Signs of Change: How the new Clearview font is changing America's highways

[ProDeoSolus]

fascinating!



[desmondhammond]

The only thing unfortunate about this video is it says nothing about the research showing that people can READ the signs better...older drivers, drivers under inclement weather conditions, etc. Reading time = distance, distraction, and disruption on increasingly crowded highways with increasingly inattentive drivers. Replacing old signs with clear view increases safety. Its not just pretty.

[ahosek]

All of the people ranting about how this is a waste of money etc are short-sighted, slogan-toting blowhards. Highway signs are replaced frequently due to wear, reduced visibility and changes in roads. New signs being made with this font plays a direct role in highway safety, just like use of new anti-reflective materials do.

[federicomorilla]

Its demonstrated that the use of capital letters is more effective than lower case. The small letters are used for longer texts, but short names, capitalization, are better.

[DBR96A]

Highway signs have life cycles too. Button-copy signs lose their buttons, and reflective signs lose their reflectivity. And I haven't seen any new signs in good condition get replaced simply because they're not using the Clearview font, so please spare us the "waste of taxpayer money" crap.

[adrianroam95]

this new font has been used in BC, Canada for all newer signs. All i can say is that it is HORRIBLE. the traditional FHWA typeface is heaps better.

[LOGINKPW]

@adrianroam95

I AGREE!!! This is just way for Governments to STEAL and WASTE tax dollars! In addition, the neon-yellow signs and roundabouts are especially hideous! These are no better than "old-school" way of things.

[hotrod4you2]

just more waSted money,the country is in THE RED and what does the dems leaders do WASTE MORE ON ROAD SIGNS, WHEN WILL YOU PEOPLE WAKE UP ? IT JUST MAKES ME WANT TO SHOUT AND PUNCH SOMEONE

[paulofranca77]

@hotrod4you2 "HULK SMASHH!

[signalkid1]

I absolutely hate the font. I don't see how it's easier to read, and it's pug ugly! I'd rather keep the old gothic font, not this.

[MrWatchdawg77]

How much is this going to cost? I've driven across the country three times and I've never had a problem with seeing the signs!

If it ain't broke why fix it?! 

[desmondhammond]

@MrWatchdawg77 Fair question....but it IS broke. You've had no problem because you've got good eyes. Older drivers, distracted drives (i.e., everyone), and drivers who don't know their way in inclement weather and/or crowded road conditions require more time to read the old signs. That means break lights come on as people slow down to figure out where they're going, people swerve back into lanes when they miss their exits, etc. Rare, maybe, but real when you consider the whole population.

[itubeutude]

clearview is a good font.

[catfan]

I like the Clearview font very much!! Some of these signs are familiar since I live near Binghamton, NY, near the PA border. Even the NYS Thruway and New York City are starting to use the new font.

[DTownzz]

What a waste of money. It's not hard to read older signs, and we are completely out of money.

15 years on this is a real waste of talent. These signs cost tens of thousands of dollars, each, too. We'd be MUCH better off doing nothing, or building more signs instead of replacing them, or even subsidizing GPS units (no, I don't want them to do that, either).

these people didn't ask us if this was OK. Because we'd have said no.

[bmpowell]

@DTownzz I doubt you're an engineer. There is research to support the use of Clearview. Installation of even more signs would be counterproductive in most cases because it would cause more driver distraction.

The reflective sheeting on signs has a finite life. As it ages, it loses its reflective properties. Most of the Clearview installations are for signs that would have been replaced normally anyhow.

[DTownzz]

@bmpowell

I'll ignore the ad hom attack. However, I doubt you're a professional.

You say installation of more signs is counterproductive. Probably true in some places. Clearly I was not referring to those.

This is a tremendous waste of money. The research, slick marketing here, and of course, the many signs that will be replaced early, are unnecessary expenses. Signs have been quite legible for decades and no one will noticed aside from those profiting from yet more make-work.

[DTownzz]

@bmpowell

In fact, it seems to me that the old style font is superior. The old e is more differentiated than the new one, which simply looks prettier for no good reason. No doubt, the research done on 'clearview' is not double-blind, and probably itself was a tremendous waste of resources (that we simply do not have).

I have heard your tone before, assuring everyone who disagrees that they must not have the needed expertise. You're wasting other people's money, and they should know.

[bmpowell]

@DTownzz:

Just because something subjectively appears to be better to you doesn't mean it actually is. There are extensive peer-reviewed research and studies behind the use of Clearview.

But you're obviously too fixated on the fact that things cost money to care. Nevermind the fact that most of the money would have already been spent due to life cycle issues anyhow.

[Pyrotech56]

@DTownzz Agree 100%. What a total waste of money in a tight economy. Talk about change for the sake of change. HUGE waste of money here, folks...

[chainsolid1994]

the letter e just "kinda pops" for him. lyke WTF

[LordDeadSpider]

Great work. Something as simple as a font can work wonders for motorist. I know I have issues reading road signs at times even with 20/20

[predrag18]

holly fucksakes shit,this is so pointless...they probably masturbate on letters...

[101OnTheRun]

I Click On This Vid By Mistake..Along With The 447 viewers!

[TheCharliePetch]

Why am I watching this?

2:38 -> Wow.

[TheCharliePetch]

Why am I watching this?

[johneastmond]

Now if you hadn't seen this video would you even know that a font change could improve highway use? Did you even think about the people who design this stuff?

[DTownzz]

@johneastmond

No, of course not, since signs have functioned adequately for decades.

Sadly, I have thought about the people who cost a fortune, making new versions of forms and signs and decals and stickers and IDs and the rest. A massive, massive waste of resources. any isolated case seems like nothing to get worried about, just like a tiny sliver of cheesecake won't make you obese. But we're talking about tens of thousands of these pinheads. Time to fire them all.

[shopper711928]

I like the clearview "L's"