New "speed Zone Ahead" Signs (wi) ?

Q: The new signs are one result of changes to federal guidelines used by all states for highway signage. Rauch said states have until December 22, 2018 to replace all existing "Reduced Speed Ahead" signs with the newer-style signs. Prison inmates working for Badger State Industries are currently manufacturing the new style signs.

A:This is in the more recent update, adopted about a year ago. The new signs are yellow 'warning' signs. Howabout a challenge to post our 'first sightings' of these new signs in use. I understand that. I remember in the '80s that most reduced speed areas had a "Speed Zone Ahead" rectangular shaped sign preceding them. Around 10 years ago (or longer) those signs were replaced with rectangular "Reduced Speed Ahead Signs." At least, that was the case in WV. VA has always used "Reduced Speed Ahead" signs as far as I can remember. The SZA sign is intended for zones that are posted at other than the statutory speed limit for rural facilities. The RSA sign is intended for reduced zones that are already in a reduced zone. Illinois does not allow the posting of RSA signs, instead using the method of 10-mph maximum speed limit changes in non-statutory zones. For example, a speed might go 55 - SZA - 45 - 35 - 25 or 55 - 50 - 40 - 30 - 25 or 55 - SZA - 25. Other states might use the method 55 - SZA - 45 - RSA - 25. As an aside, most states allow changes of 5 mph from statutory without an advance sign (as is the case in Illinois). I'm not sure if the 55 to 25 is acceptable in Illinois, but I seem to recall it is. I notice that the MUTCD has specifications for *metric* signs. I wonder how many decades it will be before we see any of those? :-) (Or do they use them in Puerto Rico?) I also find it interesting that both Oregon and WV use different speed limit signs from most other states. Rather than the typical number nested within "speed" and "limit," they both use identical square signs that simply announce "SPEED" over the limit (like SPEED 55.) With these new signs, it seems that the FHWA has made it clear they very much prefer "Speed Zone" to "Reduced Speed". Regardless, I have noticed that NC still uses "Reduce Speed" exclusively: at least until the changeover. I personally am not crazy about the signs, because I think there are already too many warning signs on the road, but oh well :) IME, most signs like that do not though I think that WV has one set of signs outside of Summersville that state reduced speed 1000 feet ahead prior to the regular "Reduced Speed Ahead xx MPH" signs. Those were installed quite recently ... probably due to the speed trap reputation of that town.

Discuss It!

John-A said:

That sign seems to me to imply that the area one is coming from is flat out redline area with no limit except the maximum possible speed of the vehicle.

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