Federal Highway Administration Rescinds Clearview Font Interim Approval

On Monday, January 25, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced the termination of the Interim Approval for Use of Clearview Font and immediately discontinued the use of alternate lettering style on traffic control signs other than the FHWA Standard Alphabet series.

ssued in September 2004, Interim Approval 1A-5 was implemented, “with the goal of improving the legibility of highway signs,” according to the notice published by the FHWA .

However, the Interim Approval was authored, “in a way that would allow narrower letter forms” – ultimately, showing no clear benefit when compared to the original FHWA Standard Alphabet.

The FHWA focuses on uniformity on all of its traffic control devices listed in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).

nd although the average motorist would seldom notice the difference of the two fonts while operating a vehicle, it may require an additional glance toward a sign instead of focusing on the road.Signs that currently display the Clearview font do not need to be replaced, as long as they comply with the original Interim Approval 1A-5 requirements and remain in good condition. However, when a sign does require replacement, it must use the FHWA Standard Alphabet series.Private road signage must also use the FHWA Standard Alphabet Series.All current Clearview Font road signs are grandfathered in and can remain. Canada will continue to use Clearview.