The latest Vox explainer video tackles the eminently fascinating topic of highway sign fonts.
The astute observer of fonts probably might have noticed that highway signs in the United States come in two varieties: Highway Gothic and Clearview.
The video explains the origins and details of Highway Gothic and the reasoning behind the slow and steady switch to Clearview. There's lots of interesting nuggets of information in here, including the reasoning behind the angled tops of letters (making Illinois much easier to read, for example) and the definition of the term halation (the reason for the shift to Clearview).
FULL STORY: Why the US has two different highway fonts
Clearview Is Back as the Font of Choice for Highway Signs
An overlooked feature of the federal omnibus bill approved earlier this year: a return to the Clearview font for highway traffic signs.
FHWA Ruffles Feathers With Font Change for Highway Signs
After adopting the Clearview font in 2004, ending the Highway Gothic in use since the 1960s, the U.S. Federal Highway Administration reversed course in January and will again require the older font. This small change matter a great deal.
Witty Highway Safety Messages Fall Flat with US DOT
Feds are concerned that overly creative digital billboard messages could confuse drivers, but state transportation officials disagree.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
Albuquerque’s Microtransit: A Planner’s Answer to Food Access Gaps
New microtransit vans in Albuquerque aim to close food access gaps by linking low-income areas to grocery stores, cutting travel times by 30 percent and offering planners a scalable model for equity-focused transit.
This City Will Pay You to Meet Your Neighbors
A North Kansas City grant program offers up to $400 for residents to throw neighborhood block parties.
Commentary: Our Silence Will Not Protect Us
Keeping our heads down and our language inoffensive is not the right response to the times we’re in. Solidarity and courage is.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)