Question: What is the difference between green highway signs and blue highway signs? Answer: There are several colors of signs that are used on the city streets, county roads, state highways, and interstate highways throughout the US (Canada and Europe will be somewhat different, but will still have their own color codes per country). So,… Keep Reading
Category: Traffic Signs
Sign Compliancy, and Why Do Some Businesses Get to Use Interstate Signs and not Others?
Question: What is a “non-compliant” sign? Answer: This will depend on your location. There are locations that have virtually no sign codes, but they are few and far between in the 21st Century USA, Canada, or Western Europe. In our area, there are a bazillion rules for signs, so it is best to contact a… Keep Reading
What are the Differences Between Engineer Grade Reflective Sheeting, High Intensity Prismatic Sheeting, and Diamond Grade Reflective Sign Sheeting
Question: What is the difference between Standard Reflective (Engineer Grade or Type I), and High Intensity (Type III) and Diamond Grade (Type XI) reflective sign material? Answer: Engineer Grade Reflective Sheeting typically meets ASTM D4956 Type 1 standards and is an enclosed film or lens using glass beads or prismatic optical technology. This material is… Keep Reading
Traffic Flow, Safety, and the Use of Signals or Signs to Effect Good Driving in Your Neighborhood
Question: What is the purpose of a STOP sign? Answer: This, of course, is a hotly debated topic! Some have said that a STOP sign should be used as a dinner plate, while others a shield to deflect arrows, but not bullets. Some juveniles have insisted that STOP signs should be used as wall décor… Keep Reading
Traffic Control Questions about Traffic Signal Cycles, Where They Should be Placed, and Whether Shapes Should be Used on Traffic Signals for the Color-blind
Question: If a traffic signal’s cycle is too long or too short, will the DOT change it? Answer: Possibly. If your opinion is that a signal’s cycle is too long or too short, you could contact the DOT or county or municipal road maintenance department and speak to the traffic engineering department about it. However,… Keep Reading
Reflective Traffic Control Sign, plus, How Road Signs and Posts are Constructed
Question: What is Reflective Sheeting? Answer: Reflective sheeting is the sheeting used to create reflective road signs, traffic signs, street signs, and highway signs. Basically, reflective sheeting is laminated to aluminum sign blanks of various sizes and shapes, then printed with whatever copy is needed, and you have a reflective traffic sign. Reflective sheeting comes… Keep Reading
When the (Signal) Lights Go Out. Am I a Felon? How High Should a Traffic Sign Go?
Question: What should drivers do when traffic Signal Lights Are All Dark? Answer: This is a very good question, because there are certainly no traffic signs that back up traffic signal lights if the power goes out, unless it’s a longer term deal like caused by a natural disaster and such. What I’ve seen for… Keep Reading
Should this “Walk” sign be a “Run” Sign? Traffic Light Signal Timing, Could it be Better? And What of Those Crazy Flashing Traffic Signs!?
Question: Why doesn’t the “Walk” light stay on longer? I can only get halfway across before it starts flashing! Answer: Since I know nothing of your physical condition, whether you’re 18 or 85 years old, I’ll assume you’re in average physical condition and should be able to make it across the street before the sign… Keep Reading
Traffic Signs and Safety Regulations: How Does Your Local Government Decide Where to Place Road Signs?
Question: Will traffic signs make an intersection safer? Answer: Generally, yes. Unless it had a traffic light and now you’re replacing it with signs. Of course, if there’s little traffic at that intersection anyway, it won’t make much actual difference where safety is concerned. The newer USDOT codes, and I believe most “First World” nations… Keep Reading
Digital Traffic Signs and Illuminated Traffic Signs
While these two sign types can cross over, Illuminated Traffic Signs and Digital Traffic Signs aren’t necessarily the same thing. Digital Traffic Signs are traffic signs that are typically lighted with LED’s (Light Emitting Diodes) and may have a small section that shows a digital number or series of numbers and letters, such as you… Keep Reading
Custom Traffic Signs
Today I’m discussing custom traffic signs. Just for definition sake, a custom traffic sign is a traffic sign that is non-standard. Standard signs, as discussed in the previous post, are signs like Stop signs, School Zone signs, or Speed Limit signs. Now, for those of you who think that signs are ugly and barely a… Keep Reading
Reflective Traffic Signs Or Reflective Road Signs
Today I’m discussing reflective traffic signs or reflective road signs. As you drive down the various roads and highways, you’d certainly be lost frequently if you didn’t have signs. Back when I was a young man in my early 20′s, I spent a few winters in the Southern U.S. and was amazed at the lack… Keep Reading
