The white circle on a black background is actually the official, MUTCD-approved sign for state highway routes. Unfortunately, it is the same color as a U.S. highway route marker, and a lot of old county highway markers were also black letters on a white background. For many reasons, most states have created something that is easy to distinguish from U.S., Interstate, and county route markers.
As a Californian, I think the state highway marker is pretty blah. It is supposed to represent a shovel without a handle, and reference's California's mining history. However, as you said, Hollywood has made it more famous than any other state highway marker.
Hawai'i's route marker is intended to symbolize a poi-pounder. That's an important part of Hawai'i culture. Also, since Hawai'i has no land borders, it can't be confused with those of any other state.
At least Kentucky could use a blue number or blue circle because of it's bluegrass nickname. Maybe a square with a horse and the number inside the horse to represent what it's known for.
Wisconsin’s has a great story. Wisconsin was the first state to number their state highways and they used a downward facing triangle. As the speed of cars increased the smaller number at the bottom point of the triangle became harder to see so many counties put a plate with a larger number over the number on the triangle. Over time that became the official design. That is what you can see in the modern sign.
I always thought Texas's state highway signs were trash tier, especially compared to the shields for Farm to Market roads and the shields prior to the 1940s (I think) which were stars with a black border. Heck, just make the shield they use now for the tolled state highways universal.
Personally, I think all states’ highway marker shields should be just the state outline without the name of the state. The only exception should be the skinnie states like Maryland, Florida, and probably Kentucky and Tennessee. Simple is better when it comes to that. And you know exactly what state you’re in.
That’s what I like about the state I live in (Indiana) that is a square with the state name and number underneath it, doesn’t get any simpler than that. Considering the state is shaped like a boot, I couldn’t imagine a scenario where they made a state highway sign like that, it wouldn’t feel right to me. If it’s not the Indiana/Illinois designs then the state outlines work too.
By adding the horizontal line near the top of the rectangle, Maryland created an iconic, easily recognized route shield. You're right, they couldn't use the state outline.
I live in Indiana and I wouldn’t want to see anything different with the state highway sign. Sure, it’s really bland but it gets the point across of what state you’re in just like how Illinois is. I wouldn’t be against more states being simpler like that but maybe some can add some colors into theirs. If not that design then the state outlines definitely work also. Really anything that shows more of where you’re at holds more value to me than trying to look extra cool and having too much going on. I’m not even a huge fan of simple logos either in general but in this case less is more. Certain states can keep their current ones but just add on the actual state names to them.
The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) from US DOT/FHWA, Guide Signs, State Routes (M1-5) recommends using the state silhouettes as a background and the route number in black letters/numbers on a white background (shield). So, while some states may have “colorful” or “non conventional” presentation, as long as the motoring public can safely and quickly identify the sign and route, mission accomplished… While you rank Minnesota state route sign as an “s”, from a distance the blue background is initially mistaken for an Interstate Shield, so, not ideal. And California’s green background could be mistaken for a Green US Business Route sign or lost in foliage.
Minnesota's is easily fixed by reversing blue and yellow, perhaps with a blue rather than black route number (which would also cut the cost) since that would rule out the white one.
O tier for Originality Louisiana, California, Florida, Oklahoma, Tennessee, New Hampshire, Washington State, Missouri, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina.
My ranking: S - California A - Other state signs with color _except_ SD B - Unique shapes & designs incl. FL C - State outlines D - Squares with state names F - Squares, circles, diamonds
Yellow diamond-shaped advisory signs would have to get very heavy on graphics, to be confused with Wyoming's route numbering signs. Most of those tend to be text-based, anyway. You know, stuff like... SOFT SHOULDERS DANGEROUS CURVES MERGING TRAFFIC WATCH OUT FOR CHILDREN You get the idea.
It is. The original design was a square for 1 and 2 digits and a rectangle for 3 with the S.C. initial above. The current design was introduced I think between 2005 to 2007.
U Tier for Ubiquitous: The US Highway and Interstate Highway Shield and T Tier for Texas: tye FM avs RM Highway Shields (Farm To Market and Ranch to Market shields.)
A point on Vermont....the green and white displayed is only to designate "scenic" state highways. Secondly, the white square for Ct, Ma, and Me. have some historical significance as that was the design of the original New England Highway System.
Good ranking except I don't get why Virgina gets a higher ranking the Oregon. They are almost the exact same shield Oregon being a little more rounded on the top.
Nebraska is showing a covered wagon which the pioneers used to cross the country. They passed through and settled the state on trails such as the Oregon Trail.
15:32 That State Route marker is ubiquitous throughout both West Tennessee and Middle Tennessee. But in East Tennessee (historically, always a bit different) they use a State Route marker that kind of resembles Big Bird's beak.
Kansas marker is for a sunflower. Kansas calls itself "the sunflower state."
John Brown fought for us!
@@grantorino2325 Frederick Douglass Gang 🤘🏾 John Brown died a real one. Although he knew his fate.
The white circle on a black background is actually the official, MUTCD-approved sign for state highway routes. Unfortunately, it is the same color as a U.S. highway route marker, and a lot of old county highway markers were also black letters on a white background. For many reasons, most states have created something that is easy to distinguish from U.S., Interstate, and county route markers.
As a Californian, I think the state highway marker is pretty blah. It is supposed to represent a shovel without a handle, and reference's California's mining history. However, as you said, Hollywood has made it more famous than any other state highway marker.
California went to green in 1964, when the state renumbered its highways, to note the highway's post 1964 number.
The NH Old Man was carved out by receding glaciers 10,000 years ago. He "passed away" in 2003, in a fog shrouded massive rocks rockslide.
Legend has it Karl Rove ordered its demolition
Hawai'i's route marker is intended to symbolize a poi-pounder. That's an important part of Hawai'i culture. Also, since Hawai'i has no land borders, it can't be confused with those of any other state.
I often joke that if I ever start my own restaurant, then It'll be a combination steakhouse/luau place.
I'll call it "Poi Rogers."
At least Kentucky could use a blue number or blue circle because of it's bluegrass nickname. Maybe a square with a horse and the number inside the horse to represent what it's known for.
Wisconsin’s has a great story. Wisconsin was the first state to number their state highways and they used a downward facing triangle. As the speed of cars increased the smaller number at the bottom point of the triangle became harder to see so many counties put a plate with a larger number over the number on the triangle. Over time that became the official design.
That is what you can see in the modern sign.
I always thought Texas's state highway signs were trash tier, especially compared to the shields for Farm to Market roads and the shields prior to the 1940s (I think) which were stars with a black border. Heck, just make the shield they use now for the tolled state highways universal.
loving how niche geographic data TH-camrs are subtly bullying state governments to fix their flags and highway shields, etc. 😂😅
Personally, I think all states’ highway marker shields should be just the state outline without the name of the state. The only exception should be the skinnie states like Maryland, Florida, and probably Kentucky and Tennessee.
Simple is better when it comes to that. And you know exactly what state you’re in.
That’s what I like about the state I live in (Indiana) that is a square with the state name and number underneath it, doesn’t get any simpler than that. Considering the state is shaped like a boot, I couldn’t imagine a scenario where they made a state highway sign like that, it wouldn’t feel right to me. If it’s not the Indiana/Illinois designs then the state outlines work too.
By adding the horizontal line near the top of the rectangle, Maryland created an iconic, easily recognized route shield. You're right, they couldn't use the state outline.
The Dakotas and Kansas would look way too similar, and even more so Colorado and Wyoming.
Maryland should copy Colorado's sign. They have a distinctive flag and would stand out.
I'm surprised they haven't done this.
I live in Indiana and I wouldn’t want to see anything different with the state highway sign. Sure, it’s really bland but it gets the point across of what state you’re in just like how Illinois is. I wouldn’t be against more states being simpler like that but maybe some can add some colors into theirs. If not that design then the state outlines definitely work also. Really anything that shows more of where you’re at holds more value to me than trying to look extra cool and having too much going on. I’m not even a huge fan of simple logos either in general but in this case less is more. Certain states can keep their current ones but just add on the actual state names to them.
You said nevada wrong :(
The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) from US DOT/FHWA, Guide Signs, State Routes (M1-5) recommends using the state silhouettes as a background and the route number in black letters/numbers on a white background (shield). So, while some states may have “colorful” or “non conventional” presentation, as long as the motoring public can safely and quickly identify the sign and route, mission accomplished… While you rank Minnesota state route sign as an “s”, from a distance the blue background is initially mistaken for an Interstate Shield, so, not ideal. And California’s green background could be mistaken for a Green US Business Route sign or lost in foliage.
Minnesota's is easily fixed by reversing blue and yellow, perhaps with a blue rather than black route number (which would also cut the cost) since that would rule out the white one.
O tier for Originality
Louisiana, California, Florida, Oklahoma, Tennessee, New Hampshire, Washington State, Missouri, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina.
My ranking:
S - California
A - Other state signs with color _except_ SD
B - Unique shapes & designs incl. FL
C - State outlines
D - Squares with state names
F - Squares, circles, diamonds
I’m glad NY’s got C. I was expecting D because I thought something not representing the state directly would be a lower tier.
Yellow diamond-shaped advisory signs would have to get very heavy on graphics, to be confused with Wyoming's route numbering signs.
Most of those tend to be text-based, anyway. You know, stuff like...
SOFT SHOULDERS
DANGEROUS CURVES
MERGING TRAFFIC
WATCH OUT FOR CHILDREN
You get the idea.
I think that the SC design is relatively new. I'd also guess that MN and CO are relatively new designs too; I can't imagine signs like those in 1970.
It is. The original design was a square for 1 and 2 digits and a rectangle for 3 with the S.C. initial above. The current design was introduced I think between 2005 to 2007.
Colorado and Minnesota's have been around since at least the mid 60's.
U Tier for Ubiquitous:
The US Highway and Interstate Highway Shield and
T Tier for Texas: tye FM avs RM Highway Shields (Farm To Market and Ranch to Market shields.)
A point on Vermont....the green and white displayed is only to designate "scenic" state highways. Secondly, the white square for Ct, Ma, and Me. have some historical significance as that was the design of the original New England Highway System.
Good ranking except I don't get why Virgina gets a higher ranking the Oregon. They are almost the exact same shield Oregon being a little more rounded on the top.
Nebraska is showing a covered wagon which the pioneers used to cross the country. They passed through and settled the state on trails such as the Oregon Trail.
Why is illinois in A. So plain.
How'd Texas get a B? Indiana, Illinois, Montana, Rhode Island and Texas should all be D or F.
That is the Asterism of the Big Dipper on the AK highway shield. a Tier for Originality.
As a Californian not a fan of CA highway sign the best in my opinion is new Mexico and Utah
That's the big dipper for Alaska. The end stars point to the North Star.
Next up: Ranking each state motto 👀
There are no graduations of unique.....................
Pennsylvania's sign is way overrated!
DC has one... for now..
15:32
That State Route marker is ubiquitous throughout both West Tennessee and Middle Tennessee.
But in East Tennessee (historically, always a bit different) they use a State Route marker that kind of resembles Big Bird's beak.
New Yorker here, I honestly think hours is a bit disappointing and can be confused with the interstate sign