Good practices and tips from otr drivers...please

Lol , groovy i get out of my truck and into my f-350 and it feels like my clutch is broken its so soft compared to the big truck...

 

When did you get a BIG TRUCK ?

 

Last week... Well lets say i got hired to drive one anyway lol

Driving a Western Star Super 10.

 

Ok, can't help but chime in here on a topic that is near and dear to my traveling days. Sorry if I'm bringing up a topic that was a few pages back on this post, but I feel I have some things to contribute that might be helpful to you there Mr. Groovy.
It's about signage. First, regarding the .dot.gov link someone had posted on the signage..a VERY good read! Here is some of the low down I've learned over the years on signs and mileage:

If anyone remembers from the days when the Interstate system was created during and after the war, it wasn't for you to get to your friends quicker! The Interstate system's main reason for being built was for National Defense. As a necessary by-product of National Defense, that includes Trucks! The entire system was created with some logic behind it.

First, generally speaking (things may differ on East Coast), Highway signs do correlate with mileage, as well as State Hwy markers. Mile 0 begins on the South and Western boarders of each State. So as you enter a State from the West or South, Hwy marker signs should start from Mile 1. Exit numbers in the Western U.S. (not just in California), generally indicate miles as well. If you just past Exit 61 and you need exit 80, you know you need to go 19 more miles. I think as previously mentioned, Green and Blue Signs are informational, while White are Regulatory and Yellow are caution/warning signs. In California anyways, we OVERDO it on signage! When you get anywhere in the sprawling freeway system within a 100 mile circle of Los Angeles, the mileage signs to the next exit can feel like overkill, but it's WELCOMED! There is typically a sign for an exit at 3.5 miles, 2.5 miles, 1.5 miles, 1 mile, 1/2 mile and sometimes even 1/4 mile! The reason for the inconsistency you might feel is that when the highway system was first built, signs were put up at even mile intervals! But as cities grew up and more exits were constructed, it became necessary to add more incremental signage. The "Freeway" naming system in Los Angeles is another entirely different topic all together! I won't go into too much details here, maybe it's better for another string, but we "generally" name freeways here (Interstate's as well as State freeways), after cities they connect. So, for example. If you're heading South on Interstate 110, it will be called "The San Pedro" freeway, because it ends at the Loading Docks in San Pedro. State Hwy 126 off of Interstate 5 is called the "Fillmore Freeway", because that is where it originally ended.
There are some exceptions to the rule. We all know Interstate I-5 is called "Golden State Freeway". We all know there is no city called "Golden State". I-5 was named that because it is the freeway that runs the entire length of the State, so it has that exception.

As far as when you get off a freeway system in the Western US anyways, city streets are constructed in some logical order as well. In most cities, Streets run North and South, while Avenue's run east and west. Even numbers are generally on the North and West sides of the street, while odd numbering is on the South and East side of the street. A mile is "generally" 8 City blocks long, although there are so many variations from that in each city, that I wouldn't count on that as very reliable. A Boulevard in the Western US. typically designates a major thoroughfare that is "divided" and entering and exiting is controlled. You can't always gain access to a Boulevard at every intersection. Therefore, avoid Boulevards unless you're driving straight through. I believe on the East Coast, you might call them "Parkways". If you enter a City in the Western U.S. that is the capital city of that particular state, then you have a grid system that is laid out around the Capital. Typically "State St." & "Main St", are the two main streets within the city where all the numbering system fans out from. For example, if you're looking for 2300 S. State St. in Olympia, Washington, you know you're 23 blocks South of the Capital. Now some cities have their own little exception to that rule, Salt Lake City for example. I imagine people from Prime stop in their quite often as there is a Terminal there. In SLC, the world revolves around the Mormon Temple in downtown Salt Lake City. The Temple is located on the cross hairs of both State St. & North/South Temple Ave. So, numbering there is a little different, but similar. If you need 1600 E. South Temple Ave, you know you're going to be 16 blocks East of the Mormon Temple on South Temple Ave.

Sorry I rambled a bit, but hopefully that helps you when you're traveling down the Highways and Streets of our wonderful country.

Peace...

Global Responder

 

Global- that should be a sticky for new drivers section.