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{{Short description|Font used in the US for highway signs}}
{{Short description|Font commonly used for highway signs}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2014}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox font
{{Infobox font
| image = Highway Gothic Sample.svg
|image = Highway Gothic Sample.svg
| name = Highway Gothic
|name = Highway Gothic
| style = [[Sans-serif]]
|style = [[Sans-serif]]
| prop = Proportional
|prop = Proportional
| releasedate = 1948
|releasedate = 1948
| creator = Ted Forbes
|creator = Theodore W. Forbes
| foundry = N/A
|foundry = N/A
⚫
| sample = [[Image:Highway Gothic sample.svg|240px]]
|}}
|}}
'''Highway Gothic''' (formally known as the '''FHWA Series fonts''' or the '''Standard Alphabets for Highway Signs''') is a [[sans-serif]] [[typeface]] developed by the United States [[Federal Highway Administration]] (FHWA) and used for road signage in the Americas, including the U.S., [[Canada]], [[Latin America]] and some [[Caribbean]] countries, as well as in Asian countries influenced by American signage practices, including the [[Philippines]], [[China]], [[Taiwan]], [[Malaysia]], [[Indonesia]] and [[Thailand]].
The '''Standard Alphabets For Traffic Control Devices''', (also known as the '''FHWA Series fonts''' and unofficially as '''Highway Gothic'''), is a [[sans-serif]] [[typeface]] developed by the United States [[Federal Highway Administration]] (FHWA). The font is used for road signage in the [[United States]] and many other countries around the world. The typefaces were developed to maximize legibility at a distance and at high speed. The typeface has 6 fonts, from narrow to wider strokes:


*Series A 2000
Variants, major and minor, but not the exact U.S. typeface, are used in countries like [[Turkey]], [[Mexico]], [[Australia]] (AS1744 fonts), [[Spain]], the [[Netherlands]], [[Brazil]], [[New Zealand]], [[Macau]] (written in Portuguese), and some signs in countries like [[India]] and [[Saudi Arabia]], when written in English. The typefaces were developed to maximize legibility at a distance and at high speed. Computer typeface versions, known as Highway Gothic or [[Interstate (typeface)|Interstate]], a separate typeface, which are for sale to the general public, include punctuation marks based on a rectangular shape. On signage, the official FHWA Series punctuation is based on a circular shape.
*Series B 2000
*Series C 2000
*Series D 2000
*Series E 2000
*Series E Modified 2000 ("Series E" but with wider strokes)
*Series F 2000


⚫
==Usage==
⚫
The typeface consists of six fonts: "A" (the narrowest), "B", "C", "D", "E", "E(M)" (a modified version of "E" with wider strokes), and "F" (the widest). The typeface originally included only uppercase letters, with the exception of "E(M)", which was used on large expressway and freeway [[traffic sign|guide signs]].
An official digital font file of the typeface has never been released. Instead, individuals or companies have developed digital fonts based off the shapes and specifications provided in the standard.

The Roadgeek 2014 font set is an open source and digital reproduction of the FHWA fonts.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://github.com/sammdot/roadgeek-fonts | title=Sammdot/Roadgeek-fonts | website=[[GitHub]] }}</ref>


==History==
==History==
The typefaces are officially defined by the FHWA's ''Standard Alphabets for Traffic-Control Devices'', originally published in 1948, reprinted 1952. Changes to the specifications were published in 1966, 1977, and 2000. The 2000 specifications differ from earlier versions in the shapes of a few letters and in the inclusion of lowercase letters for all alphabet series.
The typefaces are defined by the FHWA's ''Standard Alphabets for Traffic Control Devices'', originally published in 1948, and reprinted in 1952. Changes to the specifications were published in 1966, 1977, and 2000. The 2000 specifications differ from earlier versions in the shapes of a few letters and in the inclusion of lowercase letters for all alphabet series.


FHWA Series A through F were developed by the [[Public Roads Administration]] (which later became FHWA) during World War II. Draft versions of these typefaces were used in 1942 for signs on the [[Pentagon road network]].<ref>{{cite book |last= Loutzenheiser |first= D.W. |chapter= Design of Signs for the Pentagon road network |title= Proceedings of the Highway Research Board |year= 1943 |pages= 206–35}}{{Full citation needed|date= December 2014}}</ref> Between 1949 and 1950, as part of a research program into freeway signing carried out by the [[California Department of Transportation]] (Caltrans), Series E Modified was developed from Series E by thickening the stroke width to accommodate [[Button copy|button reflectors]] for ground-mounted signs, while a lowercase alphabet was developed to allow mixed-case legend (consisting initially of Series D and lowercase letters) to be used on externally illuminated overhead signs.<ref>{{cite book |last1= Forbes |first1= Theodore W. |last2= Moskowitz |first2= Karl |last3= Morgan |first3= Glen |name-list-style= amp |chapter= A Comparison of Lower Case and Capital Letters for Highway Signs |title= Proceedings of the Highway Research Board |year= 1950 |pages= 355–373}}{{Full citation needed|date= December 2014}}</ref>
FHWA Series A through F were developed by the [[Public Roads Administration]] (which later became FHWA) during World War II. Draft versions of these typefaces were used in 1942 for signs on the [[Pentagon road network]].<ref>{{cite book |last = Loutzenheiser |first = D.W. |chapter = Design of Signs for the Pentagon road network |title = Proceedings of the Highway Research Board |year = 1943 |pages = 206–35 }}{{Full citation needed|date= December 2014}}</ref> Between 1949 and 1950, as part of a research program into freeway signing carried out by the [[California Department of Transportation]] (Caltrans), Series E Modified was developed from Series E by thickening the stroke width to accommodate [[Button copy|button reflectors]] for ground-mounted signs, while a lowercase alphabet was developed to allow mixed-case legend (consisting initially of Series D and lowercase letters) to be used on externally illuminated overhead signs.<ref>{{cite book |last1 = Forbes |first1 = Theodore W. |last2 = Moskowitz |first2 = Karl |last3 = Morgan |first3 = Glen |name-list-style = amp |chapter = A Comparison of Lower Case and Capital Letters for Highway Signs |title = Proceedings of the Highway Research Board |year = 1950 |pages = 355–373 }}{{Full citation needed|date= December 2014}}</ref>


The lowercase letters, paired with Series E Modified, later became the basis of a national standard for mixed-case legend on freeway guide signs with the 1958 publication of the [[American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials]] (AASHTO) signing and marking manual for Interstate Highways.
The lowercase letters, paired with Series E Modified, later became the basis of a national standard for mixed-case legend on freeway guide signs with the 1958 publication of the [[American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials]] (AASHTO) signing and marking manual for Interstate Highways.


Series "A" has been officially discontinued in the United States due to poor legibility at high speeds, though it continues to be specified for certain signs in New Zealand. In 2004, the FHWA published lowercase letters for all of the typefaces and made changes to the ''[[Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices]]'', which allows their use.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.trafficsign.us/signtypeface.html |last= Moeur |first= Richard |date= April 22, 2005 |title= Sign Typefaces |work= Manual of Traffic Signs |access-date= May 18, 2006}}{{self-published source|date=December 2014}}</ref>
Series A has been officially discontinued in the United States due to poor legibility at high speeds, though it continues to be specified for certain signs in New Zealand. In 2004, the FHWA published lowercase letters for all of the typefaces and made changes to the ''[[Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices]]'', which allows their use.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.trafficsign.us/signtypeface.html |last = Moeur |first = Richard |date = April 22, 2005 |title = Sign Typefaces |work = Manual of Traffic Signs |access-date = May 18, 2006 }}{{self-published source|date=December 2014}}</ref>
⚫
The first font only included uppercase letters, with the exception of Series E(M), which was used on large expressway and freeway [[traffic sign|guide signs]].


There was an expectation that over the next few decades, the new [[Clearview (typeface)|Clearview]] typeface, also specifically developed for use on traffic signs, would replace the FHWA series on some new signage.<ref name = "Yaffa">{{cite news |last= Yaffa |first= Joshua |title= The Road to Clarity |work= The New York Times Magazine |date= August 11, 2007 |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/12/magazine/12fonts-t.html?pagewanted=1 |access-date= August 11, 2007}}</ref> In 2016, the FHWA announced that it was rescinding its 2004 interim approval of Clearview in the United States. While existing Clearview signs could stay up, new signs would have to go back to using Highway Gothic.<ref name="Nadeau FHWA Revocation">{{cite journal|last1=Nadeau|first1=Gregory G.|title=Notice of Termination of Interim Approval IA-5|journal=Federal Register|date=25 January 2016 | volume=81 | issue=15 | pages=4083–4084|url=https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2016/01/25/2016-01383/national-standards-for-traffic-control-devices-the-manual-on-uniform-traffic-control-devices-for|access-date=31 January 2016|publisher=Office of the Federal Register}}</ref> In June 2016, a bill challenging this decision was introduced in the [[United States House of Representatives]], which would have ordered the FHWA to reinstate the interim approval for Clearview.<ref name="114TH CONGRESS 2d Session">{{cite web |first = Jose |last = Diaz-Balart |url = https://www.congress.gov/114/crpt/hrpt606/CRPT-114hrpt606.pdf |title= Report 114-606: Report Together with Minority Views [To Accompany H.R. 5394] |work = 114th Congress 2d Session |publisher = [[United States House of Representatives]] | date = June 7, 2016 |page = 31 |access-date = September 26, 2016}}</ref> This bill passed as part of the [[Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018]].<ref name=knopp2018>{{cite web|last=Knopp|first=Martin C.|date=March 28, 2018|title=Information: MUTCD – Interim Approval for Use of Clearview Font for Positive Contrast Legends on Guide Signs (IA-5)—Reinstatement [HOTO-1]|url=https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/interim_approval/ia5/ia5_reinstatement.pdf|publisher=Federal Highway Administration|access-date=April 15, 2018}}</ref> The Federal Highway Administration makes no recommendation or endorsement of the Clearview typeface with the reinstatement of their 2004 interim approval.
There was an expectation that over the next few decades, the new [[Clearview (typeface)|Clearview]] typeface, also specifically developed for use on traffic signs, would replace the FHWA series on some new signage.<ref name = "Yaffa">{{cite news |last = Yaffa |first = Joshua |title = The Road to Clarity |work = The New York Times Magazine |date = August 11, 2007 |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/12/magazine/12fonts-t.html?pagewanted=1 |access-date = August 11, 2007 }}</ref> In 2016, the FHWA announced that it was rescinding its 2004 interim approval of Clearview in the United States. While existing Clearview signs could stay up, new signs would have to go back to using Highway Gothic.<ref name="Nadeau FHWA Revocation">{{cite magazine |last1 = Nadeau |first1 = Gregory G. |title = Notice of Termination of Interim Approval IA-5 |journal = Federal Register |date = January 25, 2016 |volume = 81 |issue = 15 |pages = 4083–4084 |url = https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2016/01/25/2016-01383/national-standards-for-traffic-control-devices-the-manual-on-uniform-traffic-control-devices-for |access-date = January 31, 2016 |publisher = Office of the Federal Register }}</ref> In June 2016, a bill challenging this decision was introduced in the [[United States House of Representatives]], which would have ordered the FHWA to reinstate the interim approval for Clearview.<ref name="114TH CONGRESS 2d Session">{{cite web |first = Jose |last = Diaz-Balart |url = https://www.congress.gov/114/crpt/hrpt606/CRPT-114hrpt606.pdf |title = Report 114-606: Report Together with Minority Views [To Accompany H.R. 5394] |work = 114th Congress 2d Session |publisher = [[United States House of Representatives]] |date = June 7, 2016 |page = 31 |access-date = September 26, 2016 }}</ref> This bill passed as part of the [[Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018]].<ref name=knopp2018>{{cite web |last = Knopp |first = Martin C. |date = March 28, 2018 |title = Information: MUTCD – Interim Approval for Use of Clearview Font for Positive Contrast Legends on Guide Signs (IA-5)—Reinstatement [HOTO-1] |url = https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/interim_approval/ia5/ia5_reinstatement.pdf |publisher = Federal Highway Administration |access-date = April 15, 2018 }}</ref> The Federal Highway Administration states "[Clearview] is completely optional and is neither required nor recommended".<ref>[https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/clearviewdesignfaqs/ Federal Highway Administration]</ref>


==By country==
[[Tobias Frere-Jones]] designed the typeface [[Interstate (typeface)|Interstate]], based on the FHWA series, during the 1990s.<ref name = "Yaffa" /> [[Overpass (typeface)|Overpass]] is an open-source replacement for Interstate commissioned by [[Red Hat]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://libregraphicsworld.org/blog/entry/red-hat-releases-free-libre-overpass-typeface|title=Red Hat releases free/libre Overpass font family|work=libregraphicsworld.org}}</ref> [[PBS]], an American television network, between 2009 and 2019 used a custom derivative called, "PBS Explorer".{{Citation needed|date=August 2021}}

Parachute Type Foundry designed the PF Grand Gothik Variable typeface, which also based on the FHWA Series typeface, with OpenType features.<ref>{{cite web|title=PF Grand Gothik Variable on Behance|url=https://www.behance.net/gallery/80249893/PF-Grand-Gothik-Variable|website=behance.net|access-date=14 April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=PF Grand Gothik Variable|url=https://parachutefonts.com/typeface/Grand-Gothik|publisher=Parachute Fonts|access-date=26 January 2022}}</ref>

Parachute Type Foundry also designed the PF Highway Sans typeface, which also based on the FHWA Series typeface.<ref>{{cite web|title=PF Highway Sans on Behance|url=https://www.behance.net/gallery/22164173/PF-Highway-Sans-Pro|website=behance.net|access-date=26 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=PF Highway Sans|url=https://parachutefonts.com/typeface/Highway-Sans|publisher=Parachute Fonts|access-date=26 January 2022}}</ref>

Tom Oetken designed the free-to-download for commercial and personal use Traffic typeface, which also based on the FHWA Series typeface.<ref>{{cite web|title=Traffic typeface|url=https://www.dafont.com/traffic-01-06.font|website=dafont.com|access-date=12 March 2021}}</ref>

Otherwhere Collective designed the Highway VAR variable typeface, which also based on the FHWA Series typeface.<ref>{{cite web|title=Highway VAR|url=https://otherwherecollective.com/highway-var/|publisher=Otherwhere Collective|access-date=6 August 2022}}</ref>

Ray Larabie also designed the Expressway typeface, which also based on the FHWA Series typeface.<ref>{{cite web|title=Expressway typeface|url=https://typodermicfonts.com/expressway/|publisher=Typodermic Fonts|access-date=10 April 2023}}</ref>

⚫
==Usage==


===United States===
===United States===
[[File:MUTCD Interchange Exit Direction Sign 1.svg|thumb|An example road sign]]
[[File:MUTCD Sign Assembly - E4-2 with E1-5cP.svg|thumb|An example road sign]]
Typically, one- or two-digit [[Interstate Highway System|Interstate]], [[United States Numbered Highways|U.S. Highway]], and U.S. state route signs use the Series D font for the numbers, while signs with three or more digits use either a narrower font (Series B or C) or have smaller numbers in the Series D font. Series E and F is most commonly used on U.S. [[speed limit]] signs, although older signs often use narrower fonts. [[Street name sign]]s usually feature white Series B, C or D letters on a green background, which can be substituted for other colors, such as blue or brown. They may have all capital letters or a combination of capital and lowercase letters. Freeway [[guide sign]]s use Series E(M) on said backgrounds.
Typically, one- or two-digit [[Interstate Highway System|Interstate]], [[United States Numbered Highways|U.S. Highway]], and U.S. state route signs use the Series D font for the numbers, while signs with three or more digits use either a narrower font (Series B or C) or have smaller numbers in the Series D font. Series E and F is most commonly used on U.S. [[speed limit]] signs, although older signs often use narrower fonts. [[Street name sign]]s usually feature white Series B, C or D letters on a green background, which can be substituted for other colors, such as blue or brown. They may have all capital letters or a combination of capital and lowercase letters. Freeway [[guide sign]]s use Series E(M) on said backgrounds.


On white (regulatory), orange (construction) and yellow (warning) signs, black letters and numbers are used instead. Georgia uses both Series C and D fonts for the Interstate Highway signs until 2012. Beginning in 2016 when the interim approval for Clearview was rescinded, the [[Arizona Department of Transportation]] is now using mixed case (non-Modified) Series E for freeway guide signage, mixed case Series D for guide signage on non-freeway roads, and mixed case Series C for street name signs.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.azdot.gov/business/engineering-and-construction/traffic/manual-of-approved-signs/guide-and-information-signs | title=Arizona Manual of Approved Signs | work=Arizona Department of Transportation | access-date=February 9, 2016}}</ref>
On white (regulatory), orange (construction) and yellow (warning) signs, black letters and numbers are used instead. Georgia uses both Series C and D fonts for the Interstate Highway signs until 2012. Beginning in 2016 when the interim approval for Clearview was rescinded, the [[Arizona Department of Transportation]] is now using mixed case (non-Modified) Series E for freeway guide signage, mixed case Series D for guide signage on non-freeway roads, and mixed case Series C for street name signs.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.azdot.gov/business/engineering-and-construction/traffic/manual-of-approved-signs/guide-and-information-signs |title = Arizona Manual of Approved Signs |publisher = Arizona Department of Transportation |access-date = February 9, 2016 |archive-date = June 6, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190606100510/https://www.azdot.gov/business/engineering-and-construction/traffic/manual-of-approved-signs/guide-and-information-signs |url-status = dead }}</ref>


By the mid-1990s the FHWA series of typefaces was used as a source of inspiration for a multi-weight print typeface designed by [[Tobias Frere-Jones]] of Font Bureau. Frere-Jones made accommodations for smaller print reproduction and Font Bureau released the face under the name [[Interstate (typeface)|Interstate]]. It has been adopted by many companies for branding; for example, [[NBC]] used it for [[NBC Sports]] graphics packages from 1997 to 2006, and ''[[TV Guide]]'' uses the typeface on its cover. [[The Weather Channel]] utilized this typeface extensively, both on its weather maps and for its local forecasts.
By the mid-1990s the FHWA series of typefaces was used as a source of inspiration for a multi-weight print typeface designed by [[Tobias Frere-Jones]] of Font Bureau. Frere-Jones made accommodations for smaller print reproduction and Font Bureau released the face under the name [[Interstate (typeface)|Interstate]]. It has been adopted by many companies for branding; for example, [[NBC]] used it for [[NBC Sports]] graphics packages from 1997 to 2006, and ''[[TV Guide]]'' uses the typeface on its cover. [[The Weather Channel]] utilized this typeface extensively, both on its weather maps and for its local forecasts.


The logo of the premium cable channel [[Epix (TV channel)|Epix]] also uses a lowercase version of this typeface. [[NESN]] uses this typeface for on-screen graphics. The [[New York Mets]] use this typeface at [[Citi Field]]. The gossip magazine ''[[In Touch Weekly|InTouch]]'' has been using this typeface since 2012. Films such as ''[[8 Mile (film)|8 Mile]]'' also use this font. ''[[Entertainment Tonight]]'' has been using this typeface since its 34th season. The soft drink [[Sierra Mist]] used this font on its logo from 2010 to 2014. It was also used in most [[Hannaford Brothers Company|Hannaford]] stores. ''Gridlock!'', [[List of The Price Is Right pricing games|a pricing game]] on the American game show ''[[The Price Is Right (U.S. game show)|The Price Is Right]]'' in which the contestant can win a car, also uses the font in its logo and price displays.
The logo of the premium cable channel [[Epix (TV channel)|Epix]] also uses a lowercase version of this typeface. [[NESN]] uses this typeface for on-screen graphics. The [[New York Mets]] use this typeface at [[Citi Field]]. The gossip magazine ''[[In Touch Weekly|InTouch]]'' has been using this typeface since 2012. Films such as ''[[8 Mile (film)|8 Mile]]'' also use this font. ''[[Entertainment Tonight]]'' has been using this typeface since its 34th season. The soft drink [[Sierra Mist]] used this font on its logo from 2010 to 2014. It was also used in most [[Hannaford Brothers Company|Hannaford]] stores. ''Gridlock!'', [[List of The Price Is Right pricing games|a pricing game]] on the American game show ''[[The Price Is Right (U.S. game show)|The Price Is Right]]'' in which the contestant can win a car, also uses the font in its logo and price displays.

===Australia===
Australia uses the same font as the United States for their road signs. This is specified in Australian Standard AS 1744:2015 ''Standard alphabets for road signs''. AS1744 directly acknowledges the FHWA for assisting with development of AS1744, and states that AS1744 reproduces the metric version of the FHWA Series 2000 fonts.

===Canada===
⚫
The FHWA typefaces are also used predominantly on road signs in [[Canada]]. The province of [[Ontario]] used an in-house modified version until the late 1980s that featured slightly different characteristics, such as flat-top numeral 3's and numeral 1's without a serif. The city of [[Windsor,_Ontario|Windsor]] began replacing its [[Helvetica]] signs with Highway Gothic in 2018.<ref>{{Cite news |url = http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/city-of-windsor-street-name-signs-get-a-gothic-makeover-1.4511316 |title = Meet the man who makes Windsor's new 'gothic' street signs |work = CBC News |access-date = February 12, 2018 |language = en }}</ref>


===Worldwide===
===Worldwide===
Use of the font is seen in [[Peru]] (under different series labels), [[New Zealand]], [[Indonesia]], [[Malaysia]], [[Mexico]].<ref>{{cite book |chapter-url = http://www.sct.gob.mx/fileadmin/DireccionesGrales/DGST/Manuales/Manual_de_Dispositivos/CAPITULO_VIII_LETRAS_Y_NUMEROS_PARA_SEÑALES.pdf |title = Manual de dispositivos para el control del tránsito en calles y carreteras |chapter = Chapter 8: Letras y números para señales |publisher = [[Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes]] |year = 1986 |location = Mexico |pages = 425–486 |isbn = 968-803-140-2 |edition = 5th |language = es }}</ref> Other countries may use typefaces that are either derived directly from the FHWA series or very similar in appearance such as [[Central American Integration System|SICA]] countries, [[Colombia]], the [[Philippines]] and [[Thailand]].
[[File:Airport_runway_holding_sign.svg|thumb|Example of an airport runway sign]]
⚫
The FHWA typefaces are also used predominantly on road signs in [[Canada]]. The province of [[Ontario]] used an in-house modified version until the late 1980s that featured slightly different characteristics, such as flat-top numeral 3's and numeral 1's without a serif. The city of [[Windsor,_Ontario|Windsor]] began replacing its [[Helvetica]] signs with Highway Gothic in 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/city-of-windsor-street-name-signs-get-a-gothic-makeover-1.4511316|title=Meet the man who makes Windsor's new 'gothic' street signs|work=CBC News|access-date=2018-02-12|language=en}}</ref> [[Peru]] (under different series labels), [[Australia]] (under the Australian Standard AS1744-1975 typeface), [[New Zealand]], [[Indonesia]], [[Malaysia]], [[Mexico]]<ref>{{cite book |chapter-url=http://www.sct.gob.mx/fileadmin/DireccionesGrales/DGST/Manuales/Manual_de_Dispositivos/CAPITULO_VIII_LETRAS_Y_NUMEROS_PARA_SEÑALES.pdf |title= Manual de dispositivos para el control del tránsito en calles y carreteras |chapter= Chapter 8: Letras y números para señales |publisher= [[Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes]] |year= 1986 |location= Mexico |pages= 425–486 |isbn= 968-803-140-2 |edition= 5th |language= es}}</ref> and other countries use Highway Gothic. Still others use typefaces that are either derived directly from the FHWA series or very similar in appearance. There are a few of them in [[South Africa]], [[Lesotho]], [[Colombia]], the [[Philippines]], and [[Thailand]].


In [[Portugal]], a variant of Highway Gothic—the Rodoviária typeface—was used on road signs since the 1970s until the introduction of a new signage model in 1994–1998. It is still used in the road signs of [[Macau]].
In [[Portugal]], a variant of Highway Gothic—the Rodoviária typeface—was used on road signs since the 1970s until the introduction of a new signage model in 1994–1998. It is still used in the road signs of [[Macau]] (written in Portuguese).


In [[Argentina]], new road signs based on the {{lang|es|Manual de Señalamiento Vertical—Edición 2017}} recently used the FHWA typeface.
In [[Argentina]], new road signs based on the {{lang|es|Manual de Señalamiento Vertical—Edición 2017}} recently used the FHWA typeface.
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In [[mainland China]], newer road signs use the FHWA typeface alongside [[Helvetica|Helvetica Bold]] for alphanumeric text.
In [[mainland China]], newer road signs use the FHWA typeface alongside [[Helvetica|Helvetica Bold]] for alphanumeric text.


In [[Taiwan]], the [[Arial|Arial Bold]] used alongside FHWA Series E for English text.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mvdis.gov.tw/webMvdisLaw/LawContent.aspx?LawID=A0011027|title=電子公路監理網法規檢索系統-法規資訊-道路交通標誌標線號誌設置規則|last=路政司|date=2018-04-12|access-date=2018-04-12}}</ref>
In [[Taiwan]], [[Arial|Arial Bold]] is used alongside FHWA Series E for English text.<ref>{{Cite web |url = https://www.mvdis.gov.tw/webMvdisLaw/LawContent.aspx?LawID=A0011027 |title = 電子公路監理網法規檢索系統-法規資訊-道路交通標誌標線號誌設置規則 |last = 路政司 |date = April 12, 2018 |access-date = April 12, 2018 }}</ref>


[[File:Indonesian Road Sign d6l.png|thumb|A [[bus lane]] road sign in Indonesia, using Highway Gothic]]
[[File:Indonesian Road Sign d6l.png|thumb|A [[bus lane]] road sign in Indonesia, using Highway Gothic]]
Indonesia formerly used the typeface from 1993 until 2014, regulated by Ministry of Transportation's law No. 62 year 1993.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://hubdat.dephub.go.id/km/tahun-1993/121-km-61-tahun-1993/download |publisher= Minister of Transportation |title= Ministerial Regulation Number 62 of 1993 |location= Indonesia}}</ref> However, in 2014, Ministry of Transportation passed a regulation to introduce new [[Road signs in Indonesia|road signs]], being replaced with the new [[Clearview (typeface)|Clearview]] typeface.<ref>[http://kemhubri.dephub.go.id/perundangan/images/stories/doc/permen/2014/pm_13_tahun_2014.pdf Ministerial Regulation Number 13 of 2014 about Traffic Signs]. Ministry of Transportation of the Republic of Indonesia. Retrieved 7 February 2015.</ref>
Indonesia formerly used the typeface from 1993 until 2014, regulated by Ministry of Transportation's law No. 62 year 1993.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://hubdat.dephub.go.id/km/tahun-1993/121-km-61-tahun-1993/download |publisher = Minister of Transportation |title = Ministerial Regulation Number 62 of 1993 |location = Indonesia |access-date = June 19, 2014 |archive-date = February 24, 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210224203236/http://hubdat.dephub.go.id/km/tahun-1993/121-km-61-tahun-1993/download |url-status = dead }}</ref> However, in 2014, Ministry of Transportation passed a regulation to introduce new [[Road signs in Indonesia|road signs]], being replaced with the new [[Clearview (typeface)|Clearview]] typeface.<ref>[http://kemhubri.dephub.go.id/perundangan/images/stories/doc/permen/2014/pm_13_tahun_2014.pdf Ministerial Regulation Number 13 of 2014 about Traffic Signs] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006141343/http://kemhubri.dephub.go.id/perundangan/images/stories/doc/permen/2014/pm_13_tahun_2014.pdf |date=October 6, 2014 }}. Ministry of Transportation of the Republic of Indonesia. Retrieved February 7, 2015.</ref>


In Spain, Series E is the base for Autopista typeface, used on Spanish motorways and freeways (Autopistas/ Autovias).
In Spain, Series E is the base for Autopista typeface, used on Spanish motorways and freeways (Autopistas/ Autovias).
Line 73: Line 75:
The Netherlands uses a derivative of the FHWA Alphabet Series typeface designed by the [[Royal Dutch Touring Club|ANWB]] and the [[Rijkswaterstaat|Dutch highways and waterways authority]]. The original set included two of the six series in the original typeface—RWS-Ee (wide, based on Series E (M)) and RWS-Cc (narrow, based on Series C) or ANWB-Ee (regular) and ANWB-Cc (condensed). Since 1997 the signs placed by the ANWB have used a new font called ANWB-Uu. Signs of other manufacturers continued using the old fonts. Since 2015 the ANWB-Uu font is not used any more on new signs; it has been replaced by RWS-Ee and the newly-designed RWS-Dd (based on the FHWA series D).
The Netherlands uses a derivative of the FHWA Alphabet Series typeface designed by the [[Royal Dutch Touring Club|ANWB]] and the [[Rijkswaterstaat|Dutch highways and waterways authority]]. The original set included two of the six series in the original typeface—RWS-Ee (wide, based on Series E (M)) and RWS-Cc (narrow, based on Series C) or ANWB-Ee (regular) and ANWB-Cc (condensed). Since 1997 the signs placed by the ANWB have used a new font called ANWB-Uu. Signs of other manufacturers continued using the old fonts. Since 2015 the ANWB-Uu font is not used any more on new signs; it has been replaced by RWS-Ee and the newly-designed RWS-Dd (based on the FHWA series D).


The Interstate typeface, clearly inspired by Highway Gothic, designed by Tobias Frere-Jones, has been used by various companies for signs and other graphic design elements. Examples include the United Kingdom, where the font has been adopted for signage by companies such as supermarket [[Sainsbury's]] and railway company [[c2c]]. In Russia, [[Channel One (Russia)|Channel One]] used this font for its clock ident from 1996 to 2000.
In Russia, [[Channel One (Russia)|Channel One]] used this font for its clock ident from 1996 to 2000.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}

Variants of the font are used in [[Turkey]], [[Brazil]], and [[Saudi Arabia]].

==Variants==

Derivative fonts include [[Interstate (typeface)|Interstate]] and [[Overpass (typeface)|Overpass]]. These fonts borrow heavily from the style of 'Highway Gothic', but have differences.

[[PBS]], an American television network, between 2009 and 2019 used a custom derivative called, "PBS Explorer".{{Citation needed|date=August 2021}}


==Samples==
==Samples==
Samples of the ''Standard Alphabets For Traffic Control Devices'' are shown below.
⚫
'''FHWA Series B'''<br />
[[Image:FHWA Series B sample.svg|350px]]


'''FHWA Series C'''<br />
'''Series B 2000'''<br />
[[Image:FHWA Series C sample.svg|400px]]
[[Image:FHWA Series B sample.svg|525px]]


'''FHWA Series D'''<br />
'''Series C 2000'''<br />
[[Image:FHWA Series D sample.svg|450px]]
[[Image:FHWA Series C sample.svg|600px]]


'''FHWA Series E'''<br />
'''Series D 2000'''<br />
[[Image:FHWA Series E sample.svg|500px]]
[[Image:FHWA Series D sample.svg|675px]]


'''FHWA Series F'''<br />
'''Series E 2000'''<br />
[[Image:FHWA Series F sample.svg|550px]]
[[Image:FHWA Series E sample.svg|750px]]

⚫
'''Series E Modified 2000'''<br />
[[Image:FHWA_Series_Emod_sample.svg|750px]]

'''Series F 2000'''<br />
⚫
[[Image:FHWA Series F sample.svg|825px]]


==See also==
==See also==
*[[List of public signage typefaces]]
* [[List of public signage typefaces]]
* [[Traffic sign#Typefaces|Typefaces used on North American traffic signs]]
* [[Traffic sign#Typefaces|Typefaces used on North American traffic signs]]


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* https://www.interstatesignways.com/post/the-birth-of-highway-gothic
* https://thebeautyoftransport.com/2015/09/16/type-in-the-fast-lane-fhwa-series-typeface-usa/
* https://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/sr/sr134/sr134-004.pdf
* https://www.clearviewhwy.com/home/research/
* https://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/hrbproceedings/30/30-035.pdf
* https://trid.trb.org/View/116874


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/SHSe/Alphabets.pdf Standard Alphabets for Traffic Control Devices] from the United States Federal Highway Administration (PDF)
*[https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/SHSe/Alphabets.pdf Standard Alphabets for Traffic Control Devices] from the United States Federal Highway Administration (PDF)
*[http://www.trafficsign.us/signtypeface.html Sign Typefaces] from the Manual of Traffic Signs
*[http://www.trafficsign.us/signtypeface.html Sign Typefaces] from the Manual of Traffic Signs


Latest revision as of 14:40, 13 November 2024

Highway Gothic
CategorySans-serif
Designer(s)Theodore W. Forbes
FoundryN/A
Date released1948

The Standard Alphabets For Traffic Control Devices, (also known as the FHWA Series fonts and unofficially as Highway Gothic), is a sans-serif typeface developed by the United States Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The font is used for road signage in the United States and many other countries around the world. The typefaces were developed to maximize legibility at a distance and at high speed. The typeface has 6 fonts, from narrow to wider strokes:

  • Series A 2000
  • Series B 2000
  • Series C 2000
  • Series D 2000
  • Series E 2000
  • Series E Modified 2000 ("Series E" but with wider strokes)
  • Series F 2000

Usage

[edit]

An official digital font file of the typeface has never been released. Instead, individuals or companies have developed digital fonts based off the shapes and specifications provided in the standard.

The Roadgeek 2014 font set is an open source and digital reproduction of the FHWA fonts.[1]

History

[edit]

The typefaces are defined by the FHWA's Standard Alphabets for Traffic Control Devices, originally published in 1948, and reprinted in 1952. Changes to the specifications were published in 1966, 1977, and 2000. The 2000 specifications differ from earlier versions in the shapes of a few letters and in the inclusion of lowercase letters for all alphabet series.

FHWA Series A through F were developed by the Public Roads Administration (which later became FHWA) during World War II. Draft versions of these typefaces were used in 1942 for signs on the Pentagon road network.[2] Between 1949 and 1950, as part of a research program into freeway signing carried out by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), Series E Modified was developed from Series E by thickening the stroke width to accommodate button reflectors for ground-mounted signs, while a lowercase alphabet was developed to allow mixed-case legend (consisting initially of Series D and lowercase letters) to be used on externally illuminated overhead signs.[3]

The lowercase letters, paired with Series E Modified, later became the basis of a national standard for mixed-case legend on freeway guide signs with the 1958 publication of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) signing and marking manual for Interstate Highways.

Series A has been officially discontinued in the United States due to poor legibility at high speeds, though it continues to be specified for certain signs in New Zealand. In 2004, the FHWA published lowercase letters for all of the typefaces and made changes to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, which allows their use.[4] The first font only included uppercase letters, with the exception of Series E(M), which was used on large expressway and freeway guide signs.

There was an expectation that over the next few decades, the new Clearview typeface, also specifically developed for use on traffic signs, would replace the FHWA series on some new signage.[5] In 2016, the FHWA announced that it was rescinding its 2004 interim approval of Clearview in the United States. While existing Clearview signs could stay up, new signs would have to go back to using Highway Gothic.[6] In June 2016, a bill challenging this decision was introduced in the United States House of Representatives, which would have ordered the FHWA to reinstate the interim approval for Clearview.[7] This bill passed as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018.[8] The Federal Highway Administration states "[Clearview] is completely optional and is neither required nor recommended".[9]

By country

[edit]

United States

[edit]
An example road sign

Typically, one- or two-digit Interstate, U.S. Highway, and U.S. state route signs use the Series D font for the numbers, while signs with three or more digits use either a narrower font (Series B or C) or have smaller numbers in the Series D font. Series E and F is most commonly used on U.S. speed limit signs, although older signs often use narrower fonts. Street name signs usually feature white Series B, C or D letters on a green background, which can be substituted for other colors, such as blue or brown. They may have all capital letters or a combination of capital and lowercase letters. Freeway guide signs use Series E(M) on said backgrounds.

On white (regulatory), orange (construction) and yellow (warning) signs, black letters and numbers are used instead. Georgia uses both Series C and D fonts for the Interstate Highway signs until 2012. Beginning in 2016 when the interim approval for Clearview was rescinded, the Arizona Department of Transportation is now using mixed case (non-Modified) Series E for freeway guide signage, mixed case Series D for guide signage on non-freeway roads, and mixed case Series C for street name signs.[10]

By the mid-1990s the FHWA series of typefaces was used as a source of inspiration for a multi-weight print typeface designed by Tobias Frere-Jones of Font Bureau. Frere-Jones made accommodations for smaller print reproduction and Font Bureau released the face under the name Interstate. It has been adopted by many companies for branding; for example, NBC used it for NBC Sports graphics packages from 1997 to 2006, and TV Guide uses the typeface on its cover. The Weather Channel utilized this typeface extensively, both on its weather maps and for its local forecasts.

The logo of the premium cable channel Epix also uses a lowercase version of this typeface. NESN uses this typeface for on-screen graphics. The New York Mets use this typeface at Citi Field. The gossip magazine InTouch has been using this typeface since 2012. Films such as 8 Mile also use this font. Entertainment Tonight has been using this typeface since its 34th season. The soft drink Sierra Mist used this font on its logo from 2010 to 2014. It was also used in most Hannaford stores. Gridlock!, a pricing game on the American game show The Price Is Right in which the contestant can win a car, also uses the font in its logo and price displays.

Australia

[edit]

Australia uses the same font as the United States for their road signs. This is specified in Australian Standard AS 1744:2015 Standard alphabets for road signs. AS1744 directly acknowledges the FHWA for assisting with development of AS1744, and states that AS1744 reproduces the metric version of the FHWA Series 2000 fonts.

Canada

[edit]

The FHWA typefaces are also used predominantly on road signs in Canada. The province of Ontario used an in-house modified version until the late 1980s that featured slightly different characteristics, such as flat-top numeral 3's and numeral 1's without a serif. The city of Windsor began replacing its Helvetica signs with Highway Gothic in 2018.[11]

Worldwide

[edit]

Use of the font is seen in Peru (under different series labels), New Zealand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico.[12] Other countries may use typefaces that are either derived directly from the FHWA series or very similar in appearance such as SICA countries, Colombia, the Philippines and Thailand.

In Portugal, a variant of Highway Gothic—the Rodoviária typeface—was used on road signs since the 1970s until the introduction of a new signage model in 1994–1998. It is still used in the road signs of Macau (written in Portuguese).

In Argentina, new road signs based on the Manual de Señalamiento Vertical—Edición 2017 recently used the FHWA typeface.

In India, the FHWA typeface used for highway shields only while Transport used for road signs.

In mainland China, newer road signs use the FHWA typeface alongside Helvetica Bold for alphanumeric text.

In Taiwan, Arial Bold is used alongside FHWA Series E for English text.[13]

A bus lane road sign in Indonesia, using Highway Gothic

Indonesia formerly used the typeface from 1993 until 2014, regulated by Ministry of Transportation's law No. 62 year 1993.[14] However, in 2014, Ministry of Transportation passed a regulation to introduce new road signs, being replaced with the new Clearview typeface.[15]

In Spain, Series E is the base for Autopista typeface, used on Spanish motorways and freeways (Autopistas/ Autovias).

The Netherlands uses a derivative of the FHWA Alphabet Series typeface designed by the ANWB and the Dutch highways and waterways authority. The original set included two of the six series in the original typeface—RWS-Ee (wide, based on Series E (M)) and RWS-Cc (narrow, based on Series C) or ANWB-Ee (regular) and ANWB-Cc (condensed). Since 1997 the signs placed by the ANWB have used a new font called ANWB-Uu. Signs of other manufacturers continued using the old fonts. Since 2015 the ANWB-Uu font is not used any more on new signs; it has been replaced by RWS-Ee and the newly-designed RWS-Dd (based on the FHWA series D).

In Russia, Channel One used this font for its clock ident from 1996 to 2000.[citation needed]

Variants of the font are used in Turkey, Brazil, and Saudi Arabia.

Variants

[edit]

Derivative fonts include Interstate and Overpass. These fonts borrow heavily from the style of 'Highway Gothic', but have differences.

PBS, an American television network, between 2009 and 2019 used a custom derivative called, "PBS Explorer".[citation needed]

Samples

[edit]

Samples of the Standard Alphabets For Traffic Control Devices are shown below.

Series B 2000

Series C 2000

Series D 2000

Series E 2000

Series E Modified 2000

Series F 2000

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Sammdot/Roadgeek-fonts". GitHub.
  2. ^ Loutzenheiser, D.W. (1943). "Design of Signs for the Pentagon road network". Proceedings of the Highway Research Board. pp. 206–35.[full citation needed]
  3. ^ Forbes, Theodore W.; Moskowitz, Karl & Morgan, Glen (1950). "A Comparison of Lower Case and Capital Letters for Highway Signs". Proceedings of the Highway Research Board. pp. 355–373.[full citation needed]
  4. ^ Moeur, Richard (April 22, 2005). "Sign Typefaces". Manual of Traffic Signs. Retrieved May 18, 2006.[self-published source]
  5. ^ Yaffa, Joshua (August 11, 2007). "The Road to Clarity". The New York Times Magazine. Retrieved August 11, 2007.
  6. ^ Nadeau, Gregory G. (January 25, 2016). "Notice of Termination of Interim Approval IA-5". Federal Register. Vol. 81, no. 15. Office of the Federal Register. pp. 4083–4084. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
  7. ^ Diaz-Balart, Jose (June 7, 2016). "Report 114-606: Report Together with Minority Views [To Accompany H.R. 5394]" (PDF). 114th Congress 2d Session. United States House of Representatives. p. 31. Retrieved September 26, 2016.
  8. ^ Knopp, Martin C. (March 28, 2018). "Information: MUTCD – Interim Approval for Use of Clearview Font for Positive Contrast Legends on Guide Signs (IA-5)—Reinstatement [HOTO-1]" (PDF). Federal Highway Administration. Retrieved April 15, 2018.
  9. ^ Federal Highway Administration
  10. ^ "Arizona Manual of Approved Signs". Arizona Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on June 6, 2019. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
  11. ^ "Meet the man who makes Windsor's new 'gothic' street signs". CBC News. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
  12. ^ "Chapter 8: Letras y números para señales" (PDF). Manual de dispositivos para el control del tránsito en calles y carreteras (in Spanish) (5th ed.). Mexico: Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes. 1986. pp. 425–486. ISBN 968-803-140-2.
  13. ^ 路政司 (April 12, 2018). "電子公路監理網法規檢索系統-法規資訊-道路交通標誌標線號誌設置規則". Retrieved April 12, 2018.
  14. ^ "Ministerial Regulation Number 62 of 1993". Indonesia: Minister of Transportation. Archived from the original on February 24, 2021. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  15. ^ Ministerial Regulation Number 13 of 2014 about Traffic Signs Archived October 6, 2014, at the Wayback Machine. Ministry of Transportation of the Republic of Indonesia. Retrieved February 7, 2015.

Further reading

[edit]
[edit]
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