianapolis?

Are triple digit freeways all loops? Memphis has I-240 which makes a loop around the city. It was the soloution to a lawsuit blocking I-40 from cutting through the center of the city.

 

[dlngr]

Re: U.S. map question

Thad,just have to say you must be confusing part of I-80 with 88...... I- 80 doesn't go near Dixon,and is free across Illinois until just a few miles outside of Indiana.There,there is about a 60 cent toll for cars & $3.00 for 18 wheelers.
In Indiana, the road splits at about the 15 mile marker,it is free until you enter the tollway.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: U.S. map question

Are triple digit freeways all loops? Memphis has I-240 which makes a loop around the city. It was the soloution to a lawsuit blocking I-40 from cutting through the center of the city.

All 3 digit interstate highways like I-485 here in Charlotte are loops or a bypass around the city.Not always a complete loop though.

 

[Thad]

Re: U.S. map question

Thad,just have to say you must be confusing part of I-80 with 88...... I- 80 doesn't go near Dixon,and is free across Illinois until just a few miles outside of Indiana.There,there is about a 60 cent toll for cars & $3.00 for 18 wheelers.
In Indiana, the road splits at about the 15 mile marker,it is free until you enter the tollway.

Yep, you're right. My bad:redface:. I deal with these things so often I do get them mixed up from time to time. I-88 starts at I-80 in the QC, which used to be I-5, that started at the end of Illinois 5 at I-80. I-88 is free from there to Dixon where the first toll plaza is. The toll road actually starts right outside of Rock Falls. I-80 turns into a toll just before Indiana. Thanks for setting me straight. If I had hair, I would pull it out.


As for the three digit Interstates, most of them are bypasses of the main line. However, there are some that are just "legs" off of that route that, in the case of I-180, just East of Princeton, lead nowhere.

 

[sasto]

Re: U.S. map question

Check out vpike.com sometime. You can literally drive down the road and look around.

 

[gonefishie]

Re: U.S. map question

Are triple digit freeways all loops? Memphis has I-240 which makes a loop around the city. It was the soloution to a lawsuit blocking I-40 from cutting through the center of the city.

I've always thought it's weird that they still labeled it as interstate.