| Which typefaces are used in traffic signs in your | | | | Caltrans, formerly California Division of Highways. |
| county, state or country? Do you have an idea? | | | | |
| | | | | The idea behind the choice of typefaces used in |
| Why is it you are so conscious of the typefaces | | | | traffic signs is to maximize on legibility. For example, |
| you use while typing your work and yet you have | | | | all-uppercase letters are used for ground mounted |
| never noticed the consistent and largely standardized | | | | traffic signs with reflective letters while mixed-case |
| typography of traffic signs all over the roads you | | | | letters are used for externally illuminated and |
| drive through? Because that is basically why those | | | | projected overhead guide signs. It is actually common |
| specific font types are used: To attract the least | | | | for most local governments, road contractors and |
| attention and emphasize maximal concentration on | | | | airport authorities to fabricate typefaces for traffic |
| the message, not the orthography. | | | | signs besides using the conventional FHWA series, if |
| | | | | particular isolated cases require such fabrication for |
| US and Canada predominantly use FHWA alphabet | | | | maximal legibility. Common variations include the use |
| series with specifics on letter-shape and spacing | | | | of Helvetica and Arial typefaces. |
| detailed in the Standard Alphabets for Traffic Control | | | | |
| Devices published in 1945 by the Public Roads Bureau. | | | | A lot of research has gone into finding out which |
| These specifics on typefaces design have been | | | | typefaces are ideal to which traffic signs and in which |
| updated to form Standard Highway Signs. | | | | environments. Some specific Street Sign like the |
| | | | | left-turn prohibition sign which hangs from its gantry |
| Initially traffic signs were in capitalized letters and | | | | must be well lit for better visibility, especially at night |
| digits but a revision in 2002 allowed traffic signs to | | | | or during inclement weather conditions. |
| include lowercase extensions. State departments and | | | | |
| the federal roads agencies have since 1927 used | | | | Another example of how legibility determines the |
| uniform fabrication of straight-stroke letters in traffic | | | | typefaces adopted, is the Clearview typeface, which |
| signs. | | | | was developed by U.S. government researchers |
| | | | | exclusively as a typeface that improved legibility. It |
| Today however, rounded alphabets are used since | | | | has since been adopted as the predominant typeface |
| the Pentagon road network constructed in 1942. | | | | in poorly illuminated road areas by such states as |
| Mixed-case alphabets are also standard especially on | | | | Arkansas, Texas, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Michigan, |
| freeway guide signs an initiative experiment of the | | | | Virginia, among others. |