Who do we complain when we come across poor road signage? The Highway Authority, the contractor building the highway leading to the bridge, or Penang state government?
My first time ended up going towards the old bridge which I took instead of going back to find the way back to new bridge. That was after omitting the first exit at the airport roundabout, and having tried the second to Relau, and taken the third. The second time was successful, but after travelling with apprehension and doubt along the way because of no signage.
I was hoping that after such a long time, things would have improved. But no improvement where signage is concerned. I am surprised at the airport roundabout, the first exit used to be 'Batu Maung' but now shown as 'Balik Pulau', which to me seems an unnecessary doubt created. Then as I followed the main flow of traffic, I came across the sign to 'Jambatan Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam' which was most welcome. Then, I was left on my own to decide when in doubt. There were local signs but no mention of the second bridge. This time, the most helpful seem to be the red and white (plastic)or black and yellow(concrete) barricades! I presume these were put there because of ongoing construction to build the proper road to the bridge. With the benefit of hindsight, I think the signs to Mah Sing Sales Office are useful to road users, simply because Mah Sing office is on the right, a short distance from the flyover leading to the bridge! But even so, I had a 'fright' when I read the right sign showing Georgetown and bridge sign, thinking I made the same mistake again! The left sign was reassuring with 'Ipoh' but I was expecting a mention of the second bridge because that was supposed to be a destination from the start.
I am an occasional visitor to Penang, just like many people from other states or foreign countries. I have had problems with road signage in Malaysia in general, and in this case, Penang, in particular.
Very often, there are signs to a major destination like KLIA, but after a few signs (if you are lucky) to reassure you, you are often left on your own to decide at other junctions along the way. KLIA seems straightforward to me now, because of being familiar. But with other destinations, very likely, there are local destinations A,B and C, but with no indication among them, as to which among them to take. I had a very bad experience when travelling from the old LCCT at night to KL via Maju Expressway (MEX) for the first time. At the junction where one leads to Putrajaya and another to Cyberjaya, I wish there was MEX mentioned next to Cyberjaya. I took the one leading to Putrajaya and got lost big time and could not find my direction back to KL!
Where road signs are concerned, whoever is in charge should put himself as a dummy travelling a route for the first time. All doubts arising while travelling should be dispelled with a mention of the destination to reassure the traveller that he is on the right track. They would be thankful for the little but helpful indications which provide them with peace of mind. At major junctions, along long distance, as well as at junctions with directions to local destinations, the major destination should be mentioned.
Update Aug 10: It is now better sign-posted from various locations to the new Bridge, Having used a 4WD vehicle, I can confirm the toll charges for using the second bridge at Rm8.50 (same as ordinary cars) is in fact cheaper than the old bridge at Rm12.00 compared with Rm7.00.
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My first time ended up going towards the old bridge which I took instead of going back to find the way back to new bridge. That was after omitting the first exit at the airport roundabout, and having tried the second to Relau, and taken the third. The second time was successful, but after travelling with apprehension and doubt along the way because of no signage.
I was hoping that after such a long time, things would have improved. But no improvement where signage is concerned. I am surprised at the airport roundabout, the first exit used to be 'Batu Maung' but now shown as 'Balik Pulau', which to me seems an unnecessary doubt created. Then as I followed the main flow of traffic, I came across the sign to 'Jambatan Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam' which was most welcome. Then, I was left on my own to decide when in doubt. There were local signs but no mention of the second bridge. This time, the most helpful seem to be the red and white (plastic)or black and yellow(concrete) barricades! I presume these were put there because of ongoing construction to build the proper road to the bridge. With the benefit of hindsight, I think the signs to Mah Sing Sales Office are useful to road users, simply because Mah Sing office is on the right, a short distance from the flyover leading to the bridge! But even so, I had a 'fright' when I read the right sign showing Georgetown and bridge sign, thinking I made the same mistake again! The left sign was reassuring with 'Ipoh' but I was expecting a mention of the second bridge because that was supposed to be a destination from the start.
I am an occasional visitor to Penang, just like many people from other states or foreign countries. I have had problems with road signage in Malaysia in general, and in this case, Penang, in particular.
Very often, there are signs to a major destination like KLIA, but after a few signs (if you are lucky) to reassure you, you are often left on your own to decide at other junctions along the way. KLIA seems straightforward to me now, because of being familiar. But with other destinations, very likely, there are local destinations A,B and C, but with no indication among them, as to which among them to take. I had a very bad experience when travelling from the old LCCT at night to KL via Maju Expressway (MEX) for the first time. At the junction where one leads to Putrajaya and another to Cyberjaya, I wish there was MEX mentioned next to Cyberjaya. I took the one leading to Putrajaya and got lost big time and could not find my direction back to KL!
Where road signs are concerned, whoever is in charge should put himself as a dummy travelling a route for the first time. All doubts arising while travelling should be dispelled with a mention of the destination to reassure the traveller that he is on the right track. They would be thankful for the little but helpful indications which provide them with peace of mind. At major junctions, along long distance, as well as at junctions with directions to local destinations, the major destination should be mentioned.
Update Aug 10: It is now better sign-posted from various locations to the new Bridge, Having used a 4WD vehicle, I can confirm the toll charges for using the second bridge at Rm8.50 (same as ordinary cars) is in fact cheaper than the old bridge at Rm12.00 compared with Rm7.00.
2 comments:
Yes, we need clear signage. In US, it's so clinical. The roads are number, single digit. Roads going from North to South are given even numbers while those going from East to West are odd. For example, highway from Chicago to Houston is Highway 6. If you are going to Chicago from Houston, all you have to do is follow the number 6. You are guided all the way by signage as a small 6x6 inches sign will do. Some have the letter N or S, together with the number to indicate whether you are heading north or south. Exits are numbered in series. I was driving there before the smartphone era and for the first time in US(plus left hand drive) and I manage to drive around the U.S. with minimal problem. I got free maps from the Automobile Association of America(AAA), of which I was a member. The point is that if the roads are planned and numbered properly, then it will be easy for the road users. Which is easier to do, reading a single digit or a long name, in the middle of the night and at 80kmh? Otherwise we have to be guided by a direction giving smartphone app such as Waze.
Come to Seputeh. The roads signs and names put two years ago are no longer parallel to the ground. They are all taking a dip. It is only a matter of time before they start paying homage to the ground. To my mind road signs should last a 100 years and when they are removed they should have antique value.
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