01031620

Component

https://doi.org/10.3141/1973-07

http://scholar.google.com...rvey&publication_year=2006

The "Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices" and the "Standard Highway Signs Book" have been developed around the use of the FHWA Standard Alphabets in an all-uppercase format for use on conventional road guide signs. These publications include a complex series of dimensions and tables based on specific legend sizes for various standard signs; however, the standards do not include guidance for the myriad different layouts that are developed to address unique local conditions. The mathematical relationship of the legend to the border, border size, and line spacing and the mathematical relationship of the graphics to the panel are not based on any standard criteria; as a result, sign layouts are not consistent for signs of similar types. In this paper, a recommendation is made to simplify the formatting of conventional road guide signs. Although these signs are used for many purposes, a similarity in their general design principles provides a basis for a common system of sign layout that relates all of the various dimensions (e.g., border width, word and graphic spacing, and line spacing) to a single common element, the height of the letters used on the sign (for mixed-cased applications, the height of the initial capital letter). To accommodate the use of mixed-case words, a series of proportion-based grid formats has been developed. This series of layout grids is based on the value X, where X is the size of the initial capital letter of the primary legend. The proposed formatting is called the proportional grid system.

01037994

English

pp 36-47

2006

Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board

030909982X

Print

Figures (15) ; References (8)

Design standards; Graphics; Guide signs; Layout; Lettering

Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; I73: Traffic Control

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Mar 3 2006 10:36AM

• Accident Frequency Model Using Zero Probability Process
• Color Performance of Yellow Pavement Markings at Night in the Field
• Determining Colors for Traffic Control Devices at Transponder-Controlled Tollbooth Lanes with a Sign Simulator
• Development of a Model to Calculate Roadway Luminance Induced by Fixed Roadway Lighting
• Effectiveness of Animal Advisory Messages on Dynamic Message Signs as a Speed Reduction Tool: Case Study in Rural Montana
• Effectiveness of Speed-Monitoring Displays in Speed Reduction in School Zones
• Evaluation of Erratic Maneuvers Associated with Installation of Rumble Strips
• Evaluation of Operational Impacts of Installation of Centerline and Edge Line Rumble Strips
• Influence of Vertical Illuminance on Pedestrian Visibility in Crosswalks
• Method of Processing Closed-Circuit Television Digital Images for Poor Visibility Identification
• Modeling Signalized Intersections near Highway–Railroad Grade Crossings: Sensitivity Analyses of Key Design Parameters
• Navigation Signing for Roundabouts
• Pavement Marking Photometric Performance and Visibility Under Dry, Wet, and Rainy Conditions: Pilot Field Study
• Potential Application of Flashing Yellow Arrow Permissive Indication in Separated Left-Turn Lanes
• Probabilistic Approach to Controlling Dilemma Occurrence at Signalized Intersections
• Speed Changes Due to Transverse Rumble Strips on Approaches to High-Speed Stop-Controlled Intersections
• Variable Time Headway Criteria to Improve Reliability of Speed Control System Evaluations