Traffic signs play a huge role in organizing traffic, keeping people safe, and providing information about road conditions. In certain situations, standard signs might fall short. This is where custom traffic signs, like the ones we offer at Transline Industries, come into play.
Custom traffic signs are important for providing:
- Specific details that standard signs may not provide
- Better visibility
- Better adaptability to non-standard spaces or layouts
At Transline Industries, we have over 30 years of experience as a reliable provider of traffic safety products, so we know how important traffic safety is. In this article, you’ll learn 5 tips about creating custom traffic signs.
1. Importance of Legibility
The most important thing to consider when creating custom traffic signs is legibility. A well-designed sign should be able to communicate information quickly and clearly so that drivers can safely and effectively navigate the road. Two essential factors that also play a role in traffic sign legibility are font, font size, and colors.
Font: With traffic signage, you want to use a clear, bold font style that everyone can see from a distance. For example, the Federal Highway Administration Series Fonts are readable and easily understood.
Font size: As you’re considering sign design tips, you should think about font size. Drivers need to see the sign well in advance to prevent delayed recognition. Larger font sizes can ensure that happens.
Contrasting colors: Contrasting colors are another important factor in legibility. You can see signs with higher contrast easier, and they’ll stand out more against the surroundings.
For example:
- Black text on a white background is easily recognizable
- White text on a blue background provides good contrast
- Black text on a yellow background is suitable for warning signage
2. Keep it Simple
As you’re designing custom roadside signs, it’s easy to get carried away and make things more stylish than they need to be. Two important aspects of custom traffic signs are using limited words and clear graphics.
Limited words: All drivers on the road need to understand custom traffic signs. That’s why you must use concise messaging that doesn’t overwhelm and distract drivers.
For example:
“Slow down: Pedestrians and cyclists ahead” is much better than a wordier version like “Please reduce speed in this area for the overall safety of pedestrians and cyclists on the road.”
Clear graphics: Sometimes, it’s easier to use symbols and graphics on custom traffic signs instead of language not everyone can understand. Universally recognizable symbols are easy to process by most people around the world. An example is a clear graphic of a pedestrian crossing the road or a red stop sign.
Using universally recognized symbols that go beyond cultures and languages is always recommended. This makes sure that people from different backgrounds can understand the message.
3. Use Reflective Materials
Low light and night driving conditions make things a little more difficult for some drivers. When the sun sets, drivers must rely on headlights to navigate the roads. If there aren’t signs with proper reflectivity, it can cause confusion and missed directions, leading to accidents.
Benefits of Reflective Materials
According to a U.S. Department of Transportation study, reflective signs can reduce crashes by 25% at rural intersections and 15% at urban intersections. The study also found that reflective signs can save lives and reduce injuries by preventing collisions with fixed objects, such as trees or poles.
Making outdoor signs with reflective materials ensures they’re visible no matter how dark it is outside. Reflect materials bounce back the light from headlights so that they stand out more and guide drivers on the road.
Different Grades of Reflectivity
Different grades of reflective materials can be used for custom traffic signs. Each grade caters to specific visibility needs:
Engineer grade: Engineer grade reflectivity is perfect for non-critical signs in well-lit urban areas.
High-intensity prismatic: This grade of reflectivity provides more visibility for signs on busy roads. They’re also ideal for areas that don’t have good lighting.
Diamond grade: This grade provides the highest level of reflectivity and is suitable for highways with poor lighting.
4. Consider Placement and Positioning
Another important thing to consider when making outdoor signs is the strategic placement of the signs. When a sign is placed in the most visible location possible, people can read and understand it more easily and quickly.
Height and angle: Custom traffic signs should be positioned so drivers can read them effortlessly while driving. If signs are too low, they can obstruct visibility. If they’re too high, it can make reading them difficult. In addition, the angle of the sign needs to be positioned slightly toward the approaching driver’s line of sign for the best visibility.
Avoid clutter: Another tip to remember is that signs shouldn’t be placed too close together. This can cause miscommunication because drivers will try to understand multiple signs simultaneously.
- Place the most important signs in the best positions
- Group related signs together
- Keep distance between signs to give drivers enough time to react
5. Adhere to Local Regulations and Standards
Creating custom traffic signs involves respecting your area’s location regulations and standards. This will make sure you’re designing signs that are both informative and legal. If you ignore the regulations, you can deal with fines, legal liability, and compromised driver safety.
If you’re not completely certain about making custom traffic signs, you should consult with traffic planning experts of local authorities. Their insight will allow you to create signs that align with safety and legal standards.
For the best results, it’s suggested to collaborate with seasoned sign makers who are familiar with local rules. At Transline Industries, our expertise in the industry will guarantee you’re compliant with all the rules and regulations. You’ll enjoy visually appealing custom signs that work for you by choosing us.
Drive Home the Message Today with Transline
When crafting custom traffic signs, legibility, simplicity, reflectivity, placement, and compliance are the most important things to consider. These factors enhance safety and communication on roads.
For the most effective custom signs on the market, look at what we offer. If you have any questions or concerns about custom traffic signs, don’t hesitate to contact us.
