Q: I was wondering why there are no yellow reflective tags installed on the Jersey barrier along I-95 South in front of the Providence Place mall section of the highway.

—Ellen L., East Providence

A: These “reflective tags” are actually called delineators, and are typically installed on either concrete median barrier or guardrail to help guide motorists and clearly outline the travel lanes. When these delineators are installed, their color corresponds with the striping of edge lines that you would see on any road, with white on the right side of the road, and yellow on the left side of the road.

It is RIDOT’s practice to install these delineators in rural areas that are not well lit or on temporary concrete median barrier which is used for traffic control. When barrier is used for temporary traffic control it is typically for a new roadway configuration. This means that drivers are not used to the traffic pattern and the need for clearer delineation of the travel lanes is needed.

In urban areas, such as near the Providence Place mall, there is typically overhead lighting for the highway. The overhead lighting which is used in combination with the reflectorized pavement markings improves nighttime visibility and highlights the travel lanes. This, therefore, is why there are no delineators on the concrete median barrier.

Wampanoag Trail sign

Q: When traveling northbound on Route 114 toward Providence, in the area of Riverside and approaching Seekonk, there is an I-195 sign directing traffic through Seekonk. Why doesn’t this sign read “I-195 East” for traffic that would be directed through Seekonk? Unknowing motorists seeking “I-195 West” to Providence could be misdirected through Seekonk, whereas Route 114 feeds directly into 195 West. For those who live in the area this is known, but for those who are unfamiliar with the connection and are guided by the DOT signs, they could be misdirected.

—Dave B.

A: I am told that there used to be a green guide sign on Wampanoag Trail (Route 114) northbound before the intersection with Mink Street (Route 114A) that indicated U.S. Route 6 and Interstate 195 were accessible through Mink Street (Route 114A). Wampanoag Trail turns into I-195 Westbound shortly after the intersection with Mink Street.

This green sign was knocked down a short time ago and was replaced with a new sign. The new sign indicates that I-195 West is accessed by continuing on Wampanoag Trail, while U.S. Route 6 and Route 114A are accessed through Mink Street. There is currently no indication for I-195 East.

Although motorists can access I-195 East and West from Mink Street, the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) states that this type of sign should “indicate the direction to the nearest or most convenient point of access” to the desired route. Although Mink Street to Route 6 through Seekonk is the nearest point of access to I-195 West, the Department feels that it is not the most convenient way. We therefore agree with you that motorists should be directed to stay straight on Wampanoag Trail to access I-195 West, as it is currently signed.

However, since there is no indication for I-195 East on this existing sign, the sign needs to be revised. There is an upcoming construction contract that includes this section of Wampanoag Trail. We will include the revision of the existing sign in it. The new sign will be the same as the existing sign except I-195 East will be included on it and the sign will direct motorists to Mink Street (Route 114A) to access I-195 East.

Dana Alexander Nolfe, chief public affairs officer for the state Department of Transportation, has agreed to answer questions of general interest posed by Journal readers about state roads and other state transportation matters.

The DOT is responsible for the state’s transportation infrastructure, which includes highways, bridges, traffic signals and bikeways.

To ask a question that would also be of interest to other readers, send a letter to Ask RIDOT, Features Department, The Providence Journal, 75 Fountain St., Providence, RI 02902. You can also e-mail your question to projocars@projo.com. Please put “Question for the DOT” in the subject field.

Questions or complaints of a specific nature should be posed to the DOT directly and will not be answered in this column.