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Overhead gantry signs

British practice in overhead gantry sign design  is way behind the Continental's. And here are some examples of what I mean:--

• Separate boards for different destinations. The continental's split the sign up into separate boards to emphasize the different lane destinations. In the UK all the destinations are usually placed on one long board which is divided up visually by vertical white lines. Separate boards are much clearer in delivering the message of which lane you should be in.
• Large lane arrows.  Continental lane designating arrows are very large and are placed on the board itself just below the lettering.  They can be easily seen from several hundred metres distance which is essential in order to take lane-changing action well in advance.  In the UK the arrows are tiny, they are not on the board but below it on a separate board.  Furthermore, in the UK, a line of matrix signs is often placed in between them and the main board which further reduces the impact of the arrows.
• Arrow design. The Continental arrows are designed so that the effect of distance on visibility is allowed for.  Fine detail and thin lines disappears at a distance so the Continental practice is to allow for this by eliminating fine details, thus the fine acute angles of the end of the 'barbs' are rounded making it possible to make the arrows 'fatter' and visible from a greater distance.
• I have added a group of seven photos here that show ways by which UK gantry signs should be altered, take a look. [february 04]

regards,

jim