Guide, railroad and other signs in Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Driver's Manual shows or names everything on this page: 34 in all, on pages 9–10, 16–17, 19–22, 44, 50, 52.
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Guide and service signs
Advance guide sign 2 MILES (EXITS 30 E-W)
The following three signs are examples of highway and expressway guide signs. They are green with white letters. Most highway and expressway signs are posted the same way. For example, there is usually one advance sign which is followed by another advance sign. The third sign then is posted at the exit. Several signs are necessary because the high speed and heavy traffic on highways can cause drivers to miss seeing a single sign. Also, motorists may need to make one or more lane changes to exit.
Manual page 19 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 19)
Advance guide sign 1 MILE (EXITS 30 E-W)
The following three signs are examples of highway and expressway guide signs. They are green with white letters. Most highway and expressway signs are posted the same way. For example, there is usually one advance sign which is followed by another advance sign. The third sign then is posted at the exit. Several signs are necessary because the high speed and heavy traffic on highways can cause drivers to miss seeing a single sign. Also, motorists may need to make one or more lane changes to exit.
Manual page 19 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 19)
Exit guide sign with arrow (EXIT 30 E)
The following three signs are examples of highway and expressway guide signs. They are green with white letters. Most highway and expressway signs are posted the same way. For example, there is usually one advance sign which is followed by another advance sign. The third sign then is posted at the exit. Several signs are necessary because the high speed and heavy traffic on highways can cause drivers to miss seeing a single sign. Also, motorists may need to make one or more lane changes to exit.
Manual page 19 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 19)
EXIT ONLY panel (advance)
If a yellow panel with the message EXIT ONLY is on a highway sign, the lane below the sign will not continue through the interchange; instead, the lane will go off of the road to form a ramp. If you are in a lane posted with an EXIT ONLY, you may change lanes, or you must exit the highway if you stay in this lane.
Manual page 19 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 19)
EXIT ONLY panel (at exit)
If a yellow panel with the message EXIT ONLY is on a highway sign, the lane below the sign will not continue through the interchange; instead, the lane will go off of the road to form a ramp. If you are in a lane posted with an EXIT ONLY, you may change lanes, or you must exit the highway if you stay in this lane.
Manual page 19 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 19)
EXIT NUMBER tab
Exit numbers correspond with the mile markers. This change allows motorists to quickly calculate distances between exits, e.g., the distance between Exit 95 and Exit 20 is 75 miles.
Manual page 19 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 19)
Exit on the left
The small green EXIT number sign on top of the green rectangular sign will be on the left side of the sign, if the exit is on the left side of the highway. The small green EXIT number sign on top of the green rectangular sign will be on the right side of the sign, if the exit is on the right side of the highway. If the sign has white arrows, the arrow will point in the direction of the exit.
Manual page 20 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 20)
Exit on the right
The small green EXIT number sign on top of the green rectangular sign will be on the left side of the sign, if the exit is on the left side of the highway. The small green EXIT number sign on top of the green rectangular sign will be on the right side of the sign, if the exit is on the right side of the highway. If the sign has white arrows, the arrow will point in the direction of the exit.
Manual page 20 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 20)
Interstate shield
The red, white and blue shield sign indicates a highway is an interstate. These interstates are specially numbered to help motorists find their way through unfamiliar areas. A code is used to show if the route travels mainly east and west or north and south, and to show if the route is in the eastern, middle or western United States.
Manual page 20 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 20)
Mile markers
Mile markers are used on some highways to indicate the number of miles from the point where the traffic route entered the state or from its beginning, if it does not extend to the state borders. The numbers start at zero in the western part of the state for east-west roadways and in the southern part of the state for north-south roadways. The numbers increase as you travel east or north and decrease as you travel west or south.
Manual page 20 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 20)
U.S. route marker 22
The route marker shows you the road is U.S. Traffic Route 22.
Manual page 21 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 21)
State route marker 39
The keystone marker shows you the road is Pennsylvania Traffic Route 39.
Manual page 21 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 21)
JCT plate with route marker
The junction plate on this route marker shows you are approaching the intersection of U.S. Traffic Route 22.
Manual page 21 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 21)
WEST plate with route marker
The direction plate on this route marker shows you are traveling west on U.S. Traffic Route 22.
Manual page 21 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 21)
Route marker with turn arrow
The supplemental arrow on this route marker assembly means you are approaching a right turn to continue on U.S. Traffic Route 22 West.
Manual page 21 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 21)
"TO" trailblazer sign
The route marker sign and "TO" trailblazer sign and the supplemental arrow means if you want to gain access to U.S. Traffic Route 22, you must continue ahead.
Manual page 21 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 21)
HOSPITAL
The following signs are examples of service signs. The signs are square or rectangular, are blue with white letters or symbols, and show the location of various services located at the next exit.
Manual page 21 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 21)
TELEPHONE
The following signs are examples of service signs. The signs are square or rectangular, are blue with white letters or symbols, and show the location of various services located at the next exit.
Manual page 21 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 21)
FOOD
The following signs are examples of service signs. The signs are square or rectangular, are blue with white letters or symbols, and show the location of various services located at the next exit.
Manual page 21 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 21)
GAS
The following signs are examples of service signs. The signs are square or rectangular, are blue with white letters or symbols, and show the location of various services located at the next exit.
Manual page 21 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 21)
DIESEL
The following signs are examples of service signs. The signs are square or rectangular, are blue with white letters or symbols, and show the location of various services located at the next exit.
Manual page 21 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 21)
LODGING
The following signs are examples of service signs. The signs are square or rectangular, are blue with white letters or symbols, and show the location of various services located at the next exit.
Manual page 21 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 21)
Museum guide sign with left arrow
These signs are square or rectangular and may be blue or brown with white lettering. The signs direct motorists to tourist attractions such as museums, historical landmarks, or state or national parks.
Manual page 21 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 21)
GETTYSBURG NATIONAL MILITARY PARK
These signs are square or rectangular and may be blue or brown with white lettering. The signs direct motorists to tourist attractions such as museums, historical landmarks, or state or national parks.
Manual page 21 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 21)
BIKE ROUTE
The manual does not state it
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual
Roundabout destination sign
Most roundabouts also have a destination sign on the approach so you know where each exiting road will take you.
Manual page 50 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 50)
HIGHWAY ENTRANCE
Sometimes, but not always, the entrance ramp will have a green sign that says HIGHWAY ENTRANCE.
Manual page 52 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 52)
Railroad crossings
Railroad crossing signal with gate
You are required to stop at all railroad crossings when there is a signal of an approaching train. These signals include flashing red lights, a lowered crossing gate, a flagger signaling or a train's audible signal of warning. Do not move forward or attempt to go around any gate or ignore any signal of an approaching train. If there are no signals at the railroad crossing, you should slow down and prepare to stop, if you see or hear a train approaching.
Manual page 9 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 9)
3 TRACKS plate
The manual does not state it
Manual page 9 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 9)
RAILROAD CROSSING crossbuck
This sign is placed at a railroad crossing where the tracks cross the roadway. You should treat the crossbuck sign as a YIELD sign; slow down and prepare to stop, if you see or hear a train approaching.
Manual page 10 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 10)
RAILROAD CROSSING AHEAD
You are approaching a railroad crossing. When you see this sign, begin looking and listening for a train. This sign is placed far enough in advance to allow you to stop before you reach the tracks, if necessary.
Manual page 16 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 16)
ADVANCED INTERSECTION / RAILROAD CROSSING
The intersecting road has a railroad crossing within a very short distance from the intersection. If you are planning to turn onto the intersecting road and if a train is approaching, be prepared to stop.
Manual page 17 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 17)
R X R (pavement)
Pavement markings also include words painted on the pavement and arrows that supplement messages posted on regulatory and warning signs. ... R X R before a railroad crossing
Manual page 22 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 22)
Other signs and symbols
Slow-moving vehicle emblem
In rural areas, an orange triangle is displayed on the back of farm tractors and horse-drawn vehicles designed to operate at 25 mph or less; this is a slower speed than traffic normally travels.
Manual page 44 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 44)