Sunday 15 November 2009

More UK metric distance signs: Route confirmation

This article shows more distance signs, focusing on route confirmation signs. This article will show what these signs may look like once they have been converted to show metric units.  Earlier articles have shown examples of metric distance signs for junctions and services, and also metric speed limit signs.

The only decision that needs to be made is where to place the km, either above the numbers or alongside each number. Whichever decision is made, one needs to be consistent, and I have no preference in terms of where km is placed.

I also suggest using a condensed version of Transport (which would be used for 3 digit speed limits) for long place names, especially if km is used alongside each number. The usage of a condensed Transport font is demonstrated on many of the signs shown in this article.  Note that the Transport fonts used in the images in this article and throughout the glob on someday are not the official Transport fonts.

Here are two possible examples of Motorway route confirmation signs after conversion:

Only the motorway / route name, place names and distances are necessary, going metric is a great opportunity to remove all clutter at the same time. In particular, "London Orbital", "The South West" or "The WEST" which we often see on these distance signs in the UK, is unnecessary clutter.  To demonstrate the clutter, an example of a converted sign, but with "The South West" left as it is, is shown below: 

I believe this does not go far enough, as "The South West" is too general, and is taking up space. What is recommended is to remove or replace “The South West”, which will not only free up space, but one can even put in an additional destination, examples of recommended changes are shown below:

Conversions for these type of signs will also need to be done for Primary Routes and for Non-primary routes as well as for Motorways.

Two possible examples of Primary Route confirmation distance signs after conversion:

Four possible examples of Non-Primary / Local route confirmation distance signs after conversion:

Converting the route confirmation signs, whether for Motorways, Primary Routes, or Non-Primary Routes, will be straightforward. One would simply convert the value from miles to km and round to the nearest whole number where possible.  Decimal fractions, which should be no more than 1 decimal place (e.g. 5.5 km), are best avoided unless absolutely unavoidable.  The key is to ensure accuracy is within 90% on this and all other distance signs.

It is also not necessary to replace the whole route confirmation sign, conversion using plating is sufficient.  New signs are only needed when the old sign has worn out.  This way conversion costs can be kept to a minimum.

5 comments so far. What are your thoughts?

  1. Very neat and easily readible signs, well done!

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  2. These signs look good, my personal preference is to have the km on the side as it is more clear and would cause less confusion on changeover. Great job!

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  3. Very good designs. Although it would make signs larger, I do think the 'km' would always have to accompany each figure to remove any chance of confusion. After all, even if countrywide conversion takes place overnight, there will still be the odd imperial sign left over here and there.

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  4. Destinations in brackets have not been allowed since 1994, and I don't think bringing them back would be of any benefit at all.

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  5. How about converting words like London Orbital with London Ring, and Cambridge Bypass, along with the motorway or A road or B road or whatever number?

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