michael cramer

Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 12:12 a.m.

Stating that 1-94 heads west toward Chicago lets those who are in the area coming from the airport (travelers) know that if you follow i-94 west it will take you the entire way to Chicago literally and the general direction you are traveling (west). Just as you are heading south on 23 and it says Toledo. Its merely giving the the general direction and letting you know that if you continue on this route i94 you will eventually arrive in Chicago(next major city). Thus, an option to drive "westward" in the direction toward Chicago. Once you go farther off 94 and 23 North signs state Ann Arbor north on 23 which takes you through Washtenaw County.! My opinion would be to add a sign which also adds Ann Arbor to the signage not necessarily removing Chicago from the signage. many people flying into Metro may not always be able to get to Chicago via flight for some reason or another, and some may want to book to fly into metro and drive the 5 hour drive whether the reasons by weather, delays, or even price. Thus the sing is merely meant for travelers and general direction of next major city. I myself have flown from Fort Lauderdale, Florida and landed in Detroit and headed West on I94 to see family in Chicago-- only about a 5 hour drive. I guess because i live in a metropolitan area (fort Lauderdale) i am aware of these things, as I95 here says south Miami even though its not the next actual major city, it allows you to understand the general direction you are heading, and eventually you will be in Miami.

michael cramer

Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 12:07 a.m.

Stating that 1-94 heads west toward Chicago lets those who are in the area coming from the airport (travelers) know that if you follow i-94 west it will take you the entire way to Chicago literally and the general direction you are traveling (west). Just as you are heading south on 23 and it says Toledo. Its merely giving the the general direction and letting you know that if you continue on this route i94 you will eventually arrive in Chicago(next major city). Thus, an option to drive "westward" in the direction toward Chicago. Once you go farther off 94 and 23 North signs state Ann Arbor north on 23 which takes you through Washtenaw County.! My opinion would be to add a sign which also adds Ann Arbor to the signage not necessarily removing Chicago from the signage. many people flying into Metro may not always be able to get to Chicago via flight for some reason or another, and some may want to book to fly into metro and drive the 5 hour drive whether the reasons by weather, delays, or even price. Thus the sing is merely meant for travelers and general direction of next major city. I myself have flown from Fort Lauderdale, Florida and landed in Detroit and headed West on I94 to see family in Chicago-- only about a 5 hour drive. I guess because i live in a metropolitan area (fort Lauderdale) i am aware of these things, as I95 here says south Miami even though its not the next actual major city, it allows you to understand the general direction you are heading, and eventually you will be in Miami.

michael cramer

Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 12:03 a.m.

I believe you people are a little crazy over this. Stating that 1-94 heads west toward Chicago lets those who are in the area coming from the airport (travelers) know that if you follow i-94 west it will take you the entire way to Chicago literally and the general direction you are traveling (west). Just as you are heading south on 23 and it says Toledo. Its merely giving the the general direction and letting you know that if you continue on this route i94 you will eventually arrive in Chicago(next major city). Thus, an option to drive "westward" in the direction toward Chicago. Once you go farther off 94 and 23 North signs state Ann Arbor north on 23 which takes you through Washtenaw County.! My opinion would be to add a sign which also adds Ann Arbor to the signage not necessarily removing Chicago from the signage. many people flying into Metro may not always be able to get to Chicago via flight for some reason or another, and some may want to book to fly into metro and drive the 5 hour drive whether the reasons by weather, delays, or even price. Thus the sing is merely meant for travelers and general direction of next major city. I myself have flown from Fort Lauderdale, Florida and landed in Detroit and headed West on I94 to see family in Chicago-- only about a 5 hour drive. I guess because i live in a metropolitan area (fort Lauderdale) i am aware of these things, as I95 here says south Miami even though its not the next actual major city, it allows you to understand the general direction you are heading, and eventually you will be in Miami.

michael cramer

Wed, Jul 14, 2010 : 11:56 p.m.

I believe you people are a little crazy over this. Stating that 1-94 heads west toward Chicago lets those who are in the area coming from the airport (travelers) know that if you follow i-94 west it will take you the entire way to Chicago---literally and the general direction you are traveling (west). Just as you are heading south on 23 and it says Toledo. Merely giving the the general direction and letting you know that if you continue on this route (i94) you will eventually arrive in Chicago(next major city). Thus, an option to drive "westward" in the direction toward Chicago. Once you go farther on 94 and 23 North signs state Ann Arbor north on 23 which takes you through Washtenaw County.! My opinion would be to add a sign which also adds Ann Arbor to the signage not necessarily removing Chicago from the signage. many people flying into Metro may not always be able to get to Chicago via flight for some reason or another, and some may want to book to fly into metro and drive the 5 hour drive whether the reasons by weather, delays, or even price. Thus the sing is merely meant for travelers and general direction of next major city. I myself have flown from Fort Lauderdale, Florida and landed in Detroit and headed West on I94 to see family in Chicago-- only about a 5 hour drive. I guess because i live in a metropolitan area (fort Lauderdale) i am aware of these things, as I95 here says south Miami even though its not the next actual major city, it allows you to understand the general direction you are heading, and eventually you will be in Miami.

michael cramer

Wed, Jul 14, 2010 : 11:35 p.m.

I believe you people are a little crazy over this. stating that 1-94 heads west toward Chicago lets those who are in the area coming from the airport(travelers) know that if you follow i-94 west it will take you the entire way to Chicago literally and the general direction you are traveling (west). Just as you are heading south on 23 and it says Toledo. Its merely giving the the general direction and letting you know that if you continue on this route you will eventually arrive in Chicago(next major city).Thus an option to drive "westward" in the direction toward Chicago. Once you go farther off 94 and 23 North it states ANN ARBOR north on 23 which takes you through WASHTENAW COUNTY! many people flying into Metro may not always be able to get to Chicago via flight for some reason or another, and some may want to book to fly into metro and drive the 5 hour drive whether the reasons by weather, delays, or even price. THUS THE SING IS MEANT MERELY AS A DIRECTION, AND FOR TRAVELERS NOT NECESSARILY FROM THE AREA. I WOULD THINK THAT ITS COMMON KNOWLEDGE IF YOU LIVE IN AND AROUND METRO DETROIT AND ANN ARBOR IS A NEARBY CITY. I myself have flown from Fort Lauderdale, Florida and landed in Detroit and headed WEST on I94 to see family in Chicago only about a 5 hour drive. I guess because i live in a metropolicatn area (fort lauderdale) i am aware of these things, as I95 here says south Miami even though its not the next actual major city, it allows you to understand the general direction you are heading, and eventually you will be in Miami.

Skeet

Wed, Jul 14, 2010 : 11:48 a.m.

Ann Arbor doesn't need any new signs on the highway. It is a waste of money. That is why there is no response. How many folks are still driving around Canada in search of Ann Arbor right now? I'm pretty sure they have all arrived in The Deuce by now. Why would you drive on a highway without knowing where you are going? The signs aren't just for folks from out of town. Local folks made the signs and we assume that the whole world knows where Ann Arbor is. (That is my little joke.) Maybe someone from Taylor wants to go to Chi-Town to sample their delicious food, enjoy the sights and sounds, and meet people who aren't uptight about others giving them undeserved recognition for something so trivial. Tell your friends to head toward Chicago. Ann Arbor is listed on a few exits so if they can read they'll be okay.

Mr. Tibbs

Wed, Jul 14, 2010 : 8:35 a.m.

get used to it. you don't matter. liberals have this thing called radar.....and unless you have had your head in the sand it also has another "rhyme" that certainly applies.... liberals tend to find each other....

Rod Johnson

Tue, Jul 13, 2010 : 7:55 p.m.

Thanks sellers.

regularjoe

Tue, Jul 13, 2010 : 7:07 a.m.

I we could just agree to expand the AA airport so large passenger jets could land here, this whole signage question would be a moot point.

jcj

Mon, Jul 12, 2010 : 11:42 p.m.

Yea chill out Chicago is something special! After all we didn't have. Rod Blagojevich, Rev Wright, Mayor Richard M. Daley, Al Capone, 458 Homicides in 2009 and oh boy! Oprah

sellers

Mon, Jul 12, 2010 : 2:35 p.m.

rodj, I can't recall, but I searched the MDOT website and got a contact from there. I don't recall if I used the Taylor service center or the Brighton one for a contact. It may deserve another comment.

Rod Johnson

Mon, Jul 12, 2010 : 2:30 p.m.

Sellers, who did you complain to? Have an email address or an agency name?

treetowncartel

Mon, Jul 12, 2010 : 11:18 a.m.

If you fly into Bishop Airport in flint there is a sign at the highway entrance pointing you to _____? Shortly after that entrance 23 and 75 split and both Ann Arbor and Detroit are referenced there.

sellers

Mon, Jul 12, 2010 : 11 a.m.

I complained about this same lack of AA on the signage about a year ago when folks did have trouble making the decision when coming out of the sometimes congested airport drive. The idea of signage is to help people who don't think east/west. Befriend someone who has trouble with east/west/north/south while driving and you will see what we mean. It does not mean they are stupid, it means they think and learn differently than others. The key is to direct people quickly and safely and not have them gawking and signs rear ending you. Ann Arbor is a very popular destination for visitors to Metro Airport. It is the Airport that serves the Ann Arbor area. The control cities concept is a fair concept and I understand it, but Ann Arbor is listed in various other places, and I think the suggestion was to ADD Ann Arbor, not really remove Chicago. Ann Arbor is the next major destination along the highway (Sorry Ypsi) so it makes sense. Just like the signs say Jackson west of Ann Arbor, and as pointed out it says Indiana in Chicago, not Detroit. With that said, my concern a year or two ago was responded with a note indicating they would review for next sign upgrade time, which makes sense to not waste money now but if the sign needs replacement add Ann Arbor then. I suppose they could add a temporary sign saying "Ann Arbor, follow I94 west).

pvitaly

Mon, Jul 12, 2010 : 9:34 a.m.

Here is a pretty good reason for the sign to say Ann Arbor and not Chicago: http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2010/snapshots/PL2603000.html

a2since73

Mon, Jul 12, 2010 : 8:39 a.m.

This is NOT a small matter. Ann Arbor is on signs along the Ohio Turnpike Westbound (I80/I90) at the intersection of I475/US23. Control cities notwithstanding, Ohio recognizes the importance of locating Ann Arbor at a major freeway intersection in Toledo, even if Michigan does not in Detroit at one of the largest airports in the nation.

15crown00

Mon, Jul 12, 2010 : 8:31 a.m.

why do you arrogant Arborites get upset about nothing?Maybe it's because CHICAGO is CHICAGO and ann arbor is ann arbor.C---H---I---L---L O----U---T.

bluemax79

Mon, Jul 12, 2010 : 7:44 a.m.

some of you are missing the point here, why would someone replace a sign pointing you to a popular Michigan city be replaced with a sign for a city 3-1/2 hours away in another state?? if you have not been in the area before you may not know which way Ann Arbor is from the airport. and IF you need a sign pointing you to Chicago from detroit Metro you are a complete moron. (if you wanted to go to Chicago from wherever you came from you would fly into Chicago, you would not fly into detroit and look for a sign that indicates Chicago this way! MANY more people fly into detroit to go to Ann Arbor or anywhere in the immidiate area and a sign pointing you in the direction of the cities with milage seems very common sense to me.

Cathy Z.

Mon, Jul 12, 2010 : 7:03 a.m.

I'm certainly NOT going to lose any sleep over this! Besides, I don't think the State of Michigan has any extra monies for new signage anyway. I can't believe some folks are actually fussing over such a small matter. And I don't think New Yorkers are upset because the signs going east out of Metro don't mention the Big Apple.

Cossur

Mon, Jul 12, 2010 : 6:47 a.m.

As a long time Ann Arbor resident, I actually enjoy leaving DTW and making the frivolous choice of Chicago as I approach I-94. For those few minutes I have that exhilarating feeling of embarking on an adventure. Maybe it's a clear day and I'll go to the top of the John Hancock building, or maybe I'll surprise my son at work at the U of C and take him for supper. Yes I then revert to reality and know that I have responsibilities at home but that mini near-vacation brightens my spirits. On a more grown-up note--I think WEST would do the job nicely.

Dave66

Mon, Jul 12, 2010 : 6:08 a.m.

Step 1: Obtain a local area map. Step 2: Read the map. Step 3: Understand the map. Step 4: Follow the map. I don't think the problem was with the signs, it's Anna's friends who have the problem. Seriously, who gets into a car in a foreign country and just starts driving, without any idea where they're going? I'm surprised they got out of the airport instead of accidentally boarding another plane.

ronn oneal

Mon, Jul 12, 2010 : 2:34 a.m.

@sonnyDog09 Said it clear and 4ward. Never heard of Ypsi/AnnArbor until my mom moved here first. I followed when the big 3 were big.

Steven Harper Piziks

Sun, Jul 11, 2010 : 11:19 p.m.

Ann Arbor, with a major national university, is the next large city west of the airport, and yeah, it's ridiculous that the sign lists Chicago, which is 270 miles away and two states over to boot. Ann Arbor should be on the sign, along with the word "West."

mike from saline

Sun, Jul 11, 2010 : 10:46 p.m.

I assume these people rented a car. The folks at the desk will give you directions both verbally, and a map. You can also rent cars with GPS. But I do realize how confusing it can be, dealing with the freeway systems around airports, in towns you've never been in before. I say, the more information, the better!! Put A2 on the sign.

Nicholas

Sun, Jul 11, 2010 : 10:43 p.m.

I don't care much for the signs having Ann Arbor listed on them, but at the same time I agree that it's bizarre to have Chicago on them at all. Also, fjord said "Anyone with even a basic knowledge of U.S. geography understands that Chicago is west of Detroit" but if this is the case, then what's the point in even having Chicago on the sign at all? Why not just have a sign that only says "WEST" with an arrow pointing you in the correct direction? I do agree that with smartphones, GPS and even basic paper maps, signs are quite unnecessary, but it's also rather unsafe to operate any of those navigation utilities while driving, unless you have someone riding with you. Either way, I think it's just fine the way it is, people just need to prepare more when they travel.

Jack

Sun, Jul 11, 2010 : 9:57 p.m.

I've gotta agree with those who point out that Ann Arbor is not the center of the universe. While I, too, find it occasionally convenient, particularly when I am on 96 or 696 to have signs that point to Ann Arbor, I also see why Chicago takes precedence. Everybody knows about Chicago; not everyone knows about Ann Arbor. As for the friends who got lost, what if they needed to go to Ypsilanti, Saline, Britton, Plymouth, Canton, Birmingham? Should all of those locations also have signs for those who do not have sense enough to look at a map or stop to ask for directions? Or are we special for some reason? I guess I just don't quite get it.

Ming Bucibei

Sun, Jul 11, 2010 : 9:19 p.m.

typical bureaucratic imbecility there needs to be more than none control citites between detroit and chicago ann arbor / university of michigan is a major destination going west on I-94 if a sign to ann arbor was valid in the past it is valid today fomhttp://home.roadrunner.com/~pwolf/controlcities.html: "Note that not every destination on Guide Signs is a CONTROL CITY (and not every Control City is actually a CITY). Local or intermediate destinations may be used to guide motorists, even if they are not on this list, particularly in large Metropolitan areas." therefore ann arbor is a valid destination!! Ming Bucibei

jcj

Sun, Jul 11, 2010 : 8:07 p.m.

OK. I concede no reason to have Ann Arbor on any signs at Metro. That would only bring more nuts into town!

Ben

Sun, Jul 11, 2010 : 5:33 p.m.

@DrD Thanks for the link. It was very useful. I understand the idea of "control cities" now; because Ann Arbor isn't a control city, it is always OPTIONAL to list it. I think the real issue here is that on SOME I-94 W signage, Ann Arbor is listed, while on other signage, Chicago is listed. I have wondered about this discrepancy for a long time. It's not that one city "deserves" to be listed over the other; to me, it's just a case of uniformity. It seems pretty random as to whether a specific sign happens to mention Ann Arbor or Chicago. It always seemed to me that as long as MDOT has decided to put "Ann Arbor" on a decent number of the signs, they might as well just put it on all of the signs up to A2. Then, the rest can say Chicago. This would just serve to make everything more uniform. But as long as the system is what it is, I suppose at DTW they wanted to be as general about the direction you were traveling as possible, so they used the control city of Chicago on the sign. It's strange: there's some degree of assumption involved ("If this is the direction of Chicago, Ann Arbor must be on the way"), but at the same time, if it's assumed that you'll be capable of figuring that much out, then wouldn't you already be aware that Chicago is west of Detroit?

johnnya2

Sun, Jul 11, 2010 : 5:32 p.m.

My takeaway from all this, is you failed to tell you visiting guests Ann Arbor was on I-94 west of the airport. No need for a sign. Leaving the airport is actually very easy at DTW compared to many cities.

jcj

Sun, Jul 11, 2010 : 4:45 p.m.

OK. I concede no reason to have Ann Arbor on any signs at Metro. That would only bring more nuts into town!

A2frank

Sun, Jul 11, 2010 : 4:07 p.m.

Is this story some kind of a joke? Head towards Chicago, take duly marked exit of choice to Ann Arbor. It's not rocket science.

Rod Johnson

Sun, Jul 11, 2010 : 3:31 p.m.

The list of AASHO control cities is the national standard for signage, but (and the site clearly says this) they're not the only destinations in use. States can add all the other locations they want. So as you go west on I94 from Detroit, you see signs for Ann Arbor and Chicago, then Jackson and Chicago, then Battle and Chicago, etc. Anyone suggesting there isn't signage for Ann Arbor is just wrong. The issue here is that there isn't signage for Ann Arbor at this one spot, which, since airports are frequented by travelers who might be turned around, isn't as helpful as it could be. So why not add some? It isn't about thinking A2 is the center of the universe or quien es mas macho? with a map. It's just about providing useful information. The reason locations like Wisconsin Dells and Eau Claire are control cities is because they're on segments of highway that have a fork ahead. So going north from Madison, you can go north on I-39 (I think it is) or you can go west on 90/94. But not that far ahead, they split again, so the west fork doesn't go to the control city of Minneapolis yet--they need an intermediate control point, and there just ain't much else in that segment of interstate. Then when you get to the fork you can go west to La Crosse or north to Eau Claire, etc. It's a logical system but it doesn't really reflect the way normal people think about geography.

HerrSnibbens

Sun, Jul 11, 2010 : 3:15 p.m.

Who cares? With the increasing prevalence of smartphones and built-in vehicular GPS systems these signs are fast becoming a quaint relic of a bygone era. You would think that anyone with the resources to just drop what they're doing and fly overseas should be able to afford this nowadays very basic technology. (or maybe just buy a map?)

Gorc

Sun, Jul 11, 2010 : 2:33 p.m.

On the flip side, when you are drive east from Illinois...Detroit is not used as a control city until you many miles into the state of Indiana on the Frank Borman Expressway (I-94). From the city of Chicago all signage for Eastbound traffic references the state of Indiana, not Michigan or Detroit. Is the state of Indiana a control city/state?

umich07

Sun, Jul 11, 2010 : 1:04 p.m.

As said, Ann Arbor is not a control city, so it does not need to be on the signs.

Macabre Sunset

Sun, Jul 11, 2010 : 1:03 p.m.

I would not have visitors driving themselves away from Metro Airport who can't tell east from west, or who don't have detailed directions to my home.

Joe Hood

Sun, Jul 11, 2010 : 12:56 p.m.

I too agree that more control cities need to exist between Detroit and Chicago. And for those "dissing" the idea because of the size of Ann Arbor, look at the populations of Eau Claire (61,000), Wisconsin Dells (2,418), or Fargo (95,556) (but I have to say I really like the City of Fargo's homepage, it seems cleaner and easier to navigate: (http://www.cityoffargo.com/)

Halima

Sun, Jul 11, 2010 : 12:25 p.m.

@ DrD, thanks for the link. it explains clearly that certain "control cities" must be listed and maintained on the signs all the way from one "control city" to the next. Therefore, since there are no "control cities" on the list between Detroit and Chicago, there are no other city names listed on the signs. I am in sympathy with the lost travelers, but, okay, there are hundreds of cities and towns along I-94 and I can see the logic in not naming each of them on the main signs.

Tag

Sun, Jul 11, 2010 : 11:15 a.m.

Last time I flew in to Metro and rented a car they offered me a FREE map several times. Why would someone unfamiliar with the area they are traveling too NOT take a map?

jcj

Sun, Jul 11, 2010 : 10:49 a.m.

@tdw No point for signs then right? At least not signs that provide worthless information.

DrD

Sun, Jul 11, 2010 : 10:36 a.m.

I just did a little Google search and found an article which was helpful: http://home.roadrunner.com/~pwolf/controlcities.html

tdw

Sun, Jul 11, 2010 : 10:31 a.m.

@jcj I'd ask someone.And on the way there I'd stop at a gas station and get a thing called a map

DrD

Sun, Jul 11, 2010 : 10:31 a.m.

I'm all for adding AA to the signs. I'd be happy to help bug the right people. At the very least, someone should be able to provide the legal or general practice guidelines for how the cities get determined. On most maps the major cities are labeled with a larger font. It would make sense to have the signs correspond.

Rod Johnson

Sun, Jul 11, 2010 : 9:45 a.m.

Interesting. I spent a while looking on the MDOT website for info on who has responsibility for signage. I could find no trace of a "Michigan Transportation Services Center." The closest I could come is Operations. You might try emailing the administrator, Jon Reinicke, at reinckej@michigan.gov. The term for these cities on signs is "control city"--ask if Ann Arbor could be added to the list of control cities at Metro. Sunny Dog, since Ann Arbor is the next major city west of the airport, it would be standard practice to have it on the signs, just like 94 west of Ann Arbor is signed for Jackson and Chicago.

jcj

Sun, Jul 11, 2010 : 9:44 a.m.

@SonnyDog9 Last time I looked Chicago was not the center either!The point is not that Chicago is better known! So is Kansas City! The sign might as well say Kansas City. There will be just as many people flying into metro driving to KC! Do you suppose there is a sign at the Chicago airport that says Detroit this way! @tdw Lets say you fly into Des Moines Iowa. Without looking at a map. Which way is Ames,Iowa (Iowa state). Suppose you fly into Des Moines and the sign at the airport says Chicago this way. It would make as much sense as a sign at the Detroit airport saying Chicago this way.

SonnyDog09

Sun, Jul 11, 2010 : 9:20 a.m.

I hate to be the one to break this news to you, but Ann Arbor is NOT the center of the universe. More people will know of Chicago than will know of Ann Arbor.

ChrisW

Sun, Jul 11, 2010 : 9:20 a.m.

I've wondered the same thing. How many people fly into Metro and drive to Chicago? The signage around the airport is pretty abysmal in general, especially the parking areas.

tdw

Sun, Jul 11, 2010 : 9 a.m.

Well believe it or not, Ann Arbor is not the only city west of the airport.If you don't know A2 is west then you're lost anyway