So I was driving to a wedding once and I was noticing all the different signs on the road. There are really a lot of different kinds of signs if you think about it. I mean, the kinds that you learn about in Drivers Ed - yellow for warnings, orange for construction, brown for historical sites and recreation (there's that word again...). As I was driving at this moment one particular type seemed interesting to me. It's a blue sign with white writing, which means that it gives drivers information about services. You have probably all seen them before - telling you the gas stations or eating establishments that are at any given exit. Letting you know where the hospital is or the next rest stop (with or without restrooms). We probably don't notice these signs very much when we are driving through the city or town we live in, because we're already familiar with the information being shared. However, I seem to rely heavily on these signs during road trips through unknown territory, as I'm sure others do as well.
Regardless, the question that came to mind has to do with the choosing of information to go on those signs. Who decides whether or not the gas station on that exit is listed? What happens when a new restaurant is built - do they have to request for a little picture of their logo to be added? I also wonder if it's a state responsibility or a city responsibility. Is there a charge to put your name on the sign? It is marketing of sorts. If it weren't for those signs in the middle of no where, how would anyone know that the Sinclair station is on that exit, to the left approximate 0.2 miles? I think few people would know, except for the residents of said town. Also, if the blue signs are, by definition, to give us information about services - why not make signs for other types of services like hair salons and spas?
The wonders of the world. Maybe someday I'll know.
No comments:
Post a Comment