PennDOT color coded detour signs
hanc...@bbs.cpcn.com
and alt routes. see:
Marc Fannin
The article de-emphasizes that these have been used in the state for
decades.
The only official document that I've found online about them is this:
"10/16/2000
NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA (October 10, 2000) It's a question more and
more drivers seem to be asking these days: 'What do those signs that
say "red detour", "black detour" "blue detour", "green detour" mean?'
The answer is simple. The signs have been put up to help direct
traffic around a crash or other emergency that might close the
interstate.
PennDOT has completed the installation of the 'color detour signs'
along the most heavily traveled section of Interstate 81 in
Northeastern Pennsylvania, between the Hazleton Exit (Exit 40) in
Luzerne County and the Waverly Exit (Exit 59) in Lackawanna County.
You'll notice the signs at many of the interstate exits, and along
state roadways that run parallel to the interstate.
The colored detour signs permanently mark detour routes that are able
to accommodate the larger trucks that normally travel the interstates.
The route were predetermined by PennDOT, State Police and other
emergency response agencies. 'Blue' and 'black' detours generally run
northbound, 'red' and 'green' detours generally run southbound.
PennDOT Traffic Engineer Bob Kretschmer said, 'The detours are
designed to take traffic around any emergency that might block the
interstate. In case of such an emergency, interstate traffic will be
advised to follow either the red, black, blue or green detour.'
Drivers will be notified the detour is in effect in several ways.
Before each color signed detour, there is a special sign that is
normally folded over. If the interstate were blocked ahead, authorized
personnel would be able to open the sign that will direct traffic to
follow the appropriate color detour. Drivers will also be notified of
the detour route by way of PennDOT's electronic message signs along
the interstate. Highway Advisory Radio stations, scheduled to be in
operation next year, will also advise drivers of the detour ahead and
of which color signs they should follow.
Kretschmer added, 'The idea of the color detour signs is to quickly
direct traffic off the interstate in times of emergency closures. The
color detour routes can be put into use in a moment's notice and will
help police, emergency crews and PennDOT handle traffic diversions
more efficiently and safely.'"
(Available at http://www.dot.state.pa.us/ but takes some time to
find it - the URL presented in the version I found looks like it might
be temporary)
They probably are also mentioned in one or more of the documents
listed at
http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/067/chapter212/s212.12.html
_____________________________________________________________________
Marc Fannin|musxf579 @hotmail.com|http://www.roadfan.com/
Laurence F. Sheldon, Jr.
> hanco...@bbs.cpcn.com wrote:
>
>> An article in the Phila Inqr describes color coded signs for detours
>> and alt routes. see:
>>
>> http://www.philly.com/philly/news/local/13701822.html
>
> The article de-emphasizes that these have been used in the state for
> decades.
Seemed to me that I have seen variations on the theme for years, but
maybe actually driving around some makes a difference.
England (or maybe it is GB- or UK-wide) uses a system of colored shapes
(yellow is all I remember) so if you are on some hypothetical road A47
that is being detoured you might see a small yellow square on a sign
pointing out of a roundabout--if you have been following the
yellow-square detour, that is where you would turn. If that route
happens to participate also in a detour of A39, there would be a second
small symbol, a yellow circle, perhaps next to the arrow.
--
Requiescas in pace o email
Ex turpi causa non oritur actio
MASTERNC
I usually saw those in Northwestern PA and also on I-81 statewide
(especially in Harrisburg). However, I finally saw one in SWPA this
week. They must be working to install these in other parts of the
state now. I must say they come in handy especially when nobody else
knows what they mean.
Marc Fannin
NWPA has had these since at least 1987, and SWPA has had them since at
least 1980 or so. They're not new. That's why I commented about the
tone of the article (not that I was surprised by it). Philly must be
the last place that they're being installed.
Marc Fannin
wrote:
> Marc Fannin wrote:
> > hanco...@bbs.cpcn.com wrote:
> >
> >> An article in the Phila Inqr describes color coded signs for detours
> >> and alt routes. see:
> >>
> >>http://www.philly.com/philly/news/local/13701822.html
>
> > The article de-emphasizes that these have been used in the state for
> > decades.
>
> Seemed to me that I have seen variations on the theme for years, but
> maybe actually driving around some makes a difference.
>
> England (or maybe it is GB- or UK-wide) uses a system of colored shapes
> (yellow is all I remember) so if you are on some hypothetical road A47
> that is being detoured you might see a small yellow square on a sign
> pointing out of a roundabout--if you have been following the
> yellow-square detour, that is where you would turn. If that route
> happens to participate also in a detour of A39, there would be a second
> small symbol, a yellow circle, perhaps next to the arrow.
Michigan has Emergency Interstates + US-31:
http://www.michiganhighways.org/indepth/US-31Freeway_Ottawa.html
Wisconsin has http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/smartways/altroute.htm
Connecticut has http://www.kurumi.com/roads/ct/weird.html (scroll
down)
These in general are covered in FAQ 10.9 (what isn't will be).
MASTERNC
> MASTERNC wrote:
> > On Jan 11, 4:50�pm, hanco...@bbs.cpcn.com wrote:
>
> > > An article in the Phila Inqr describes color coded signs for detours
> > > and alt routes. �see:
>
> > >http://www.philly.com/philly/news/local/13701822.html
>
> > I usually saw those in Northwestern PA and also on I-81 statewide
> > (especially in Harrisburg). However, I finally saw one in SWPA this
> > week. They must be working to install these in other parts of the
> > state now. I must say they come in handy especially when nobody else
> > knows what they mean.
>
> NWPA has had these since at least 1987, and SWPA has had them since at
> least 1980 or so. They're not new. That's why I commented about the
> tone of the article (not that I was surprised by it). Philly must be
> the last place that they're being installed.
I'm surprised you say that SWPA has them as I have rarely seen them in
the Pittsburgh area until now. The one I saw was on US 19 in North
Strabane Township, which directed traffic onto PA 519 to return to
I-79. I had never seen it there before until this past Thursday and
have been up the road several times in the last 3 weeks.
benagain31
That's a really good idea, that should be implemented here in
Washington. I remember traveling with my parents on Highway 18 in the
late 80's when most of the freeway was 2 lanes, no separation, and had
horrific head-on crashes. The freeway was shut down by one of these on
our trip and we had to divert through a neighborhood. I think we just
followed everyone else as there was no signage.
Recently, we had a crossover accident in Fife that shut down I-5 South
for several hours. The freeways are somewhat disconnected in South
King/North Pierce Counties (at least, until 167/5/509 are connected = $
$$$$) and one of the news reports mentioned the WSDOT Incident
Response trucks that were shutting down the freeway at Highway 18 were
printing maps of the detour for motorists (they apparently have on-
board printers). A clearly signed detour in that area, among others,
would have helped immensely.
Ben Brooks
Puget Sound Transportation Projects
http://www.pugetsoundtransportation.com
Marc Fannin
I might be misremembering, since the Allegheny County belt system
( http://www.routemarkers.com/usa/Pennsylvania/Belt_System/ ) is
rather close in presentation, but I also remember in '87 seeing them
in NWPA and remarking to myself that they were the same as I'd seen
elsewhere in the state earlier in the decade, which would have been by
far the Beaver County area.
Nick C
"Marc Fannin" <musx...@kent.edu> wrote in message
news:621f0e02-66cb-4e47...@q39g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
They definitely have been in NWPA for quite some time.