The Decades-Long Fight Over The Font on Highway Signs

Quick Overview

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) initially approved Clearview font for highway signs in 2008, but due to readability issues and a lack of comprehensive testing, they terminated its use in 2016, only to reinstate it in 2018 due to public and congressional pressure. Highway Gothic, the font that preceded Clearview, is now being reintroduced on highway signs across the nation.

Key Points: In 2008, the FHWA approved Clearview font for highway signs, but it was terminated in 2016 due to concerns about its performance with retroreflective sheeting and lack of testing. Concerns arose that Clearview's narrower letterforms and wider kerning made it difficult to read, especially for older drivers and in adverse conditions. Studies indicated that Clearview offered a 16% improvement in recognition over Highway Gothic at 60 mph, but later research raised doubts about its effectiveness. The FHWA's decision to terminate Clearview in 2016 was met with significant backlash, leading to a congressional mandate to reinstate it. In 2018, the FHWA reinstated Clearview as an alternative to Highway Gothic but made no recommendation or endorsement, stating that further research was needed. By 2016, many states had already adopted Clearview, but the FHWA's 2016 termination notice caused confusion and led to states like Texas and Florida to adopt it inconsistently. The debate continues over which font is superior, with Highway Gothic making a comeback on many US highway signs.

Context: The video explores the decades-long debate and regulatory back-and-forth surrounding the use of two specific fonts on US highway signs: Highway Gothic and Clearview. Introduced as a potential improvement for readability, Clearview faced scrutiny and eventual termination by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) due to testing and implementation issues. However, public and congressional intervention led to its reinstatement, creating an ongoing discussion about the best practices for highway signage.