One-Way Street Signage - FAIL

Street name signs, like the rest of the street, are often designed only with drivers in mind.  The results do not always work well for pedestrians.

At many intersections, the street name signs are located on the signal mast arms.  If it is a one-way street, the street name signs are often installed only facing the approaching traffic.  However, pedestrians approach from both directions, keeping the name of the cross street a mystery for the half of pedestrians walking opposite traffic.

This problem is not limited to remote suburbs.


HALL OF SHAME

Topeka, Kansas
Pedestrians walking south on Jackson Street have no idea what cross street they are approaching in front of the Kansas State Capitol.

Indianapolis, Indiana
Pedestrians walking north on Capitol Avenue don't know the streets they are crossing as they approach the Indiana Statehouse.

Cheyenne, Wyoming
Pedestrians walking north on Central Avenue can't tell what street is between them and the Wyoming State Capitol.  The Capitol Building is undergoing renovation, but the Wyoming DOT street sign policy needs modernization as well.

Lincoln, Nebraska
Pedestrians walking west on K Street are unable to tell which street they are about to cross on the way to the Nebraska State Capitol.  Nebraska has the nation's only unicameral legislature, but  Nebraska needs a bidirectional street sign policy.

Jackson, Mississippi
Pedestrians walking south on West Street see the back of the eagle on the top of the Mississippi State Capitol dome.  They also see the back of the sign that would tell them what street they are about to cross if it faced both directions.




HONOR ROLL

Springfield, Illinois
Pedestrian-oriented blade signs supplement the mast arm signs on a one-way street by the Illinois State Capitol.  We can't say if the legislators inside know where they are going, but at least pedestrians walking by can tell where they are.