Finding your Way
Road and street signs have long been a part of the British landscape. But in 1961, when designer Herbert Spencer journeyed from London to Heathrow Airport and documented the wide variety of signs, he called for a simplified and consistent design.
In 1965, designers Jock Kinnier and Margaret Calvert launched the new system, still in place today. There were three basic shapes of circles, triangles, and rectangles; and an easy-to-read large font with upper and lower cases was used so drivers could recognise words easily when driving at speed.
Fast and Slow
The original road sign designs included a warning sign for private railway crossings, showing a steam train. However, with a rise of incidents of drivers and pedestrians using railway crossings incorrectly, the Department for Transport has introduced a new design.
Human factors research showed that the steam train was associated with slow moving trains and was confusing for younger and international drivers. The new design, featuring a fast-moving modern diesel train and a barrier, will now improve safety and help drivers and pedestrians operate crossings correctly.
Modern road sign for railway crossings