How should motorway service areas be signed?

Empire o de Sun

Services aren't a tourist attraction, should be in Blue

BluntGuy

This may give some indication as to how the MSAs will be signed.

M1 Southern MSA EIS:

http://www.nra.ie/Publications/EISPublications/file,15149,en.pdf

Advanced signage will be provided on the M1 motorway to advise motorists of the approach to the proposed motorway service area.

A road traffic sign displaying fuel prices will be provided adjacent to the motorway in advance of the off slip for the motorway service area.

A concessionaire advertising sign will be provided for adjacent to the diverge slip lane into each motorway service area close to the roundabout. The sign will be up to 12 metres in height and will accommodate advertising for the fuel pricing and amenities provided for at the motorway service area.

Signage providing information about the approaching motorway service area will be provided in the motorway verge at approximately 10km, 1km and 500m in advance of the motorway service area. This signage will include the distance to the approaching motorway service area and symbols indicating the services that will be available i.e toilets, food, fuel etc. In addition some of the signs may provide distance information to the subsequent motorway service area along the route. The height of this signage will be no greater than 8 metres.

101sean

A road traffic sign displaying fuel prices will be provided adjacent to the motorway in advance of the off slip for the motorway service area.

They used to display fuel prices on UK motorway service signs but this was dropped presumeably as a hazard, someone had to physically go on the hard shoulder and put new stickers on. They should drop that requirement unless it's done electronically, prices fluctuate daily, sending a spotty youth down the HS to alter them isn't the safest or brightest idea:eek:

munchkin_utd

re petrol prices signed on the motorway itsself,
I would also think that it could be a hazzard for the drivers themselves plus a possible source of congestion (alike rubbernecking with an accident on the other hard shoulder.)

People would slow down in order to read the sign, see if they can find the fuel type that applies to them, consider the price, think of the price they pay at home, and in the process be distracted from driving, probably slowing down, and possibly causing the person behind to brake.
And when one person brakes in reasonably heavy traffic, it has a domino effect which eventually can lead to stationary traffic and traffic jams.

And if the price is really good, you'll have gobsh1tes carving in from the fast lane at 120 kmh+ to make it in time for the exit to get the petrol thats a cent cheaper than somewhere else.

biffoman

101sean wrote: »

They used to display fuel prices on UK motorway service signs but this was dropped presumeably as a hazard, someone had to physically go on the hard shoulder and put new stickers on. They should drop that requirement unless it's done electronically, prices fluctuate daily, sending a spotty youth down the HS to alter them isn't the safest or brightest idea:eek:

Why don't the people in "NRA" erect Gantry's ,put services signs on them and if not straight away because of...funds or whatever reason they would give.leave room for electronic warning signs.like most things in this country too much bull ... is thrown at simple solutions.were gonna need them and should of being included in the master-plan for the motorways

munchkin_utd

And what about current "service areas" as was originally invisaged? (i.e, use a village or town off the motorway)

There are brown signs to direct you off the motorway towards petrol stations "near" the motorway.
At least at monasterevin, you come off and you are faced with the choice of turning left or right with no further signage to where you might fill your almost empty petrol tank.

I nearly caused an accident from faffing about, looking for a sign for the petrol station, then where the shaggin hell might a station be, then after 10 seconds of horns honking behind me maneuvering off in a not very calm frame of mind.

Is this a one off or is it simply to be expected that in Ireland signs are a novelty and the only way of finding your way about is a sat nav or Map+compass?

If the current arrangements could be properly signed it'd be a decent start.

munchkin_utd

(just posting here to avoid creating a duplicate thread)
The UK introduced new signage a few months back that allow the logo of the operator and the various franchises to be displayed on the sign like this:


To be honest, I find it a great idea as its no harm to indicate clearly what you are getting where ever you come off the motorway.

full info is here on how the UK sign their motorway services: http://motorwayservicesonline.co.uk/Motorway_Signs