The Economics of Everyday Things 69. Highway Signs
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Nov 4, 2024 Discover the intricate world of highway signage and its vital role in guiding millions. Delve into the manufacturing process, where community pride and skilled labor come together, including the surprising involvement of incarcerated workers. Explore the evolution of sign standards and the technologies enhancing visibility and safety for all. Financial challenges and government policies also shape this landscape, while eco-friendly innovations are on the rise. Get ready to see road signs in a whole new light!
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Early Road Signage
- Early American roads had inconsistent signage, making long-distance travel difficult.
- This led to the creation of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) for standardization.
MUTCD Standards
- The MUTCD standardizes everything from sign shapes and sizes to fonts and colors.
- Highway Gothic, a sans-serif typeface, is used for legibility, with mixed-case lettering aiding quick recognition.
Sign Color and Visibility
- Green is the preferred color for highway signs due to its legibility and retro-reflectivity.
- Retro-reflectivity, enhanced by microprismatic sheeting, makes signs visible at night.