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The *FIRST* use of 'countdown markers' in North America???

The little yellow signs with the chevrons are genuine countdown markers. They are placed about 100 meters apart and help protect the un-signaled railroad crossings in northern Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin. These particular signs are on eastbound Cemetery Rd just off WI 175 approaching the Wisconsin Central mainline (30-40 trains/day) crossings, about 2 km south of unincorporated Van Dyne, WI. They were installed no earlier than late August, 1999.

Although these signs are used extensively in Europe, I am unaware of any other uses of countdown markers anywhere else in North America. I firmly believe that they should become standard in the USA and Canada, and heartily endorse their use wherever possible. (Now WHY the FdL County Highway Department used text 'STOP AHEAD' signs instead of the graphic symbols, I don't know....)

Photo taken mid-September, 1999.

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