The Mercury News has a columnist we have featured before called Mr. Roadshow.  He answers questions on all things driving, street, freeway related.  I found this Q&A interesting from Wednesday's edition:

Q I've noticed new electronic signs showing up along Whipple Avenue on both sides of the train tracks in Redwood City. Any idea what they'll be used for? We're clueless.

A No Roadshow reader shall remain clueless. These are called "trailblazer" signs and are being installed as part of the San Mateo County Smart Corridors Project. They'll be used to guide traffic off Highway 101 in the event of an incident that requires detours from the freeway and onto predetermined alternates on local streets between El Camino Real and 101. The $35 million project should be completed soon and is one of several underway in Northern California.

I'm not sure about spending $35 million on such a thing, but if the new signage doesn't just stay on all the time with a message like this (at El Camino, i.e. Highway 82! at Peninsula).  This sign is just plain ridiculous!