Q: Why are some roads marked “Dead End” and some marked “No Outlet?” Is there a difference?
A: One theory is that wealthy neighborhoods petitioned to eliminate “Dead End” signs from their streets because it reflected poorly on the status of their residents. But that’s completely untrue. There’s a manual that traffic engineers use when determining appropriate sign usage. The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) specifies that the “Dead End” sign may be used at the entrance of a single road that terminates or ends in a cul-de-sac, while the “No Outlet” sign may be used at the entrance to a road network from which there is no other exit. The sign choice comes down to whether it’s just one road or more than one road with no other way out.
Enjoyed the chat. Thanks for taking the time to listen. Let me know if you get an answer about the traffic signs on the off-ramp during construction. Thanx,
I have seen No Outlet used here on Long Island on occasion for a cul-de-sac. A cul-de-sac is a street that ends in a loop, either a half circle or a horseshoe design at the end. It doesn’t go anywhere, but when you reach the end you have a wide berth and the ability to make a natural U-Turn. A true Dead End, is a straight street that ends at a fenced off railroad track, or a wooded area, or even a house, with no way to make a U-Turn without having to use your reverse gear, to turn around. No Outlet would also be used if the street has a side street L or Y shaped that also ends in a dead end.
Google Maps directed me to a No Outlet street which totally went through a residential neighborhood to a main road from another main road with the ability to turn right or left to larger roads upon reaching either side. This was a complete misnomer and misusage of the No Outlet signage, and was an incredible source of frustration for me, leading me to this site.
Such an underwhelming story, we believe this to be untrue…a no outlet sign actually means NO PLUG FOR YOUR electric vehicle!!
-MT
Re: “Such an underwhelming story, we believe this to be untrue…a no outlet sign actually means NO PLUG FOR YOUR electric vehicle!!”
Good answer!
I like the joke, but it might be true in the not-too-distant future as more drivers are searching for a place to plug in. These early days of electric car drivers searching for power reminds me of the early days of the internet (when phones were still dumb). If you were away from home and had to check your email you’d drive around with the laptop open on the passenger seat and park in front of promising buildings hoping to find an open network.
Thanks. I came here for a clarification after I saw a video from a California desert with both “Dead End” and “No Outlet” diamond signs on the same signpost!