What is the font of Los angeles freeway signs?

bob2131 · May 31, 2009, 05:11 PM

hi, the font of california road signs, in particular of los angeles.

Anybody know what font this is?

Or are there diff ones?

thanks.

iMacZealot · May 31, 2009, 05:15 PM

The US. Federal Highway System designed a universal font for all highway signage in the 1940's. Tobias-Frere Jones designed an updated variation for commercial use.

I agree that it's a pretty font, too.

Blue Velvet · May 31, 2009, 05:17 PM

The lower case 's' doesn't quite match but the truncated descender on the 'g' makes me think of the info on this page. At the bottom, you'll find some links.

Quote:

1949-50, as part of a research program into freeway signing carried out by the California Department of Transportation, 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.[

There's also a Larabie font called Blue Highway which might do the trick.

Edit: Tip to iMacZealot for getting there first.

bob2131 · May 31, 2009, 05:30 PM

i love this board i love this board i love this board

thankyou soooooo much for a speedy reply..

so FHWA is the "official" correct typeface.
Tobias Interstate is an off-shoot of the the above, with a bit of variation.
And blue highway....is a free.... very similar typeface?

So any of these would do?

May 31, 2009, 05:11 PM	#1
bob2131 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jul 2008	What is the font of Los angeles freeway signs? hi, the font of california road signs, in particular of los angeles. Anybody know what font this is? Or are there diff ones? thanks. Attached Thumbnails
	0

May 31, 2009, 05:15 PM	#2
iMacZealot macrumors 68020 Join Date: Mar 2005	The US. Federal Highway System designed a universal font for all highway signage in the 1940's. Tobias-Frere Jones designed an updated variation for commercial use. I agree that it's a pretty font, too. __________________ imz
	0

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
What is the scope of Code Signing?	Sydde	Mac Programming	3	Apr 6, 2010 12:26 PM
What is the source of the "Newest iPhone Apps" section of the macrumors iphone tab?	diesel	iPhone and iPod touch Apps	5	Sep 30, 2008 11:33 AM
What is the back of the iPhone made of?	tblmn	iPhone	4	Jul 2, 2007 05:57 PM
What is the affect of keeping the power supply while the battery is there ?	someone	Mac Basics and Help	3	Feb 19, 2007 12:07 PM
What is the Rest of the World's View of Britain and the British?	UKnjb	Politics, Religion, Social Issues	87	Jul 6, 2006 01:54 PM

May 31, 2009, 05:30 PM	#4
bob2131 Thread Starter macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jul 2008	i love this board i love this board i love this board thankyou soooooo much for a speedy reply.. so FHWA is the "official" correct typeface. Tobias Interstate is an off-shoot of the the above, with a bit of variation. And blue highway....is a free.... very similar typeface? So any of these would do?
	0


MacRumors Forums > Special Interests > Visual Media > Design and Graphics