wmartin@brl-vgr.ARPA (Will Martin ) (05/14/84)
Lately, I have been noticing the singular lack of helpfulness of the signs on Interstate highways. I recall that "highway beautification" laws have eliminated many commercial billboards which used to line these roads, but the official signs that are left don't tell the motorists what they need to know, in my opinion. For example, every college or university within some arbitrary distance of the highway is considered worthy of a sign announcing that this is the exit to reach that school. However, I would think that, for every driver trying to find a college, there are a hundred looking for shopping centers. Thus, on US 40 here in St. Louis, we have signs announcing that this is the exit for "Logan College of Chiropractic" [paid for by tax money, of course], but no signs telling the confused motorist that another street is the way to get to "Westroads Shopping Center". If the shopping center, where thousands go each day, isn't worthy of a sign, why is this dinky school allocated the funding for a sign? There are generic "Hospital" signs at exits leading to hopitals, but nowhere can you find out WHICH hospitals they are! Here, the exit for our biggest city park, Forest Park, is so marked, and also "Zoo" is shown, since the Zoo is in the park. But there is also the City Art Museum and numerous other facilities. They aren't considered worthy of mention on the highway signs, just the Zoo. Maybe the planners/designers/engineers feel that drivers should know what streets go to the places they want to find, and street-name signs are all that are required. Maybe so, for locals. But locals don't even need the few signs that are there, in most cases! Out-of- town drivers, new residents, tourists, etc., need more information than is provided. Does anyone know why the sign situation is the way it is, and what the rationale is for deciding what information to display? I am assuming that there is some sort of federal standard in force here, as I have heard of states being denied highway funds if they didn't conform to the billboard regulations. Will