Route Marker Redesign

What would our state highway markers look like if we redesigned them. Out with the boring and simple square and circle and in with cut out shields and a nod to the states they represent. Here are some ideas for a remodeled of our current highway markers around the US.

Alabama

The state of Alabama uses two variants of state highway route markers that feature an widened state outline that distorts the state shape making it look wider than it actually is. The state shape as it is would only allow 1 numeral to fit in it if it wasn't elongated. The new concept shield eliminates the state shape altogether and favors a marker that features the crossbars from the state flag instead. This marker is modeled after the shield found on the State official seal for the office of the governor and is widened to allow for a three digit variant.

Current	New Route Marker

Delaware

The state of Delaware uses round circle or oval shields for its state highways. It is time to ditch the boring circle and do something more imaginative. Here are some shields that better represent the state. This shield almost has a crown motif, perfect for a state that is the first of the 13 original states.

	New Trailblazer	New Alternate Marker	New Guide Sign
Cut-Out Shield
Square Shield

Florida

The state of Florida uses three variants of state highway shields for its state highways, a 2 digit, 3 digit and toll highway marker. Florida also has a special shield it uses for several tollways including the most famous Florida's Turnpike. The conceptual highway shield includes Florida's famous crop at the top center of a stylized marker shield. on the upper portion of the sign, a rounded feature is centered at the top of a rectangular bump-out from the main body of the sign. This portion of the sign has a true orange colored background with black lettering "Florida Highway" separated by 2 oranges. The lower portion of the sign is pointed at the bottom and is retroreflective green with white lettering, and features an outline of the state.

Toll
The new conceptual tollway sheild takes the existing Florida Toll highway shield and restyles the Florida outline just like the state highway shield. It also adds the Florida orange feature to the bottom of the marker. Like the existing marker, the word TOLL is still featured at the top of the sign. In both signs there are 2 and 3 digit variants even though the signs themselves are the same size. Highway signs are designed to be on an 18" by 18" (or 24" by 24" if desired) and the toll version 18" wide by 22.5" tall (or 24"wide by 30" tall if needed). On The two-digit variant like the entire state outline to be visible, on the three digit sign the third digit will overlap the western side of the states outline.

	Current	New Route Marker
Free
Toll

Illinois

The plain squared Illinois marker is just too bland and unimaginative. I propose using a new shield featuring the state name and the silhouette of Abraham Lincoln, our most iconic president. Especially since Illinois is the "Land of Lincoln" it is a fitting design. The sign colors match the sign colors. This shield would promote a brand identity and become an iconic fixture alongside Illinois roads. This instantly recognizable shield would rival new markers in South Carolina and Oklahoma, as well as the iconic California miners spade shield.

Current	New Route Marker

Indiana

Indiana's state road markers are printed with black letters and border on white shield and feature the state name. The two-digit marker is square and measures 24" X 24". The three-digit shield is rectangular and measures and 30" X 24". These signs have been in use since the late 1940's. What if Indiana's markers were redesigned? See above for several redesigned Hoosier state highway markers. These original square concept shield was created in 2008, and the Trilobe design was created in 2011 and both incorporate the seal from the state flag. The New pentagon, square and hexagon markers were created in 2014 and are some of the best designs yet. Could we see the new squared pentagon shield gracing our highways soon? Let's hope so.

Current	New Squared Pentagon Preferred Option	New Square Banner
New Trilobe	New Hexagon	New Square All Blue

Iowa

Iowa State shields are very simple design similar to many states bearing the circle design. The new concept shield changes the sign to fit on a standard square/rectangular sign blank. The new Sign adds an iconic Iowa style with the sign colors in black and Iowa Hawkeye yellow. The signs new shape is reminiscent of an Iowa farmhouse. The new route marker would be a highly recognizable fixture on Iowa's highways, as well as better association from freeway guide signs. The new sign would also better accommodate the route numbers, with a two digit variant, and a three digit variant.

The two other concept shields use a standard rectangular shield for all highways, whether 1, 2 or 3 digits. Design one uses the state silhouette and the sign colors are black and Iowa Hawkeye yellow. Design 2 is a rectangular shield with a white background, and the state shape has been moved to the upper right part of the sign gain borders are black and the state shape is in Hawkeye yellow. These alternatives would also promote Iowa branding and feature the state name on the shield.

Barn New Trailblazer Preferred Option	Barn New Guide Sign Preferred Option	New State Outline Alternate #1	New Square Alternate #2

Kentucky

The new concept shield Includes the Kentucky Unbridled Spirit logo at the bottom of the numerical shields and the 'AA' shield. This is similar to the new shields for the state parkways that have also been recently updated.

New State Logo Markers

Louisiana

Louisiana State shields are similar to other states that use the state shape as the route marker, such as Ohio, Missouri, and Texas (FM roads). The new concept shield designs fit on a standard 24 by 30 sign blank and are longer than most route signs. The iconic Louisiana script is added to both shields as is the fleur-de-lis, which is now an official state symbol. Design 1 incorporates the state shape at the top with the state name to the right, while design 2 incorporates 3 fleur-de-lis to the top part of the shield and the state name is moved to the field of the sign above the number. Both of the new concept shield designs incorporate the official state colors and pay homage to Louisiana's French, and Acadian roots heritage.

New Shield Design #1
New Shield Design #2

Massachusetts

Massachusetts signs feature a plain square not including the state name as other states using the same marker. While they get the job done, the route numbers do little to identify themselves as Massachusetts highways. These shields were inspired from similar route markers found while visiting the International Highway Makeover site (which is no longer online). These markers, created by Ed Miessner, seemed to be the best looking option for markers in the state, so I have posted my rendition of them here. The signs are modeled after the old cut-corners trailblazer guide signs that were on Bay State roads until the 70s. (Source: International Highway Makeover).

The new concept shield designs fit on a standard 24" X 30" sign blank Accommodating 1 to 3 digits. a smaller type C font is needed for 4 digit route numbers (such as 123A). And there is no smaller shield for single and 2 digit numbers. The Cranberry and MUTCD brown signs can be used for special highways such as scenic corridors, historic highways or other special uses. More than likely brown could be used for historic and scenic routes and the cranberry shield could be used for regionally significant routes like the Cranberry highway.

Current	New Marker	Scenic/Historic Routes

Mississippi

Mississippi State shields use the standard boring round circle marker. These markers are very simplistic and do not provide a state identity. As with other designed shields this new marker will provide a roadside branding that is easily recognizable and iconic to the state. The new concept shield Includes the Magnolia Flower at the top of the shield. The bottom portion of the shield includes the Mississippi logo. the background is white with a green border and features the Mississippi logo and the magnolia flower design.

New Trailblazer	New Guide Sign

New Jersey

New Jersey also uses the standard circle marker. This new shield is reminiscent of the Harley Davidson shield, maybe they will give permission to use it for this civic purpose? One can dream. Clearly the distinctiveness of this recognizable shield fits the state nicely and would also promote route continuity throughout the state. The new concept shield designs fit on a standard 24" X 24" sign blank or a 24" X 30" sign blank for 3 digit shields and includes the letters NJ at the top of the shield. Numbering is in New Jersey Blue (from the state flag). Cutout shields for guide signs also feature the blue lettering with NJ at the top.

The specialty roadway markers incorporate the official state colors and a horizontal bar is added to the center of the shield for the word Parkway, Turnpike, or Expressway. The sign background for these special markers is buff with blue lettering. The horizontal bar is blue with buff lettering. Green lettering is used on the Garden State Parkway marker. Cutout versions would be used on guide signs, much like the standard markers shown above.

New Trailblazer	New Guide Sign	Specialty Markers: Tollways & Parkways

New Mexico

New Mexico State shields are very simple design similar to many states bearing the circle design. The main difference is that the state adds a modified Zia sun symbol to their marker. State shields carry anywhere from 1 to 4 digits. The number size is made smaller to fit the sign. On the green guide signs, a standard oval or round circle with a white background is used, with just numbers in the center, as seen in many states with the round highway shield.

The new concept shield changes the sign to fit on a standard square sign blank (or rectangular for 3-4 digit shields). The new Sign adds the Iconic Zia sun symbol to the top of the sign and bears the same colors as the state flag. The signs new shape is reminiscent of Adobe and New Mexican Architecture. All in all the new route marker would be a highly recognizable fixture on New Mexico's highways, as well as better association from freeway guide signs. The new sign would also better accommodate the route numbers, with a two digit variant, and a three/four digit variant.

Current Trailblazer	New Trailblazer	New Guide Sign

Oregon

Oregon State shields are far removed from their original glory. They are now a simple outline of their former state shield that looks like an ominous white on black blob. This new design goes back to the original cutout version of the Oregon route shield, the only difference is that the word OREGON at the top of the former shield is removed to allow for larger more readable numbers.

Current	New Route Marker

Texas

The state of Texas has the most types of state highway shields that any other state. Signed Roads include primary highways, loops, spurs, business routes and beltways; as well as farm to market (FM) and ranch to market (RM) roads, park roads, and even a nasa road. The new route marker is modeled after the Texas Toll highway shield but flips the state name and flag to the top of the marker instead of the bottom. On Loop and other highways the state name is replaced with loop, spur, beltway, etc. depending on the highway. Farm to market and ranch to market road markers remain unchanged.

Primary Markers Current
Primary Markers New
Other Markers Current
Other Markers New
Toll/Secondary Markers No Change