A question from SAL
Let's say you are in Virginia driving north on I-95 and see a sign that says "Washington 71 miles." With the prior knowledge that I-95 does not go into Washington, which do you suppose is true?
- It is 71 miles until the exit that you would take to drive into Washington
- It is 71 miles until the Washington border, assuming you make the proper exits and turns
11 comments:
I think that I would take that to mean that the DC line is 71 miles away. However, I think that every American knows that those signs are bogus anyway, and just use them as ballpark estimates for drive time--in about 71 miles you will feel like you are *near* DC.
B.
Wouldn't it be exactly 71 miles to the zero milestone on the Ellipse?
By the way, a few hundred feet of I-95/495 are within the District on the Wilson Bridge.
I didn't realize I-95 did indeed pass through the city limits. In that case, I assume the 71 miles is to the border.
somebody once told me it's the distance to the main post office...I don't really buy that though. the border makes more sense.
while I'm here can I air a grievance? When you get on 495 from the south...why does it point you to Baltimore going east (when you're actually going south) and the only city it lists going north is Tysons Corner???? Does that make ANY sense? I mean, ok, funnel the Baltimore/95 north people off my route, fine, I've got no problem with that but it doesn't make ANY SENSE. The "north" side is really going northeast and it makes no sense to call the other one east when they're both going east. Plus is Tysons really the most recognizable name??? can't they name a place in Maryland? it really is confusing.
WFY, care to handle this one?
I'm okay with Tyson's Corner as a control city -- it is the largest "downtown" area in Virginia. In fact, there is more office space in Tyson's than Denver or Pittsburgh. However, I think there should be two control cities for each direction. For I-495 NORTH I would go with Tyson's Corner/American Legion Br. I-95 NORTH/I-495 EAST I would have Wilson Br./Baltimore.
The distance is likely to the District line on the 14th Street Bridge (which was once part of I-95) which is the most direct route to downtown Washington from I-95. The zero milestone generally not used and is largely ceremonial.
ok I can buy the office space argument. However, I still maintain it's confusing for people randomly driving north on I-95. Having driven 1200 miles in the last week on major and minor highways...it's very confusing when you feel like you know where you're going and yet none of the city names mean anything to you.
I'd prefer "TYSONS CORNER/BETHESDA" or something to indicate you go North to Montgomery County. I'm not sure that bridge names would be that useful. I suppose though, ultimately, circular roads are difficult. I guess I'm thinking that Baltimore's beltway is more clear--am I wrong about that?
WFY's other idea -- to use "INNER LOOP" and "OUTER LOOP" on the big green signs -- would be helpful also.
But for some one traveling on 95 that is not from this area, having a designation of "inner" and "outer" loop wouldn't mean a thing. Besides, there is that sign out by Tyson's, and even I still get confused when I see it.
I agree with SAL that there should be cities from both MD and VA that are mentioned on those signs.
My personal favorite is when you are heading south on 95 and come to 495--the choices are "West-Silver Spring" or "South-Washington, DC" eventhough the DC line is much closer to 495 from the Silver Spring exit.
At least for signs in Wisconsin and Iowa (not sure about Virginia, even after living there for four and a half years), the distance for mileage is to the city center (usually an important public building, I assume by the most direct route).
http://www.iowaroadsigns.com/distance_signs/distance_signs_faq1.htm
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