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Decision on bilingual road signs coming soon - Transport Minister (www.rnz.co.nz)

submitted 9 months ago by Ilovethebomb to c/politics

16 comments fedilink hide all child comments

If we do go with bilingual signs, I really hope we get a better design than what we currently have.

The Expressway signs of are a classic example, is Te Ara Puke the name of this expressway, or the name for an expressway? The sign doesn't provide that information.

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[–] Dave 3 points 9 months ago (1 children)

I had thought these were already scrapped. I think I have gotten mixed up with things National said on one occasion in the election campaign that they would do, vs what ended up in the coalition agreement after the election.

The Expressway signs of are a classic example, is Te Ara Puke the name of this expressway, or the name for an expressway? The sign doesn’t provide that information.

It's "Te Ara Puaki", which I mention because I spent too long looking for a "Te Ara Puke" sign to see what it looks like.

I initially thought I agreed that it's not clear if it's the name or a translation, but then I thought as soon as you see a sign the same on another expressway you'll work it out. Plus, even if you accidentally assume that it's the name and not a translation, the real world consequences of that are small.

[–] Ilovethebomb 2 points 9 months ago (2 children)

I thought as soon as you see a sign the same on another expressway you'll work it out.

Do you know how many expressways are in the Wellington region?

Plus, even if you accidentally assume that it's the name and not a translation, the real world consequences of that are small.

The 111 operator having to fish for information from someone who thinks they're on "the Te Ara Puaki expressway" is only a minor consequence, I guess.

It's just poor design, and I'm amazed and disappointed it went into production.

[–] Rangelus 4 points 9 months ago

The 111 operator having to fish for information from someone who thinks they're on "the Te Ara Puaki expressway" is only a minor consequence, I guess.

This already happens.

Many years ago I called the ambulance while driving along a short section of highway that everyone in the region just calls "the bypass". They asked me if it was suchandsuch road. I literally had no idea. I've called it "the bypass" since its existence. I had to describe to the operator, while driving, where we were so they could find it on a map.

[–] Dave 2 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Do you know how many expressways are in the Wellington region?

To my knowledge, two, which is enough. But anyway, how many people never leave Wellington? And I don't think it matters if people mistake it for a road name.

The 111 operator having to fish for information from someone who thinks they’re on “the Te Ara Puaki expressway” is only a minor consequence, I guess.

I considered this, and I don't think it would make a substantial difference. If you didn't have Te Ara Puaki on the sign, then the 111 operator will have to deal with someone who doesn't know the name at all. And as soon as they say where they are, if they remember this name it will probably make it easier for the operator to find them.

Remember, when someone calls and says they are on Queen St or Church St, that's way less information than Te Ara Puaki Expressway. As soon as they are more specific with the area, then your argument about how few expressways there are now works in their favour. As far as I can tell, there are just 6 in the whole country.

It’s just poor design, and I’m amazed and disappointed it went into production.

I'd guess it's probably based on international signs that were part of the research into the safety of bilingual signs. I don't really have a problem with the design. It's just words conveying information. Maybe they could be better but I don't have a better design to prove it.

[–] Ilovethebomb 2 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Maybe they could be better but I don't have a better design to prove it.

Yes we do, the Irish road signs, which italicise Irish, are an example of this idea done far better.

[–] Dave 1 points 9 months ago

Haha yes, I also saw those responses after writing this. Italics for one does seem like a good idea to differentiate them.