Highway Gothic or Clearview?
Debuted in recent years, Clearview font is sweeping the nations highway signs into a new era of type. Featuring a larger lettering scheme with thinner curves and lines, Clearview's creators contest an increased legibility over the decades-old Highway Gothic. FHWA liked it and approved it for use on the nation's highways, with Pennsylvania leading the charge with a full commitment to the implementation of the font in all signing projects state-wide.
The following list is by no means a complete listing and will be updated as observations are made in the field or written in to us. Drop us a note if you view Clearview font in any of the states listed as "no" below. Some of the information below comes from the FHWA MUTCD List of Authorized Requests for Interim Approval. While the font may be approved in the states listed, implementation of the new signs may not have occurred.
For even more on the Clearview phenomenon, see the New York Times article "The Road to Clarity".
Updates (02-17-09: Added changes to various states' use of Clearview from feedback on the AARoads forum.
| State |
Used and where |
Example |
| Alabama |
Yes, Mobile street signs; Interstate bridge identification markers |
Mobile 07/17/07 |
| Alaska |
Yes |
-- |
| Arizona |
Yes, Phoenix street signs, all Valley freeways to be converted |
Phoenix 01/15/05 |
| Arkansas |
Yes, on all new Interstate signs |
Taken by Robert Lee (07/08/06) |
| California |
Yes, though a few exceptions are found: I-5 in Orange County, city street signs |
Orange County (01/14/07) |
| Colorado |
Yes, Colorado Springs |
-- |
| Connecticut |
Yes, being phased in on all assemblies starting with the Merritt Parkway |
-- |
| Delaware |
Yes |
Taken by I.C. Ligget (06/27/08) |
| Florida |
Yes, on OOCEA Roads |
Orlando 08/26/07 |
| Georgia |
No |
-- |
| Hawaii |
No |
-- |
| Idaho |
Yes |
-- |
| Illinois |
Yes, on Interstates initially, nw on state highways and for street signs. |
Taken by Kerrie Smith (11/07) |
| Indiana |
No |
-- |
| Iowa |
Yes, sporadically |
Taken by Jeff Morrison (11/20/06) |
| Kansas |
Yes |
Kansas Turnpike |
| Kentucky |
Yes, Louisville freeway signs |
Taken by Steve Delery (11/07) |
| Louisiana |
Yes |
Taken by Buford Durr Jr (12/13/08).
Illuminated street signs in south Baton Rouge and East Baton Rouge Parish |
| Maine |
No |
-- |
| Maryland |
Yes, on Interstate signs |
Baltimore 12/18/07. |
| Massachusetts |
No |
-- |
| Michigan |
Yes, being implemented system wide |
Taken by Ryan Pooya (05/17/07) |
| Minnesota |
No |
-- |
| Mississippi |
No |
-- |
| Missouri |
Yes, on destination/attractions signs around the KC loop and on street signs in Kirkwood. |
Taken by Justin Cozart (03/13/08) |
| Montana |
No |
-- |
| Nebraska |
No |
-- |
| Nevada |
No |
-- |
| New Hampshire |
No |
-- |
| New Jersey |
Yes, Bridgewater |
taken by Rich K (02/08), intersection of Polhemus Lane and East Main Street in Bridgewater. |
| New York |
Yes, already in use at La Guardia Airport |
-- |
| New Mexico |
No |
-- |
| North Carolina |
No |
-- |
| North Dakota |
No, except for city of Bismarck |
-- |
| Ohio |
Yes |
-- |
| Oklahoma |
Yes, implemented statewide. |
Taken by Jeff Royston (01/08). |
| Oregon |
No |
-- |
| Ontario |
Yes, being implemented system wide |
-- |
| Pennsylvania |
Yes, being implemented system wide |
Waverly (07/04/05) |
| Rhode Island |
No |
-- |
| South Carolina |
Yes |
-- |
| South Dakota |
No |
-- |
| Tennessee |
No |
-- |
| Texas |
Yes, being implemented system wide |
Austin 09/28/07
|
| Utah |
Yes |
Signs for Legacy Parkway |
| Vermont |
No |
--
|
| Virginia |
Yes, on newly installed or replaced signage on all state-maintained routes. |
Fredericksburg (01/02/08) |
| Washington |
No, except for the city of Kennewick |
-- |
| Washington, DC |
No |
-- |
| West Virginia |
Yes |
-- |
| Wisconsin |
Yes |
-- |
| Wyoming |
Yes, extensively on Interstate signage. |
-- |
Page Updated February 17, 2009.
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