THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, July 18, 1996 TAG: 9607170006
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 43 lines
I have watched with interest the discussion as reported in The Virginian-Pilot concerning the renumbering of interstate and state highways in Hampton Roads. At least one of the so-called ``options'' outlined in your graphics, and apparently popular with a few of our citizens, neglects to take into consideration the national regulations for numbering of interstate-highway subsystems.
The interstate-highway system uses a specific method of numbering to help drivers figure out where they are going. All east-west (or predominantly so) routes are even numbers. All north-south routes are odd numbers. Easy, right?
The extensions of routes follow a similar methodology. All subsystem routes with even prefixes, like 264, connect directly to the parent highway at both ends. This includes ``short cut'' bypasses like our 264 and 664, and beltways, like 295, that skirt the busier transcity areas.
Subsystem routes with odd prefixes are connected at one end to the parent highway and end elsewhere, like our 564 and Washington, D.C.'s 395, which takes one into downtown and ends.
If you are not sure where a route goes, these prefixes will tell you at least whether you will be totally off the system in short order or simply have to use the appropriate exit to return to your route.
While I am on the subject of standardized traffic regulation: Unless something has recently changed, signs prohibiting right turns on red lights are supposed to be placed in direct proximity to the light head regulating the lane - not on posts beside the intersection. Perhaps if traffic engineers followed this method, more drivers would see the signs - and at least a couple of them may not ignore them. Usually the prohibition is in place for a reason and has safety implications.
My final point concerns landscaping, especially around malls but also in some neighborhoods. The bushes and shrubs were lovely ideas when they were planted, but now they have grown to wondrous proportions. Many stop signs are obscured and quite a few exit roads have poor vision lines so that one takes a chance entering the roadway. A bit of judicious pruning or plant removal will help many of us feel safer driving around the malls and neighborhoods.
CAROLE KRIEGER
Chesapeake, July 7, 1996 by CNB