These resources are cartographic tools displaying the sequential numbering system along Oregon’s highways. These numbers, typically affixed to posts alongside roadways, indicate distance from a designated starting point, often a state line or junction. For example, a marker displaying “123” on Highway 26 indicates that location is 123 miles from the highway’s origin in Oregon.
The utility of these visual aids lies in their facilitation of navigation, emergency response, and infrastructure management. Accurate location reporting in emergencies becomes simplified through reference to these clearly marked points. Highway maintenance crews utilize the information for precise identification of areas requiring attention, and transportation planning benefits from the standardized distance measurements provided. Historically, these systems have evolved alongside the development of Oregon’s road networks, transitioning from simple distance indicators to integrated components of modern Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
